1.29 --- I of Newton
 Directed by : Kenneth GilbertWritten by : Alan Brennert (story by Joe Haldeman) Starring : Sherman Hemsley, Ron Glass First aired : 13th of December, 1985. While attempting to solve a seemingly unsolvable equation, math teacher Sam (Sherman Hemsley, The Jeffersons) accidentaly mentions he'd sell his soul for the solution, thus invoking the devil (Ron Glass, Serenity). The devil informs him the deal is all but made, and that Sam can void it only if he thinks of a task he can't accomplish, or a question he can't answer. Sam is, however, given the option of asking any three questions about the devil's ability. After being informed that there is no place anywhere in the universe from which the devil could not return, and that he would have to be there no matter what is asked for him, Sam curtly asks the devil to get lost - and so defeats him in his game of wits. *** A brilliant, very funny 8-minute short, I of Newton is the perfect palate cleanser after the heavy thinking induced by Her Pilgrim Soul. That the both lead characters are black gives this episode an added dimension of humour - Hemsley the old school african american, Glass the hip, new, 80s rapper/hip hop type. The jokes all hit the spot, the writing is sharp - all in all, a great TZ vignette. TZ Trivia : at one point, the devil says "if you mention Dante nowadays, they ask you how did you like Gremlins". This is a clear reference to director Joe Dante, who directed one of the previous colour TZ episodes, The Shadow Man, and had great theatrical success with The Howling and Gremlins, amongst others. Garden State Trivia : apparently, TZ people have a beef with New Jersey. In Dealer's Choice we're informed the devil lives there, here, one of the t-shirts devil wears says "hell is a city much like Newark". *** And a very merry Christmas to all orthodox believers, who celebrate the birth of Christ on 7th of January. I am one of them, mind you. *** |
posted by Mairosu at 5:36 PM
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Anonymous said ... (5:56 PM) :
post a commentTHIS is my favourite ever episode! Makes me laugh every time I see it.
The first time I watched the Devil get whupped with the words "Get lost", my astonishment left me literally open-mouthed, so unexpected was the ending.
Either that, or I'm easily fooled! I don't care, though - to date, it's the best 8 minutes I've ever spent with my clothes on!
This is one of those episodes where you can guess the ending just from seeing the name of the guest cast. When you saw "Starring JAMES COCO" during "Act Break", you knew you were looking at a comedy. Same here, when you see two sitcom legends as the only actors in a two-hander story. So, not much suspense going in. They're not ending the story with Sherman Hemsley screaming in horrific pain.
That said, this is just a hilarious story. Love how the Devil's T-shirt changes slogans every time he turns around... a nifty little Easter egg.
This is truly one of the great episodes, everyone I show it to, young, old, black, white or alien loves it.
It's funny, clever, unexpected and satisfying. It sets the rules and obeys them.
Glass btw was on Barney Miller, and everyone hates NJ, unless they're from there.
Years before I read a note in one of author Joe Haldeman's books where he describes it as basically a throwaway story that he wasn't putting in his collection. I've since read the story: it's clever, funny and has the same twist ending as this episode. The episode improves on the original with the performances and the added humor of the T-shirts!
Seriously, the devil challenged a MATHEMATICIAN to come up with a logic bomb.
If there's no place or time he can visit and return from, it's impossible for him to get lost.