This episode really sneaks up on you.
As I viewed it today, I kept watching the DVD counter, which seemed to be crawling; I couldn't WAIT for this show to end. A totally cheesy, minimally-budgeted, mid-60's attempt to create a "futuristic" look---complete with tights 'n tunics for costumes, funky "far-out" furniture, and the occasional weirdo potted plant in the background.
And Richard Long, a decent dramatic actor, drove me nuts with his affected dialects, lame mannerisms, and generally schlocky presence, as he portrays multiple "kooky", eccentric characters. ENOUGH!
But during the tense scene between "Dr Friend" (Long) and the superb actress Collin Wilcox, the subtle, creeping horror of the plot started to come alive---aided by the dark, expressionistic lighting in this scene, a total contrast with the glaring, pallid, mid 60's sit-com look of everything up 'til that point.
It's odd how the classic anti-conformity plots that were so central to Serling's output were, at the time, a warning against what was seen as the authoritarian tendencies of the "right-wing", militaristic element in American government, whereas today, 60 years later, it's quite obvious that the totalitarian mindset that espouses social engineering and government control over our lives--starting with the state's control over our own bodies via health care-- is coming from the OTHER side of the political aisle. (For instance, are you aware of the left-wing fanatic universities that have BANNED their courses on Shakespeare's plays?? It's RIGHT THERE in Beaumont/Tomerlin's "Number 12" script).
Let's hope that IMDB, unlike Google, You-Tube, etc, will not censor this review as "violating their standards". and "inciting hate", as do the other two.
The standout performance-- by a mile-- is that of Collin Wilcox, who always demonstrated dignity, naturalness and depth as an actress. In the end, it is Ms. Wilcox's harrowing performance and the creeping, insidious nature of the society envisioned by the writers that excuse the multitude of problems that plague this episode, leaving us with a truly terrifying warning for the future---cleverly disguised as a squeaky-clean, giggly schoolgirl, mindless sort of "space-age" diversion. LR
As I viewed it today, I kept watching the DVD counter, which seemed to be crawling; I couldn't WAIT for this show to end. A totally cheesy, minimally-budgeted, mid-60's attempt to create a "futuristic" look---complete with tights 'n tunics for costumes, funky "far-out" furniture, and the occasional weirdo potted plant in the background.
And Richard Long, a decent dramatic actor, drove me nuts with his affected dialects, lame mannerisms, and generally schlocky presence, as he portrays multiple "kooky", eccentric characters. ENOUGH!
But during the tense scene between "Dr Friend" (Long) and the superb actress Collin Wilcox, the subtle, creeping horror of the plot started to come alive---aided by the dark, expressionistic lighting in this scene, a total contrast with the glaring, pallid, mid 60's sit-com look of everything up 'til that point.
It's odd how the classic anti-conformity plots that were so central to Serling's output were, at the time, a warning against what was seen as the authoritarian tendencies of the "right-wing", militaristic element in American government, whereas today, 60 years later, it's quite obvious that the totalitarian mindset that espouses social engineering and government control over our lives--starting with the state's control over our own bodies via health care-- is coming from the OTHER side of the political aisle. (For instance, are you aware of the left-wing fanatic universities that have BANNED their courses on Shakespeare's plays?? It's RIGHT THERE in Beaumont/Tomerlin's "Number 12" script).
Let's hope that IMDB, unlike Google, You-Tube, etc, will not censor this review as "violating their standards". and "inciting hate", as do the other two.
The standout performance-- by a mile-- is that of Collin Wilcox, who always demonstrated dignity, naturalness and depth as an actress. In the end, it is Ms. Wilcox's harrowing performance and the creeping, insidious nature of the society envisioned by the writers that excuse the multitude of problems that plague this episode, leaving us with a truly terrifying warning for the future---cleverly disguised as a squeaky-clean, giggly schoolgirl, mindless sort of "space-age" diversion. LR