Saturday, November 1, 2014

My Personal Top 20 Favorite Twilight Zone Episodes of ALL TIMES! Part II : 10-1

I have no idea who made this, so...Whoever made it, nice work.


 Welcome back my children to the second part of "My Personal Favorite Top 20 Favorite Twilight Zone Episodes of ALL TIMES! PART II! 10-1! YAY!



And it's HALLOWEEN DAY!!!

It's not Halloween day!
How do you keep getting in here!? And what do you mean? Of course it's Halloween day! Here look...



Nope. Look. November 1st.

Oh..Well, I must have set my calender wrong. That may have been why people were looking strangely at me when I came to their door dressed as a Ghostbuster...

IT'S NOVEMBER 1ST! YEAH!

So lets recap...

20. Kick the Can
19. After Hours
18. Nightmare at 20,000 Feet
17. The Invaders
16. Nick of Time
15. The Howling Man
14. Time Enough at Last
13. The Man in the Bottle
12. Five Characters in Search of an Exit
11. Shadow Play

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programing...

NOTE: These are my personal favorites. Not the ones I consider the best made or best quality, just my favorites. If I didn't include one of your favorites, or put one of your favorites further down the list, please don't be angry with me. Also, I would love to heard which are your favorites. Please, tell me in the comments. And lastly, this blog will be spoiler free, so go check out these episodes yourselves (Netflix) and enjoy the glorious endings. END OF NOTE.

 You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension—a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone.


#10-The Hunt
Season 3 Episode 19

 

 Hyder Simpson, his wife Rachel, and his good old dog Rip, live up in the mountains someplace in a tiny cabin. One night Hyder and Rip go coon huntin' even though Rachel says that they shouldn't because she had seen signs. In the night, Rip chases a coon down into the water. Hyder goes in after him. They wake up in the mornin', and find that some neighbors are diggin' on their land. He tells them to leave, but they can't hear 'em. He goes on to the house, and finds Rachel in mournin' clothes. She and the pastor talks about Hyder's death. He, believin' this is a dream, goes on to the cemetery to see who it is they be burying. He is blocked by a fence, and follows it. He then finds a man who claims to be St. Peter, and says that Hyder is dead.

This just a nice episode. Nothing too deep or profound. Just simple and sweet. This is all due to the wonderful acting of Arthur Hunnicutt and the beautiful story that accompanies him. Arthur Hunicutt is just a plain fine actor. The way he talks and his facial expressions are so subtle, yet so effective. This really is the story of a man and his dog. And therefore, it need not be deep or "inspirational," for it takes a lighter tone, instead of the much heavier tone most other Twilight Zone episodes take. It is sadly, a much under-seen episode compared to some of the rest, but thankfully it is gaining in popularity.  Everything about this is refreshing to see, against the hard to watch and harsh television we see much of the time today. And, of course, the ending is amazing. If you don't like heavy themes, and enjoy a good, sweet, simply story, you will for sure love this. If you haven't seen it, please, give it a shot. It will not disappoint.        


#9-The Shelter
Season 3 Episode 3



 A party is being held for a Dr. Bill Stockton. While all his friends congratulate him, a bulletin on the radio announces that an unidentified object is heading toward the U.S.A and that everyone should head to their shelters or basement. Bill and his wife Grace and son Paul go into their shelter which many of his friends earlier had made light of. Just before the Stockton family go inside their shelter, Bill's best friend Jerry arrives at the house and begs Bill to allow him and his family to enter the shelter with him. He explains that there is only room for three. He closes the door, just as his other friends show up. One by one, they all beg and plead. One friend Frank suggest the get a battling ram and break down the door. Will Bill forgive? Or has his fellow neighbors started a new war?

Frankly, this is an extremely underrated episode. Perhaps more so then any of the episodes thus far on the list. And I just love it. It really dives deep into pure human emotion and instinct. You have this group of friends, who are mentioned to know each other for twenty years, but yet they turn onto one another within an hour or so. Husbands, wives, and children. They all want to be saved by this turmoil that is about to embark on them, and they would do nearly everything in assurance to be able to get by free of harm. It may not even be that. For Bill says that not but three people can live in there, but they continue to break the door down. Why? Because, when all else fails, they didn't want him to get out alive. If they were going to die, so was he. And this, ladies and gentleman, is somewhat, human nature. Because of the sin we put upon ourselves, we are now evil at heart. It is only by our extreme will and or help from God that we could be any different. Because, when you get down to it, everyone will do what they need to do to save themselves and their families. Am I saying that Bill should have let them in? Not necessarily. What would you do in this case? I, as most other people I think, would probably react in the way Bill did. Is that wrong? You be the judge.

And besides that very conflicting, and interesting conversation piece, this episode has much to offer. There's brilliant acting from Larry Gates and of course the amazing actor from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Jack Albertson.  And as always, the setting is great; being a small suburb that brings a really "every" quality that I like so much. And, of course, the ending is amazing. If you enjoy interesting conflict, you are for sure to enjoy this one. If you haven't seen it, please, give it a shot. It will not disappoint.   
 


#8-Eye of the Beholder
Season 2 Episode 6



In some unknown time and unknown place, in a hospital were Doctors are called Doctor and nurses are call Nurse, a woman by the name of Janet Tyler lies in a bed awaiting the time of her unwrapping. For she is ugly. And not your normal, everyday ugly. Like ugly ugly. She has been undergoing surgery after surgery to get rid of this terrible ugliness, but this was her last. If this one didn't work, she shall be sent away to a sector where the ugliest of the uglys go. After begging for them to be removed, Doctor cuts away Ms. Tyler's uniform of desperation. One layer at a time. Will have the treatment worked? Or, will her ugliest still be noticeable?



I'm sorry. I couldn't resist...

This is another, yes, another face of the Twilight Zone franchise. But, why is this such a remembered episode? I mentioned before that "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" was one of the episodes people think of when you say The Twilight Zone, but I think this is even more so. But, as I said, why? This is notorious for having a predictable ending. I mean, it's a great ending, don't get me wrong, but you can see it a mile away. So, why? Here's what I believe. I believe it makes people think. Yes, think. Something some of us are not used to. The whole message of this tale is about people putting labels on everything. And people do that a lot. And if they thought they did it a lot back in 1960, how bad do you think it is now? We live in a society that basically shuns all things different then them. Now, do I mean everything is acceptable in my book? No. But, as in this episode, the society is later referenced to being made up of people that are exactly the same. No one is different. And I presume that means in opinion too. We've been seeing a lot of this as of late with films and book series like Divergent and Hunger Games when basically everyone is the same or does as they are told to do and do not question it. Now, if someone came up to me, we started talking, and they mentioned that they hated old movies and that they thought they were old and dumb, I wouldn't slap them across the face and commence to beat the crazy out of them. We may have a conflicted conversation about it, but I would hope we would still be friends. And, a lot of times, people shun people for being just a little different. Whether it's what genre of movie you like or race or gender or whatever the case may be. This episode get's people thinking about how we think of other people. But, as a wise person once said, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."  

Plus all that greatness, we have some terrific acting from the wonderfully gorgeous Ms. Elly May Clampett...I mean Donna Douglas. And a magnificent setting, were everything kinda feels like a nightmare.  And, of course, the ending is amazing. If you like an episode about social commentary that's provoking, this is definitely the one for you. If you haven't seen it, please, give it a shot. It will not disappoint. 

#7-To Serve Man
Season 3 Episode 24



 Micheal Chambers tells a story apparently in outer space (where no one can hear you scream). His story is about the day aliens came to earth. They came with a servant's heart. All they wanted to do is help the people of earth out. A book is left in a world wide broadcast station by one of the "Kanamits," as they call themselves. It was Mr. Chambers' job to decode the writing on the book. All that they can find is the words "To Serve Man." And that they do. They make entire deserts fruitful and lush. They create force fields to put around entire countries. And on top of that, they allow people to board their ships and take a vacation on their planet. When all seems clear, Mr. Chambers boards a ship. Are these Kanamits really here to serve man? Or do they have something else on the menu?

Though, watching this again, the ending is kinda predictable. You can almost see it coming. But what's great is the way they present it. It's so sly and quick, it bites you before you knew what happened. And the entire story is that way. And I very much enjoy it. One of the main questions this episode brings to us is this: Why are humans really gullible? If anyone is a fan of The Walking Dead (as I am) you have probably heard of the unfortunate happening of Norman Reedus' passing. Yeah right. But you know what? People probably believed it. Some crazy person writes on the internet that one of the stars of a hit TV show died, and people believe. It is basically the same thing here. Everyone was willing to believe that these Kanamits came in peace. Why would they believe that? Maybe because everyone else did? We humans are too fast to think something is true just because some kids at school think it is true or some co-workers think it's true, or the people on TV think it's true. And that, makes us dumb. And another reason people believed that the Kanamits were friendly would be that they wanted to believe it. They wanted to think that these "angels from another world" were here to solve all their problems for absolutely nothing. Have they never heard "If something is too good to be true, it probably is"?

And besides that really long way to say that humans are dumb, this episode is just brilliant. The acting is amazing from Lloyd Bochner and the character acting from the Kanamit played by  Richard Kiel and the voice acting from the glorious Joesph Ruskin (The Man in the Bottle).  And, of course, the ending is amazing. If you like the alien episodes of The X-Files you'll most certainly love this. If you haven't seen it, please, give it a shot. It will not disappoint.



#6-The Monsters are Due on Maple Street
Season 1 Episode 22



One sunny afternoon on Maple Street, USA, a strange thing flies over the street. Everyone contemplates what it could have been. Soon after, everyone's power goes out. Neighbor Steve goes to get into his car to find help while Pete goes to the street over. Before he goes, Tommy, a kid, says in the most annoying voice ever, that he shouldn't go. He goes on to explain that "them," the people that flew over, are aliens. He also states that someone in their town may be one of "them." This gets everyone very uneasy. Steve finds that his car won't start. Another neighbor named Les Goodman tries to start his car. It doesn't work at first, but after he walks away, it starts. Neighbors Charlie and Don begin thinking that perhaps he is the alien. One after another, they all start blaming someone. So much so, they begin to threaten one another. As night comes, Pete comes back from the other street. He's in the shadows, so they think that he is a monster. Charlie grabs a gun and shoots. Is everyone going nuts? Or was Tommy right?

This is a very much more violent version of "The Shelter." I was actually surprised at how violent this episode was. It basically has a very similar plot to of "The Shelter," when friend turns against friend. But, this one is even more intense. We have neighbors who have known one another for years, and because of what one (annoying voiced) kid said, they all start to back into each other. It's literally crazy how fast this happens. One moment everyone is sitting on their front porch smiling; the next someone is shooting someone else. But isn't this what would happen in real life. I may not shoot someone, but I would probably be involved mentally in the conflict. And I think nearly all of us would, and if we weren't, we would probably be the one getting judged. Just think about how we would react today. You may be saying, "I would never do that!" Maybe not, but these people were scared, defenseless, and nosy (they are suburbanites). And it just so happens one of them was scared enough to shoot someone. And as we near the end, we find more gun shots are fired, glass is broken, and people are screaming. Most of these people were just normal, average people. None of them thought they would resort to madness. Would you?

In addition to that, the acting is great (of course except by you know who). Some of the highlight actors were Claude Akins playing Steve, and Jack Weston as Charlie. And there's the setting I always like so much; the neighborhood. And this one feels exceptionally normal, as due to the story. And, of course, the ending is amazing. While this isn't a new subject for The Twilight Zone, it dives deeper into the social commentary. If you haven't seen it, please, give it a shot. It will not disappoint.    

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And now, my dear ones, you have entered the SPOILER ZONE. The last five of my countdown will involve me talking about the endings. If you have not seen the next episodes, do not read. If you are still curious as to what my top 5 are, look at the pictures and read the titles. I repeat: THESE WILL HAVE SPOILERS. 




#5-A World of His Own
Season 1 Episode 36



Gregory West, known writer and playwright, is assumed by his wife, Victoria, to be cheating on her. She makes this conclusion through watching them through a window. When she comes inside to approach her husband and the woman, the woman is nowhere to be seen. She explains that she saw them and ask where a secret door may be hidden. Greg tells her that he has the power to bring characters to life through his recorder. She doesn't believe him, and he makes Mary (the woman she saw earlier) come from outside the door. Still not convinced, he makes her disappear before her eyes when he cuts the film the recording was on, and throws it in the fire. Even then, Victoria is not convinced. She says that she is going to have him put in the nuthouse (with all the nuts, and the squirrels). He makes an elephant appear. Still doesn't believe. He finally decides to do something. He goes over to a secret compartment, and get's an envelope labeled "Victoria West." He tells her that he made her up, and if she doesn't promise not to tell anyone about it, he will not throw it into the fire. She, still not believing, throws it into the fire herself. Her final words, "He was right." He precedes to bring her back, but instead brings Mary(West) to life. We end with our narrator Rod Sterling telling us that this was nonsense, and that it could never happen. Greg takes out an envelope with his name in it, and throws it into the fire.

I enjoy this episode for many reasons, but mainly it's just fun. Not really anything deep or too introspective, just a plain fun episode. It capitalizes on the importance of literature, and the characters in them, and how they can come to life. Very much like the characters in The Twilight Zone can be. Many of the characters I have talked about and will talk about are just as much alive as you and me. And why shouldn't they be? Have we not learned lessons from them? In the episode "The Man in the Bottle" Arthur and Edna taught us to be happy with what be have. In the episode "Nick of Time" Don and Pat taught us that we don't have to know the future to make the best of it. And in the episode "Kick the Can" Charles taught us that there is youth in all of us, we just have to find it. All these characters have stuck with me, and will stay with me till the end of time.

On top of that, as I said, this episode is just a blast. Watching the banter between Greg (Keenan Wynn) and Victoria (Phyllis Kirk) is so hilarious! Along with an appearance from Mary LaRoche and you're set for a great time. I also love the concept of being able to just describe someone and they would come to life. If that would ever really happen, we would have a lot of "Doctors" and Harry Potters everywhere. All in all this is just an amazing episode with some amazing characters. And it definitely deserves to be on this list.                    

 #4-The Masks
Season 5 Episode 25

 
 Jason Foster lies on his death bed; he only has a few hours. His daughter Emily, her husband Wilfred, her daughter Paula, and son Wilfred Jr. come with utter bitterness, for they not much care for they dear old dad. No. They are here for one purpose. To receive his fortune after his death. They eat, and meet inside the study for a little game. They all receive masks. Hideous masks that are supposed to be the opposite of the receiver. They are to wear these masks until midnight, and if they take them off, they will take nothing more that a train ticket back to their home. But, if they do wear it till midnight, they will get his entire fortune. They all wait. Wait, for several hours, until they can't wait any longer. It strikes 12:00. Jason is dead, and they have the money. As they lift the mask from their face, they find the face of the mask they had acquired. In terror and disbelieve, they realize that they were indeed what the masks said they were; spoiled, greedy, immature, and selfish. The doctor comes to see the corpse of his patient Jason. He lifts the mask from his face, but we do not find the face of death, but the face of life.

This episode is truly a special one. Seen by major Twilight Zone fans, but can be missed if you're not careful. The whole episode revolves around this horrible, horrible family that treat their father and grandfather as if his was an almost-broken slot machine that could fall over, exposing the millions of jewels. I believe, in this case they do deserve what they got. My absolute favorite thing about this one is Jason played by Robert Keith. This was actually his last screen role, and died in 1966, at the age of 76. I don't believe I've seen him in anything else, but I would watch something solely because he was in it. He is just a wonderful actor. Another thing that impressed me were the masks themselves. Each one represents that character's real self, and it is perfectly seen through them. Wilfred's is greed and so it looks angry. Emily's is selfishness, and so it shows sadness and loneliness. Wilfred Jr. is dumb and immature, and so it's head is flat and it's eyes are dark. And Paula cares only for herself and her beauty, so it is evil and ugly. The only question to ask is, What would your mask look like?
    


#3-Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?
Season 2 Episode 28


One February night, a woman calls the police on seeing a unidentified flying object. The police investigate it, and see footprints going to a little diner. They go inside to find the man who works there named Haley, a bus driver, and his seven passenger. The bus driver says that there were only six passengers. This gives evidence that someone is not who they seem. The bridge is out, so everyone must stay at this diner. There is a newlywed couple, an older couple, a woman, an older businessman named Ross, and an old crazy man. Everyone of them claims that they were all on the bus. Strange things start happening, like the lights flickering on and off...

Sorry again for the Spongebob references...
  and the jukebox turning on by itself. The phone rings, and on the other end, they say the bridge is fixed. Everyone boards the bus, except, of course, the man who owns the diner. Soon after, Ross comes back, and says that the bridge wasn't stable, and everyone drowned. Then Mr. Haley makes an observation that Ross isn't wet. He starts explaining that he isn't who everyone thought he was. As his third hand comes from his jacket, Haley is stocked. Ross is from Mars, and is sending an "okay" to his planet. Haley begins to laugh, for he says that he is from Venus. He then revels his third eye.

Not too much to talk about here, not too completed. But, I love it all the same. It's very much like "A World of His Own," just a good fun episode. This episode as set fawningly in my memory for quite some time, but not until watching it again in preparation for blog did I realize that I would put it so high on the list. It's got such a fun story, with likable characters and enjoyable situations. All the characters was enjoyable and likable. Whenever we see Barney Phillips (Mr. Haley), we refer to him as "the guy with three eyes from the Twilight Zone." I also love the character Ross played by John Hoyt. But my favorite would have to be the old crazy guy named Avery played by Jack Elam. His character is very much like the Clown (Five Characters in Search of an Exit). Very sarcastic and hilarious all around. The ending I absolutely love, with that double twist endings I like so much. The fact that Ross basically killed all those people (I should hope to keep people from noticing their arrival) is just too creepy. The pacing here is just beautiful, conveying a sweet sense of mystery, and suspense. So, again, nothing too deep or physiological, but still a fabulous episode that I will forever enjoy.          

#2-It's a Good LifeSeason 3 Episode 8

  
Meet Anthony; a six-year-old boy with an imagination of deathly proportions. You see, he is able to do things no one else is able to do. He is able to wish people away. Away into, what he calls, a cornfield. He has gotten rid of the rest of the world, and has his little town of Peaksville in the palm of his hand. No one is able to be sad. Everyone must smile and think happy thoughts, because if they don't, you may just be the next person to be sent to the cornfield. In this world there's no electricity, no cars, and the only TV is made by Anthony. One night, as a birthday party, things get a bit unsettling when Dan Hollis (it's his birthday) begins to count the bottles of liquor left in the village. He starts to sings, and  everyone knows that Anthony doesn't like singing. Dan screams that someone should take a bottle or lamp and hit Anthony over the head, killing him and getting their lives back. No one does, and Anthony turns him into a Jack-in-the-Box still having his face. After Anthony makes it snow, we leave with no sign of these poor people ever leaving The Twilight Zone.

For the record, this is just a flat-out amazing episode. It captures exactly what The Twilight Zone is, and what it means. The story is just so terrifying, and bizarre, it makes you wonder what it would be like to live in this situation. Could you only think of happy thoughts, and always to be nice to a little boy that would kill you if you didn't? And really, this story is all about Anthony. In fact, it's not really a story at all. It has no beginning, no middle, and no end. It all starts when he has already acquired the will of the town, and end with no conclusion. That's really why this episode sticks out to me, there is not resolution to this episode. Anthony isn't punished like so many other terrible characters (See: The Masks and Living Doll). Life just keeps on going for this town. No one knows what will happen later on. Fun Fact: Rod Sterling was actually working on a full length movie based on this episode in 1974, but died in 1975, and the film was never made. Though, there was a sequel in the Twilight Zone reboot in 2002. It's about Anthony's daughter, and how we find out she has powers too. If you enjoy this episode, watch it, you make like it. Anyway, as I was saying, it concludes with no happy ending. And, that's what The Twilight Zone is all about, the strange and outright scary. This one is a mix between both, and I love it.

The characters in this one are very empathetical. You really feel and see their sadness, and how they are trapped with no logical way out. Some of my favorites are the parents of this beast. Just think, they brought such misery to the world, and now they must live with it. John Larch and Cloris Leachman  (which played the mother in the remake) play the parents and they do a marvelous job. But my favorite would have to be Aunt Amy played by Alice Frost. Not only is she a terrific actress, but her character is so unusual and very likable. The setting is very nice, as it has the lovely town setting. This episode does an amazing job and is as psychologically thrilling as it is scary. And it surely does show us that it is a good life.


  Well, we have finally reached the last one. But, before we end our little journey, here is some honorable mentions...

•Where is Everyone?
•One for the Angels
•The Sixteen Millimeter Shrine
•The Hitch-Hiker
•The Fever
•Mirror Image
•A Nice Place to Visit
•A Most Unusual Camera
•A Penny for Your Thoughts
•Long Distance Call
•The Mind and the Matter
•Static
•The Trad-Ins
•The Praise of Pip
•The Old man in the Cave
•People are Alike all Over
•Twenty-Two
•From Agnes with Love
•I Sing the Body Electric
• And really every single episode of The Twilight Zone to date.


And now, a special episode that would have made the list if one hadn't had kicked it out of the race. (This will not have spoilers)

 Living Doll
Season 5 Episode 6
             


Telly Savalas  (Kojak) plays Erich Streator, a terrible husband and stepfather to Annabelle and Christie. When Annabelle buys Christie a new doll named Talky Tina (Played by the amazingly wonderful June Foray). Erich gets mad and say things no person should say to another person. As soon as Tina is alone with him, she tells him what's what. She begins telling him things like, "I don't think I like you," and "I think I hate you," and "You'll be sorry." This understandably confuses Erich, but instead of passing it off as a weird hallucination, he believes that his wife and stepdaughter are playing a terrible trick on him. As time goes by, Tina says, "I'm gonna kill you." Soon Erich finds that perhaps Tina isn't the voice of his wife or stepdaughter. Is it? Or is it really Talky Tina?

This is another major player in the Twilight Zone crew. We have seen the doll comes to life thing a million times, but this one is just so awesome! They literally switch the role of antagonist here. We hate Erich and want Tina to kill him. We leap for joy when she spits out the line "I'm gonna kill you." It's handled so well. The way it leads up to the ending is spectacular in every way. And it all resolves around the lines Tina says. It starts will "I don't think I like you" to "I hate you" to "I'm gonna kill you." It's creepy and sits fairly close to the line of pure scary. The doll itself is very normal; something you would see at any fine doll shoppe. And I think that's what makes her so terrifying. I also love the interactions between Erich and Tina. He feels that Tina is a sick joke from his wife, and talks to it as if it were his wife. I believe this is important. It's fairly obvious that he hates his family. A thought comes to why he married her in the first place, or why she married him. Annabelle seems like a smart woman. Perhaps she was desperate. Whatever the case, it doesn't excuse the horrible behavior from Erich to his wife and especially his stepdaughter. There is actually one scene in which he says "I'm not your daddy." I mean, wow. How much more monstrous can you get. And do we think that he deserves to be killed by Tina? Well, I supposes that's someone's opinion.

Along with the creepy storytelling of this episode, there is some great acting by Telly Savalas. For someone to act as hateful as he can't be that easy. The wife played by Mary LaRoche is also a good actress that brings a real sadness to us when Savalas' character treats her that way. And, of course, the ending is amazing. If you're tired of those dumb doll-comes-to-life horror movies (with the exception of "Annabelle" Go see that) you'll want to see this. If you haven't seen it, please, give it a shot. I will not disappoint.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And my #1 FAVORITE EPISODE OF THE TWILIGHT ZONE IS....



 #-A Stop at Willoughby
Season 1 Episode 30



Gart Williams is pushed by his boss and his wife. He doesn't enjoy his job and doesn't love his wife. One day, he get's angry at his boss, and yells a insult at him. He leaves to a  train back to his home from work every night. He falls asleep, and dreams about a place called Willoughby. A place where someone can be happy, and live a life worth living. He almost get's off, but wakes up. At home, his wife calls him a no one, a dreamer, someone who would be content living in a place like Willoughby. Every train ride, he dreams of Willoughby, and almost get's off, but wakes up. A day at work proves too hard for Gart, and he goes back home. He decides he is going to get off the train this time; he is going to Willoughby. He does, and finds that it is better than he could imagine. Everyone knows him and is glad to see him. Back at the train, we see that Gart had jumped from the train, and died. His corpse is picked up by "Willoughby and Son Funeral Home."

Why is it that this is my favorite, you may be asking? I answer you with a raised eyebrow and a funny look. "Well gee, Ida know." It's hard for me to describe the exact reason why love this episode so much. It may be because of the story. A story about a man who has it rough at home and work is nothing new, but the way this is told is just fantastic. It plays out just like a movie, but it's not. The pacing is wonderful (pacing is something I pride myself on). It's slow at the right times, and fast in others. But what really makes the story great is, in fact, the ending. It creeps up in a way you didn't expect. And you'd think I wouldn't like the ending, that it would ruin it. But, I think it adds a lot to it. It seems very straight forward, but I would like to think otherwise. I believe (and usually I wouldn't give my own theories) that Willoughby was Gart's own little mansion in heaven. Perhaps. Or maybe he was just crazy and killed himself. But, that's what makes this episode so great, it's up for discussion. As I said, the story isn't new, but the character is. And Gart is probably my favorite out of the Twilight Zone characters. He is played by James Daly, and he does an expert job at conveying emotions all of us have gone through. Perhaps it's that we feel that life isn't the way you think it should be. That you've made bad decisions that will haunt you the rest of your life. I talked about characters that have a great influence on us (A World of His Own), and Gart is no different. On one hand, if you look at the story the way it is presented, he taught us by a mistake, that we can always turn back. That we don't have to resort to an exasperation date. If you look at it that way, he did make a mistake, he was dreaming and he was crazy. It just goes to show the things he could have done. If you look at it the way I said, it teaches us that this isn't all of it. We who believe will be able to go on to something else. In the long run, a job is just a job. But, there are somethings that last forever. So, what about you? "Next stop! Willoughby!"     

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And there it is ladies and gentlemen. There are my top 20 favorite Twilight Zone episodes of all time. But, this is just one person's opinion. If you'd like to, tell me your favorite's in the comment section below. I'd love to discuss about it. Thank you all for reading...
                                                                                                The Filosopher

Happy (late) Halloween!


No comments :

Post a Comment