Twilight Zone episode review — 5.5 — The Last Night of a Jockey

Patrick J Mullen
Sep 6, 2018 · 2 min read

Episode 5.5 “The Last Night of a Jockey”
Original air date: October 25, 1963
Writer: Rod Serling
Director: Joseph M. Newman

Rating: 8/10

“The Last Night of a Jockey” is an absurdly well acted episode consisting of just one actor: Mickey Rooney. It’s some of his best work, and it’s really only brought down by a predictable ending.

Mickey Rooney plays a downright despicable character in Grady, a jockey who has found he’s been banned from horse racing for life for his role in a doping scandal. It’s really the strength of some great writing and acting that makes us feel the tragedy of this contemptible character, and I could see most performers and writers never quite making it work.

Like “Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room,” Grady finds himself confronted by his alter ego. Grady stresses that he wishes he could be big, and his wish comes true.

With his newfound confidence in his size, he tries to contact an ex that broke up with him because of his size, but it doesn’t work out. Meanwhile, his alter ego chides him for wishing for something small, when he could have wished to perform a heroic act, or to win the Kentucky Derby.

Eventually he gets a phone call saying the decision has been reversed, and he’ll be able to race again, but of course now he cannot, because of his size. It’s a satisfying episode even if the ending is predictable.

As Vast as Space and as Timeless as Infinity

This blog will be dedicated primarily to horror and sci-fi media, chiefly film and television.

Patrick J Mullen

Written by

As Vast as Space and as Timeless as Infinity

This blog will be dedicated primarily to horror and sci-fi media, chiefly film and television.

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