ron_tepper Reviews

Tales of the Unexpected: Royal Jelly (1980) Season 2, Episode 1

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[9/10 · 10 June 2008]

"Royal Jelly" is horror at its very best-even though there is a sprinkling of dark humor that at times hints that Dahl's tongue is planted firmly in his cheek. Either way it doesn't get any better than this. It is a story about a Beekeeper named Albert, his wife (Mabel)played by the beautiful Susan George, and their baby girl. They are a nice couple and the kind of people you want as neighbors.They have a problem.Their baby daughter is not eating and thus is wasting away quickly. The couple doesn't know what to do. Albert sits down one night and reads in his Bee Journal about Royal Jelly.Royal Jelly is a substance produced by bees for the sole purpose of making a queen.If you look at a hive-you notice cells or combs.Almost all worker bees get fed a combination of both Pollen and Honey,.But the cell used to create a Queen Bee is filled with a substance known as Royal Jelly.It contains tremendous nutrients used for the Queen alone. Royal Jelly can create a diet so powerful that ultimate weight gain goes thru the roof. Albert decides since his baby girl is already dying of hunger to start adding Royal Jelly to the infants milk bottle without his wife's knowledge. The infant takes to it like a duck to water and his wife can't believe how well her baby is doing-she is gaining weight at a fast pace and looks great. When her husband discloses that he's been giving her Royal Jelly she gets very angry-"can you realize the dangers". Albert smiles at her and states there is no danger, in fact he has been consuming massive amounts of Royal Jelly for years and lets just say the episode ends with a high level of BUZZZZZZZZZing as it draws to a close.In other words-well, I think you get it I both read the short story by Dahl and saw the TV episode and the episode doesn't do justice to the book. In the book they mention as the story goes on that the Albert starts to look a little more fuzzy yellow,and itchy.It ends with the great line "Come on Mabel,give her a blanket. We don't want our little "QUEEN" to catch a cold"

I might add ever since seeing that episode i have been buying Royal Jelly at the local GNC. I have not started buzzing yet but it is a strong source of Vitamin B5.It also contains 85% nutrients that have never been identified or classified by science before.

The Twilight Zone: The Man in the Bottle (1960) Season 2, Episode 2

Deserving of at least one comment

[4/10 · 10 June 2008]

"The Man in the Bottle" was not one of the better Twilight Zone episodes which is probably why there are no comments. It does however deserve mention. This is a story of Arthur and Edna Adler who own a pawn shop and are just barely making ends meet. They are both good hearted people who can't say no when it comes to being kind to others. One day this woman brings an antique lamp into their store. She claims it has magical powers( to the disbelief of the couple) but feeling sorry for the woman they give her a dollar for it. One day they rub it and guess what appears? A genie.He is not a very nice genie and smiles at them in a malevolent almost mocking way.He does grant them 4 wishes but warns them to "be careful what they wish for" because all wishes have consequences. They wish for money-a million dollars in cash. The wish is granted and being nice people they give almost all of it away only to realize that they must pay taxes which wipes out the remainder of cash. Arthur than chooses power and wants to be the head of a Country where he would have complete control-he gets his wish only to end up as Adolph Hitler at the end of the war. A few other wishes are granted but in the end they end up no better off than when they started.It does end on an upbeat note This is one episode that HAS been done many times before. It is totally predictable as well as derivative leaving little to the imagination of the viewer.The couple are nice people who are sympathetic to others which makes this a "feel good" episode but it doesn't stand out as being novel or retaining any level of substance. Joe Ruskin does shine as the evil genie in a role of a lifetime but even he can't save this mess

Night Gallery: The Sins of the Fathers/You Can't Get Help Like That Anymore (1972) Season 2, Episode 21

This episode you will never forget (but you wish you could)

[9/10 · 6 June 2008]

Boy oh boy what an episode.The basic story involves a mother and son who live in Wales in the 13th century. Like most people in their village they live in poverty. In order to feed their families there is an ancient custom called "Sin Eating".When a person dies there is a banquet of food brought by the family and placed at the bedside of the deceased. They then give the hungry a chance to feast but with the catch that by eating the food they would also cleanse the deceased of all their sins and transfer those sins to the onewhofeasts.Evidently-"sin eating" is a very painful event because it causes severe pain and anguish.One day they get a call in the village that someone has passed on and a sin eater was needed . The son who is familiar to the ritual fakes eating the food and instead hoards it in his coat to bring home to his mother.He accomplishes this by screaming as if in pain during the ritual. When he gets home his mother has a surprise for him for his father-who was also a sin eater had just died and well-- I think you can guess the rest. One has to ask themselves why is this episode so horrifying? There is no violence or blood in the episode. There also is nothing that is scary to watch.But those screams!!!!Imagine the horror of taking on the sins of all sinners let alone Sin "Eaters" Excellent acting in every sense of the word and Serling again proves that the most horrible images we can imagine are intrinsic. If this doesn't send a chill down the spine nothing will.Truly shocking

The Twilight Zone: The Dummy (1962) Season 3, Episode 33

The Old "Switcharoo"

[9/10 · 5 June 2008]

Loved this episode and have a hard time believing more people didn't give it a much higher grade.Cliff Robertson gives an excellent yet understated performance as a Ventriloquist who may or may not be losing his mind.He takes his act all over the country and is quite a success except lately he has a real problem. He is convinced that his dummy (named Willie) is alive.It seems that the dummy is actually saying his own lines on stage and tries to torment him when offstage.The matter is further complicated by the fact that he is also developing into an alcoholic.His manager thinks he's crazy and that his self destructive behavior and bizarre visions are ruining both his career and his sanity not to mention the act itself..His manager says "adios amigo" and Jerry's nightmare reaches epic proportions.He locks the dummy in the trunk but still sees visions of him everywhere and hears the dummy taunt him no matter where he goes. And then....... ? well-maybe one of the best executed shocks of any Twilight episode. OK I know the knocks-that its derivative, that its predictable and that it has been "done before".The movie "Dead of Night" often comes to mind along with Hitchcocks TV episode entitled "The Glass Eye".But in all fairness this episode stands very well on its own.The viewer is unsure whether the Dummy is real and when we reach the end well- NO ONE would expect the shocking yet ironic twist. There is a lot to admire about this episode. First of all the acting is truly outstanding-Robertson is excellent and very convincing as a desperate man who may be losing his mind and Sutton is equally good as his estranged agent.Also the direction is brilliant ranking right up there with "Eye of the Beholder". The stark backgrounds,the frantic camera shots and the surrealistic images plus the editing helps puts us in Jerry's world. And then there is the shock at the end-and no matter what people say no one could ever predict or expect it

I know that this episode seems derivative but give Serling and the director's credit.The ending is both fascinating and truly original This was one of the most entertaining episodes from the series and it will suck you right into the story and not let go-not even during the commercials. This is one act you DON'T want to miss

The Twilight Zone: Eye of the Beholder (1960) Season 2, Episode 6

Direction doesn't get any better than this

[9/10 · 29 May 2008]

"Eye Of The Beholder" tells a story about a woman's desire to be "normal" look "normal" and be treated as "normal".Too bad for her its 3 strikes and your out.,or is it? There are a number of reasons why this episode is considered the greatest Twilight episode ever. It starts in world that doesn't quite feel like our own (and for good reason)

A woman is in the hospital attempting her 23rd attempt at a radical plastic surgery procedure that will enable her to look normal. For some reason the viewer is told that this is the LAST attempt the hospital is allowed to do because "The State" doesn't allow any more. There is tremendous tension in all the characters as well as us as viewers.The rooms are dark, the camera scans MD's and Nurses at specific angles and the viewer is not even aware that they never see anyone's face until the very end.Direction doesn't get any better than this.Eventually the bandages do come off this "ugly" woman with the MD's yelling "It failed no difference" The viewer is braced for the worse. When they see the patient only to be shocked at the results and then further shocked by the images of the other hospital workers.Beauty seems to be term quite subjective. What makes this a great episode is the direction, the social, moral, and ethical significance of the subject matter and the shock it provides.It does however have some flaws. First of all its TOO INTENSE to even watch-brilliant but too tense for most people.The 2nd problem is that the message although universal is too far of a stretch. All people can recognize beauty and ugliness with some variation based on our frame of reference.There are political elements as well.The episode frequently shows a Dictator of some kind yelling about totalitarianism and conforming to the state.This "conformity" message allows the world of politics to rear its ugly head once again where it really doesn't belong. Despite those flaws this episode is a true masterpiece and should be seen at least once by all. I applaud Serling for his integrity and his closing remarks have never seemed more perfect. DON'T MISS THIS ONE.

The Twilight Zone: Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up? (1961) Season 2, Episode 28

Are there any real martians out there anyway?

[7/10 · 21 May 2008]

"Will The Real Martian Please Stand up" is one of the funnier Twilight Zones from the series. It starts off with a spaceship landing in a field during a snowstorm. 2 policemen are summoned to look into it. All they find are what appears as human footprints which lead to a diner. Inside the diner is the owner and I believe 7 people stranded because of the snowstorm. What is interesting is that there is one more person in the diner than there should be and that along with various events leads the cops in an effort to find a Martian.It turns out that the Martian does show himself in an ironic twist only to find an even bigger twist at the end involving the owner of the diner. The episode is funny but implausible. Without giving too much away we know that neither Mars or Venus can support human life forms.On top of that would alien creatures be almost human and know the language? I know this is nit picking. The episode was poorly acted and the dialog was run of the mill but I have to admit it was entertaining and does provide the viewer not only one twist at the end but a twist within a twist to boot Also like "Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" McCarthyism permeates this episode as well.The country was obsessed with the "Big Red Scare"I know this writeup won't be too helpful since I beat around the bush rather than giving anything away but its better to know very little to really appreciate it. Despite its faults this was one of the "classic" episodes of many Twilight Zone fans, even those with 3 eyes.

The Twilight Zone: Stopover in a Quiet Town (1964) Season 5, Episode 30

If you drink don't drive

[7/10 · 7 May 2008]

Stopover in a Quiet Town was actually one of the better episodes in the final season that the Twilight Zone aired. The story? An obnoxious couple wake up one morning in their dress clothes evidently passed out after a night on the town. When they awaken-they don't know where they are, they don't know how they got where they are at and they don't recognize anything or anyone.During the episode they try to uncover the mystery only to fall deeper into a maelstrom that makes no sense. They find no people in this small town and all objects and life "signs" are just "props" as if in a movie. They finally hear a train so they get on thinking it would take them to civilization again but they get off at the exact spot they got on. During the course of this entire episode they hear a girls voice laughing at them.Okay readers have you figured it out yet? Well lets just say a large human hand comes down from the sky to pick them up and I'll leave the rest to your imagination although it still may be hard to figure it out. Actually this story was very original and very neat(to use an old expression). However it has many flaws. As stated earlier the viewer does not truly sympathize with their situation because they are so obnoxious. There is a lot of very irritating bickering between the 2 blaming each other for the predicament they find themselves in.And even though the ending seems quite novel it feels more derivative. It does end with one of the funniest lines by Serling in the entire series-"The moral of this story is if you drink don't drive and if your wife has too maybe she shouldn't drive either".This is one of those episodes which really does pay off in the end if you can hang in there.

The Twilight Zone: A Short Drink from a Certain Fountain (1963) Season 5, Episode 11

Morality Tale

[4/10 · 7 May 2008]

"The Short Drink from a Certain Fountain" was one of the 4 twilight zone episodes not available for syndication although in recent years it has been somehow included in those Twilight Zone Marathons on one of the major cable channels. I agree with the other commenter. Patrick Oneal is married in this episode to Ruta Lee who is 30 years his junior(lucky him) and beautiful to boot.While he is old and getting older he begins to realize he's got problems keeping his wife interested in him. His brother who is a scientist gives him a not quite perfected youth serum which at the time was only successful in animal studies. I don't want to give this funny ending away but lets just say the serum works a little TOO well and leads his wife with a problem as well as a role that she never expected. Its basically a morality tale. It is not well acted and yes the makeup is as bad as it gets but it does provide the viewer with the "twist" that The Twilight Zone usually delivers.

The Twilight Zone: One More Pallbearer (1962) Season 3, Episode 17

You have got to be kidding

[2/10 · 6 May 2008]

I normally don't like to poke fun at other peoples comments but I can't believe the other reviewer who called this episode of the zone as "A True Masterpiece" as compared to others in the Twilight Zones long series.

In my opinion it was one of the worst. Paul Radin lives secluded-a billionaire with a huge chip on his shoulder. He was insulted in various ways by various people over the course of his life.He invites these people to his home under false pretenses and tries to manipulate them into asking forgiveness for acts that were truly justified at the time they were committed.

Somehow through technology he convinces them that the world will be coming to an end and they can die with the others or survive in his shelter.The only thing he wants is forgiveness for his wrongful acts. His guests decide they would rather die than live in safety with him.It ends with Radin "going insane" believing that the world does come to an end and he is the only man in the world left alive. Although I admit the ending was disturbing and actually pretty haunting it truly lacks any semblance of credibility. Why would this man go insane in the first place. Is he that mentally unstable? Why not end it with a real nuclear war actually happening and he along with the others die as well.This seems like a story with no true ending so someone said"he'll just go insane that's all"I will admit one thing though.The ending at least was as disturbing to me as any episode I've seen but it was clearly one of the worst

The Twilight Zone: The Invaders (1961) Season 2, Episode 15

Perfect

[10/10 · 14 February 2008]

Wow! Brilliant writing, brilliant acting, and an imaginative concept. This ranks at the top.This is so unique because it sucked the viewer in and not only had a shock "for the ages" of an ending-but generally placed the blame on us.Outside of Patty Duke's performance in "The Miracle Worker" this was with most brilliant non verbal performance I've seen on TV or Screen.The most shocking element to this episode is that no one could see it coming even though there are clues all along if you are paying attention(most people don't).It certainly redefines the element of humanity based on your particular perspective. I know I haven't discussed the episode but outside of a one sentence description of the episode you can't really say any more without giving it away. There also may be a social commentary evolving from this episode but rather than ramble on all I can say is this is one Twilight Zone that can not be missed.

The Twilight Zone: It's a Good Life (1961) Season 3, Episode 8

"Once somebody had bad thoughts about me-who was it?

[10/10 · 5 February 2008]

I loved this episode and its "tongue in cheek" title.Believe me, its NOT a very good life. Not for the poor people in this town.There is a monster and its a little 6 year old boy named Anthony Freemont Anthony somehow has the power to do anything in life from making people disappear(not to mention entire countries)to creating "gophers with 3 heads"just by pure thought alone!.What makes this story so powerful(besides the wonderful acting)was that it expanded the viewers mind and in doing so we create the horrible images that would would expect to see on screen.Itis our imagination as viewers that added and produced the horror of this episode.Even though Anthony talks about "setting people on fire" among other things ,we never see it but the overall effect is the same as if we did, in fact even worse. Also what made this so effective was the atmosphere that this boy created for those few "lucky" people who managed to survive this nightmare. There was so much tension in this episode- fear, trepidation, paranoia.How can people possibly live like this- having to always be thinking "happy thoughts" about Anthony so they don't become his next victims.Billy Mumy was perfect for this character with those menacing stares and innocent cute looks.The whole cast was outstanding, But as stated-I have never felt such fear and horror when nothing was ever made visual by the director of the episode. Someone once said that "less is sometimes more".The real horror is not in what we see with our eyes but what images we conjure in our imagination.I don't think I want to even see whats in "the cornfield" or should I say imagine.Who ever is out there is "a bad man a very bad man"

The Twilight Zone: The Odyssey of Flight 33 (1961) Season 2, Episode 18

I would hate the ticket price for this ride

[7/10 · 2 November 2007]

Odyssey of Flight 33 was an entertaining episode. A normal air flight in the US takes its passengers on not only the view of New York City but an unexpected ride through history as well. Time Travel has always fascinated me. The episode was not that suspenseful or that well acted but it clearly takes us to a place we would never expect.I found thatit left me frustrated at the end because this may have been the only Twilight Zone episode that I wish would have never ended.They proceed the "warp" with little fuel left and ended up WHERE in the end? It doesn't show and we will never know. Safe to say I doubt they had a happy landing.

The Twilight Zone: Night Call (1964) Season 5, Episode 19

Have a Heart Mr Serling

[6/10 · 2 November 2007]

"Night Call" is one of those stories which is more like a "Tales From the Crypt".There was an old lonely woman who has lived in denial of her old boyfriend's death just before being married many, many years ago.

She became a very lonely woman who has denied herself of one moment of happiness her entire life. Suddenly(after being confined to a bed and wheelchair)she gets a phone call (actually a series of calls). The only problem is that its late at night and the caller only breathes in the telephone. This person would not identify themselves but the calls seem urgent. She thinks they are prank and asks the telephone company to investigate (If she only had CALLER ID huh?)They tell her a Cable wire from an electrical storm snapped and fell/somehow penetrates her old boyfriends grave.Her dead boyfriend is calling her from his gravesite

Now she can't WAIT for the call because she wanted to talk to him (in whatever way or form)and it would put an end to all this suffering. The call does come but the caller changes his mind and indicates that"you asked me not to call you anymore and I always do what you ask". The old woman knows she'll never get a call from him again and the last shot has her weeping in bed OK.Fine. It was a bit of a downer but in his closing remarks Serling surmised that this woman "made her own bed and now must lie in it" Come on Rod!! Would anyone in the world act any differently if they were getting calls all the time late at night with the person never identifying themselves? If she knew those calls were from a person she loved she would have reacted differently and she must of said "who is this" a god awful number of times.The episode had a chill and was very well acted and I truly felt bad for the woman in the end but for one of the very FEW times Serling's closing remarks were completely heartless. Maybe there is a"Poetic Justice" element here but this woman deserves all the pity in the world and Rod was a little to harsh on her on this one.

The Twilight Zone: Mirror Image (1960) Season 1, Episode 21

Science has proved its possible

[9/10 · 24 October 2007]

"Mirror Image" was truly ahead of its time. The funny thing is that this episode, despite its serious tone , is based on a subject that was pure speculation. Now, Quantum Physics is telling us its not only possible but probable.For years Matter was said to be made up particles while now a new theory called the "String" Theory is much more widely accepted and if this "String" Theory is actually true, then science agrees with the notion of parallel universes.Boy, if only Serling knew that 40 years ago he would have won a Nobel Prize. Nice going Rod I loved this episode. Its was chilling for Vera Miles to see herself on a train and even more chilling to see Martin Milner "chasing himself".I could go on but I already have chills coming up my spine

The Twilight Zone: A Nice Place to Visit (1960) Season 1, Episode 28

The Eternal Letdown

[2/10 · 19 October 2007]

I could not disagree more. This was an embarrassing episode which lacks the "punch" usually associated with great Twilight Zone twists.The story is already stated by other reviewers. I saw this episode when i was 10 and i was shocked at the ending but looking back now it was only a pun. Larry Blyden's "afterlife" sure wasn't hell. If hell is to be surrounded by beautiful women 24 hours a day and being worshiped and loved by every one of them then maybe its where we all should go. I certainly wouldn't "get sick" if I were in that situation. Lets face it , it isn't hell. Hell is 120 degrees of constant work, torture, and torment for eternity. Blyden got off quite easily. The episode seemed superficial as well. Actually Sebastian Cabot was the only thing that stood out in this episode-one of the great character actors of all time.Yes the ending is not what you expect but neither was the depiction of hell as we know it. This ranks with "Too Serve Man" another "classic" which was nothing more than 25 minutes of fodder thrown on the screen just to set up a big 1 minute twist at the end.I guess some reviewers are just easy to please

The Twilight Zone: Spur of the Moment (1964) Season 5, Episode 21

Scary Stuff

[7/10 · 9 October 2007]

A beautiful young woman dressed in white goes horseback riding on a bright summer's day when she spots something horrific-an evil woman dressed in Black who yells out a scream and tries to hunt her down with the apparent attempt of doing harm.This begins episode along with "22" and "Perchance to Dream" has to be the 3 most scary Twilight Zones in the entire Twilight Zone series. I saw this when it 1st came out-I was 10 years old and have also seen it since. As a 10 year old it made me want to hide under the bed and close my eyes The following contains a spoiler so stop reading if you don't know the ending The episode was good and it sends a universal message that runs thru many of Serlings episodes-"what if we could turn the clock back and relive our lives all over again-would our choices be different? The thing that hurt this episode is the fact that you are not supposed to know who the black figured woman is. cameras got too close and you could see that both women-the one in black and the one in white (she is terrifying) are the same woman!! Although this is an episode which relied more on message than twist, it takes away from the impact. It was still one of the best episodes of that final season.You won't want to go horseback riding ever again !

The Twilight Zone: Mr. Garrity and the Graves (1964) Season 5, Episode 32

a Gothic tale in a small ghost town

[8/10 · 5 October 2007]

Mr Garrity and his Graves was one of the best episodes from a very dismal year towards the end of the series run. The previous commentator gave the plot away.My feeling is a little different about his criticisms of the "Occult Afterthought". I couldn't disagree more. Without that somewhat predictable and yet still shocking ending there would be no point in even telling the story.Isn't it interesting how influential this episode was on George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead".Wasn't it interesting how his "Little Girl Lost" influenced Poltergeist and so on.I guess there comes a time when people stop coming up with novel ideas and just steal those ideas from previous works. The reason these films still succeed is because new generations don't remember the earlier works.

Thriller: The Cheaters (1960) Season 1, Episode 15

scared the Dejesus out of me

[8/10 · 3 October 2007]

It is really hard to believe that 'The Hungry Glass" is getting all the attention when "The Cheaters" in my book not only provides more scares but is the one episode of any show I have ever seen that scares me to this day. I saw this episode when I was 6 and maybe my parents shouldn't have gone out that night. I have not seen this episode since so my memory of this was based on when I saw it at that young age

From what I remember-this recluse develops a pair of glasses that show the people who wear them what their insides personify. In other words if you put on these glasses and then look in the mirror what you would see the image of who you really are.If you are evil, what you would see is something that would even scare David Lynch.I don't remember all the details but the glasses somehow reveal the hidden thoughts of others as well.What I really remember is the ending. This is the end so stop reading this if you don't want to know This hotshot discovers the secret and thinks these glasses which are now in his possession will bring him both fame and fortune.He only has one problem-he can't resist the temptation of putting them on himself. He goes to the mirror and you see one of the most horrifying images ever captured of film. That image has been embedded in my mind even now after 47 years.Any image that can accomplish that deserves the ultimate praise. "The Hungry Glass" was frightful but 'The Cheaters" provides the real shock. These 2 episodes were originally aired in back to back weeks so there must have been a lot of dysfunctional people walking around. Some of us ARE STILL WALKIN AROUND

Tales of the Unexpected: In the Cards (1985) Season 8, Episode 2

Great Twist

[8/10 · 24 May 2007]

I don't know if Dahl actually wrote this story but it was one of the best.Susan Strasberg plays a fortune teller.In her case she's the real deal and her Tarot cards never fail. She gets a visit form Max Gail one day and does a reading. She does it over and over again and it continues to be the same message- Max Gail is going to come into a great deal of money and shortly after will die. Strasberg finds Gail repulsive but marries him to inherit his wealth. Things don't go as planned.It turns out that SHE is the one who inherits the money. Max Gail kills her to get HER money. After he does he buries her outside in a rainstorm and comes into the house soaking wet.He turns on the TV and accidentally gets electrocuted from the cord The cards were right.HE did come into a great deal of money and shortly after HE does die.It just didn't happen the way his wife expected. Good performances all around. I have seen this same story on other shows but this was the best version

The Twilight Zone: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (1964) Season 5, Episode 22

A Masterpiece !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[10/10 · 10 May 2007]

This Twilight Zone episode was a prize winning short film which was adapted for the Twilight Zone Series.It was not syndicated and thus very few people have ever seen it. I remember it still after all these years. "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" was a Civil War story about a Rebel who was sentenced to be hung by the Yankees who captured him. When the man is hung the rope breaks and the man plunges into the water below.He swims to safety despite an array of bullets being fired upon him.After a long swim he reaches land, and is ecstatic over his stroke of luck. He now feels more alive than ever. He eventually runs into a field seeing his wife and they run toward each other ready to embrace.At the moment she touches his neck we are brought back to the 1st scene on the bridge and he is hung. It all took place in his mind Everything we saw for 22 minutes actually only took place in 3 seconds just before his hanging. The interesting thing is that experts have always said that people see their entire lives flash before their eyes in the last few seconds before their death .Pearce evidently knew that. This was truly one of the most brilliant short films ever put on film. Its a shame more people didn't see it

The Twilight Zone: Walking Distance (1959) Season 1, Episode 5

Going Home Again

[10/10 · 10 May 2007]

You know the saying "You can't go home again? Martin Sloan actually does. "Walking Distance" is one of the finest episodes in the entire series.I believe this is one Serling adores and you can tell so much about Serling from his writings. He poses an interesting question here "If you go back in time and meet yourself as a child, what would you say?.I doubt everyones answer would be the same although Martin's would be a popular one. This is a story of a man trying to escape the pressures of his life by going home again. I also have had fantasies such as this. What is it about our childhood that is so sacred? I assume someone with a happy childhood would like it revisited for hedonistic reasons.People who had depressing childhoods would go back with more of a purpose,maybe to correct those things that would cause hardship in the future. Martin Sloan realized he is not that little boy anymore but all of us carry with us that "Inner Child". What a brilliant piece of work.

The Twilight Zone: Person or Persons Unknown (1962) Season 3, Episode 27

A nightmare turned inside out

[7/10 · 9 May 2007]

Probably the biggest twist of any episode (and that says a lot).Richard Long is having a nightmare.He knows who he is, he knows who everyone else is but no one seems to know him.He addresses them by name, discusses details of past relationships and conversations and everyone thinks he's insane.When he finally wakes up, well.......................Lets just say the ending puts an ironic smile on anyone watching this episode .The one image that has been embedded in my mind was that final shot. After telling his wife that he just had one hell of a nightmare of lost identity he looks up at her, eyes bulging, mouth wide open, but says nothing. What makes this scene work is that anyone who is watching knows why he is shocked despite no words being spoken at all right thru the end of the episode. SHOCKER majority of this episode was border line boring but oh baby what a payoff at the end. This episode personifies what the "Twilight Zone" is all about. I have not seen this episode in 25 years and I still remember the image on Long's face.Now THATS an accomplishment.

The Twilight Zone: Shadow Play (1961) Season 2, Episode 26

Dare to Dream

[10/10 · 8 May 2007]

This is by far the most fascinating Twilight Zone I have seen.Episode inspired great Directors such as David Lynch (Mulholland Drive)and others.Why are dreams and nightmares so fascinating? There are many reasons .We have all been told that people should get 8 hours of sleep every night. If that was true than a 75 year old man will have spent 25 YEARS of his life dreaming.Adam Grant has some real problems. He dreams of his execution again and again. What does this mean and what has he done to create this nightmare of an existence for himself.Reasons are not revealed.All we know is what is going on in this man's mind.Is he evil? Is he a victim? The bottom line is no jail or torture can be any worse. What Serlings screenplay shows here is the language of dreams.When a dreamer realizes he is in the act of dreaming it is called "lucid". Adam Grant not only knows he's dreaming but knows what will happen. Most dreams transfer different characters into different roles as part of the thought process-thus the Jail mate becomes the lawyer-the lawyer the judge, etc. These people probably existed in Adam Grants "real" life but may have been just glancing images-maybe someone you see in a room or pass on the street

All that matters is will these nightmares ever end? If I have any faults with this episode it is that we never really see him dream. How do we know that he may also be a fragmentation of someone else's dream. The other problem is we are under the impression that this is a nightmare that never stops. Does it? Are there any normal waking moments of "real life" in between these nightmares.Serling seems to be driving the point of personal disintegration.Who are we? What are we? Existentional thoughts abound

All Adam Grant wants is to have this finally end. If he ever did have a real "waking" moment in his life the only thing he would want is a gun and a bullet with his name on it. Its hard to talk about great Twilight Zones because there are so many but "Shadow Play" delves so far into the subconscious even Freud would be impressed.This is heavy stuff to be showing on prime time television in the early 60's.