The Twilight Zone episode review — 1.35 — The Mighty Casey
Episode 1.35 “The Mighty Casey”
Original air date: June 17, 1960
Writer: Rod Serling
Directors: Alvin Ganzer and Robert Parrish
Rating: 2/10
“The Mighty Casey” is one of the weakest episodes of the series. It goes for comedy and contains a childish message.
Jack Warden plays the manager of the lowly Hoboken Zephyrs, a team whose fortunes turn around drastically with the addition of a new pitcher, Casey (Robert Sorrells), a robot with superhuman abilities.
While this is certainly a bad episode any way you measure it, there are a few things I like. I like Warden’s performance; his dry delivery clashes with the whimsical nature of the story, and his dialogue points to Serling’s potential (if not fully realized) ability for comedy. I also like the nostalgic narration from Serling, particularly in the opening.
Dr. Stillman (Abraham Sofaer), his creator, introduces Casey to the manager, and his abilities immediately impress. While on the team, the Zephyrs climb in the standings, until Casey takes a line drive off his head. While held in the hospital, the team physician learns that he’s a robot, and the league won’t let him play considering he doesn’t have a heart.
After Stillman gives him his heart, Casey loses what would be the pennant-clinching game, giving up 14 runs in the first inning. He explains that with a heart, he felt compassion, and didn’t want to strike any hitters out. Stillman then leaves the blueprints with the manager. It’s a dumb ending, to be sure, but it’s far from the episode’s only problem.
What doesn’t work is the slapstick delivery. When Casey is first introduced is when it first appears. A player taking batting practice swings and hits a ball, and everyone looks up in the air and the ball hits Casey in the head, where he remains unphased. It’s shot and edited very awkwardly, and it’s way too slow to be funny. It doesn’t help that each moment of slapstick humor is accompanied with some goofy music, as well.
It’s arguably the worst episode of the first season, which was mostly filled with classics, and is one of the worst of the series overall. It’s definitely one I’d recommend you skipping if you only want to check out the great ones.
