"The West Warlock Time Capsule" is the second consecutive Justus Addiss-directed 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episode after "Martha Mason Movie Star". That episode was surprisingly very good, an example of an episode that this reviewer was expecting to dislike because of the awfulness of the lead character (the series did not always have a good record with these types of characters) but it managed to work because of the acting and the delicious ending. So there was some hope that it would be better than it sounded.
Like "Martha Mason Movie Star", "The West Warlock Time Capsule" is very well acted with an interesting lead character despite him being hard to like, but lacks its suspense and a good ending. So a bit of a disappointment after directly following on from that episode but also better than expected. It is not one of the best Addiss-directed 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes ("Martha Mason Movie Star", and "Salvage" saved the series after a brief quality dip), but also not one of the worst ("Nightmare in 4D"). Ranking his episodes, it's in the middle.
It is not great. It does lack suspense agreed, due to knowing exactly what happens well before it does.
Even worse is the ending, which is very heavy handed and over explained, as well as not making sense. This is one of not many times where Hitchcock's epilogue (usually wonderfully dry humoured and droll) doesn't work, being laid on too thick and too much of an over explanatory cheat which robs the ending of any surprise or irony.
Fortunately, "The West Warlock Time Capsule" is compensated by the performances, with the ever reliable Henry Jones a larger than life lead and Sam Buffington a sinister presence. The chemistry is dynamite and does give the episode some tension. Addiss does direct with confidence and understanding of the genre.
Moreover, it is slickly made with some atmospheric photography and lighting that help distract from the slightly sparse settings. The theme music is suitably macabre, which suits the series really well. The script is tight and thought probing enough, while not being confused or rambling. Just wish that it didn't over explain towards the end though. The story has enough moments where it is absorbing and makes one eager as to what happens next.
Overall, quite decent but a long way from great. 7/10.
Like "Martha Mason Movie Star", "The West Warlock Time Capsule" is very well acted with an interesting lead character despite him being hard to like, but lacks its suspense and a good ending. So a bit of a disappointment after directly following on from that episode but also better than expected. It is not one of the best Addiss-directed 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes ("Martha Mason Movie Star", and "Salvage" saved the series after a brief quality dip), but also not one of the worst ("Nightmare in 4D"). Ranking his episodes, it's in the middle.
It is not great. It does lack suspense agreed, due to knowing exactly what happens well before it does.
Even worse is the ending, which is very heavy handed and over explained, as well as not making sense. This is one of not many times where Hitchcock's epilogue (usually wonderfully dry humoured and droll) doesn't work, being laid on too thick and too much of an over explanatory cheat which robs the ending of any surprise or irony.
Fortunately, "The West Warlock Time Capsule" is compensated by the performances, with the ever reliable Henry Jones a larger than life lead and Sam Buffington a sinister presence. The chemistry is dynamite and does give the episode some tension. Addiss does direct with confidence and understanding of the genre.
Moreover, it is slickly made with some atmospheric photography and lighting that help distract from the slightly sparse settings. The theme music is suitably macabre, which suits the series really well. The script is tight and thought probing enough, while not being confused or rambling. Just wish that it didn't over explain towards the end though. The story has enough moments where it is absorbing and makes one eager as to what happens next.
Overall, quite decent but a long way from great. 7/10.