"The Trouble with Templeton" certainly isn't the most overwhelming or spectacular TZ-outing, but it's arguably one of the most intelligent and subtle episodes of the entire franchise. The short tale features a very typical and almost routine premise: an ageing stage actor is nostalgic and sentimental about the earliest years of his career, back when he was successful, respected and - most of all - married to the love of his life, Laura. But his Laura died very young and now, decades later, Booth Templeton is married to a much younger girl (of which he doesn't care if she cheats or not) and heavily struggling with the next generation of directors' new styles. And then, quite archetypal for the Twilight Zone, Booth goes through a door and gets catapulted back to his glory year 1927. But when he finds his beloved Laura and his former best friend Barney, they're not as perfect as Booth remembers them. Up until here, "The Trouble with Templeton" feels very derivative and commonplace, but then comes one beautifully mysterious sequence. When Booth leaves the noisy bar, the place literally fades out and the expression on Laura's face is utmost somber. These mere five seconds are some of the most significant and powerful of the entire series thus far, and they give a whole different swing to the story. The second of nine episodes directed by Buzz Kulik ("Villa Rides", "Bad Ronald") and benefiting from solid performances from Brian Aherne and sixties' beauty Pippa Scott. There's also a very well-cast role for Sydney Pollack as over-ambitious young director.
Review of The Trouble with Templeton
