Lane Change

Kathy Baker plays a selfish, unfeeling woman, who is driving through the rain when she picks up a stranger, a middle aged woman whose car has broken down. They engage in conversation and it is revealed that Kathy is divorcing her husband after seventeen years. She has flourished in the business world while he has pursued his dream of being an actor. She has had enough of his weakness and lack of aggressiveness. The passenger starts to neatly grill her on what her life is like. In the process she engenders anger and disdain. The woman repeatedly tells her that seventeen years is quite an investment to throw away. As they travel though the rain, cars start to pass them. In those cars are images of the past, including her father, a harsh, strict man, and an image of some of the elements of her wedding. Where is this heading. For me it turns into one of the better stories presented on this series. It is a ghost story extraordinaire.

As I've been watching this series over the last few weeks it seems like the second season of Amazing Stories had some budget cuts. The first season had some real top notch production values; filming inside a B-24 liberator, a train barreling into a house, SFX shots, animation, and all kinds of stuff.

This episode, and in fact all of season 2, scaled back on the sets and other visual artistry. Even so some of the stories are still pretty good. This one falls into a mediocre area in terms of production values. But the story is kind of interesting.

Two women, one familiar with the other, helps the other work through some issues, and as per the trademark of this series there's a supernatural element to it. And I guess that's the thing that gets me, is that this episode could have used a shot in the arm in terms of production values.

It's a bit of a talkative episode, and it somewhat tested my patience, but otherwise it's an okay story.

Not sterling material, but worth a look.

This "Amazing Stories" episode from season 2 "Lane Change" which aired on January 12, 1987 is one that was interesting and it entertained with drama showing how the themes of the past and future can interconnect to make changes in the present. It involves a Missouri woman named Charlene(Kathy Baker) who while driving on a rainy stormy night picks up a stranded broke down older lady. The episode then gets revealing as it's discovered that Charlene is not happy and perhaps has a divorce coming on! The older lady grills her about life and real wisdom, then cars start to pass them it's like a ride from the past for Charlene it's includes an image of daddy. However later on Charlene has a tragic image ahead on the highway! Don't want to be a spoiler yet this story is a ghostly take on how the past can haunt and it gives a glimpse into a bleak future, yet older wisdom of one's future self caused present and life saving changes! Overall well done episode see it if you haven't.

"Lane Change" is a well made show...no doubt about that. The acting is just fine and the story well done. However, there have been LOTS of similar shows or stories (such as on "The Twilight Zone") and so it's not exactly a must-see.

Charlene (Kathy Baker) is driving during a very stormy night. She sees a woman by the side of the road and stops. The older lady (Priscilla Pointer) says her car broke down a ways back and would love a lift. Charlene agrees and over the course of their drive, the two get to know each other better AND Charlene begins to reassess her life and her recent choices--particularly her desire to get a divorce.

This show offers few surprises but it's done well so I'll cut it slack. Worth seeing but only a fair to middling episode.