A Thing About Machines

Description: Season 2, Episode 4

Air Date: October 28, 1960

Plot Summary: A grouchy man believes his appliances are out to get him.

Review: I really don't know what to make of this episode; it's like a cross between "Maximum Overdrive" meets an episode of "The X-Files." The story doesn't appear to have an inherently noticeable theme unless it's something more relevant to that specific era. Maybe it was meant to be a statement of "get with the times" to the old people of 1960? Or maybe I'm way off and they're taking a shot at post-WWII consumerism? I don't think that's the case though since the main character, Finchley, is a rich snob who appears to be deep, deep in the closet; that scene of Finchley calling up "girlfriends" must have really been for the lulz. Anyway, I would think a direct shot at consumerism would be more aptly demonstrated through middle class America; besides, TZ has already addressed this topic to a degree.

So we meet Finchley who is such an utter asshole. His snobbish behavior is almost comical in the cliche nature of his superiority complex. At first I thought they were trying to be funny with this episode, but they appear to be playing the story straight. There's a brief cameo from Barney Phillips who is fixing Finchley's TV for the millionth time as we learn Finchley doesn't take care of his shit very well. Finchley hates appliances and contraptions for whatever reason despite having a house full of them. It's not long before we see that the machines are quite literally after him--I guess because they hate douchebags too. Finchley ends up annoying his assistant to the point that she quits on him, and he's left alone with the deadly machines. Gradually Finchley is tormented until he runs out of his home and is chased around by his car. This was kind of painful to watch since you see a driver in just about every shot. Eventually, Finchley is chased to his pool where he drowns himself out of fear of coming to the surface. The episode simply ends with the grouchy son of a bitch being found dead the next day with the mention of neighbors noticing him running around like a lunatic. I suppose this means it was all in Finchley's head, but that only emphasizes the pointlessness to this tale. Eh, your guess is as good as mine as to what was going on here. I mean, hell, the episode is called "A Thing About Machines." What is the thing?! I think it's safe to mark this episode under the forgettable section.