The Trouble With Templeton - Twilight-Tober Zone

[@ChannelAwesome]

What did everyone think of The Trouble with Templeton? Watch more Twilight-Tober Zone here - bit.ly/TwilightToberZone Follow Walter on Twitter - twitter.com/Awesome_Walter Follow us on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/channelawesome

[@trinaq]

I think that it's one of the more underrated episodes, plus the message is timeless.

[@melissacooper4282]

I learned that we should not dwell on the past. We should move on with the present and hope for the future.

[@GibsonGirl55]

It seems that his deceased, beloved wife, friends and acquaintances were watching him. Note that the script the actor discovers is titled, "When (not if) Booth Comes Back." It was as if they were anticipating his breaking point and seeking to join them. But they weren't having none of it, and were determined to send him back where he belonged. And he was so heartbroken, but they loved him enough to send him on his way. Instead of joining friends and loved ones in days gone by, Booth needed to get himself a good divorce lawyer and rid himself of the cheating golddigger who didn't have the sense to be discreet about her dalliances.

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

The last expression on Laura's face says all you need to know about her true character. She did what was needed to ensure Booth returns to the present and lives his life, but it clearly breaks her heart to do so.

[@trinaq]

Precisely, Laura clearly didn't like having to say those nasty things to Templeton, but it was the only way that he would return to the present, and no longer romanticise the past.

[@mitrovarr]

@@trinaq Imagine how soul-crushing it would be to be intentionally cruel to your spouse, whom you know has been missing you for decades. You'd have to have an iron will to do it even if you had to do it to basically save them.

[@toshirodragon]

Pippa Scott nailed that moment.

[@DracoMagnius]

Thank you for explaining it because I was honestly lost. I thought that Templeton just had rose-tinted glasses about what Laura was like back then and I was really confused at that final scene.

[@popculturewatch8689]

@@DracoMagnius I don't understand how that confused anyone. Once he left, the "act" dropped.

[@popculturewatch8689]

The moment when Templeton leaves and everyone stops while it turns to darkness is one of favorite twilight zone moments ever. It's just so sad and haunting.

[@troywright359]

agree. it's really striking for me. and the message is a good one

[@trinaq]

I wish that more people would talk about this episode when discussing classic Twilight Zone episodes. It has a likable, relatable protagonist in Templeton, the visuals and costumes are amazing, and I would never have seen the twist coming, yet it's also a lesson about overindulging in nostalgia.

[@RandomVO]

Perfect way to put it! I just saw it for the first time and loved it.

[@blacktallsmart1914]

its one of my favorite episodes. very underrated

[@eliseshaw6993]

I wholeheartedly agree with you, one of my fav episodes.

[@coleparker]

Totally agree. I especially like the ending when Templeton confronts the director and demands the respect due to him.

[@fshoaps]

The reality of why it isn’t regarded as this big genius episode is because the twist is subtle, and a little bit odd. It’s not scary, or this deeply frightening or shocking thing.

[@madaemon]

That moment where the speak-easy went silent was so creepy, and such a touching twist!

[@CrypticCharm]

i really hoped Booth ditched his unfaithful wife and went on to write a play based on his experiences with time travel, and his first wife, which was then turned into an epic broadway play that toured the world and Booth led a happy renewed life

[@trinaq]

Me too, I like to think that Templeton gained a new appreciation of his present life, and no longer lived through his past glories, refusing to let anyone push him around anymore.

[@NicoUnken]

Oh my gosh, I LOVE that twist. It's so tragic, bittersweet in a way....... I love that the wife truly did love him, and she loved him enough to ensure he wouldn't be trapped in the past forever. It's so beautiful to imagine - she potentially had the option to trap him forever, but instead only did what was best for him. At least, that's how I choose to see it, definitely a moment of *real love* where the ther other person's happiness and health is important above all else.

[@trinaq]

I really adore this episode, and its message still holds up to this day. It warns of the dangers of living vicariously through nostalgia, and longing for better days. Sometimes, it's better to live in the present moment, than to long for past glories.

[@matthewbuckley7757]

That’s true even though I miss the good old days of the 90’s I will remember them in my memories and enjoy the present no matter how complicated the world is today

[@joevenespineli6389]

I miss the good ol days of 2019

[@matthewbuckley7757]

@@joevenespineli6389 Yeah that year was actually good and fun. Until 2020 showed it’s ugly face 😓

[@troywright359]

yes, it's an often forgotten message these days.

[@mustbetheSUN]

The idea of ghosts/memories putting on a play to help someone is just so sweet, like the past that made you who you are is looking out for you.

[@drewo.127]

Reading this almost made me cry! Thank you!💖💖💖 I’m absolutely using this concept for a story of my own!💖💖💖

[@j-man2nd]

I've posted this before in this review series but I'll post it again. Templeton learned a valuable lesson that the Twilight Zone constantly seems to reiterate. "A fool loses tomorrow reaching back for yesterday"

[@jcollins1305]

One of my favorite episodes, and a rather underrated one at that. The speakeasy scene was heartbreaking, but gave Booth the strength to go on. 10/10

[@JackKirbyFan]

I felt like the entire episode was a big budget movie production. Everything about it looked like money well spent. Certainly one of my favorites and it had a touching ending as well.

[@julieporter7805]

I love that this is the antithesis of Walking Distance and Stop at Willoughby. It says "No, you can't go home again. Your memories and those old days aren't golden. You just remembered and idealized them as perfect. Live your current life and make it better." (Walking Distance also had the return to adulthood but it still portrayed his childhood as idyllic).

[@Branchout1097]

In all honesty, I think I prefer this to "Walking Distance and "Stop at Wilioughby".

[@matthewkoch6937]

A great episode! Pippa Scott always gave a fine performance. Her haunted last look before the lights go down speaks volumes. Templeton's yearning for the past is so melancholy, it's painful to watch. I'm glad it had a happier ending.

[@PhoenixHealing]

Oh my god, that cut me to the feels. I burst out crying I am not sure why it got me so hard, but the twist, probably the most poingant twist I have seen so far. I will definiately have to find this episode for myself ❤❤❤❤

[@Branchout1097]

There are times when nostalgia cuts deep. When we long for a time that took place before things got out of hand. "The Trouble With Templeton" was that while those days were behind Booth, he could still live in the moment and push forward, even when the going got rough. It's an important lesson that I think we can all relate to.

[@kaind.badguy]

I love this respect being shown to the Twilight Zone series. After all these decades it’s still a well written, thought provoking and often prophetic show.

[@melissadahl7561]

I love the twist in this and how it wasn't just some big shocking scary thing, but really emotionally engaging and touching. Sort of like a softer version of his dad addressing Marty in Walking Distance when he's telling him he has to go back because he doesn't belong there anymore. Both Laura and the dad clearly love both Marty and templeton and I personally see, at least with Laura, some sadness and bittersweet feelings but they're doing what they have to do to push him forward in his life. I also love that it works and how he's completely reborn at the end and wholeheartedly chooses to go forward.

[@Unownshipper]

I think a great Twilight Zone episode keeps you guessing, keeps you on your toes. Just when you feel a sense of understanding and perhaps even predictability, BAM, you're thrown on your head. This one is perhaps a little off-pace, perhaps a little clumsy with its supernatural elements, but definitely memorable. You've got a pretty good guess of what the moral is as Booth interacts with Laura (his rose-tinted memories of the past warped his understanding of who Laura really was), but when the speakeasy patrons go silent after Templeton has left, that was the moment. Wow was it uncomfortable, man did it throw me! So impactful and the implications immediately elevate this episode to the heights of ones I won't forget. I say the episode is slightly clumsy because of the part right after. Like Walter, I didn't love Booth spoon-feeding the audience the fact that Laura and the other(ghosts, memories?)s were deliberately acting cruel to force him to stop pining for the past and live in the moment... although I took more umbrage with it than Walter did. I mean, to literally leave him with a script of "What to Do When Booth Comes Back" was way too much. Still, I think I understand why they did it. I've argued before that the Twilight Zone doesn't try to be cruel to its visitors, and letting Booth think that the one great love of his life really didn't care for him would've been a step too far, especially for the tone of this episode. This let him learn the lesson he needed and still have his happy ending. I was also a little unengaged with the drama between Booth and the younger director Willis. It wasn't poorly acted, but I felt like these are too separate issues. Last gripe for me is the method of traveling to and from 1927. For an episode with such a strong visual element (the fade to black in the speakeasy), switching back and time by just cutting as Booth walks through the stage door, felt... weak for the Twilight Zone. Nitpicks aside, this was another stand-out take on one of Twilight Zone's favorite subjects: memory and longing for days gone by.

[@fenistereinc.5797]

the most underrated episode in my honest opinion

[@yukimikasaki9705]

I was happily married, like Templeton, to the only woman in the world whom I loved, and loved ME very much. I've been widowed from her, she went to join Mrs. Templeton almost eight years ago. While I haven't let it get in the way of my life like Booth had with Laura, and his new spouse wasn't doing HIM any favors, I can't help at times to lose myself in memory of Mary. This episode mirrors the sadness I myself have lived in for over seven years, and grew more on me than before, although I can say I have always had my fondness for it. What it relates to are past episodes like "A Stop At Willoughby" and "The 16 Millimeter Shrine" where mid-life losses focus on a desperate need to return to happier, easier lives than the presnt is giving us. Sadly, there are no guarantees in this life we live, but that reality is debatable in....The Twilight Zone.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

Unlike most of actors who appeared on this show, who were either unknown or not big stars at the time, Brian Aherne was already an established star with very impressive career both in his native England and USA. He was also known for his first and brief marriage to famous actress Joan Fontaine, which made him brother-in-law of legendary actress Olivia de Havilland.

[@floppsymoppsy5969]

I looooove that for once the spirits from his past came together to save the life of the protagonist. A lesson to free him not entrap him.

[@Gameact3]

Not even seen the episode, and yet that twist gave me chills.

[@themaninblack7503]

I loved it when he gets his spine back at the end.

[@db4695]

I gave a standing ovation in my living room after this episode.

[@jlev1028]

I sometimes feel like looking back to the past. I didn't have to worry about what my future life after college would be like. Sometimes, I revised age-old journals to fix mistakes in them. However, eventually, I'll have to focus on the present.

[@stevehagen9804]

When even your nostalgic flashback is telling you to piss off, you’re having a bad day….

[@troywright359]

the absolute best part is when he leaves the bar and everything stops and the lights start to go out. That's like something from a survival horror game these days

[@aeon87]

Wow. Kinda feel teary-eyed after that double twist in the end. This hits home for me too well.

[@charitysghost1207]

Awww, this one was so sweet! When he found the script, I got misty-eyed.

[@brianfuller757]

This is really one of the best episodes in the series..

[@ThePkmnYPerson]

Whoa! You pointed out a lot of big plot details I didn't catch when I saw the episode. Not only is it a much better episode than I thought it was but I see now that I did a really horrible job paying attention when I saw it.

[@debbieanne7962]

My 3rd favourite episode, I adore The trouble with Templeton and think it's so underrated. Brian Aherne plays Booth perfectly and Laura (Pippa Scott) is deliciously beautiful as Laura. I like the whole premise of travelling back to 1927, the speakeasy is something I've never seen before. There's one small problem. At the very beginning Booth's wife is at the pool in a swimsuit with a young man. Upstairs Booth is dressing for the day, in a thick coat, scarf and gloves. So is it summer or winter? It's never explained

[@melissacooper4282]

I can understand where Templeton is coming from after dealing with this Pandemic over the last year. I yearned for the days where you don't have to wear a mask everywhere you go or having to worry about you or your loved ones getting and or dying from the Coronovirus. But I try not to dwell in the past. I try to be in the here and now.

[@katherinepfister4177]

I love that you’re doing this again this year. I’m from Binghamton New York where Serling grew up and it’s nice to see him get the recognition he deserves. In fact it has made me want to rewatch the twilight zone. Thanks Walter.

[@random22026]

This is one of your most insightful reviews, Walter! 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' used this 'back from the dead' premise, although the female protagonist never realizes that her dead husband (the late, very great Alan Rickman) had ;played' her, so that she would go on to live her own life and cease living in their shared past. Both of these scenarios succeed in bringing the tears. Thank you for this showcase! 💕

[@st.charlesstreet9876]

The most Beautiful part of the episode to me is seeing his very joyful expression when looking the poster outside the theater. The character emoted so much joy that I almost cried🥲. One of my most loved sentimental stories in The Twilight Zone. ❤❤

[@LLCCB]

This is so gosh darn sweet. I haven't seen this one before. Thanks Walter

[@Oppeldeldoc1]

One original thing is that even though it isn't a "good old days" story, it also isn't a "bad old days" story (even if it resembles the second thing). Since it was all scripted, you never learn whether his version of things was right or not.

[@lizc6393]

This series is improving my quality of life.

[@omarsalem1219]

Same

[@henryottis295]

Ditto

[@TrickQ2]

Not every episode has some moral lesson or deep meaning behind it. What are we suppose to learn about aliens wanting .."to serve man"?

[@josephstevano5905]

Note to the narrator of Channel Awesome: you did an absolutely superb job! Bravo!

[@915buck]

Sometimes with good story line and wonderful acting, magic abounds. Well done

[@beatles23]

I am binge watching these today. Thank you for these. I have been a fan of TZ since I was a child.

[@jamesdrynan]

Interesting seeing a young Sydney Pollack, who later became a wonderful director, ( Tootsie, The Way We Were, Three Days of the Condor, Out of Africa. ) Brian Aherne was excellent in the title role. Truly bittersweet when we discover the truth behind the speakeasy scene. That slow fade to black is exceptionally poignant.

[@kcollier2192]

"The only advantage to living in the past is that the rent is cheaper." Remember the past, but live for the future.

[@sapphirewingthefurrycritic985]

So I guess his first wife didn't suck and it was all an act to get him to live in the present. Kind of sweet when you think about it, her telling him to let all of this go for the benefit of himself.

[@toshirodragon]

After the last two years and the isolation it has created, I feel with Templeton. I very much want to return to when my parents were alive, my sister lived here and my friends, some dead some moved away, were close. I wonder if John would be as strong as Laura and make me return to this life?

[@therealdeal717]

I cry every time I watch this episode because it pretty much describes me. It has helped me get over my first and only love who I lost 25 years ago. She is clearly unreplaceable to me but life must Go on.

[@SpaceOddity4214]

That was touching. He could not let go of the past, so the past let him go ❤

[@jeffcivil9090]

One of my favorite episodes ❤

[@vincegamer]

I just want to say that this series is possibly the best thing you guys have done in a long time. I am thoroughly enjoying it. It is definitely nostalgic. And it makes me want to know more about walter.

[@loganpeterson7098]

Pretty solid episode. Pretty excited to see your opinion on one of my personal favorite episodes next.

[@ericmuhammed2859]

One of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes the old theater scene arriving for rehearsal is very psychic, to me, but thAt was sad when Booth Templeton's wife told him to go bAck where he cAme from that they didn't want him their it was sad becAuse he had Always Always longed to see her again after she died

[@ericmuhammed2859]

All Twilight Zone lovers should watch this Whole episode All the way through its A Very, Very, Very Good episode

[@Music--ng8cd]

I believe that was Rod Serling playing the trombonist in the band at the speakeasy. You can see him in the background at 4:01.

[@mtwhatley3253]

I never thought booth traveled to the past but rather the afterlife…

[@stevenmakucewics9913]

Always brings a tear to my eye when I watch it

[@wiley8976]

One of my absolute favorites

[@claytonrios1]

An episode focusing on nostalgia on a channel that also has the Nostalgia Critic. Something you're very familiar with I'm sure.

[@Sate12]

Nostalgia critic showcases that remembering things fondly because we liked them back then does not mean they lacked faults and issues. NC pulls off the Rose colored glasses we form over time and shows the thorns we refused to see. Trouble with Templeton has the same effect. Things are not the way we remember then because we reconstruct our memories around our joys. We have to go forward and not live in the past.

[@claytonrios1]

@@Sate12 Hence my original comment

[@drewo.127]

This kinda is like if you travel into a memory/nostalgia land filled with people, things, places and tv shows from your past! Like for me, Mister Rogers, Blue’s Clues, Bob the Builder, and some of my relatives who’re younger versions of themselves, and older versions of places I’ve been to as a kid, but with all the characters I grew up with on TV, alongside my family and friends from years ago, like younger versions of them! But they all work together to convince me to move on from the past, and build my own future! This episode is so beautiful! I might do my own interpretation of this concept and story someday… but regardless, I love this episode!💖💖💖💖

[@roguebritgravy1]

Cue main / sad theme of the Old Noodles from Once Upon A Time In America (1984) When the mood in the speakeasy changes.

[@labyfan1313]

Just watched this episode and Brian Aherne's face was so sad looking, his eyes had so much expression, it really made me feel bad for him. I think he was an excellent choice for the part. I really enjoyed this episode.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

The swimming pool used in this episode is the same one used in later episodes Queen of Nile and, more famously, the "pool with door to the other side" in the final episode Bewitchin Pool.

[@minatodroger7890]

Great episode I just remembered it wow I will rewatch again

[@grouchomagic]

This was one of the best shows that I've seen in quite a while. I was flipping the dial, and it just so happened to show up. It was very emotional for me. Oh yeah, I'm an actor.

[@cianparkinson9605]

Such a great moral in this one

[@ivoryindica6508]

Thanks! Love your content!

[@rogue7723]

Seeing this, I feel like that the scene @2:54-2:59 of Templeton wistfully holding the music box while it plays and shows the couple dancing was alluded to in the _Batman The Animated Series_ classic "Heart Of Ice" when Victor is in the Arkham cell holding the music box that shows the ballerina dancing while it plays music longing for his wife.

[@c.d.robinson3090]

this is my favorite twilight zone. i love her dancing! 😀😀😀

[@jeffreyg607]

Found you a while ago and I have to subscribe! The Twilight Zone is pure genius!

[@MforMovesets]

Fantastic message and idea.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

Even the second-tier episodes are quite special.

[@marcosvieira944]

Great episode

[@AdamaSanguine]

*Holy Moly That Twist!* 🤯❤

[@miroslavtomic7038]

Booth overexplaining virtually everything has a perfectly good explanation. He is an stage actor and stage actors tend to do this during their performances. Also, stage scripts generally are famous for overexplanations of virtually everything to make audience understand the plot better.

[@Sam-zb9rj]

God I love this series

[@Nasser851000]

I didn't know that a character from Charlotte's Web was in a Twilight zone episode XD

[@trinaq]

Oh yes, the rat was named Templeton! I'd almost forgotten!

[@nickmanzo8459]

I would’ve loved to see a comedic episode of The Twilight Zone starring the voice of Templeton, Paul Lynde.

[@SteveCarras]

Similar to what I said

[@philipportelli7700]

An episode with great heart without any typical TZ occurrences...except who came up with the scenario in the first place? Not the director or the producer? Were the 1927 people all ghosts? That needed a script? Actors, am i right?

[@Choom2077]

This is my favorite TZ episode.

[@shawnmalone9711]

This episode was on MeTV, today, 12-2-24.

[@TheCreepypro]

the more things change they more the stay the same if this isn't still applicable to today then I don't know what is and makes this episode timeless if you ask me

[@shawnmalone9711]

This episode was on MeTV, today, 1-31-24.

[@ChannelAwesome]

Nice!

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

In which Templeton gets untroubled .

[@emmettbattle5728]

ik this trope has been done many times many ways but all i could think of was this episode when i watched last night in soho

[@TheNearsightedGamer]

That was a great story.

[@tadimaggio]

"The Trouble With Templeton" is one of my favorite "Twilight Zone" episodes (largely because of its superb cast); but it has one detail that has always bothered me. Why on earth would a refined, cultured man like Templeton, who has known true love (however long ago, and for however short a time) allow himself to be inveigled into a sham union with a promiscuous golddigger? (His comments to his valet in the opening scene make it clear that he's under no illusions about this floozie, who is openly flaunting her latest boytoy in plain sight of his bedroom window.) Such a tenth-rate creature is a parody of Laura, and is, indeed, an insult to her memory. (Surely a man as wealthy and famous as Templeton could have found an attractive older woman, of his own character and mindset, with whom to share his sunset years). Is Laura's faked vulgarity and coarseness in the time-travel scene meant to rub Templeton's nose in the harsh reality of just how worthless his "present-day" wife is? But he already knew that, without the need for time-travel! All in all, this lovely episode would have been better without that particular plot strand.

[@chrisazylum6624]

A bit of a downer ending! Next time A Most Unusual Camera!

[@CrossJeniel]

Wow

[@SB-ki3jw]

The nostalgia critic needs to watch this episode

[@wakeangel2001]

This episode is like a counterpoint to the Willoby...Whillobe...I forgot how it's spelled but that episode where a guy with a stressful life got off at that train stop in a quaint little town for simpler times. In that episode he steps out into his nostalgic fantasy world to live his best life, but what really happened was he walked out of a moving train and died, and the quaint little town was actually the name of the funeral home that took his body. THIS story is as if the people of the quaint little town rejected him, or told him that he didn't belong there because he had it better than he thought back home.

[@johnoneil9188]

I am sad that I never really got to watch the Twilight Zone as a kid because I think I would have liked those stories a lot. I don´t think it ever ran on tv here and if it did it probably was before I was born.

[@kuitaranheatmorus9932]

Good video

[@tomjerry8414]

What type of car is it at 1:08?

[@ivane5110]

I know I saw a very similar, if not identical story in a comic as a kid. Was it the Twilight Zone comic? An unauthorized comic swipe? Was this teleplay "inspired by" some older comic? No idea. But whatever the case, I enjoyed this story alot, especially the end, which wasn't as happy of an ending as what I hoped for but was still a nice upbeat ending.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

As of December 2023, Pippa Scott is the only surviving cast member from this episode.

[@petergray7576]

Next Episode: S2E10 A Most Unusual Camera

[@jeffreyberkin-ez3uh]

My number 29 episode. Well done (especially the exit from the speakeasy), but not rated higher because it didn't really feature much of a conflict. Booth could simply told the director to take a flying leap (or the Twilight Zone equivalent )😂

[@loganmair-ryan4814]

You win demo reel

[@perrilewis180]

You feel for Laura because she loves him but knows that his time isn't up yet

[@supercrafter5351]

even the past wanted him to move on......