S2, Ep 22: “Long Distance Call”
(A child beloved by his grandmother continues speaking with her - long after he should)
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1️⃣ Storyline:

Every scene in this episode is so perfectly crafted. The character development is incredible for a half hour show, the stakes are clear but also get raised higher as the story goes on, and we care deeply for the characters and see them as real people. This is one of the most flawless installments in Twilight Zone history. Just the first 6 minutes alone - though it wouldn’t be particularly compelling - could stand by itself as a wholesome and heartbreaking short film, about a tight nuclear family and the love between grandmother and grandson. The ONLY thing I’ll say in criticism, is I wish they didn’t end it the way they did. Serling delivering a somber closing narration, after the dad’s plea to his mother, would have been *chef’s kiss*
However, my understanding is the network wouldn’t allow such a dark ending. As is, it’s still a gut-wrenching scene and a fine cap to an incredible TZ. 

Score: 10/10 

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2️⃣ Atmosphere:

This whole episode gives me shudders. Watching it, even just thinking about it. In my opinion it’s the first Twilight Zone to be released that is pure horror, even though nothing is *shown*. We feel the pain and the terror from the parents, especially the mom. We can almost sense the grandmother, emanating from that telephone. I can’t in good faith rate this category a 10, because a good chunk of the episode is focused more on domestic dialogue and not particularly atmospheric, but when it’s good it’s AMAZING. 

Score: 8/10

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3️⃣ Existential Terror: 

The idea that death only carries someone to a different realm where they are alone, but can still reach out for the living… that is a truly frightful prospect. The thought of a loved one, in their frailty and in their selfishness, committing the ultimate atrocity against their own flesh & blood - what a dark and sobering concept for TV, let alone in the early 60s! I have to imagine the parents went on to live in a state of dread, uncertain of just how far the grandmother’s grasp can extend. Was this limited to the telephone? I suppose so. But was this darkness contained in just this singular set of events? Or is it possible she changes her mind…?

Score: 10/10

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4️⃣ Creepiness:

As I shared above, I find this to be pure horror (and I mean that as the highest compliment). I can’t stand horror that throws stuff in your face, for cheap scares and carnage revulsion. Anyone can do that, and it just comes across as vulgar to me. This is the complete opposite: we watch some of the darkest ideas ever expressed in the Twilight Zone here, yet it’s all implied or offscreen. That is not easy, but the final product is truly a masterpiece. The most terrifying moment for me, and perhaps the most well-executed scare in the 5 seasons of this beautiful show, is when the mom picks up the receiver and then almost immediately drops it. Shocked and filled with terror, she utters those words “I heard her… I heard her breathing”

Score: 10/10

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5️⃣ Lesson:

A morality play, this is not. Still, there are some fantastic themes explored. Above all, we are reminded that codependently smothering a loved one because it makes YOU feel complete is a far cry from love. 

Score: 6/10

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6️⃣ World-Building:

No episode can accomplish EVERYTHING in these 8 categories, in 25 short minutes. “Long Distance Call” sure comes close though! The world building is absolutely fine here, but it’s not meant to be the emphasis of the episode. I would love to know more history about this family, especially the couple - but make no mistake, this is not a criticism. The writers expertly crafted a darn perfect script and there is nothing lacking in a way that feels lacking. Even the exposition we get feels very real and organic. I love the brief comment from the husband after the funeral, explaining why his mother was so controlling and frail emotionally. 

Score: 6/10

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7️⃣ Acting:

Lili Darvas plays the controlling grandmother with such subtlety, passive-aggression seeping from her in every scene - but not so intensely that we dislike her or suspect anything of her. Her strong affection for Billy manifests clearly, and we assume she’s just an overbearing mother in law who struggles to respect boundaries. Philip Abbott as Chris, her son, is very solid throughout - a B+ performance. But my goodness, the one that knocks it out of the park above all else is Patricia Smith. Portraying Billy’s protective mom, the conflicted daughter in law, and the affectionately strong wife of Chris, she gives one of the greatest acting performances imaginable. Little facial expressions, head tilts, eye movements, etc in the opening scene pull back the curtain on who she is as a woman, how she feels about her family, and some of the various feelings she struggles with - all without saying a word. She also accomplishes a feat that is rarely seen, particularly in television from that era: she depicts a “hysterical” wife & mother, but without obnoxious screaming, forced crying, or wild body language. The scene mentioned above where she picks up the phone, is up there with any other single moment in TZ history. 

Score: 10/10

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8️⃣ The Human Condition:

We witness in this story, terrible darkness. Essentially murderous intent. But there are no villainous caricatures. The stakes are extreme, but Billy’s parents are understandably unsure about how to respond. They behave exactly how real people would respond, to the idea that a toy telephone is a deadly tether from beyond the grave. And as I mentioned earlier, we see in the first 6 minutes a wonderfully holistic look at a loving but imperfect family. Who among us hasn’t cast an exasperated side eye at an in-law, or vented our frustrations to our spouse about how we wish they’d not be so passive when their family crosses a line?

Score: 10/10

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✅ Total Score:
 70

What else can I say? This is as good as it gets. I’m not particularly interested in claiming a “favorite” Twilight Zone episode or even trying to decide which one is the best (whatever that means 😂), but I’d have a really hard time slotting Long Distance Call below any others. 

What do you think? 🤷🏼‍♂️ Which category do you most agree with, and which category do you most hate my opinion on? Let me know! I want your feedback. 🙌🏼

Breaking down the episode “Long Distance Call” - 8 categories, 1 final score