Toby

Another fine acting-turn for the always-watchable Robert Harris. Interesting, also, to see him paired with the excellent-actress Jessica Tandy, of much-later "Driving Miss Daisy" fame. This was an especially-interesting episode for me in that it's set in the early 20th-century--1910 New York City to be precise--a rather-refreshing break from "modern" settings & stories. There have been other exceptions in the Hitchcock-series, too, such as "The Older Sister", set in late 19th-century New England, a tale based on the Lizzie Borden murder-case. Tandy, though quite-attractive here, convincingly-looks every-inch the 1910 spinster. Harris portrays a "nice" character here. Tandy is "nice", as well, but upon her arrival, quickly-reveals that something's amiss with her mentally. I won't rehash the plot but this is an effective-episode, one that builds, not so-much suspense, as curiosity as to just what's going-on with Tandy & her mounting-paranoia over her baby. Harris is quite-mystified by her strange-outbursts & nervous-behavior but ultimately is sympathetic to his intended's plight. Tandy, by program's end, becomes understandable. Harris, though, is devastated by realizing that he's largely to blame for her predicament. Nice twist at finale, whether one guesses it early-on or not. I, for one, didn't. A different kind-of Hitchcock-episode, especially-good because it IS different!

Not the best episode of the whole series, cute and enjoyable for the whole family, smartly written and done too. Riveting, without being a masterpiece. Not a comedy either, just a sweet drama destined to the widest audiences. Family drama, rather unusual for the show. I like this episode. Touching too with a good twist ending. I hope you will enjoy it too. Now that's up to you to decide. Convincing performances. I have seen worse.

I enjoyed this episode very much.

Our episode centers on two characters that are seen early on. Albert is preparing for a reunion with a lady he used to have a romantic relationship with. He's a bundle of nerves and is quite anxious about all of this. Edwina loves roses and a vase is being prepared for roses to be put in there. The handle of the case breaks off and Albert's nerves go into overdrive as he laments that this is a bad omen.

Edwina shows up and she's got a surprise with her. She claims she's taking care of her sister's baby after the deaths of her sister and the child's father. She's being very mysterious about this child. Nobody can see the baby. Edwina has the child bundled up and claims were the child had just gotten over scarlet fever. Albert's not the only one talking. A couple of people that live in the apartment are harassing Edwina about when will they get to see the baby. Albert shows what a good guy he is and he lies and says he's seen the baby in order to get them off Edwina's back. But you can tell the confusion is mounting even more inside of Albert.

It's not just the baby that Albert's concerned about. Edwina's having mood swings. It's not played for laughs imo. Albert had given Edwina a rose to pin on a hat and she seemed so pleased with it and now she's angry and crumpling it up. Edwina's ranting about her life. Oh, she tried to get over Albert and now she comes crawling back to him courtesy of an ad in the newspaper. She talks about her loneliness and perception of people getting further away from her.

It's all starting to come out and the final piece of the puzzle is about to be slipped into place. Edwina's mentally ill. Men arrive to come pick her back up to take her back to the facility for her own safety. They were surprised she ran off, especially since the roses are growing and she loves them so.

But what about Toby? Edwina leaves Toby in Albert's care and he's about to see who Toby is. Toby turns out to be a cat! I loved that reveal tbh. I'm in my late 30s and I'm childless. I'm also somebody that treats my cats like they're my kids. So yeah, I think Edwina was ahead of the game with her 'furkid'. One has to feel for Albert. He reacts with such devastation once he sees Toby's a cat. I think seeing Toby was the final bit of hope and optimism he had about a future with Edwina going down the drain.

Enjoyable episode and I liked how Jessica Tandy approached her role of Edwina. But I'll also snark a bit at the elephant in the room. Albert didn't hear a cat meowing? Edwina must've been sharp on cleaning up cat poop and pee. I say that because of how the other people in the apartment acted towards Edwina. I think she would've been scared to take Toby outside if anybody else was outside to talk to her.

In a series such as this, not every episode hits the spot, and this is one of those.

A new tenant (Edwina, Jessica Tandy) arrives in an unsalubrious New York apartment block, and back into the life of one of the tenants (Albert, Robert Harris) after 20 years. But what is she hiding?

The supporting cast are good throughout - they set the scene very well, play likable characters and also provide the main impetus that moves the plot along, but the problem is really with the script. We aren't given enough insight into either of the main characters. Although we can sympathise with Albert, there is nothing perilous or threatening to provide tension. We never get to see things from Edwina's point of view, so it's difficult to care about her either.

As for the final revelation, I'm afraid that this was one of the two I'd considered from early on, so was a bit of a let-down.

All in all, not a completely unenjoyable ride, but definitely one of the lesser offerings in a great series.

Hitch gave a hint in his introduction of the episode warm up baby bottle, exposing a bit of morbidity about to come when a mid-age bachelor Albert Birch (Robert H Harris) thru an adds on newspaper finds out his old girlfriend Edwina (Jessica Tandy) which invites her to live with him for a future marriage, turns out that the old lady brings a baby named Toby, on what Albert asking her if was married before, Edwina answer she never was, the baby is gave to her due his sister and husband died on car's accident, henceforth she got the right to raise the little one, relieving the already worried Albert.

Although something suspicious comes across due Edwina never allowed Albert to see Toby whatsoever, such odd things arouse inkling on Albert, worst to trying give a kiss at Edwina's face she becomes furious without any fair explanation, the upstairs neighbors also perceive her bitterness behavior, Albert often was called to warm up a milk to Toby, nonetheless the baby feeding in done on closed door, then things going bad when the comes to surface soon.

Jessica Tandy is a fabulous actress on these kind of role as Edwina surely mentally ill, we can envisage her on "Driving Miss Daisy" as stubborn lady, another high point is Robert H Harris in a convincing performance as heartbroken man, simply great.

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First watch: 2023 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.25.