Two

Description: Season 3, Episode 1

Air Date: September 15, 1961

Plot Summary: In the aftermath of a war-torn apocalypse, two soldiers from opposing sides come together in the wasteland.

Review: Well, we're getting closer to the halfway mark as we enter the third season. As with season 2, there are a few slight differences with the opening sequence and general presentation, but, for the most part, everything has remained fundamentally the same. I do want to mention that this is also the point when TZ's road became a bit rocky. At the end of season 3, the show was semi-cancelled for whatever reason. At the same time, Mr. Serling and the other main writers began to feel drained by the season's end. You won't really notice any of this during the season, but there will be a distinct change coming for season 4. Anyway, to kick the season off, we get a surprisingly optimistic episode that still manages to tell a relevant tale. Of course the themes play more off of the Cold War era, but they could be applied to most any war--past or present. In fact, the episode stresses not to look at things as current, and imagine the possibility that this could be the near future or distant past.

We first meet a beautiful soldier, played by Elizabeth Montgomery, as she roams around a town left in rubble from the years since an apparent WWIII (or whatever you wish to imagine). I'm so used to seeing Ms. Montgomery as a blonde that it is sort of refreshing to see her as a brunette; she always looks great one way or another. Stumbling across a can of food, the woman, who I'm going to call Sam, is prevented from eating when a man, wearing an opposing uniform, shows up to knock her out cold. The man, played by Charles Bronson, who I'm going to call Harmonica, really wants that can of food which contains...chicken legs? Egghhh. Canned chicken legs--talk about revolting. Meat was never meant to be canned, people! Okay, back on track...Harmonica begins to feel bad for Sam as he realizes they are still fighting a meaningless war that has seemingly annihilated humanity. Harmonica wakes Sam up and gives her that precious chicken as he meanders about.

Deciding to clean himself up, Harmonica finds a barbershop in order to get a shave which prompts Sam to clean herself up too. However, Sam is still distrustful as any sudden movement sets her off like a timid, little kitty or something. The two then see a poster for a romantic film but are distracted by nearby guns that they each picks up and aims at the other. Calming down, the two walk along further until they come across an old clothing store with a dress in the window. Harmonica tells Sammy-baby to put on the dress, and she obliges because you do not turn down a request from Harmonica. When preparing to change clothes, Sam realizes she's in a recruitment office and is emotionally set off upon seeing a propaganda poster. She takes a few shots at Harmonica which leads him to abandon her; Sam realizes she's made a mistake shortly after. The next day, Harmonica changes out of the uniform into a suit as he notices Sam watching him. He tells her to go away if she's still fighting that war, but she instead emerges wearing the dress. Liking what he sees, and Sammy-baby smiling that classic grin (minus a nose twitch unfortunately) the two walk off into the apocalyptic sunset with a glimmer of hope. Despite the usual Cold War themes, the episode mostly stresses the love conquering all aspect which was interesting for a show with typically dark endings. Overall, a solid episode with a good message to get this season rolling.

Ms. Montgomery...I wouldn't mind repopulating the world with someone like that!