A Game of Pool

Description: Season 3, Episode 5

Air Date: October 13, 1961

Plot Summary: A would-be contender's life is in the balance after he challenges the ghost of a legendary player to a game of pool.

Review: As I've stated before, this is one of my favorite episodes for numerous reasons. The chemistry and acting from Jack Klugman and Jonathan Winters are awesome; you genuinely feel this bitter mentor/student relationship. On top of that, the lessons and themes presented are universal to virtually any era or situation. Although the '80s TZ uses the original, intended ending, I prefer this version as it adds another theme to consider; that of being careful what you wish for. This episode also demonstrates that you can have nothing more than two characters bantering, and it can still be incredible without flashy effects or crazy twists.

We meet Jessie, who is obsessed with pool, and has grown wary of others comparing him to a long-since dead legend, Fats Brown. It doesn't take a psychiatrist to see that Jesse is more interested in pool, not for the fun, but because it's an outlet that allows him to feel special and accomplished. As we learn, Jesse has felt inferior his whole life until he discovered his affinity for the game of pool; it's this inferiority complex that has driven him to become the best--to be noticed and beloved the way Fats is revered. But besides being angry at the comparisons to Fats, we see that Jesse spends every waking moment practicing and has devoted all of his time to the game at the cost of truly experiencing life. Anyway, Jesse, crazily talking to himself, wishes he could play Fats in order to prove his superiority.

As it would turn out, Fats is obligated to defend his title as the best, even in the afterlife, and appears to Jesse so as to accept the challenge. Getting over the initial shock, Jesse wants to play Fats, but Fats will only play him under the condition that his life hangs in the balance. Goading Jesse on by telling him the best would take risks, Fats eventually convinces Jesse to accept the terms: one game of straight pool, first to 300 points. The two begin by showboating a bit which is cool to see; crazy pool shots are always fun to see. As the story goes along, Jesse is way ahead until Fats starts to bust out the real skills. Toward the end, after continual banter, the score is Jesse at 299 and Fats at 296. Screwing up, Jesse gives Fats the chance to tie things up.

This is where I'm still not sure what was Fats' true aim in this scenario. Fats tries to screw Jesse up with the final shot as he lectures Jesse on what it truly means to be a champion and the best. Fats makes a poignant argument about how legends serve as a challenge to keep setting the bar higher in any walk of life. But Fats further explains how he didn't obsess over pool, and lived a normal life to the fullest. Jesse doesn't care about any of this as he is set up to win and take on the mantle as the best. Right before Jesse takes the final shot, Fats warns him he may win more than he bargained for. Ignoring this, Jesse takes the final shot and wins--he has become the best. Fats thanks Jesse for beating him, which confuses Jesse, but Jesse is too focused on his victory and finally being the absolute best at something. Unfortunately for Jesse, by becoming the best, when he is dead, he too must forever accept challenges; apparently the legends are forced to go on proving they're the best until someone does defeat them.

So, as I was alluding to, I don't get Fats' agenda. See, if Fats was trying to make Jesse learn a lesson, why did he appear to miss a shot on purpose and perfectly set Jess up to win? I know he wanted to be replaced, but then why try and reach Jesse at all? If Fats felt sorry for Jesse, why not simply beat him when he had the chance. I think what would have made this setup come together better would have been Fats' monologue earlier. Seeing he couldn't reach Jesse's sensibilities, Fats offers one final out by setting Jesse up to win but explaining the caveat that he'd win more than he bargained for. Eh, this is a minor nitpick, but it has bothered me as the one thing that stops this episode from being perfect.

Overall, this is a fantastic episode with universal appeal despite it simply being about a game of pool on the surface. Humanity's competitive nature is represented at its finest in this story compared to the current age where we give out participation awards. Sorry, but we are not all winners and it diminishes the accomplishments when we do succeed. Plus, defeat teaches humility--a trait sorely lacking in the average person. This desire to be famous, special, unique, whatever the hell, has become grossly out of control in this narcissistic society as well. I think a lot of people could learn a lesson or two from this episode.