August 15, 2004 - 750815 - The Unbearable Reflection

[Fizzlestix]

This week's Show of the Week has been selected as an Anniversary Episode from August 15th, 1975:

[color=orange:eeeacc53c5]750815 - The Unbearable Reflection[/color:eeeacc53c5]
[color=gray:eeeacc53c5]written by Ian Martin; stars Patricia Elliott & Mandel Kramer[/color:eeeacc53c5]

Enjoy the show! ~ Fizz

[Fizzlestix]

This is one of those rare RMT episodes that sort of grates me. The lead character is so self-centered, spoiled, and annoying (though very well acted) that my stretch to feel pity or sympathy for her was something I just couldn't muster.

In one way, it was kind of nice to see a spoiled brat fall into this predicament, only in that it illustrated that sometimes bad things can happen to bad people.

Even when she bore witness to her "true" reflection in the end, I still remained unmoved by the whole affair. And unfortunately, the Devil character was a bit too Lucky Charm's Leprichaun for my taste, especially when he delivered the line "now I've got you in my power -- forevahh!"

While the show itself was fairly well produced; it moved very quickly and seemed to take place in one spot, as though the lead character never really moved from the x-spot on the stage, despite the fact that the show did have different locations. The acting was top notch as usual and the writing, in my opinion was fair-to-good, but the tale itself just seemed to lack any real luster. I never felt any emotion for anyone. A tale of tainted players.

I gave the show a 3.9 and would call it an "average" RMT episode.

[Texas]

I sort of feel the same way as you, Fizzlestix.

I did somewhat feel for the man who was her governor husband, but his politics seemed kind of muddled to me in some ways.

Still, this wasn't the worst of RMT episodes. And again, in the RMT whenever we see Satan or one of his demon associates its never (to my knowledge) in a positive light.

[Kizer Sosay]

Patricia Elliott was excelent, Mandel Kramer great as always. I like the way Ian Martin wrote the nurse in with the name of "Elspeth." This thing had the supernatural and time warpage going, not bad. I give it 3 as a play, a 4 for acting. 3.5 overall.

And you know I've gotta pick on something. Deborah had no reflection and was even dodging photographers. Yet she attended the funeral wearing a veil, implying that her clothes could be seen (and photographed), just not her body. Then, when she and Nicky are walking through the hall, he said he didn't see her in the mirror, as if he were walking alone. So, either she had stripped off all of her clothes while she was walking down the hall, or...

[scarlson33]

Another good episode, however, I am getting hit over the head a bit much with the morality of these shows. Doesn't anyone ever make a deal with the devil (or his helper) and get rich off of it? I mean, not happy, but rich or something!

I was hooked the whole time. It was more a question of "How bad can it get for this woman?" I knew it wasn't going to end well, but I liked the effects of her scary looks!

However, I get the point, don't sell your reflection to the devil, or you will regret it.

Sonya

[Lagavulin]

further to: No good coming from Satan's 'help'

Episode 414
Jan 11, 1976
MARK TWAIN WEEK: The Mysterious Stranger

The protagonist meets the Devil's nephew and asks favours of him which are granted to the letter. It is not so much the Devil's doing that creates problems as it is the human reactions to the intervention.

cheers
miles

[hamlet2003]

I found this episode somewhat interesting and was intrigued to find out where it would go and how it would be resolved. I particularly like the time-warping ending, putting her right back where she started. I however agree that there was some confusion on how the loss of her reflection was played out (e.g. was it just her body that couldn't be seen in a mirror, or did it include the clothes she was wearing?)