Stressed advertising executive Gart Williams (James Daly) hates his high-pressured job and suffers the daily whining of his dissatisfied wife (Patricia Donahue). After he falls asleep on the train home after a particularly tough day at work, he is surprised to find the train pulling into the small town of Willoughby in the summer of 1888, a peaceful place where 'man can live his life to full measure'. His visit to the idyllic town turns out to be a dream, however, when he wakes to find himself still in the present: November 1960.
At home he tells his dream to his wife, who doesn't understand the appeal of such a place. When the same thing happens the next day, Gart almost leaves the train, but once again wakes in the present. He makes a promise to himself that if it happens again, he will get off the train to stay in Willoughby for good.
Like the excellent earlier The Twilight Zone episode Walking Distance, A Stop at Willoughby explores a man's desire to escape to a simpler, more serene time and place, where one can forget about the stresses and strains of modern life. In this tale, the dream is attainable, but only if one is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. A bitter-sweet ending sees Gart finally being welcomed into Willoughby by the genial townsfolk; in reality, he has ended his life, having jumped from the moving train. Either way, Gart has finally found the peace he longed for-in The Twilight Zone.
At home he tells his dream to his wife, who doesn't understand the appeal of such a place. When the same thing happens the next day, Gart almost leaves the train, but once again wakes in the present. He makes a promise to himself that if it happens again, he will get off the train to stay in Willoughby for good.
Like the excellent earlier The Twilight Zone episode Walking Distance, A Stop at Willoughby explores a man's desire to escape to a simpler, more serene time and place, where one can forget about the stresses and strains of modern life. In this tale, the dream is attainable, but only if one is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. A bitter-sweet ending sees Gart finally being welcomed into Willoughby by the genial townsfolk; in reality, he has ended his life, having jumped from the moving train. Either way, Gart has finally found the peace he longed for-in The Twilight Zone.