It's a clever screenplay that results in superior Hitchcock. Except for the opening hook, the first half proceeds rather tamely, but don't be fooled. The story evolves into a big payoff. Grace (Hyland) is a vulnerable young heiress to a family fortune. Having been fleeced by one fortune-hunter, she's now wary of romance; that is, until she answers an ad in a spiritualist magazine and meets Keith (Slate). Shrewdly, she hides her status until she's sure of his honorable intentions. Then she falls hard. Trouble is he works in Bolivia, and one day she gets a telegram. After that it's a consolation that she's come to believe in a spirit world. But this being Hitchcock, we know things aren't always as they seem.
Interest builds as the story progresses. There's not much suspense since we can't be sure where the tale is headed, but there's more than enough curiosity to keep eyes glued. Most noticeably, the climax is a shattering one, and I'm really glad the producers didn't compromise on the final shot, which also has a moral concerning dreams and reality. The star-crossed Hyland is excellent in a difficult role, while veteran actress Dunnock scores as the well-grounded Minnie. Good seeing Jeremy Slate again, and isn't there a resemblance to Steve McQueen. All in all, it's a sneakily well- done episode in a superior series.