Echo

Ross Martin plays Paul Marlin, who was just acquitted for the murder of his rich wife by a jury, though doubts still remain. Paul's lawyer advises him to get out of town to avoid a relentless press, and also to take a break. Paul arrives in a new town and stays in a quaint hotel, but his past soon catches up with him when he sees a recurrent vision of an unknown assassin bearing down on him in a mirror. Paul seeks solace in a nearby bar, but still sees the killer's reflection in that mirror! It turns out that his late wife's past and his deserved fate will finally catch up and overtake him quite soon...Ross Martin is excellent, and helps the obvious plot work.

Paul Marlin is acquitted of the murder of his wife, once the case is completed, and he's free, he takes the advice of his attorney, and moves to a quiet house away from the noise. The guilty man begins to believe he's witnessing his own death.

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, a very clever storyline, with a terrific central character. It's very atmospheric, there's a very sinister vibe to it, it's well paced and edgy. This is a short story that could easily be turned into a film.

Ross Martin is excellent as Marlin, he played the part very well, you get a sense of his mania, his mental collapse, it's very interesting to watch the man eaten alive by guilt.

8/10.

I have always said that the difference between ONE STEP BEYOND tv show and TWILIGHT ZONE was sometimes as thick as a cigarette paper. And this very episode is the best proof. Ross Martin in a superb role and performance. I also thought a bit about Irvin Kershner's THE EYES OF LAURA MARS...Yes, an outstanding piece of work, among the best so far in the show. Excellent ending too that you won't forget. The best finale of the series so far. This episode could have been written for TWILIGHT ZONE, no problem. And the story takes place in modern times, which is not the case for every episode of the TV show.

As in other episodes of "One Step Beyond", the narrator (and director) John Newland claims that this story is based on a real crime, though I certainly have my doubts! The story begins with Mr. Marlow (Ross Martin) being acquitted of his wife's murder. However, the newspapers insist that he is guilty and his lawyer suggests he takes a vacation to get away from all this negative publicity. So he ends up in a small town and checks into a charming bed and breakfast. However, soon after he settles into this place, he sees something very strange—his own murder being played out in the mirror! Of course no one else sees it and he heads to the nearest bar to drink himself into oblivion. However, after a few drinks, the SAME murderer he saw in the mirror enters the bar! Marlow is naturally shocked and bolts from the place—and the stranger soon follows. What's up with this stranger and what will Marlow do now that he KNOWS the man is his killer? This is a very tense and exciting episode. It also had some very nice acting by Martin and it was nice to see him doing a role other than his one from "The Wild, Wild West". Worth your time and very well written.

A sensational San Francisco murder trial comes to an end with the acquittal of Ross Martin (as Paul Marlin) for the murder of his wife. Still, citizens think Mr. Martin killed his older, wealthy wife for her money. Martin's attorney, Leslie Barrett (as Daniel Cascomb), advises his tired client to get out of town for a vacation. Martin finds trouble follows him, in the form of mysterious Ed Kemmer (as Roger Wiley), his dead wife's young brother. Martin thinks Mr. Kemmer is out to kill him, due to a vision he sees in his mirror.

It's always nice to see Martin, so good as Artemus Gordon in "The Wild Wild West" (1965-1969), in other roles; he was a versatile actor. Martin and the supporting actors play their scenes very well, from handsome Kemmer (the model for Sleeping Beauty's prince), to lawyer Barrett (who found Victoria Winters guilty of witchcraft), to craggy bartender Rusty Lane. The recycled "One Step Beyond" sets are still terrific, although the story is ultimately unsatisfying. With an obtrusive ending narration, it's all for naught.

**** Echo (6/2/59) John Newland ~ Ross Martin, Ed Kemmer, Leslie Barrett