The Sins of the Fathers/You Can't Get Help Like That Anymore

I only saw the show once when it was 1st aired.. My husband and I both remember it well. It was so well done and so creepy at the same time. Anything that has that much effect on viewers deserves of 10.

'The Sins Of The Fathers' - Richard Thomas and Geraldine page star as mother and son in Wales, who are forced by famine to resort using their father's technique of "sin eating" which involves consuming food surrounding a dead loved one in order to consume their earthly sins into himself. Thomas reluctantly performs this ritual for a rich family, but at a later high cost... Original tale is quite graphic and grim, but most atmospheric as well, with a fine cast, and strong ending.

'You Can't Get Help Like That Anymore' - A cruel married couple abuse android servant after android servant until an uprising turns the tables... Mediocre tale uses ideas from "Westworld" with mixed results.

Sorry I can't add much to kbearo-1's excellent comments. It says something when I can remember a television episode for so many years. I was nearly traumatized for life- it's that good (?!). It gives me chills just to think about it, especially when you apply it metaphorically. Yikes! I was heartened to see how many things Richard Thomas has done (thank you IMDb). Like too many other folks, the first thing that comes to mind is "John Boy". Pity. He's a fine, versatile actor. Anyone know what he's been doing lately? I trust he can still work whenever he feels like it. And Geraldine Page? I would crawl naked over ground glass just to see her read the phone book. She shines in every single thing I've ever seen her in, and of course this is no exception. p.s. If you should get the opportunity to see this, I'd recommend doing it with a six-pack or bottle and someone to talk with afterwards.

Not only was this teleplay one of the most chilling and relentless of the series, but the casting was superb: Michael Dunn, Barbara Steele, and Geraldine Paige, OMG, in a single TV episode. But considering Rod Serling's reputation, perhaps that's not surprising.

Unlike modern shocker films, this episode of Night Gallery relies on no special effects other than a fog-generating machine. Yet the suspense and horror build so steadily that by the conclusion, you the viewer are thoroughly wrung out. I haven't seen this one for decades, yet I remember it quite vividly -- yet I try not to think of it just before bedtime....

The reviews of Sins of the Fathers fall into two categories: the "one of the most horrifying things I've ever seen" category and the "I don't see what's so scary about this" category. The difference here, I think, boils down to the difference between terror and horror. This episode (typical of Night Gallery in general) is about horror, not terror.

Terror is the start you feel when somebody jumps out from behind a bush and lunges at you. It's a simplistic emotion that almost everyone has as an instinctive response to danger. It requires no empathy. In Sins of the Fathers there are no monsters jumping out of shadows. It is not terrifying.

Horror is the revulsion you feel when you witness something deeply disturbing. I'm guessing that it requires some level of empathy to fully experience horror, and a fair segment of the population is probably immune to it. To fully appreciate the horror of Sins of the Fathers requires the ability to put yourself in the position of the main character. If you have the capacity to do that...then this episode is freaking HORRIFYING and you will never forget it.