The Conversion

What an episode. I remember seeing parts of it when it was first broadcast. I thought most of OL2 was very good but this episode is exceptional.

Another reviewer calls it It's a Good Life played forward. It is more than that. I like that it was set at Christmas.

The dialog the writers give us is exceptional and engaging. The acting is very good. They pull it all off as being believable and happening.

Acting and writing don't mesh without great directing that brings out the best of the script and the actors abilities.

It makes it hard for me to understand that this is the only directing credit Rebecca DeMornay has.

"Redemption follows not a change of body but a change of heart."

This is a truly memorable offering from the first season of the series. It's about a man who has rotted in prison, being made the fall guy in a blue-collar caper. While he girds his loins but meets a beautiful blonde (Rebecca de Mornay) who tries to settle him down. He has several opportunities to avoid avenging himself, but follows through with a cold-blooded attack during a Christmas party. He is himself shot, hijacks a car, and heads off to the hinterlands. Bleeding from his wound, he goes to a local bar and asks for a drink. He is given soup and drink by a kind bartender/owner. While he sits in his misery, a man about the same age begins to talk to him in a friendly way. Our hero is annoyed and tries to rid himself of the "pest." However, this guy knows a lot about the murderer and his actions and begins the process of trying to talk the guy down. As the two interact, it becomes obvious that the young convict has been somehow chosen and has been given a chance at reclamation. What transpires is a wonderful bit of television with a neat twist. This is one of the better episodes in this series.

What better way to depict the journey of an unenlightened state into a state of ENLIGHTENMENT. This episode has been my inspiration for 11 years and counting, since I first saw it back in '95! Is there anything so selfless? Watch this episode to find out what exactly I am talking about. Possibly these beings are from the inner earth, the heart of mankind.. the hollow place where ancient secrets are held. Maybe ascended masters from the center of space and time.

Caught in the middle of a struggle between right and wrong, good and evil. A man is presented with a guru, a guide.. a friend. When life seems to be at its end and the walls are closing in all around, will a second chance make a difference.. an opportunity to start new is only available to those who are able to see the opportunity. This episode is a battle between the inner struggles of selfishness and selflessness!

Definitely a must see episode for all those interested in the journey of life and its purpose. 50 Stars and 10 Thumbs up! - Solarstone 2012

Disclaimer upfront: I was going to give this an 8, but the presence of Rebecca DeMornay automatically bumped it up. It still deserves the rating though!

My favourite episode so far, in large part because of the presence of Frank Whaley (who I've been a fan of since I first saw him in Career Opportunities) and Rebecca DeMornay (who I've always had a crush on because she's gorgeous AND because she's a damn good actor), but not only because of them. Speaking of the cast though, John Savage does a great job as the 'guardian angel'-styled stranger our lead character encounters.

It's a really good "It's A Wonderful Life" type of story which aims to remind the viewer that everything we do can have implications for people we've never met. Every decision we make, every action we take, can send unseen ripples out through the world and eventually impact dozens upon dozens of people we have never met, and likely will never meet.

The episode also handily avoids being seen as overly preachy and religion-focused by not actually telling us exactly who this stranger is and where he comes from.

How ironic that this episode, which is all about how your actions affect others, relies heavily on a song that stole its most recognizable melody!

The episode itself has long been one of my favorites, since I saw its first airing when I was a teenager. I always hoped to be like Lucas, trying to help people when I could. In reality, it isn't as easy as on a TV show, especially when we don't have Lucas's special ability (which I won't spoil for you here). I just saw it again for the first time since that first airing when I was in high school, and 30 years later the end still makes me cry.

The only reason it loses a star in its ratings is because it uses that song that committed the crime of copyright infringement, theft, stealing someone else's creative work. That doesn't fit with the message of this episode.