Is it “Eye of the Beholder,” the classic episode with all the traumatizing pig-faced surgeons?
Or is it “The Invaders,” an episode that works masterfully off of suspense and atmosphere?
Close, but not quite.
Image via CBS
What about the ambiguity and disorientation of “The Hitchhiker”?
You could make the case.
Even through its final season,Rod Serlingand company were still able to pump out truly unnerving episodes.
Image via CBS
This episode was built to spook.
He even accuses Annabelle of putting a walkie-talkie inside of Tina.
She’s just a rigid, wooden, dead-eyed doll.
We never even see her move!
She has a high-pitched, cold, glassy voice that cuts like a knife.
Not before or after wouldThe Twilight Zone everhave such a creepy villain as Talky Tina.
Because his daughter got a new doll?
Give me a break.
He’s in way too deep – take him down, Talky Tina!
For all of us!
It also helps that the episode is one of the series' quieter episodes.
A humming bass clarinet does most of the talking for the musical score.
It continues to age wellbecauseof its 1960s TV-budget limitations.
No, we have no idea what the deal is with Talky Tina.
She’s a blank slate – sporting an everyday doll look and given no clarity as to her backstory.
