First off let me say I found this episode incredibly endearing and the bond between Jenny and Old Ben truly warmed my heart. Sure I didn't leave the episode with a "wow that was crazy AWESOME!" but instead a "wow, that was beautiful. True friendship!"
That said, one of my favorite things about watching TZ is the social aspects that vary tremendously from today. For instance in this episode one of the "cops" takes a cigarette and casually ashes it on a stranger's carpet floor. I know, I know it seems mundane, but in 2019 something as inconsequential and simple as this would be considered unacceptable by most standards, the man would either be scolded or not allowed back, but back then this was completely normal. Fascinating! The patriarchy in TZ is also hilarious to say the least. But I digress...
Obviously the big one I'm referring to is the old man and the little girl. I find it quite unfortunate how almost all of the low reviews here comment on this aspect being creepy and the main reason they didn't like it, when in fact I think it's one of the best parts of the episode. Now hold your judgement and let me explain. These viewers forgot to detach themselves from the present to instead take a modest look at the past (or they expect some mind blowing twist at the end of every episode, when that's not what TZ is about). It takes us back to a time when an adult COULD be a friend with a sweet little girl and nothing malicious was thought of it. 99% of old men would be just as kind and comforting to Jenny as Old Ben, but today that 1% has ruined it for the 99% and a completely innocent relationship like this could never exist. But, these were different times, and I think that's really cool.
Personally I find this idea quite beautiful. I didn't grow up during this time, the only world I've known is the one they showed us videos about in elementary school on how to stay safe when at the park, so to be able to to see on a TV show such an open and loving relationship between not an old man and a little girl, but two, dare I say, "human" beings, just trying to be nice to each other, was extremely refreshing and added an entirely new layer of what makes the original Twilight Zone episodes great.
I think we've forgotten what that's like in the modern world, and this episode is a comfortable and kind reminder of it. And yeah, it also has a fun little twist at the end! Also when Jenny asked Old Ben if he was a communist, I laughed a bit.
That said, one of my favorite things about watching TZ is the social aspects that vary tremendously from today. For instance in this episode one of the "cops" takes a cigarette and casually ashes it on a stranger's carpet floor. I know, I know it seems mundane, but in 2019 something as inconsequential and simple as this would be considered unacceptable by most standards, the man would either be scolded or not allowed back, but back then this was completely normal. Fascinating! The patriarchy in TZ is also hilarious to say the least. But I digress...
Obviously the big one I'm referring to is the old man and the little girl. I find it quite unfortunate how almost all of the low reviews here comment on this aspect being creepy and the main reason they didn't like it, when in fact I think it's one of the best parts of the episode. Now hold your judgement and let me explain. These viewers forgot to detach themselves from the present to instead take a modest look at the past (or they expect some mind blowing twist at the end of every episode, when that's not what TZ is about). It takes us back to a time when an adult COULD be a friend with a sweet little girl and nothing malicious was thought of it. 99% of old men would be just as kind and comforting to Jenny as Old Ben, but today that 1% has ruined it for the 99% and a completely innocent relationship like this could never exist. But, these were different times, and I think that's really cool.
Personally I find this idea quite beautiful. I didn't grow up during this time, the only world I've known is the one they showed us videos about in elementary school on how to stay safe when at the park, so to be able to to see on a TV show such an open and loving relationship between not an old man and a little girl, but two, dare I say, "human" beings, just trying to be nice to each other, was extremely refreshing and added an entirely new layer of what makes the original Twilight Zone episodes great.
I think we've forgotten what that's like in the modern world, and this episode is a comfortable and kind reminder of it. And yeah, it also has a fun little twist at the end! Also when Jenny asked Old Ben if he was a communist, I laughed a bit.