Twilight Zone episode review — 5.36 — The Bewitchin’ Pool

Episode 5.36 “The Bewitchin’ Pool”
Original air date: June 19, 1964
Writer: Earl Hamner, Jr.
Director: Joseph M. Newman

Rating: 2/10

When I first saw this episode, it was my least favorite in the series. I still definitely don’t like it, and think it’s an unfortunate finale for a series that ended way too soon, but there are definitely worse out there.

The problem is the story isn’t too interesting. It’s sort of like a fairy tale or a fable about two kids trying to escape the realities of their parents’ impending divorce. It could be interesting, I suppose, but it definitely doesn’t feel like a Twilight Zone episode.

On top of it, the execution is strange. The episode starts with a scene that occurs later in the episode’s continuity, and not really in an interesting way. Also, Mary Badham (To Kill a Mockingbird), who plays the lead, is strangely and noticeably dubbed over in a ridiculous way.