The Self Improvement of Salvadore Ross - Twilight-Tober Zone

[@ChannelAwesome]

What did you think of "The Self Improvement of Salvadore Ross? Worth a recommendation?

[@XavierLugo-j3g]

After you finish the remaining episodes, how about Alfred Hitchcock Presents next?

[@sweeney60]

The question I have is does the father regain his compassion after Salvadore dies or does he spend the rest of his life without compassion? Imagine having to sell your soul to protect your daughter. On the flip side, I like that Salvadore dies knowing love. Some people aren’t that lucky.

[@shadowjudge921]

Sounds like a real genius episode about "deals with the devil" ... So to speak.

[@jessehcreative]

@@XavierLugo-j3gor Night Gallery, or the 80’s TZ series

[@XavierLugo-j3g]

@@jessehcreative Meh.

[@claytonrios1]

The idea of someone being able to swap traits with someone based on a deal has a lot of potential here. Like its an anime superpower that you could write a whole series around.

[@subsamadhi]

William S Burroughs wrote a story like this too

[@starckie]

You might like The Mind of Simon Foster from the 80s Twilight Zone

[@ianr.navahuber2195]

@@subsamadhi name of the story?

[@kdusel1991]

Like my hero academia!

[@southanime]

@@claytonrios1 hxh did this on the Chimera ant arc. But it was very under utilized

[@weareallbronies9031]

the self improvement of salvadore ross is such a twilight zone title.

[@vintageincolor]

Absolutely

[@BingFox]

I keep getting reminded of Lovecraft's The Transition of Juan Romero, whenever I read the title.

[@XenomorphXIII]

@@BingFox Same

[@trinaq]

The concept of being able to switch traits is an interesting one, I liked how the twist was executed.

[@jlev1028]

Yes, you watched the episode too, Captain Obvious. You don't have to summarize the ending.

[@kdusel1991]

It's like something out of my hero academia or a comic book

[@slyfox2022]

Mans paraphrased the ending

[@DeadMoon1986]

After Sal facing Denial and Anger, that's probably the LONGEST stage of Bargaining I've ever seen...

[@Omar-wq9dz]

I like this episode. It’s a good play on the ‘careful what you wish for’ scenario

[@jeremytung1632]

Odds are if you’re admitted to the hospital for any kind of extended procedure after 3PM you’re staying the night.

[@sarysa]

Salvadore and Leah's father have a bit of a paradox problem. The father's objection about Salvadore should be addressed by the swap, and sociopaths tend to at least be rational. The father got his way, and Salvadore was not shown to be a senseless...finisher. (Oh, KZbin...) Anyway that has long since been a major sticking point for me. On a side note, it fascinated me that the original swap (a cold for a broken hand) actually acknowledges that healing diminishes with age. In a media landscape where even elderly characters bounce back from anything by the next week's episode, this was a stark dose of reality.

[@garretdrake2347]

the father wanted salvadore dead all along, his compassion was the only thing stopping him from doing it. salvadore buying compassion wasn't going to change that.

[@jlev1028]

This has to be one of the most inventive episodes I ever seen on the show. The ability to swap attributes with others, physical, mental, or even financial, has the potential for an entire genre of stories. The only other story I've seen like that is Wonder Woman 2, and that's more about wishes and the dangerous consequences of them.

[@trinaq]

I can't wait until Walter reviews "The Masks", another installment where the protagonist is a horrible person, and eventually gets their much deserved karmic comeuppance.

[@HBarnill]

Succession: Twilight Zone Edition

[@TheNotverysocial]

Only that one is a minor thing compared to the tremendous wealth they all inherited. When you are that rich, a little tissue distortion is a minor nuisance.

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

One of James Rolfes faves & mine too!

[@samus88]

Wait, what? The 'protagonist' of The Masks is the old man giving his family the masks... how is he a horrible person?

[@trinaq]

​@@samus88I meant his family members, not the dying man, though I suppose that he's the main character.

[@arizonabay15]

The legend that is Seymour Cassel in the elevator at 2:45

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

Ross improved himself, all right. Improved himself dead .

[@lowrider993]

The lesson here is never improbe yourself

[@maxstone3779]

The ending reminds me of an episode of Transformers: Beast Wars. The Decepticons reprogram the Autobots second in command / tactical officer to be evil. And it works. He switches sides. And goes from best Autobot (110% loyal friend) to best Decepticon ((110% backstabbing fiend). Decepticons have to change him back since he is less dangerous to them as an Autobot.

[@jessehcreative]

Remember: You’ll be cool, but never “Rod Serling Wearing Sunglasses” cool

[@ericjanssen394]

Classic old radio was hard to find on cassette tape as a kid in the 70’s, so I was addicted to trying to track down the CBS Radio Mystery Theater on whatever local stations it was playing. (And the short-lived General Mills Kids’ Adventure Theater.) Listening to them on the Internet today, they’re surprisingly cheesy-even more than the Twilight Zone Radio episodes-but I’d caught the radio bug.

[@KyleRobots]

This does make me wonder, you do see the old man put his hands under his blanket fairly often when talking to Sal. So, did he have his gun in his lap the whole time? Came THIS close to shooting him several times?

[@melissacooper8724]

Like Salvador Ross, I wish I had his ability to swap with others. I could always use self-improvement.

[@samus88]

I love this episode mainly because of how smart he is. Selling his youth for a million bucks and then regaining it by selling years to dumb kids. What a beast!

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

I like how Sal is a total psychopath. Recommended.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Thanks For this Guys! Twilight-tober is awesome

[@Myself-yf5do]

Now that you've done Disneycember, Dreamworksuary, Bat May, and this, you should do Nickuly/Aprilodeon.

[@TBoring]

This episode just gave me an idea for an interesting Warlock Patron for D&D.

[@Oppeldeldoc1]

I always say this about a story with him, but even if it didn't have everything else going for it, no one could play a "hard luck" character better than Don Gordon. So it makes sense in a sad way that Sal's success ends up backfiring the way it does.

[@SnowdropHill]

I agree that Leah accepting Salvadore so quickly after his change felt very off. This is such a fun twist because part of me wanted Salvadore's newfound compassion to change his life for the better, but it proved to be too late!

[@sweeney60]

@@SnowdropHill I almost wonder if she was faking it because she was conspiring with her father? That would make so much more sense given everything Salvadore had put her through.

[@leehustedt1990]

That's definitely an interesting power to have, to literally buy or sell anything. That's a concept you could do a lot with

[@thebludevil3647]

When watching the Wonder Woman 2 movie, I kept thinking of this exact Twilight Zone episode with the main character here and the villain in the movie having the gimmick of shaking hands to make an exchange for something of value

[@Cassadinegirlaz]

Glad I’m not the only one!

[@cyberknight1188]

Gotta appreciate the literal Chekhov's Gun.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

I see the fact that so many actors who were last seen in Season 1 all of sudden make their returns in Season 5 as a way to wrap up things on this show as at this point they probably already knew this would be the final season. Literally almost every single Season 5 episode has at least one actor from Season 1.

[@pozzibleMovies]

This is definitely an episode that deserves more love, it has one of the best twists in the whole series just based on the irony alone

[@PepeGomezAnimation]

Missed opportunity for mr Serling. -...a sure bet for a listing in Who's Who... *Puts on sunglasses* -in the Twilight Zone. YEEEEAAHHHHHH!!!!

[@Gojiro7]

I haven't seen this one so Walters explanation of it confused me a bit in places, but after getting all the details, yeah this seems like a great TZ episode :D

[@brianskirk]

Love the shoutout to CBS Radio Mystery Theater!

[@MKermas]

Thx for all of the videos. You plan something similar for the 1960s "The Outer Limits"?

[@patrickholzer6415]

Wow, this episode seems like a really interesting one! I will definetly check that one out!

[@whitleypedia]

Oh I was afraid you were done for the month! I'm glad there was ... room for one more, honey.

[@josephlosinno2456]

One of my favs in S5. Great premise.

[@thetalecollector]

If I remember correctly, I believe that bar scene was included in the radio drama version of this episode.

[@runninsniper]

Finally, my favorite episode ofnthe twilight zone. I think about the trait swapping super power on a nearly daily basis

[@Galantski]

For all the twist endings in the series, this one, along with "The Four of Us Are Dying", is among the most brutal. Ironically, the character being killed at the conclusion of each is played by the same actor, Don Gordon.

[@aidanhever3369]

I remember J. Pat O'Malley in many Disney movies, such as The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, 101 Dalmatians, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, and Robin Hood.

[@nvm9040]

Definitely recommend because it’s probably the best episode this season

[@IchBinJager]

I think this is one of the best endings, definitely of the most memorable.

[@MariktheGunslinger]

This'd make for a fun video game; you get into different places and get what you need from different people by trading appearances, traits, and conditions.

[@LordGreystoke]

I loved this episode. Important message as we continue to flounder in our fast food culture.

[@ChrisMerkelStudios]

Sal Ross’s ability in this episode reminds me of Wonder Woman 1984. When Maxwell Lord absorbs the wishing stone, he starts granting wishes, but takes what he wants from the wisher in exchange. I have to wonder if the screenwriter took inspiration from this episode.

[@kdusel1991]

This is definitely an interesting idea! Great twist too!!

[@KatEtoile]

Always like when this actor (Don Gordon) shows up. He has a good role in The Omen 3.

[@toshirodragon]

I agree on the "romance" part, I was genuinely squiked by Leah being all lovey dovey the very next day. Realistically she should be suspicious of Sal's motives and behaviors for quite a while. I'dnever let a man with that much barely controlled violence and rage near me again if I could help it.

[@mikeduncan3953]

It would have been nice if they had proffered any kind of explanation as to why, at 26, Salvadore suddenly manifested the power of life trait transference. Without that it seems more contrived than intriguing.

[@HamdiTafa]

Switching traits, an interesting concept

[@julieporter7805]

1:21-Ross' conversation with the elevator operator and the other young men has very different implications these days..😉😎 Don Gordon sells Sal's various transformations rather well through his voice, posture, mannerisms, and characteristics. Also the twist is great because it shows the results of what he takes from them and the tragedies that he leaves behind because of his selfishness and lack of compassion when taking traits from them.

[@Smiththeinspiringanimator]

Awesome!👏

[@greenricee]

Very fair Criticism. Good video

[@brianarbenz1329]

This gives me the idea for a meme: "Don't Buy Niceness From Someone Else. Because Then They'll Have None and They'll Shoot You."

[@esteemedmortal5917]

Ahhh, such a good and ironic ending

[@kali3665]

The concept of the story is good, but I have had issues with the execution - most of which relates to the timing of certain scenes. When Salvadore steps into the elevator with the young operator, he immediately starts to make a deal. The way it comes across makes it appear as if the change takes place on the way down to the ground - just a case of several minutes. This goes against the rules established earlier in the episode and indeed the short story itself - that it takes several hours (and presumably a period of sleep) for the exchange to take place. Also, it appears as if Sal regained his youth from this young man alone and not over the course of several days and several "willing victims" as in the short story. It would be pretty odd that suddenly this one man looked aged 20 that morning and almost 60 by the evening. The makeup isn't entirely effective either. This timing issue also affects the ending. Like you said, it would take time for Sal to convince Leah that he HAS changed - it certainly would take more than a day. And Leah is left with a horror that she will never understand: Her kind-hearted, compassionate father has overnight become a monstrous creature who will do anything to control his daughter, especially murder. Even if they did film it as if several days - or weeks - had taken place, Leah would have presumably noticed the difference in her own father far sooner that she would accept the reverse change in Sal. On the whole, the episode is simply unsatisfying. The Radio Mystery Theater episode - starring Woody Allen's favorite male performer Tony Roberts - is framed better (the extra time does help), but I don't remember the ending being any improvement. Roberts always had a talent for playing little slimeballs, and I remember him being very effective, but it's been a while since I've listened to the episode. I'll have to check it out again.

[@TramiNguyen-oi3kp]

Good morning, Channel Awesome!

[@LearndingLife]

Love, if you would buy it for money it would be but bitters scorned. The story is a rather profound commentary on thoughts found in Ecclesiastes. Chapters 5 and 6, to be more specific, a lot of them are for the entire book. Heck of a read, don't if you don't at least have some understanding of nihilism though, it will depress the hell out of you 😅, still amazing, really do enjoy t-tz, it's up there with watching Hocus Pocus on Halloween as a tradition for me. Keep up the awesome work ^.^

[@DasKame]

i adore the bad shit carzy ending

[@RasheedaParker-qn9ec]

Awesome 🤩

[@deandreushayes9836]

4:58 Twist

[@lowrider993]

I argue this is somewhat better than the old man in the cave

[@JamesEDonaldson]

Many seem to like this one, but for me it falls apart because he HAS compassion now and the woman IS happy, so compassion or not, why would the Dad commit murder (never mind Sal lacked compassion and he was at worse a bit of an ass)? Guy literally become the girls ideal man and the Dad knows it.

[@mitrovarr]

Because the father actively hated him and didn't want him to marry his daughter. It was the father's compassion that stopped him from hurting him before.

[@SerpentNight]

4:56 Are those the shades from the game 'FEZ'?

[@CaptainCJ97]

Happy Friday yall stay safe

[@milestrombley1466]

I'll buy your health for a dollar!

[@bruceeng3376]

He might have ...and should have bought half of the old guys compassion.

[@LilyBannel]

This one is a winner. It's scary to think someone could just trade certain things. I know many would fall for the same trap Salvadore did. I think I would trade secure finances and maybe knowledge of which stocks to buy just to safe. Then in later years, life longetivity or a healthier body but hopefully no one dies. If someone died then nope not trading anymore.

[@ChrisTalkz]

Another short story adaptation! Next time Number 12 Looks Just Like You!

[@ImminDragon]

It's a good concept, but the ending doesn't really work for me. He ends his life because of a lack of compassion? But we got to see what a lack of compassion looked like through the whole episode, and it was Salvadore being kind of selfish. Not a murderer. I feel like a better ending would be Salvadore insisting on getting her father's approval and the father being a grumpy old curmudgeon and refusing. Salvadore's sudden boost in morality causes him to insist on "doing it right" (might not be the current way of doing things, but it use to be you'd get the father's approval) and so he won't go forward with the marriage. Episode ends with them waiting until he either manages to convince the father or he dies of old age. Ending dialogue could then explain that his newfound compassion lead to him trying to help people but never getting the wedding he hoped for, or something like that. That shooting is not about a lack of compassion. A lack of compassion is refusing to help someone because you don't need to or refusing to forgive someone when they genuinely apologize. First degree murder isn't a simple lack of compassion.

[@garretdrake2347]

the father wanted to kill salvador all along. compassion was the only thing stopping him from going through with it.

[@davidzdziarek-zl8cu]

From selfish wallflower to ever-accomodating finish, Sal TRIED, but I can guess that either he knew of nobody else that matched Old Man Maitland's compassion and unbiased viewpoint of people, or Sal made the wrong move. I would go with the latter. And sadly, as it all came together in bright promise for Sal to finally hear Leah "Say Si Si" to him, her dad, now too full of hatred, is Sal's last creditor, and the lien was on his life!

[@amazzonkane]

A tragedy about someone who literally views relationships as transactional.

[@bobbykiriakidis9753]

Dan Gordon was a damn good actor

[@rubykrebs9550]

I read many of the original stories for the Twilight Zone and this one was one of my favorites because of the final sentence, "And he shot him dead, with no compaction whatsoever." Unfortunately like most screenplays, I found it underwhelming. My other favorite line from a Twilight Zone story comes from "Of late I think of Cliffordville" Based on a story called "Blind Alley". A rich old man who has screwed people over all his life to get ahead, finds that he's dying. So he gets an appointment with the devil (Not easy at the time being the year is 1944 and the devil is very busy) to go back in time to his home town of Cliffordville. The devil says he must pay for it and the old man replies "I know what you want." "You want my soul don't you!" And the devil laughs and says "No...We have had that for quite some time now." "No, It's all that money of yours." "I would hate to see it go to some charity."

[@mitrovarr]

It's kind of an interesting ending, if you think of it. Having purchased compassion, he had actually become a better person by the end! He probably would have eventually found a way to use his power to help people, had he lived. But I guess he didn't worry too much about messing up her father, even after the fact, so maybe he was still pretty selfish.

[@meganparrish807]

One of the things that made TTZ work is how natural people seem. This series wouldn't work the way a lot of shows are structured today.

[@CarlosRodela]

agh! was just gonna go over to amazon and watch this and then today I see it not available! damn you copyright issues/legal mumbo jumbo!!!

[@ztyran]

To be fair, all the original Twilight Zone episodes have been given longer radio dramas.

[@GreatFox42]

I think I prefer the tv version's ending, actually. He gets what he wants, but doesn't get to enjoy it.

[@YukoValis]

The guy was a fool for thinking in such black and white. Why not just half of the compassion? Because he seems to be able to set the age for an exchange I figure it would be the same for emotions.

[@DamianDarkholme]

This is like what Wonder Woman 84 tried to be with Maxwell Lord, but the writers missed the point completely.

[@richewilson6394]

Would have been better as that at the end he drops his gun because the father gets his compassion back now that the guys dead.

[@mmem4264]

So she's stuck with a father who no longer has compassion...

[@Raximus3000]

Hardly the father will go to prison, though i don't get the thought process... He gave him his compassion and that should have been enough to "fix" any issues plus now with his actions he pretty much condemned his daughter to a worse hell.

[@mmem4264]

@@Raximus3000 I don't really like that he shoots him honestly. Maybe it works better in the short story?

[@Raximus3000]

@@mmem4264 It is effectively an evil ending since compassion dies with him and there was no real threat to his daughter so it was foolish as well. I get the point of him taking the "easy way" but if anybody had that ability of course he'd use it like that. It is awful to think one should not use all his abilities to improve, if he simply took superficial traits and refused to really change that would be another story as it is, the ending is mean spirited and nonsensical.

[@louisduarte8763]

4:57 Think someone from the network or a sponsor told him to stop smoking onscreen? 7:02 I mean, there's "lack of compassion", and there's "murderous sociopath". Or is this another "Deal with the Devil" type of story?

[@zakfrisch2997]

I'm confused. Is this an old episode of twilight tober? I swear I saw this one and the one from yesterday before

[@gregxianda]

This sounds a bit like the plot from Wonder Woman 84

[@Nasser851000]

More like the Self Improvement of the Algorithm😆

[@wstine79]

The first body swap story.

[@jlev1028]

This episode doesn't feature any body swaps.

[@jlev1028]

Besides, British novel Vice Versa used that trope about 80 years beforehand.

[@elder-woodsilverstein7716]

Spoilers It’s funny how this is the SECOND time Don Gordon got shot on screen in the Twilight Zone.

[@majinsole8554]

The Grift of the Magi ~_~

[@TheCommonGentry]

WW 84?

[@EmperorGoliaththeEverliving]

Algorithm aide

[@easterbunny3850]

Kinda stupid ending

[@subsamadhi]

It gets a little goofy for me but overall not a bad episode. The ending is a little stupid also. He could have bought someoene elses "sympathy" instead of the dads. That would have worked

[@ExplorerDS6789]

I believe the whole point they're trying to get across is "you reap what you sow."

[@Raximus3000]

@@ExplorerDS6789 So, the daughter will have to pay for this and so will the father. The daughter will have to live through this pointless tragedy and the father will spend the last of his days alone in a prison knowing he hurt his daughter more than anyone else, while Salvadore Ross is just dead a fate far less ugly than the rest.

[@ExplorerDS6789]

@@Raximus3000 What is your point?

[@Raximus3000]

@@ExplorerDS6789 The daughter gets the short end of it all and did nothing.

[@ExplorerDS6789]

@@Raximus3000 That just shows that other peoples' pettiness usually effects those who are innocent.