I had originally only seen 3 episodes (Not all Men being the worst of the 3) and hate them so much I didn't bother with the rest of the series, but I recently found out that the second season was considered better by those who watched it. I decided I was maybe being too harsh especially considering I never watched the entire first season and should give this series a fair chance so I ordered the complete DVD set for this series and plan on watching all 20 episodes. The set has extras about Rod Serling and the show so that made it worth buying even if I don't like the rest of the series. I'm actually looking forward to it because I've already seen most of the episodes from the 1985 and 2002 TZ reboots and I like the idea of seeing a much more modern and recent version of it.

I think the problem is that the original Twilight Zone is the gold standard of anthology shows (and i'd go as far as say the gold standard of all shows period!). All 3 TZ reboots had huge shoes to fill and faced many obstacles one being that Rod Serling was dead when they were made so there was zero chance of his direct involvement. He was a unique one of a kind creative genius that very few could even dream of matching. Anything bearing the name Twilight Zone will face intense scrutiny especially when being compared to the original.

I think the runtime for each episode for the 2019 series is about an hour which makes it very different from the previous 3 TZ series (not counting Season 4 of the original of course). I actually liked many of the Season 4 hour long episodes of the original series so the longer runtime isn't off putting to me although I'll admit TZ usually worked best as a half hour series.

I've heard recommendations for Black Mirror being more closer to the quality of the original TZ series than the 2019 reboot, but I feel since BM is only focused on stories involving technology that it is much limited and less open than having a series that takes place in a zone where any type of story is possible. I really want to like this show because I feel anything bearing the Twilight Zone name is worth watching. Even if it differs from the original. I'm not one of those people that hates anything trying something new or different from the original so I'm hoping when I get the DVD set in the mail and watch them that there will be some very good hidden gems just like in the original.

I think I prefer Nervous Man, but I’m curious to hear other people’s thoughts.

How did that male lion get into their bedroom to kill Doris, and then lie in wait for Alan behind a closed door?

I personally think the lion was the witch doctor himself, come on a visit to America to do some shapeshifting and make good on his curse.

Certainly, I know that like many other tribes in East Africa, the actual Kikuyu traditionally sincerely believe in the existence of both male and female witches, who ride hyenas in the dead of night, and can transform into wild animals—including lions.

I’m reviewing every episode from worst to best as ranked by IMDB users.

Episode 154 is Cavender is Coming, Season 3 Episode 36.

Cavender is an Angel on one last mission to earn his wings by helping down-on-her-luck Agnes who has just been fired.

Review:
I’m noticing that a lot of these lower ranked episodes play a lot with visuals, camera work, and sound design. This one in particular has a lot of tricks with Cavender’s angel powers. At the time this camera work may have been super interesting but it seems common place today.

It’s a very classic “be grateful for what you have now” story with a sweet ending, but not much else.

I’m reviewing every episode from worst ranked to best according to the IMDB viewer rankings.

Up next is The Mighty Casey at 153, Season 1, Episode 35.

A struggling baseball team is conflicted about a new pitcher who is really good, almost too good.

Review:
Lot of great gags in this. I’m always locked in for a baseball episode. Once again a lot of sound design in these lower ranked episodes, and a lot of these seem to be far more comedic than dramatic.

The ending of this was genuinely sweet. Overall a fun story.

That’s the title of the most recent episode of the wonderful podcast Fun for All Ages with Frank Santopadre. He’s a pop culture savant who I discovered through a prior hilarious podcast he did with Gilbert Gottfried which obviously ended with Gil’s unfortunate passing. Highly recommend both.

Glad to hear Rod’s daughter still going sharp as a tack and writing a book. There’s a Rod Serlingfest in Binghamton this summer they mention. I wonder if any folks here are going.