Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S05E28: Caesar and Me

Revisiting The Twilight Zone: S05E28: Caesar and Me

Haven’t we already had an episode about a talking ventriloquists doll? Yes! Indeed we have, in the episode “The Dummy”! So, what the hell are we revisiting that stream of consciousness for? Surely the similarity in the scenario should have been enough to have Serling steer clear of producing this episode? Or was it done without his say so?

Watching Jackie Cooper go about his work is some consolation for what is happening. As the down and out unemployed man who is looking to find work with his ventriloquist dummy, he plays the kind but eminent loser well. While we are made aware early on that Caesar can talk, it isn’t until all hope seems lost that Caesar is able to convince his living partner that robbery is the one way that they can escape homelessness and hunger.

OK, so I’m a bit disappointed that we seem to be recycling stories here as we come close to the conclusion of the series. But the story does enough to make you care about Jonathan West – or perhaps it is just the wonderful acting from Cooper in the role that does that – and makes you want to strangle the little girl Susan who is a little know-it-all. By the conclusion of the tale, for which there was only ever going to be one winner, the feeling of disappointment over the story as a whole is lifted by the performance of the actors.

Rating: It feels a bit wooden. 3.5/5