Remember all those Westerns about the gunslinger who wants to hang up his guns, but is constantly being approached by some young guy who want to draw on him. This is the same story with pool cues. Jack Klugman is the young guy. Jonathan Winters is the old gunfighter. It's about an existence that has little meaning, so focused on one thing, that life has little other meaning. The episode is about the game. If you win you pay a very dear price. But because of the way you're wired, you have to win--there isn't any choice. The acting is good, the game is good, and the conclusion is in doubt. This is one of the more memorable Zones. I think The Hustler may have borrowed a little from it.
Review of A Game of Pool
