Driving home to Albuquerque, reporter Philip Redfield (Ed Nelson) takes a back route and becomes lost, eventually chancing across the small town of Peaceful Valley as he is about to run out of gas. While the car is being refuelled at the local station, Philip's dog Rollie chases after a little girls's cat: the reporter goes after his pet, only to witness the girl aiming a gadget at the dog, causing it to disappear. This strange event leads to Philip discovering the town's century old secret - that they have advanced technology beyond our understanding which they have sworn to keep hidden from the outside world...
Unlike the previous episode, The 30 Fathom Grave, which was a originally a 25-minute tale that was padded out to twice the length, Valley of the Shadows was specifically written to suit season four's 50 minute runtime. Meaning that as far as pacing is concerned, there's rarely a dull moment. Unfortunately, after much intrigue and suspense, the tale falls apart at the end with a resolution that doesn't make much sense: if the folk of Peaceful Valley had the technology to reverse time, why didn't they save all the bother of trying to control and contain Philip and just do that in the first place?
Ignoring this obvious plot-hole, Valley of the Shadows is a well directed effort with strong performances, and a particularly likeable turn from Natalie Trundy as pretty hotel owner Ellen Marshall, whose promising acting career was disrupted by a serious car accident the following year. Not a classic episode, but one that show's potential for the longer format.
Unlike the previous episode, The 30 Fathom Grave, which was a originally a 25-minute tale that was padded out to twice the length, Valley of the Shadows was specifically written to suit season four's 50 minute runtime. Meaning that as far as pacing is concerned, there's rarely a dull moment. Unfortunately, after much intrigue and suspense, the tale falls apart at the end with a resolution that doesn't make much sense: if the folk of Peaceful Valley had the technology to reverse time, why didn't they save all the bother of trying to control and contain Philip and just do that in the first place?
Ignoring this obvious plot-hole, Valley of the Shadows is a well directed effort with strong performances, and a particularly likeable turn from Natalie Trundy as pretty hotel owner Ellen Marshall, whose promising acting career was disrupted by a serious car accident the following year. Not a classic episode, but one that show's potential for the longer format.