Jonathan

"Jonathan" is notable for being the first 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' directing credit for John Meredyth Lucas, better known for his work on 'Star Trek'. It is the first of three episodes for him, the other two also being from Season 2. They being "Crackpot", which left me mixed, and "Malice Domestic", which was very good. The previous Season 2 episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' were very up and down, with the only great one being "Conversation of a Corpse".

It is a shame that "Jonathan" isn't rated higher. It is not one of the 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' classics and the pacing is uneven. But there are a lot of strong qualities, such as the fascinating lead character, the performances and the atmosphere. As far as Season 2 up to this point goes, "Jonathan" to me is actually one of the better episodes and is also up there with the season's creepiest. Which for the first half of Season 2 is saying a good deal.

Will agree that "Jonathan" is a little too talky at points, especially in the early portions.

Also did think that the final quarter, while extremely clever and the ending was not expected, was on the rushed and this is one of the episodes of the series that would have benefitted from being at least 15 minutes longer in order to flesh out more the more complex elements of the story.

There is a lot to recommend about "Jonathan" having said all of that. It's slickly made with some nice atmospheric shots. The audio is suitably ominous and will never stop raving about the haunting use of "Funeral March of a Marionette" for the series' main theme. Hitchcock's bookending is typically droll in writing and delivery. Lucas directs assuredly, it really shines in the rapport between Corey Allen and Georgann Johnson which at its best really unsettles.

Despite saying that it is talky, "Jonathan" is intriguingly and intelligently written. The story, even with the pacing not always being even, does have suspense and a suitable amount of dark dread and creepiness, the second half is creepy atmospherically and the character of Gil is very psychologically chilling and interesting, one of the more complex lead characters of Season 2. The episode benefits hugely from the very impressive and even excellent performances of Allen and Johnson, Allen especially is quite frightening.

Very good and undervalued episode. 8/10.

Jonathan is a highly unsettling Hitchcock series offering, and that's not a criticism; more like an observation. It's a brilliantly conceived and very well acted tale of a nearly fully grown up son's relationship with his father, whom he loves and idolizes to a degree that feels unwholesome.

It's worth mentioning that back when this episode was made that sons often looked up to their fathers, sought their company, went fishing with them, played sports,--and this still goes on, of course--but it was a time when in America anyway it was a Man's World. It was a patriarchal society in which fathers (presumably) knew best, and this story reflects its era accurately.

The aforementioned is for those who were not around at the time and who might find the father/son relationship downright weird. As things turn out, it is weird; on the son's part, that is, not the father's. His resentment of his father's marriage to a much younger woman (he was a widower) goes beyond resentment and turns pathological.

Jonathan plays well at many levels, as it works well as melodrama, a thriller, a psychological study of disturbed youth and probably several other things as well, and as such it offers an embarrassment of riches. The story is so complex that it could easily have been stretched out to an hour's length. It misses it mark somewhat due to time constraints, as its focus demanded a hurried last act and a hasty conclusion.

I really disliked "Jonathan", an episode of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". The problem is that the story is told in the most detached and talky manner possible and it essentially consists of two people talking during the bulk of the episode. Had the style been different, I might have loved the episode.

When the story begins, a young and incredibly annoying guy comes back for his father's funeral. When his step-mother comes to talk, he berates her and treats her like garbage...and sulks like a major jerk-face. Much more happens, but apart from a flashback or two, it's mostly the young guy sulking and acting like a jerk-face.

This is the talkiest episode of the series I have seen. It simply presents the story in a passive and detached manner and all the suspense and tensions seems to have been sucked out of it.

This is the story of a young man who so loves his father, he becomes obsessive to the point of murder. We get to meet the old man. He is a kind, successful, reasonable man. The son is fawning and needy and mentally ill. When the father dies of heart failure, the son blames his stepmother. He has hated her ever since she arrived in the family. He feels she has taken his place. When it becomes obvious that she is not a fortune hunter, our focus shifts to him. He is truly messed up. She tries so hard to understand him and tells him to take the house that has been left to him. She has never done anything to get in his way, yet the hatred has poisoned him. The conclusion is appropriate; that's all I will say. I'm sure Freud would have had a few choice words had he seen this episode.

Another Hitch soap opera you cannot afford to pass up. Written by Stirling Silliphant, creator of ROUTE 66 and NAKED CITY. Hitch got the very best author for this one.

Corey Allen plays a young gentleman named Gil who has deep ties with his father, Jonathan (played by western star Douglas Kennedy). Unfortunately, three's a crowd and enter his new wife, Rosina ( Georgann Johnson). No, Gil doesn't hit it off too well with her as can be expected, making matters worse when the old man drops dead. Is she the proverbial black widow?

Watch the faces, the most intriguing part.

Keeps you guessing and I'm sure Hitch loved the calamity. Again, thanks to Stirling Silliphant, the writer with the ultra cool name.

Directed by John Meredyth Lucas, later a producer for STAR TREK. Likewise, Corey Allen turned to directing in his career, known for CAPITAL. Salute to Georgann Johnson, the best ever in this type of mysterious role.

*** Her final line is a knockout, and the way she delivers it with sugar. A jaw dropper.

Required viewing for devout fans of this classic show. SEASON 2 dvd box set. 5 dvd set. Released 2006.