Your #1 least favorite episode?
The Bard. A Serling comedy at twenty-four minutes is bad enough. At twice that length it's unbearable.
shareFor me, it's "The Masks." That old man seems deranged and his heirs never seem anywhere near as evil as he claims they are. Yes, I know they are all happy when he dies, but - frankly, who could blame them? So such a cruel fate as turning their faces grotesque permanently seems undeserved. Any why does nothing happen to the old man's face? It might seem more fair if his face became hideous but it just didn't matter because he was dead. That excuse by the doctor that he has the face of death is quite feeble. Also, I've always liked Virginia Gregg and Milton Selzer so seeing them come to bad ends makes the episode even worse for me.
shareI do love the old man's insults though. This episode, and "Uncle Simon," are a showcase for Serling's unparalleled ability to throw shade.
I'm a bit more generous when it comes to this one than you are. I can see why it's considered a classic. There's a sense of dread from the episode's outset. The relatives, whether they deserved their fate or not, should have got the hell out of that old man's house the moment he suggested they put on masks. Unfortunately, their avarice got the better of them. That and their inability to be truthful not only to Jason but themselves --which I guess you have to chalk up to their metaphoric masks. They should have realized that no amount of money can compensate for whatever creepy fate Jason had in store for them.