A favorite Twilight Zone episode of mine is “The Hunt” (S3E19). Its a wonderful story about a simple old man and his hunting dog RIP. His love for and loyalty toward his dog is evident as he first stands up for Rip’s right to enter their country cabin home, over objections from his wife of 50 plus year, then argues again for Rip’s right to enter through what he mistakenly thought were the pearly gates of Heaven. In both instances there is someone preventing their entrance due to Rip, and both times the old man proudly points out, “there ain’t no fleas on that dog.”
Ya see, Rip saved the old man’s life once, and for that heroic feat the old man is forever indebted to the dog. In the old man’s eyes, Rip is as clean, brave and true as ever there was a living soul, dog or man. And given the chance, he would do anything for Rip, including the ultimate sacrifice.
Yes, a simple story featuring a dog as “man’s best friend” theme. It sets viewers up for an afterlife walk-thru in a way that only a Twilight Zone episode can. When you add in the theme music, a lazy harmonica/acoustic guitar melancholy that pulls at viewers heartstrings, the episode becomes golden.
Best to watch this episode when tired and/or lazy yourself. For it is in those quiet, dreamlike and restful moments that the episode seems to work its country magic on undistracted, captured audiences; with the flealess family dog asleep at your feet.
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