Most depressing episode? - The Twilight Zone (1959) Discussion

[–] Tristan_Booth (405) 8 years ago

Most depressing episode as a whole, or most depressing ending?

I don't see the ending of Willoughby as depressing because Gart is happier than he's ever been.

For the audience, #12 is depressing because, even though the brainwashed Marilyn is happy, we know that the real Marilyn is gone.

Death Ship could be depressing, except that there's hope that Capt. Ross will eventually accept reality. Same with Odyssey of Flight 33--There's still hope.

I always find the endings of Elegy and Queen of the Nile depressing because of what happens to innocent people.

The ending of Night Call is definitely depressing.

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[–] [email protected] (5854) 8 years ago

That was my first thought about Willoughby. Gart's life was depressing owing to his job and his shrew of a wife, but in the end he found happiness...wherever that was.

I thought 'The Lateness of the Hour' was depressing for Jana (Inger Stevens) when she realized that she was not really the couple's "daughter". She was just another robot programmed by the man she thought was her father.

There are a few others that ended on a depressing note, but I have to look up the titles of the episodes.

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[–] Tristan_Booth (405) 8 years ago

"I thought 'The Lateness of the Hour' was depressing for Jana (Inger Stevens) when she realized that she was not really the couple's "daughter". She was just another robot programmed by the man she thought was her father."

I thought of that one, but of course she's not an actual person. Interesting that he was able to give her emotion. This was many years before Data got his emotion chip in Star Trek.

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[–] Jennie_Portrait (804) 8 years ago

"Young Man's Fancy"-- Flat out, hands down depressing. This poor woman wastes her life on a total mama's boy.

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[–] doug65oh (205) 8 years ago

I'd agree with that one - unquestionably. "The Incredible World Of Horace Ford" is actually pretty depressing too - also on the psychological end of things.

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[–] AngularTurnip (3337) 8 years ago

On Thursday We Leave For Home

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[–] Strannger (2007) 8 years ago

Ring a ding girl

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[–] JR-TV (102) 8 years ago

I second that. Definitely the most depressing. But it was his own fault.

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[–] Jennie_Portrait (804) 8 years ago

Depressing, I agree. And yet it is one of my favorite episodes. It is perhaps the only hour-long episode that doesn't feel padded out. It feels just right and the relatively large cast of characters is fully developed.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Hi Doug!

A question for you, and everyone else on this board: How do you remember all of the titles of each episode so well? Let alone all of the plots.

Some I remember, but only the plots and some of the actors. What was "The Incredible World Of Horace Ford" about?

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[–] doug65oh (205) 8 years ago

I don't really have an answer for you cat. It's just something I've always been more or less stuck with - it could apply to almost any subject matter, if that makes sense.

Horace Ford?? That was the episode - the title character worked for a toy company as a designer or something similar and persisted in...childlike behavior you might say. He didn't do especially well with coping day to day. Are you really sure you want to know more?? LoL

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

But when they aired, or even in the many TZ marathons I've watched, I don't recall the titles of the episodes ever being given, so how do y'all know them, let alone remember them? Whilst I'm sure they're easy enough to find now via Wikipedia or IMDB, they weren't for a very long time.

Hmm, I don't recall the Horace Ford episode, even with your plot prompts. I don't know, *do* I want to know more? :D

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[–] Strannger (2007) 8 years ago

I have them on DVD and after a few rewatches the names stick.

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[–] doug65oh (205) 8 years ago

Well, let me see if I can give you an example cat: Someone mentioned the other day that "guardian angel" plot lines are not their most favorite sorts of shows. There were exactly 3 of those - or just 2, depending on how narrow a read you give the term: 1. One For The Angels. 2. Mr. Bevis. 3. Cavender Is Coming.

Episodes relating to the Civil War is another, and there's just 2 of those: Back There and The Passersby.

Horace Ford's favorite activity was yammering on and on about what a wonderful childhood he had. The facts (as the episode illustrates) don't really match his idyllic recollections.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

That still doesn't help me understand how so many people here recall the titles. However, Strannger's post did. If people have the series on DVDs, I can understand the titles eventually sticking.

Still don't recall Horace Ford, going by your description. Could be it was one of the few TZ episodes I missed.

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[–] doug65oh (205) 8 years ago

If you haven't seen many of the 60 minute episodes, you probably haven't seen that one.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Hmm, you're right. In fact, I thought all TZ episodes were only 30 minutes long -- minus commercial breaks.

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[–] Jennie_Portrait (804) 8 years ago

Catbookss,
You can watch the episode here: The Incredible World of Horace Ford
The wife is so long-suffering. My heart just goes out to her.

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[–] AngularTurnip (3337) 8 years ago

The actress playing the wife I remember as Freddy Kruegar's mom in "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3"

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Thanks, Jennie! I've watched the first 10 minutes so far, and can conclusively say I've never seen this episode before.

Poor Horace, he's such a child. Haven't gotten much yet to the long-suffering wife, but am sure I will shortly!

Edit: BTW, there has been a lot of discussion on the General Discussion board here about monitors, and trolls. Whilst I've met and very much liked any number of posters I met on IMDB (including you, Doug!), there have been few I would nominate for being a moderator. I didn't mention you by name, but I had you in mind as one of the very few I think would make a good moderator. No doubt you'd have no interest in it, but I thought of you all the same.

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[–] Jennie_Portrait (804) 8 years ago

I have always found the relationship between his work colleague and his wife to be odd. It's just their physical proximity in their discussion. It suggests a level of intimacy that has made me wonder.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Huh, interesting. Thanks, I'll keep my eye out for that. Still only about 10 minutes into it.

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[–] Jennie_Portrait (804) 8 years ago

"I didn't mention you by name, but I had you in mind as one of the very few I think would make a good moderator."

Thanks, but I have no interest in that type of job. The one I have already is taxing enough!

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

I don't blame you. Whilst I greatly appreciate anyone who's sincerely stepped up to the plate to volunteer, it's not exactly an enviable position.

Still, as long as we were chatting, I thought I'd let you know I thought well enough of you, based on the many posts of yours I've read both on IMDB and here, I think you'd make an excellent mod.

Sorry to hear your real job is so taxing!

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[–] doug65oh (205) 8 years ago

The smart person would say something like: “Job? Okay sure – on these terms: I want a whip, a chair, a pistol (with ammunition) and a shovel to assist in burying the bodies when I’m done. That, and $1,500/week to cover aspirin and other necessities.” :)

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[–] kspkaps (37) 8 years ago

@Cat,

I do hope all is settled with your dad's estate, the house, etc. I've been through it myself...by myself! Not an easy task.

With that said...here goes for all you Catbookss's stalkers and prevaricators....I think Cat would be an excellent Mod. She is aware of how most of us whom have known her for months, would like to see in a good moderator. Even though she and I have had some harsh disagreements in the past, I believe fair is fair. As I've stated previously, she has an uncanny recall ability. She's well aware so many of us detest the lewd language, the vile names and lies targeting certain folks, the stalking, the trolls, etc. Well, that's my input and I'm sticking to it!

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[–] doug65oh (205) 8 years ago

Bless your heart, Cat. As they say, it’s the thought that counts. You’d be correct, though in thinking I’d have little or no interest in moderating these days – especially in this environment. (I last helped moderate an IRC channel over 20 years ago but that was an entirely different sort of beast.) My memory’s a bit hazy on nicknames, Cat but I may actually know you (or know of you) from somewhere independent of the recently-deceased imdb message boards – an upholstered insane asylum which general subject was a certain pair of hatchet murders. :)

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[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 8 years ago

"A question for you, and everyone else on this board: How do you remember all of the titles of each episode so well? Let alone all of the plots."

Hi Cat. I hope you don't mind if I jump in here, but Many fans of the show, including myself have watched these episodes so many times. SyFy has the marathons on New Year's Eve/Day and during July Fourth. We always had a play by play thread going on IMDb for those. Many of us fans have the DVDs which also helps us to know the names of the episodes. If you watch enough of these episodes after a while, you get to know the titles by heart. lol!

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Hi MissMargo. Nope don't mind a bit your jumping in :). I've watched any number of TZ marathons, but none that have ever given the titles to the episodes, which is what made me so curious. The DVD explanation makes complete sense, and now I know!

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[–] Jennie_Portrait (804) 8 years ago

I look at the list on wikipedia a lot List of Episodes

After a while, you just remember the names.

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[–] [email protected] (5854) 8 years ago

Young Man's Fancy-- I found that episode to be more eerie than depressing. Yes that woman did waste a lot of years on a mama's boy. But she was still young and attractive. She was able to get away from that guy and hopefully start over.

When it comes to relationships I thought 'The Chaser' had a depressing ending for the man who used a love potion on the woman he loved. He tried to win her over but she was indifferent. She falls in love because of the potion but she goes way overboard with her affection. By the end of the episode he couldn't stand her because she was sticking to him like glue. He got the antitdote for the love potion but she showed him the booties she was knitting!! So now, he's stuck with her.

In comparing the situations, I'd much rather be in a position to leave someone who turned out to be wrong for me than be stuck with them forever because of a love potion!

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[–] AngularTurnip (3337) 8 years ago

SPOILER AHEAD

Ben being left behind in "Kick The Can."

It's depressing that Leila will spend the rest of her life under this potion's spell. She will never again have a will of her own.

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[–] telegonus (736) 8 years ago

Three fifth season episodes: Steel, Night, Call and The Old Man In The Cave.

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[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

😛

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[–] [email protected] (5854) 8 years ago

Just thought of another one- People are Alike All Over. That astronaut played by Roddy McDowall, Sam Conrad, was going to spend the rest of his life in a cage. Of course no rent or bills, lol, but still a depressing way to live.

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[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

😛

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[–] AngularTurnip (3337) 8 years ago

Many people live like Samuel Conrad at the end of "People Are Alike All Over" already, only their prisons are self-imposed.

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[–] [email protected] (5854) 8 years ago

godewey----- Great minds think alike? Maybe yours is great, mine? Not so much. lol

If I had to pick one, I guess I'd go with the People are Alike episode. Of course it would be hard, losing your freedom and missing family and friends. But I'd live better than Sam! They read his mind in order to design a home for him. For one thing, MY imagination would definitely be a bit more elaborate than his. My dream house would have a Jaccuzzi, a swimming pool and a full time chef!

Okay, maybe they wouldn't give me the chef. An entertainment center with movies and music would be nice. But I'd really want a library. I'd finally have all the time I wanted to read! There are so many books I have on my list but I don't think the Martians would be able to supply them by reading my mind. They couldn't know what they were about if I hadn't read them. But I'd settle for rereading all the many books I've read over the years.

The other episode I'd want to be in is , strangely enough, The Hunt. No I don't want to go hunting and drown in a pond! But I envy Hyder because he knows his dog will be with him in the afterlife.

It's been almost a year since I lost my golden retriever Sally. She was fifteen. I had her since she was seven weeks old. She was my best buddy and companion. I took her everywhere except to work and to church. If people saw me without her they'd ask, "Where's Sally?"

I thought I'd be getting over her loss but I miss her so much. It got even worse the other day. My mom asked me if I saw an ad in the classified that advertised a free, year old golden retriever. So I called to ask but the dog had already been given away. I should not have gotten my hopes up. I was so sad. I thought maybe THIS was the dog for me.

I really want to get an adult dog because so many are given away or abandoned. I want a golden or a Lab. They are the cutest puppies but I don't think people realize what is involved when they grow up. They have huge appetites and if you don't exercise them, they turn into porkers! lol

Sally and I walked for an hour or two every day. She loved her walks. When I see The Hunt and Hyder is walking with Rip I envy him because his dog accompanies him to the "other side."

I keep hoping to see Sally again. It makes me sad! Boy this is a "cheerful" topic. lol Sorry to be such a downer

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[–] AngularTurnip (3337) 8 years ago

Memories can be a trap as "People," "Walking Distance," and many, many other episodes demonstrate.

I'm sorry about your dog. I lost a cat a couple years back named Buster. I was at his side when he was put to sleep. I've since gotten another cat though he's a hard act to follow.

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[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

😛

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[–] Jennie_Portrait (804) 8 years ago

"Sorry to be such a downer"

Oh no, pjpurple! Not a downer at all. This totally brought tears to my eyes. It was very very heartfelt and loving. How can that be a downer?

I had a friend who had a severe problem with a psychiatric disorder and substance abuse. She had been in and out of treatment for years. One day she was in a pet store and saw a chocolate Lab puppy and she just wanted that dog with all her heart. She knew all about pet stores and puppy mills, but she really wanted THAT puppy. And so, she charged the puppy to her nearly maxed out credit card. As she walked the puppy home, she made a promise to the dog, "I will never have anyone else take care of you but me." She never again went to an in-house treatment program. And they were together for 15 years too. That's the effect dogs have on people.

"The Hunt" is my favorite episode, hands down.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Aww, what a sweet story, Jennie. More so knowing she already knew about pet stores and puppy mills, but knew she and *that* dog belonged together.

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[–] doug65oh (205) 8 years ago

Agreed, Jennie. pj’s story somewhat reminds me of the last time we were “between dogs” you might say. Our faithful old Pomeranian passed away here at home in September, 2010 – only a few hours before an unfortunate but necessary last trip to the veterinarian to get her taken care of.

As you might suppose, misery reigned for days thereafter – the house was just too empty. My Mom had her heart set on a new Pomeranian puppy. So we looked and found one in an ad online which happened to be an almost identical twin to the little one who’d passed away. The person who had it was something near to 2 hours from here and the price was rather high as you might expect for purebred puppies. Money wasn’t the thing (it was my nickel, anyway) but rather the strong possibility that reality might not meet hopes or expectations. (Dogs have different personalities just the same as people do.)

At any rate, we decided to first check out a small shelter here locally to see if they might have something. I didn’t go along. A short while later my father came back alone. “Where’s Mom?” She was still at the shelter he said – he’d come back after some money. “We’ll be back in a little bit. When I left, this little white Maltese-poodle mix had her front paws one on each shoulder and didn’t want to let go of your Mom.”

The new arrival (Misty) made her entrance, inspected a few things and that was pretty much that – but for the fact that she didn’t make any sound at all for nearly 9 hours. (She either saw herself in the hallway mirror for the first time or stepped on one of those old-fangled spring-type doorstops in the hallway and barked at it.)
The ensuing years have been blissfully happy all the way round. Misty loves people dearly, almost to the point of being a little pest when it comes to visitors. She also insists on daily “recliner naps” atop a heating pad or on the couch cuddled up under a heated throw my Mom has. (If she thinks it’s time for a nap on the heating pad and I’m not where she thinks I should be, I get hunted down.)

It’s been almost a year, pj? We only lasted 13 days.

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[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

I'm very sorry for your loss of Sally. I don't' think hoping to see your beloved animal, or person, you've lost ever entirely goes away; it only gets less intense, less painful.

Your story reminded me of a dog a neighboring couple had, also named Sally, and was a golden/lab mix. I only knew her for a couple of years, but right from the start, when she'd see me on walks with my dog, she made a joyful beeline to me, as thought she'd known me all her life.

One day I saw the couple walking alone, and asked where Sally was. They tearfully told me she'd passed away, even though she was a relatively young dog. I felt gut-punched, and completely taken aback by the very sad news.

You and your new dog will find one another, don't worry. That one wasn't the right match for you, or you for it, much as I understand and empathize with how you felt and still do feel. But, it'll happen for you. That I can guarantee. (Been there, done that, with a couple of false starts that were equally difficult to deal with.)

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[–] [email protected] (5854) 8 years ago

Thanks for all your kind replies and sharing of stories. A love of animals does seem to bring people together. It's at least one nice side effect of losing a pet, if there IS one!

I think about The Hunt and how dogs are portrayed in TV and cinema as so loyal, but you never see a story like that about a cat.

I've had LOTS of cats and my Lucy was the most loyal cat ever. It 's been hard thinking about Sally because I lost my Lucy last week. Found her about fifteen years ago when I lived out in the country. She was an adult but of course I didn't know her exact age. She was a black and white tuxedo cat.

There were farms nearby and a number of "barn cats." We actually took in a couple because even though we had a bunch of dogs, my son wanted a CAT! Typical kid. But they'd always take off and run back to the barn.

This one, Lucy, was different. I saw her on the lawn on a blazing hot August day. She allowed me to pick her up. She was panting from the heat. She smelled like hay and I thought, "barn cat!" I took her in and gave her a drink and she never left.

I'd allow her outside because I thought maybe she was on her way home when I found her. But she never, ever left the premises. She would sleep on my lap or jump in bed and cuddle and purr so LOUD! It was like she found "her human."

The last few months she was just fading away from old age. She still ate but she was light as a feather. She was always jumping up to sleep by my side. The last night she jumped in bed with me and she was "gone" by morning. I was glad we were together 'till the end.

I have other much younger cats. I took in a stray a few years ago which I found on a walk with Sally. She dumped kittens on me and then ran off! They're good cats but they don't possess Lucy's almost dog-like loyalty. She was one of a kind.

Too bad TZ never did a story about the loyalty of a feline like her. I hope Lucy met up with Sally on the other side. She used to cuddle up with Sally and they'd nap together.

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[–] Xcalat3 (3748) 8 years ago

Agree about People are Alike all Over that ending was harsh.

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[–] Blondie7000 (183) 8 years ago

Definitely Willoughby. It's my favorite episode even though it's depressing.

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[–] Blondie7000 (183) 8 years ago

The Hitchhiker and The Night Call are pretty depressing too.

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[–] Xcalat3 (3748) 8 years ago

Walking Distance is also pretty depressing for me personally, I have some serious childhood nostalgia same as Martin so it kind of hits me right in the feels.

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