I think I was looking forward to Walter’s take on The Masks more than any other episode in Season Five. I can’t imagine a “Best Of” Twilight Zone list without this one in the Top Five!
I liked that they took time to show how respectful Jason is towards his servants, saving his contempt towards his self absorbed relatives. Also, Wilfred Jnr. And Paula can be seen comforting each other when they see their father's disfigured face
The doctor as well. It's clear from their interaction that they're old friends and when Jason snarks about the doc's "mediocre medical skills", the doc just smiles at it. They've clearly been bantering back and forth with each other like this for years.
I sometimes think Jason should've just left his fortune and property to his servants and the doctor. His family could inherit the masks. A little bit of a vindictive twist, but, quite honestly, I don't think they deserved any of the inheritence. Just the faces of their true selves.
I always appreciate storys that show people with hired help (maids,butlers,chef,etc) aren't always abusive authority figures that look down upon their help
Bit of an anecdote here, for a creative writing assignment in my high school, one kid submitted a story that was, by his own admission, heavily inspired by this episode. He didn’t get in trouble for plagiarism, though, because he changed enough details from the original like character names and dialogue, but especially the ending twist. You see, in his version, the masks were all identical, except Not-Jason’s mask had symbols drawn on it in white paint, while the other masks were in red paint. When the clock strikes midnight and the family unmask, they discover to their horror that they’ve all aged by decades, appearing gaunt, frail, and near death. But when Not-Jason unmasks, he’s 21 years old again. He explains to the family that this was all a voodoo ritual, that the wearer of the white mask would receive the youth of the wearers of the red masks. Not-Jason tells his family that since they intended to waste their lives on vanity, avarice and narcissism, he decided to steal their remaining years, believing he could make better use of them. The story ends with the now youthful Not-Jason cackling with sadistic glee as one by one his relatives die of old age.
When I first saw this episode, I actually thought that was how it was going to end; particularly when Jason told the doctor he'd see him the next day. Of course the line turned out to be a red herring, that meant he was acknowledging that the next time the doctor saw him, he'd be examining his corpse.
The ending narration of this episode always stuck with me. “Mardi Gras incident, the dramatis personae being four people who came to celebrate and in a sense let themselves go. This they did with a vengeance. They now wear the faces of all that was inside them-and they'll wear them for the rest of their lives, sad lives now to be spent in shadow.” Chills. I love that.
I experienced a kind of real life version of this. My Great Uncle passed away suddenly several years ago. He didn't leave a will and as a result I saw the true ugly side of my family. I saw my mother and her sister turn into greedy vultures trying to grab anything he had hurrying to sell the house, get his possessions, any money, anything they could get their mitts on while my sister, my other aunt (the youngest of the three) watched in horror. It made me so ashamed to be related to those two not to mention how cruel they were to my uncle's ex-wife. Although they were no longer married they had come to be friends but two psycho sisters were trying everything in their power not to let the woman have anything! This episode really hit home
Sadly this is why you need to make a will so stuff like that doesn't happen. Anf if it happens anyway, well you'll see the difference from the good people from the bad, too bad your mom and that one aunt are bad.
@@mriddley Yep this is one of my favorits along with The Monsters are due on maple street and 5 charicters in search of an exit. Also Walking distence is also up there. :)
4:51- there is also a subtle nobility to the skull mask compared to the others. While the others are just warped distortions of humanity’s fleeting nature, his mask is the ultimate truth of the inevitable demise and humility in accepting that truth of death, which is beneath all the attempts of gaining wealth for the sake of small time hedonism.
One of the best twist endings in TZ history. Jason got back at his greedy relatives in the most epic way, showing their true colours, and while they've inherited an estate, they're permentently disfigured.
Revenge is sometimes giving the target(s) what they want the most(here the wealth). . .and making sure they regret it for the rest their lives(the true faces being exposed to the rest of the world).
I don't think it's revenge, so much as atonement. He's dying, he doesn't need the vengeance because in the end it's what he's leaving behind, an avarice, apathetic,cruel,and pathetic group of (in my best obi wan) scum and villainy. He wants to make sure they have the red flag plastered on their new faces for the rest of the world.
This is one of my favorite episodes. I love the character drama and even the Mardi Gra backdrop. Every time I watch this, I catch an extra detail I didn't get, like how you can make out Foster's eyes more than his family's when he wears the mask. I think its too show how far the family has gone in their own evilness. Also, I like how Emily doesn't immediately start celebrating with the rest of the family when her father dies. If you look closely, before Wilfred pulls off his mask, she looks nervous and begins checking her father. Even though she is greedy, she still cares for her father in a way.
I saw the twist coming from a mile away, but I don't care too much. The episode was visually very impressive, and the acting and directing were on point. The masks looked great, and I was rooting for Jason to have the final laugh on his family the whole time. Solid episode!
This has become one of my favorites. I like to think the reason Foster's face didn't change was because he had already accepted his truth, while the others were in denial
I remember seeing this in middle school English class then probably SYFY but the first time gave me chills because of the twist was darker and twisted then any other TZ installment
Man I've been waiting for this episode. One of the best! Also worth mentioning is the great sound design. That eerie humming that plays when they take off their masks is perfect.
Similar to Anne in "Spur of the Moment", it's implied that Emily was a far nicer person before she married Wilfred Snr, and that her decision broke her mother's heart, leading to Jason's disdain of the entire family.
After living in New Orleans for two years… I can safely say this episode captures the culture down there pretty well. The only thing missing is hurricane protection plan.
Also, while I'm not surprised to see it from a series from Rod Serling, it's nice not only to see two black characters, but ones who even though they're servants, they're not stereotypes like you saw all too often in the early 60s. They're smart and clearly have a good relationship with their employer (see how much more respectful and affectionate Jason is with them compared to his family).
I would have preferred had Dr. Thorne and Jeffrey get Jason’s inheritance instead of the family. It would have been a bigger comeuppance after already getting disfigured
I like it the way it is. They get the money, but how could they ever show their faces in public ever again? They’d have to live in the house forever and have servants buy them stuff because they can’t show their messed up faces in public. It’s like, you got all the money, but you’re screwed anyway.
A very good and memorable episode. I remember reading that it inspired Tim Burton when he created the characters of Lock, Shock and Barrel for The Nightmare Before Christmas. The episode also reminds me a little bit of the film Knives Out.
Not only is Ida Lupino only person to both star in TZ episode and direct different TZ episode, but also her husband at the time Howard Duff starred in Season 1 episode World of Difference, making them only married couple to appear in separate episodes of the original series.
I was wondering if there could have been an added twist if there was one kid who didn't become their mask. Like, if one of the children didn't care about the inheritance and only wanted to be with their father in his final hours, perhaps they would remove the mask early to prove they don't care about it, or wear it all the way but be shown over the course of the episode to be more empathetic and concerned for the father's comfort, so in the horrifying final reveal they take their mask off to find their face unchanged, like the father who kept his because he accepted his death with grace and dignity.
Or if there were one who seemed to actually take the father's criticisms to heart and realize they had been terrible. Show a bit of them trying to improve/change as the evening progresses. Then, as the father dies, actually be upset that he's gone instead of celebrating with the others. This episode has such an obvious twist that you almost have to expect a second layer to it that just isn't there. They put on masks that represent who they really are? Was anybody *not* expecting the twist to be the masks becoming permanent somehow? Either their faces were going to transform or the masks wouldn't come off. What other twist could there have been? Having one of the group get a different result would have been a great option.
@@ImminDragon Although it would make you wonder if the only non-deformed family member would try to stay and take care of their now deformed relatives, or leave. Maybe say the only-non deformed tries to stay with them butt hey are thrown away without a penny to their names, because the others are so self absorbed they think that child's genuine care is pity they don't want?
Or a family member who was physically unattractive but in character genuinely a nice person (bullied by the others perhaps) and the only one to see Jason as not a boost to their coffers. They have a beautiful mask and earn a beautiful face for their compassion. Granted, it wouldn’t be a subtle take on showing true nature on the outside.
@@jbcatz5 that one would make You wonder "Why wouldn't that person take off their mask if they are genuinely Nice?" My Only answer Is that the wear mask clause is that ALL OF THEM must keep it so the Only Nice one is pressured by the others too keep it Against their will
@@ianr.navahuber2195 Or it’s to humour Jason because the person genuinely likes him and sees this as one last thing for him. It’d contrast the others because Jason aside they’re only doing it for the inheritance. Jason has come to terms with his fate and embraces death, so what if someone else embraces the magic instead of putting up with it, rewarded for good karma instead of punished for bad?
Ooooh excellent. This is an absolute fave! Fwiw, I think the bratty Wilfred Jr. hits it out of the park. They're all excellent but he's just... so... extra.
All the family are delightfully despicable in their own way, but I like Wilfred Sr. the best. As Walter says, his veneer of affability is so fucking fake it's laughable. To paraphrase Tywin Lannister, "Any man who needs to say he is affable is not affable." He's so blatantly chomping at the bit to get at his father-in-law's estate that he's like a vulture barely waiting for the intended carrion to expire. I believe there's one moment where he's looking at his father-in-law's bookshelves and you can tell he's thinking, "Ooooh, first editions, I can sell this for a bundle." Which Jason alludes to in his climatic rant, saying, "He FEELS books, he doesn't read them!"
@@mst3KGf Oh, that's true. I guess I like Wilfred Jr. the best because I was unfortunate enough to meet a real-life version of him. But I agree; they're all deliciously evil.
@@spikeoramathon The family may all be "caricatures " as Jason puts it, but there's all sorts of people like them in real life. Wilfred Jr. is a type we've probably met at some point in our childhoods in particular; the sort of kid who likes burning ants for kicks. The problem is, he never grew out of that casual cruelty.
We read a short story this was based off in one of my English classes and then watched this in class! I loved it! It'll always have a soft spot in my heart.
I show this episode to my students when we discuss characterization and character traits. They really enjoy it! I ask them to guess the twist ending and most of them assume that the masks will be stuck to their faces (which is kind of correct, I guess.) The big shock for them comes when Jason's face doesn't change; most of the kids don't see that one coming.
Good analysis and the musical score is great. On the first unmasking there is what sounds like an early synthesizer on those creepy low notes. The MOOG was first out in 1964.
One of my all time favorite TZ episodes. I'm sure Rod took great pleasure in writing this story. It speaks so well to worst in human behavior, something Rod was always commenting about throughout his writing life.
A great episode. Fun Fact: The only actor to duplicate the feat of starring and directing Twilight Zone episodes was Lou Diamond Phillips. He starred in the 2002 episode "The Pool Guy," and directed "Into the Light." I love how in the end Wilfred Jr. And Paula are holding and comforting each other suggesting that maybe they will be better people for it.
The Masks is on of the best episodes of the Twilight Zone, and one of my favorite episodes of the show. Now their outsides reflect their insides forevermore!
"The Masks" is a top-tier episode, and the twist is quite creepy. Ida Lupino's directing skills tend to be underappreciated, but she was a pioneer who opened doors for women to enter that profession. Her work here holds up with that of some of the best _TZ_ entries. The acting, too, is good all the way around, particularly Robert Keith, who was very effective in spewing out the vitriol that Rod Serling had written for his character. I do like Serling giving us an idea of where the masks came from, hinting that they were crafted by a voodoo practitioner who placed a curse on them (all but the skull mask, of course). And without that detail, we're left in the dark to ponder how they were able to inflict the damage. But some terrible black magic _is_ at work, as Jason Foster, the dying man, vaguely informs his kin that the masks were _"created"_ by an old Cajun and that they possess _"certain properties."_ What the properties are is something they soon would find out at the witching hour's unmasking. At times Rod could be unconcerned with providing any rhyme or reason for what's propelling the action in an episode, such as in "Back There", where the protagonist steps outside a men's club in 1961 to find himself back in 1865, presumably by merely having discussed the possibility of time travel a few moments before with other members of the club. The explanation given in "The Masks", however, can be seen to be securely grounded in folklore, making it more plausible in the context, and, hence, more satisfying. Seeing bad people get their comeuppance was a favorite go-to trope for Serling, and this one is among his most unforgettable. But here, Foster is a villain, too, because of what, out of sheer vindictiveness, he forces them to go through in order to gain his fortune. A villain, because if he detests them for everything they represent, as he clearly does, he simply could have written them out of his will, and divided his inheritance between the doctor, his trusted butler Jeffrey, his maid, and/or some other beneficiaries. Also, he could have sent a nasty kiss-off letter to his son, Jason Jr., to be read aloud to the other members of the family, outlining in no uncertain terms exactly what he told them to their faces and why they would get none of the wealth they so craved and coveted. Thankfully, of course, Rod made it so Foster couldn't resist inflicting a fate worse than death upon his wretched relatives. How wretched? Over his just deceased body they exclaim triumphantly: _"At long last. He's dead. Good. Now, let's celebrate!"_ (An OTT line from Serling, to be sure, but it really adds to the punch as they remove their masks.) This gives us a truly great addition to the horror entries of _The Twilight Zone._
Even if this skull mask is to represent Jasosn dying status, I can't help myself to see it as the Grim Reaper. It took the old man dying body as a vessel, to cast a spell on the guests.
My grandparents showed this to me as a kid and I didn’t wear a mask for a long time. To this day this one episode made me paranoid this out happen. Also, American horror stories referenced this episode and brought it all back to me.
I consider this the last great episode of the original TZ. I especially like the portrayal of Jason; he's an ornery old guy, but he's honest, full of integrity and it's clear the way he interacts with the doctor is that the snarking between them is banter between old friends. His servants also think highly of him as well. It's only his leech relatives who get real contempt from him and for good reasons. I also have to think R.L. Stine had this episode in mind when he wrote "The Haunted Mask" for "Goosebumps."
Season 5 did give us this iconic episode and the heavily influential Terror at 20,000 feet. Like Jason himself the original series was on death’s door, but it still gave us many good episodes we would always remember.
This episode actually introduced me to the Twilight Zone! My teacher was a huge fan and decided to show it as a Halloween special! I’ve loved this episode and the series ever since!
This one is definitely a classic. The only thing that bugged me aside from Wilfred Jr.'s actor being clearly unconvincing as a college-aged young man (something I didn't notice the first time I saw this one but realized after seeing a few people's reviews of it on the IMDB mentioning this one hiccup) is that for some reason, whenever the SCYFY channel aired this one during classic TMZ marathons, they would cut the final scene of this episode short (most likely for time reasons). The outcome of the family's faces resembling those of their masks was revealed, but the topper where Jason's mask is removed by the doctor stating that his face truly resembles that of Death--in that it features nothing but peace, no horror nor fear, was never shown. It would just cut to the end credits and the next episode. I knew it existed because I had read the full summary of it on Wikipedia prior to eventually seeing the actual episode. I finally saw that bit in a clip from this episode on RUclips. I feel like that part shouldn't be taken out because it shows that Jason has finally left the greedy grasp of his family behind serenely.
In this same year, an episode of Perry Mason titled The Case of Paper Bullets aired. Milton Selzer, Virginia Gregg, Bill Walker, Maidie Norman and Willis Bouchey appeared in both episodes. While the rest were guest stars in both episodes, Willis Bouchey appeared on Perry Mason frequently in role of a judge. Maidie Norman plays maids in both episodes.
❤❤ really great episode I remember them showing this on a Halloween marathon that's a really clever twist and that's probably makeup was very uncomfortable but very well done
What are your thoughts on The Masks? Re-Watchable?
one of my favorites! Spooked the heck out of me as a kid
I think I was looking forward to Walter’s take on The Masks more than any other episode in Season Five.
I can’t imagine a “Best Of” Twilight Zone list without this one in the Top Five!
@@ChannelAwesome It's one of the best twists in the show's history, and a highlight of Season 5.
I actually like that the fathers face didn't change at all, because it shows he was a honest soul, and there was no true face to reveal.
I would love to see The masks from this episode and turn them into a replica.
I liked that they took time to show how respectful Jason is towards his servants, saving his contempt towards his self absorbed relatives. Also, Wilfred Jnr. And Paula can be seen comforting each other when they see their father's disfigured face
The doctor as well. It's clear from their interaction that they're old friends and when Jason snarks about the doc's "mediocre medical skills", the doc just smiles at it. They've clearly been bantering back and forth with each other like this for years.
I sometimes think Jason should've just left his fortune and property to his servants and the doctor. His family could inherit the masks. A little bit of a vindictive twist, but, quite honestly, I don't think they deserved any of the inheritence. Just the faces of their true selves.
I always appreciate storys that show people with hired help (maids,butlers,chef,etc) aren't always abusive authority figures that look down upon their help
Bit of an anecdote here, for a creative writing assignment in my high school, one kid submitted a story that was, by his own admission, heavily inspired by this episode. He didn’t get in trouble for plagiarism, though, because he changed enough details from the original like character names and dialogue, but especially the ending twist.
You see, in his version, the masks were all identical, except Not-Jason’s mask had symbols drawn on it in white paint, while the other masks were in red paint. When the clock strikes midnight and the family unmask, they discover to their horror that they’ve all aged by decades, appearing gaunt, frail, and near death. But when Not-Jason unmasks, he’s 21 years old again. He explains to the family that this was all a voodoo ritual, that the wearer of the white mask would receive the youth of the wearers of the red masks. Not-Jason tells his family that since they intended to waste their lives on vanity, avarice and narcissism, he decided to steal their remaining years, believing he could make better use of them. The story ends with the now youthful Not-Jason cackling with sadistic glee as one by one his relatives die of old age.
That’s a good twist
This sounds like an awesome remake of this episode
Pretty good 👌
When I first saw this episode, I actually thought that was how it was going to end; particularly when Jason told the doctor he'd see him the next day. Of course the line turned out to be a red herring, that meant he was acknowledging that the next time the doctor saw him, he'd be examining his corpse.
@@anarky1765 hm. I like it
The ending narration of this episode always stuck with me. “Mardi Gras incident, the dramatis personae being four people who came to celebrate and in a sense let themselves go. This they did with a vengeance. They now wear the faces of all that was inside them-and they'll wear them for the rest of their lives, sad lives now to be spent in shadow.”
Chills. I love that.
I experienced a kind of real life version of this. My Great Uncle passed away suddenly several years ago. He didn't leave a will and as a result I saw the true ugly side of my family. I saw my mother and her sister turn into greedy vultures trying to grab anything he had hurrying to sell the house, get his possessions, any money, anything they could get their mitts on while my sister, my other aunt (the youngest of the three) watched in horror. It made me so ashamed to be related to those two not to mention how cruel they were to my uncle's ex-wife. Although they were no longer married they had come to be friends but two psycho sisters were trying everything in their power not to let the woman have anything! This episode really hit home
Greed is an ugly little worm, and the more and more you feed it, the bigger and hungrier it'll get.
Sadly this is why you need to make a will so stuff like that doesn't happen. Anf if it happens anyway, well you'll see the difference from the good people from the bad, too bad your mom and that one aunt are bad.
One of my favorite episodes of the entire series!
Time Enough At Last is my personal favorite.
@@JoshuaR7594 this one's my 2nd favorite the monsters are due on maple street is my number one favorite
@@mriddley Yep this is one of my favorits along with The Monsters are due on maple street and 5 charicters in search of an exit. Also Walking distence is also up there. :)
@@TheBiohazardKick good picks but I got onr more the shelter its definitely up there for me
Ditto, I would rate The Trade Ins or On Thursday, We Leave for Home highly as well.
4:51- there is also a subtle nobility to the skull mask compared to the others. While the others are just warped distortions of humanity’s fleeting nature, his mask is the ultimate truth of the inevitable demise and humility in accepting that truth of death, which is beneath all the attempts of gaining wealth for the sake of small time hedonism.
Memento Mori
Gemini Syndrome song and album
One of the best twist endings in TZ history. Jason got back at his greedy relatives in the most epic way, showing their true colours, and while they've inherited an estate, they're permentently disfigured.
Revenge is sometimes giving the target(s) what they want the most(here the wealth). . .and making sure they regret it for the rest their lives(the true faces being exposed to the rest of the world).
I don't think it's revenge, so much as atonement. He's dying, he doesn't need the vengeance because in the end it's what he's leaving behind, an avarice, apathetic,cruel,and pathetic group of (in my best obi wan) scum and villainy. He wants to make sure they have the red flag plastered on their new faces for the rest of the world.
Well, they’ve definitely inherited enough money for plastic surgery.
@@piercelindenberg6842 I have a feeling that it wouldn't work
@@Tallahassee21 sure, but they’d probably still try it. And end up losing the fortune because of it.
I love this episode growing up. I like how the true dark nature on the mask made for each family member stays with them forever.
All time classic episode of a classic series
Agreed, even if you've never seen the episode, you'd almost certainly be familiar with the twist.
It took four years for Walter to finally get to my favorite TZ episode.............and well worth the wait.
This is one of my favorite episodes. I love the character drama and even the Mardi Gra backdrop. Every time I watch this, I catch an extra detail I didn't get, like how you can make out Foster's eyes more than his family's when he wears the mask. I think its too show how far the family has gone in their own evilness. Also, I like how Emily doesn't immediately start celebrating with the rest of the family when her father dies. If you look closely, before Wilfred pulls off his mask, she looks nervous and begins checking her father. Even though she is greedy, she still cares for her father in a way.
One of the best and most iconic episodes of the entire show!!!!!!
One of the episodes that always stuck with me. You watch it once and it's hard to forget about it. A true classic.
I saw the twist coming from a mile away, but I don't care too much. The episode was visually very impressive, and the acting and directing were on point. The masks looked great, and I was rooting for Jason to have the final laugh on his family the whole time. Solid episode!
This has become one of my favorites. I like to think the reason Foster's face didn't change was because he had already accepted his truth, while the others were in denial
This is one of the best episodes!
I remember seeing this in middle school English class then probably SYFY but the first time gave me chills because of the twist was darker and twisted then any other TZ installment
Man I've been waiting for this episode. One of the best! Also worth mentioning is the great sound design. That eerie humming that plays when they take off their masks is perfect.
A great episode with a great twist ending, as the masks themselves represent the greed and corruption of the family.
Similar to Anne in "Spur of the Moment", it's implied that Emily was a far nicer person before she married Wilfred Snr, and that her decision broke her mother's heart, leading to Jason's disdain of the entire family.
Even worse, that line implies that Emily marrying Wilfred helped cause the death of her mother, which would definitely fuel Jason's disgust.
Something tells me this episode was a partial inspiration for RL Stine’s “The Haunted Mask”.
Thanks for doing these over the years, Walter. Love this series.
Given how well Channel Awesome has been with your makeup in several videos, I would love to see an homage to this TZ episode with you guys.
I think this is the main inspiration for the Haunted Mask of Goosebumps book series.
The same with the climax featured in Halloweentown 2: Kalabar’s Revenge
After living in New Orleans for two years… I can safely say this episode captures the culture down there pretty well. The only thing missing is hurricane protection plan.
Also, while I'm not surprised to see it from a series from Rod Serling, it's nice not only to see two black characters, but ones who even though they're servants, they're not stereotypes like you saw all too often in the early 60s. They're smart and clearly have a good relationship with their employer (see how much more respectful and affectionate Jason is with them compared to his family).
My favorite twilight zone episode of all time
"Oh man. There's always a catch."
True. That's always one of your typical tropes. A rich relative dies, and the protagonist gets the inheritance. But there's always a catch.
@@melissacooper8724Inheritance clauses are a double edged sword in the Twilight Zone
I'm surprised this episode is from the last season, since it held in high regardse.
"Put the mask on now!"
"PUT THE MASK ON NOW!!"
“Why didn’t you Put the bunny mask back in the box.”
- Nicolas Cage
From the 3d movie, "the mask"! Great movie
THIS IS MY FAVORITE, I LOVE EVERYTHING IN THIS EPISODE
The big reveal ending stuck with me when I was a kid. Their faces conforming to their masks gave me nightmares! Other than that, I love this episode!
I would have preferred had Dr. Thorne and Jeffrey get Jason’s inheritance instead of the family. It would have been a bigger comeuppance after already getting disfigured
I like it the way it is. They get the money, but how could they ever show their faces in public ever again? They’d have to live in the house forever and have servants buy them stuff because they can’t show their messed up faces in public. It’s like, you got all the money, but you’re screwed anyway.
A very good and memorable episode. I remember reading that it inspired Tim Burton when he created the characters of Lock, Shock and Barrel for The Nightmare Before Christmas. The episode also reminds me a little bit of the film Knives Out.
This is also one of my favorite episodes!!! The masks were awesome looking and the father got the ultimate revenge!! 😁😁
Finally! Feels like I’ve been waiting forever for this episode!
Not only is Ida Lupino only person to both star in TZ episode and direct different TZ episode, but also her husband at the time Howard Duff starred in Season 1 episode World of Difference, making them only married couple to appear in separate episodes of the original series.
This is definitely my favorite twilight zone episode
Loved the 16mm shrine and love the Masks. Well done Ida Lupino
This was the first Twilight Zone, I ever saw. And it has become one of my favorites.
This has to be the best episode. And I really want that skull mask.
GREAT Episode!
I was wondering if there could have been an added twist if there was one kid who didn't become their mask. Like, if one of the children didn't care about the inheritance and only wanted to be with their father in his final hours, perhaps they would remove the mask early to prove they don't care about it, or wear it all the way but be shown over the course of the episode to be more empathetic and concerned for the father's comfort, so in the horrifying final reveal they take their mask off to find their face unchanged, like the father who kept his because he accepted his death with grace and dignity.
Or if there were one who seemed to actually take the father's criticisms to heart and realize they had been terrible. Show a bit of them trying to improve/change as the evening progresses. Then, as the father dies, actually be upset that he's gone instead of celebrating with the others. This episode has such an obvious twist that you almost have to expect a second layer to it that just isn't there. They put on masks that represent who they really are? Was anybody *not* expecting the twist to be the masks becoming permanent somehow? Either their faces were going to transform or the masks wouldn't come off. What other twist could there have been? Having one of the group get a different result would have been a great option.
@@ImminDragon Although it would make you wonder if the only non-deformed family member would try to stay and take care of their now deformed relatives, or leave.
Maybe say the only-non deformed tries to stay with them butt hey are thrown away without a penny to their names, because the others are so self absorbed they think that child's genuine care is pity they don't want?
Or a family member who was physically unattractive but in character genuinely a nice person (bullied by the others perhaps) and the only one to see Jason as not a boost to their coffers. They have a beautiful mask and earn a beautiful face for their compassion. Granted, it wouldn’t be a subtle take on showing true nature on the outside.
@@jbcatz5 that one would make You wonder "Why wouldn't that person take off their mask if they are genuinely Nice?"
My Only answer Is that the wear mask clause is that ALL OF THEM must keep it so the Only Nice one is pressured by the others too keep it Against their will
@@ianr.navahuber2195 Or it’s to humour Jason because the person genuinely likes him and sees this as one last thing for him. It’d contrast the others because Jason aside they’re only doing it for the inheritance. Jason has come to terms with his fate and embraces death, so what if someone else embraces the magic instead of putting up with it, rewarded for good karma instead of punished for bad?
This a all time classic episode it still rings true today
Ooooh excellent. This is an absolute fave! Fwiw, I think the bratty Wilfred Jr. hits it out of the park. They're all excellent but he's just... so... extra.
All the family are delightfully despicable in their own way, but I like Wilfred Sr. the best. As Walter says, his veneer of affability is so fucking fake it's laughable. To paraphrase Tywin Lannister, "Any man who needs to say he is affable is not affable." He's so blatantly chomping at the bit to get at his father-in-law's estate that he's like a vulture barely waiting for the intended carrion to expire. I believe there's one moment where he's looking at his father-in-law's bookshelves and you can tell he's thinking, "Ooooh, first editions, I can sell this for a bundle." Which Jason alludes to in his climatic rant, saying, "He FEELS books, he doesn't read them!"
@@mst3KGf Oh, that's true. I guess I like Wilfred Jr. the best because I was unfortunate enough to meet a real-life version of him. But I agree; they're all deliciously evil.
@@spikeoramathon The family may all be "caricatures " as Jason puts it, but there's all sorts of people like them in real life. Wilfred Jr. is a type we've probably met at some point in our childhoods in particular; the sort of kid who likes burning ants for kicks. The problem is, he never grew out of that casual cruelty.
One of my favorites!
The BIG one. One of my favorites.
This is my favourite episode of the Twilight Zone.
We read a short story this was based off in one of my English classes and then watched this in class! I loved it! It'll always have a soft spot in my heart.
This is a MUST watch for anyone who wants to watch the twilight zone
One of my (and many others( all time favorites. Just something about it puts it above others
This is one of my favorite episodes!
Thank you for a video on my 37th Bday!🎉
OMG this episode, we finally reached it!❤
This is a top 10 must see episode!
I show this episode to my students when we discuss characterization and character traits. They really enjoy it! I ask them to guess the twist ending and most of them assume that the masks will be stuck to their faces (which is kind of correct, I guess.) The big shock for them comes when Jason's face doesn't change; most of the kids don't see that one coming.
One of the scariest episodes I've ever seen and one of my favorites
A great episode without a doubt
One of my favorite “Twilight Zone” episodes.
Finally I have been waiting for this
Thank you James Rolfe for recommending this episode!! It’s in his top ten!
This is one of my favorite episodes.
This is my Favorite Twilight Zone Episode of All Time
This is like as classic as classic gets. Beautifully shot and acted I'd say. Also as a bonus it has a rather good life lesson to consider.
Good analysis and the musical score is great. On the first unmasking there is what sounds like an early synthesizer on those creepy low notes. The MOOG was first out in 1964.
This is the first episode I remember seeing. Scared the crap out of me.
One of my all time favorite TZ episodes. I'm sure Rod took great pleasure in writing this story. It speaks so well to worst in human behavior, something Rod was always commenting about throughout his writing life.
Great review 😊
I'm from Louisiana, and those masks 🎭 do look similar to some I've seen on surten events.
Always in my Top 5 TZs!
4:48 I found Wilfred Jr. cruel quality more of an informed attribute compared to the others. He did strike me as a greedy dullard, but that was it.
A great episode. Fun Fact: The only actor to duplicate the feat of starring and directing Twilight Zone episodes was Lou Diamond Phillips. He starred in the 2002 episode "The Pool Guy," and directed "Into the Light."
I love how in the end Wilfred Jr. And Paula are holding and comforting each other suggesting that maybe they will be better people for it.
The Masks is on of the best episodes of the Twilight Zone, and one of my favorite episodes of the show. Now their outsides reflect their insides forevermore!
"The Masks" is a top-tier episode, and the twist is quite creepy. Ida Lupino's directing skills tend to be underappreciated, but she was a pioneer who opened doors for women to enter that profession. Her work here holds up with that of some of the best _TZ_ entries. The acting, too, is good all the way around, particularly Robert Keith, who was very effective in spewing out the vitriol that Rod Serling had written for his character.
I do like Serling giving us an idea of where the masks came from, hinting that they were crafted by a voodoo practitioner who placed a curse on them (all but the skull mask, of course). And without that detail, we're left in the dark to ponder how they were able to inflict the damage. But some terrible black magic _is_ at work, as Jason Foster, the dying man, vaguely informs his kin that the masks were _"created"_ by an old Cajun and that they possess _"certain properties."_ What the properties are is something they soon would find out at the witching hour's unmasking.
At times Rod could be unconcerned with providing any rhyme or reason for what's propelling the action in an episode, such as in "Back There", where the protagonist steps outside a men's club in 1961 to find himself back in 1865, presumably by merely having discussed the possibility of time travel a few moments before with other members of the club. The explanation given in "The Masks", however, can be seen to be securely grounded in folklore, making it more plausible in the context, and, hence, more satisfying.
Seeing bad people get their comeuppance was a favorite go-to trope for Serling, and this one is among his most unforgettable. But here, Foster is a villain, too, because of what, out of sheer vindictiveness, he forces them to go through in order to gain his fortune. A villain, because if he detests them for everything they represent, as he clearly does, he simply could have written them out of his will, and divided his inheritance between the doctor, his trusted butler Jeffrey, his maid, and/or some other beneficiaries. Also, he could have sent a nasty kiss-off letter to his son, Jason Jr., to be read aloud to the other members of the family, outlining in no uncertain terms exactly what he told them to their faces and why they would get none of the wealth they so craved and coveted.
Thankfully, of course, Rod made it so Foster couldn't resist inflicting a fate worse than death upon his wretched relatives. How wretched? Over his just deceased body they exclaim triumphantly: _"At long last. He's dead. Good. Now, let's celebrate!"_ (An OTT line from Serling, to be sure, but it really adds to the punch as they remove their masks.) This gives us a truly great addition to the horror entries of _The Twilight Zone._
Even if this skull mask is to represent Jasosn dying status, I can't help myself to see it as the Grim Reaper. It took the old man dying body as a vessel, to cast a spell on the guests.
I was waiting for the video on this one!
My grandparents showed this to me as a kid and I didn’t wear a mask for a long time. To this day this one episode made me paranoid this out happen. Also, American horror stories referenced this episode and brought it all back to me.
Been waiting for this episode all season. :D
Saw it on black and white TV when it first came out. thought it was great then. still do.
One of the best episodes for me personally. One of the first TZ I had ever seen.
Waited 4 years for this episode after it was teased in the first year. Love it.
This is defiantly one of the TZ episodes that have lived rent free in my head for over 30 years now.
My top 5 fav episode ❤
I consider this the last great episode of the original TZ. I especially like the portrayal of Jason; he's an ornery old guy, but he's honest, full of integrity and it's clear the way he interacts with the doctor is that the snarking between them is banter between old friends. His servants also think highly of him as well. It's only his leech relatives who get real contempt from him and for good reasons.
I also have to think R.L. Stine had this episode in mind when he wrote "The Haunted Mask" for "Goosebumps."
One of the best episodes...in the Twilight Zone.
Childhood classic!
Next time a very timeless episode!
"Jack sent for us."
"Specifically."
"By name."
Love this episode
Woohoo! I have been waiting for this one!
I love Ida Lupino, both as an actress and as a director.
Very underrated episode!!!!…Ida Lupino directed a masterpiece
Really love this episode - totally firing on all T-Zee cylinders. Full marks.
Great Episode
Man, I have never seen this one! I thought I'd seen all of the episodes but I have no memory of this one!
Season 5 did give us this iconic episode and the heavily influential Terror at 20,000 feet.
Like Jason himself the original series was on death’s door, but it still gave us many good episodes we would always remember.
This episode actually introduced me to the Twilight Zone! My teacher was a huge fan and decided to show it as a Halloween special! I’ve loved this episode and the series ever since!
This one is definitely a classic. The only thing that bugged me aside from Wilfred Jr.'s actor being clearly unconvincing as a college-aged young man (something I didn't notice the first time I saw this one but realized after seeing a few people's reviews of it on the IMDB mentioning this one hiccup) is that for some reason, whenever the SCYFY channel aired this one during classic TMZ marathons, they would cut the final scene of this episode short (most likely for time reasons). The outcome of the family's faces resembling those of their masks was revealed, but the topper where Jason's mask is removed by the doctor stating that his face truly resembles that of Death--in that it features nothing but peace, no horror nor fear, was never shown. It would just cut to the end credits and the next episode. I knew it existed because I had read the full summary of it on Wikipedia prior to eventually seeing the actual episode. I finally saw that bit in a clip from this episode on RUclips. I feel like that part shouldn't be taken out because it shows that Jason has finally left the greedy grasp of his family behind serenely.
The last episode that I would consider a must-watch of the original series.
In this same year, an episode of Perry Mason titled The Case of Paper Bullets aired. Milton Selzer, Virginia Gregg, Bill Walker, Maidie Norman and Willis Bouchey appeared in both episodes. While the rest were guest stars in both episodes, Willis Bouchey appeared on Perry Mason frequently in role of a judge. Maidie Norman plays maids in both episodes.
This is my favorite episode.
❤❤ really great episode I remember them showing this on a Halloween marathon that's a really clever twist and that's probably makeup was very uncomfortable but very well done