This is hands down one of my favorite episodes. As I've mentioned, the ones with a mystery element are some of my favorites as are the quirkier episodes. And this one had a perfect mix of the two. I wasn't aware of Jack's Elam's pencil battle as a child. Gotta wonder about the other kid to go for the eyes. Another great video, good sir. Top notch editing too.
Hey wassup aways good to see you my friend. Jack Elam was awesome here. He stole the show for me. This is a bit of a new one for me. I only saw it once casually and then a rewatch for the review. Thank you for the stopping by.
Good observation! I never thought about the alien being the one who made the phone ring with the fake 'ok' from the state inspectors to allow the bus to go on the bridge!
The funny thing is I figured he was the alien based on how many times he specified Boston. It felt like someone who’s not actually from nearby just shouting out any phrases or landmarks from the culture they happen to know in an attempt to blend in. Not sure if it was on purpose or just because of the writing style of the day but I still appreciated it haha
Stillmore, that is a good observation. It does sound like something along those lines. 😆 The Boston references also got the Dropkick Murphys song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" playing in my head while editing this.Thanks for watching dude.
I know Jackie from Canonball Run! Man, I loved that movie when I was a kid. Btw, did you notice the bus had 'Cayuga' on the side? That's the tz production company. Easter eggs aren't new, I guess.
"Easter eggs aren't new, I guess." Ha ha so true. There's all kinds of little bits here and there that would easily count as easter eggs nowadays. Thank for watching Rez!
This episode to me is so scary upon rewatching. You know they're all in there with a cold blooded killer monster. But everything is just quiet and tense. He's just toying with them for now. So creepy.
Best takeaway from the ICONIC twist ending is that it reveals truth in the expression "sometimes the predator can become the prey" . When you think you're the biggest fish in the pond, a shark can come out of nowhere.
YES! I love that takeaway. It comes in at the very end but it is so effective. We get more than few fun twists. Good hearing from you as always Franco!
This was a good episode. If I remember correctly I think it scared me as a kid. Great review as usual. The connection to The Thing is interesting too. Also I have to say your voice fits perfectly with these reviews. Nice!
You know what would have been a great ending? If the chef was an intergalactic intelligence agent assigned to protect Earth. And then after he revealed his 3 eye he pulled out his ray gun and vaporized the Martian.
you didn't think it was odd, when the alien originally paid for his coffee it was mentioned HOW MANY cups he had? THAT WAS A LOT OF F'n coffee! One could say........... inhuman.
Awesome episode. I like that Easter egg they put in “Cayuga Bus.” I agree Jack Elam was great in this episode. When I was a kid that 3rd arm blew my mind!
I hear you. And Serling's closing narration was perfect, " if either of these two entities walk onto your premises, you'd better hold their hands - all three of them - or check the color of their eyes - all three of them. " 🤣
I really like this episode. Now, for a nitpick: They really could have narrowed down the list of suspects based on couples and who the bus driver remembered (he definitely remembered the dancer). Then, they could have asked detailed questions about their history and where they have been, as a child. That's a lot of details. For a more modern twist, if I had to re-do this episode I would have said that the alien replaced ALL of the people on the bus (cloned, duplicates, robots, whatever). The original ending I would like to keep.
"For a more modern twist, if I had to re-do this episode I would have said that the alien replaced ALL of the people on the bus (cloned, duplicates, robots, whatever)." Now that would be an awesome twist for a potential update. I like it.
Love when you cover these old Twilight Zone eps. Keep reminding me of these eps I used to watch with my Dad as a kid. Probably one of the first “double twists” I ever saw or at least remember seeing. And Jack Elam is always a standout no matter what he was in and I like how you did a little retrospect on him at the end. Nice one FDL!
Heeey thanks GCap. Some episodes really resonate with me for whatever reason and in those cases the review tends to reflect that in different ways. Be well man!
Anthony this was amazing!!! I watched it earlier during lunch and your story telling skills and general overview are honestly the best I’ve seen on YT for someone under 1k subs! You really make me watch this series again! Feel free to do hour long videos as I’m good for it lol PG says hey lol
Rod Serling was a genius ! - I always said to myself "I don't know - this movie "The Planet of the apes - seems to have Rod Serling's signature on it". Ya know, the end where Charlton Heston sees the Statue of Liberty. - Well I never saw the very first beginning to this movie until about 20 years ago. Opening credits "Screenplay by Rod Serling". / I knew it !
When did this episode first come out? It’s crazy thinking that it’s probably one of the first sources of media that started the trope of “a room full of people but one is the imposter”. I didn’t even expect the twist(s) lol Awesome review Anthony! So happy your TZ episodes are back 😎
Yeah man, actually it has been a while since I did a single episode review. This one came out in 1961. I love the enemy is among us concept, so I had to bring up The Thing as well as the novella it was based on. Thanks for watching J!
This didn't used to be one of my favorite episodes but I realized it was a year ago or so. Just love it. The grumpiest guy the whole time was an alien. And Haley's laugh at the end. Jack Elam was awesome.
Hi Susan, thanks for the watch & comment. I really enjoyed this one too. Sometimes I find as I cover these I learn to appreciate them more. Be well & have a good one!
If you do head out for for a bowl of chili at the Hi-Way Cafe, keep in mind Rod Serling's closing narration...."if a sour-faced dandy named Ross or a big, good-natured counterman who handles a spatula as if he'd been born with one in his mouth, - if either of these two entities walk onto your premises, you'd better hold their hands - all three of them - or check the color of their eyes - all three of them. The gentlemen in question might try to pull you in - to The Twilight Zone."
Great video dude! I really enjoy how you summarize and narrate the episode. I’ve actually never seen the Twilight Zone but I’ve always wanted to get into it.
Heeey wassup William, thanks for checking in & commenting. I appreciate it. The show will be on Netflix a little bit longer if you ever want to check out a few episodes. Be well dude.
This was a great episode but Elam was basically the cherry on top. It was great just touching on some of his other work. Thank you for watching these & commenting Melissa! : ) Much appreciated! Have a good one!
In the borough of Brooklyn, actor John Hoyt was affectionately known as "John Hurt," where, of course, actor John Hurt was affectionately known as "John Hoyt."
What a great little story. Growing up in the UK I only caught the odd episode. Now I'm enjoying trying to get all the box sets. How much easier the original Outer Limits was with its two seasons!
Hey Paul! I'm finally catching up on Outer Limits now. Yeah in terms of just catching up, only 2 seasons is far more manageable as opposed to the 5 seasons of TZ.
Very thorough and comprehensive review, another great job sir! This episode is definitely in my top 5 episodes of all-time and one I was exposed to very early on when I first started watching the series. It's so eerie and low-key but also suspenseful with a lot of classic TZ themes. I love the double twist ending that agreed, wasn't needed, but adds an extra punch at the end.
The double twist ending really works for me because it actually makes me imagine this whole other story of two aliens species going to war as the colonization of earth is the backdrop. Thanks for watching man, hope that you have been well.
It’s impossible for me to pick one episode as my favorite from The Twilight Zone, but this is in my Top Five of them. I love the double ironic twist at the end.
That was one of my favorite aspects of this episode too. It was already a solid enough twist ending, then we got another fun curve ball thrown our way.
This is a fun episode for sure. I agree with you about Jack Elam stealing the show as Avery, and just watching him, I have to believe he really enjoyed every minute he was on the screen and it comes off as contagious for viewers. Truly one of the top performances of the entire _Twilight Zone_ run. And as you note, the rest of the cast is also very good. If I had to single out a non-Elam moment it would have to be the twist upon twist extraterrestrial confrontation between John Hoyt and Barney Phillips to end the episode. Even by _TZ_ outlandish plot contrivances, I find "Will The Real Martian Please Stand Up?", with troopers coming to the conclusion that an alien is posing as a human a bit much to take too seriously. Fortunately, it's easy to ignore that aspect of it and take it for a generally fun episode. I just wonder if any actor could have pulled off crazy Avery half as well as Jack Elam. I doubt it, He's so funny that even now after I've probably seen this easily a dozen times or more, I always find myself waiting for his next one-liner as they're so good. Thanks for bringing up the Campbell novella _Who Goes There?_ as a possible influence for "WTRMPSU". I can see that. Btw, _Who Goes There?_ may, in turn, have been influenced by another novella, Lovecraft's _At the Mountains of Madness,- which saw its original publication two years prior to that of Campbell's work. Although HPL's opus lacks any shapeshifters, both novella's are tales of cosmic horror centered on ill-fated Antarctic expeditions that encounter alien menaces. Overall, this is in many ways a five-star level episode, but I end up taking it down just a notch below, because of 1) the plot weakness already mentioned, 2) the unconvincing third eye, which is all the more disappointing as it is at the end of the episode and directly follows the clever and far superior special effect in the three-armed reveal, and 3) worst of all, they gosh-derned killed off Avery! In any case, I still have no problem rating it *4 out of 5 Crazy Jack Elam Eyes.*
Hey Galantski I'm glad you noted, 'Who Goes There' and Lovecraft's 'At the Mountains of Madness'. Sometimes I recall reading these stories years ago in High School or college. It is fun to go down the rabbit hole and consider all these potential connections. Jack Elam was such a fun highlight. I loved giving him some spotlight. LoL @ 4 out of 5 Crazy Jack Elam Eyes!
Fantastic review man!! I really need to start watching all of these Twilight Zone episodes because you handle these reviews so damn well and professionally! I loved all your research and tidbits to make this review so wonderful! Can’t wait for the next one!
I was just watching this the other day. I was on the edge of my seat asking myself questions. I absolutely loved the ending with the Martian and Venusian. Kinda reminds me of the ending of Mr. Dingle the strong.
Hey Charles, thanks for the watch. You wont believe this, but I still have to watch Mr Dingle. Yup, there are actually ones I still haven't seen. Be well.
Awesome vid Anthony! This is an insane episode. I bet the original is awwesome but I would like to see this get a remake. Can't find these old twilight zone episodes so your channel is the next best thing. Keep it up bro!
Heeey thanks for the watch. At the moment they are steaming in the US in a few spots, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu not sure about other spots though. Be well man!
Great video! I never watch the Twilight show again, but I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this episode and one day I'll watch the Twilight show. Keep up the good work!
@@FeverDreamlandTheaterHey Wassup man! Yeah, I'll try to do the same thing like I did for a falcon and the Winter Soldier because this Episode wad interesting and hopefully if I'm not too busy, I can do it. Be on the lookout if I do it!
@@FeverDreamlandTheater those movies often come out during or after some sort of paranoia like wars or government scandals, so it just adds to people’s fears of the unknown
Awesome! There are some great companions out there. Marc Scott Zicree's TZ companion is one of my favorites. I was lucky enough to interview here on the channel a few years back. He's the best.
@@FeverDreamlandTheater Just out of curiosity, did my latest video show up in your subscriptions? I asked my brother the same thing and he said that it didn't, it's probably just RU-vid being dumb again
now i know where Stephen king got the idea from... Craig Toomy:I have an important meeting in Boston at nine O'clock! And I forbid you... From flying to some whistle-stop Maine airport! DO YOU HEAR ME? Craig Toomy : I bought a ticket to Boston, and Boston is where I'd like to go. Craig Toomy : I have a meeting at Boston's Prudential Center at nine o'clock this morning! Promptly at nine o'clock! That's what's important. Now, I booked a seat on this conveyance in good faith, and I have no intention of being late for that appointment! Now, I have three questions for you. Number 1: who authorized an unscheduled stop for this airliner while I was asleep? Number 2: where that stop was made, and number 3: WHY, why was that done?
… May I have your attention, please? May I have your attention, please? Will the real Slim Shady please stand up? I repeat, will the real Slim Shady please stand up? We're gonna have a problem here 🔥
Great idea! Many of these could be interesting with a fresh spin or different twist. I love the classics and I'm glad we'll always have them. But I'm open to modern takes too.
Am I the only one who thinks this is a really bad episode? It just feels like a bunch of people fruitlessly pointing fingers at each other, weird random stuff happening, no real indication of who the alien could be, an anticlimactic reveal of who it was, and then a pointless twist just for the sake of a twist. What is the moral? The theme? It just feels utterly pointless and unsatisfying to me. I agree that the acting is good, but good acting can’t save a poorly written story. Maybe I’m missing something. Can somebody explain what’s good about this episode to me? 🤷♂️
