As if a shoddy script ever prevented TZ fans from enjoying the show.
The reason for this episode's low ratings is that most filmophiles are left-wingers who don't take kindly to having their idols (Castro, specifically) presented in a negative light, in any way - much less this blatantly. Castro is, after all, the hero of the pseudo-proletariat and so western Marxists love this dictator, making up a host of excuses for every single non-democratic/criminal thing he ever did. (They hence had to be very busy making up nonsense...)
Western Marxists are so used to subliminal sympathizing with Marxism, both on TV and in the cinema, that modern Marxist viewers in particular might be shocked to see a "Hollywood" creation that takes a few jabs at their beloved genocidal ideology.
Serling, just to make sure the episode doesn't offend his left-wing comrades too much, makes a reference to Castro, just to dispel any notion that Falk is playing the man himself. But by this point it's too late to make amends with Castro fans. And by placing Bautista on the same level with his (much more dangerous) bearded successor, Serling makes sure to not differentiate between Far Left and Far Right sociopaths - which also offends many Castro fans.
It's a typical (bad/weak) Serling episode full of preachiness and long speeches. It has little substance due to its lack of credibility - because of the (hey, the irony) naivety with which left-wing Serling portrays and defines sociopaths. The central theme in a tyrant's life is paranoia, i.e. The fear of being violently overthrown, or so Serling believes. But if that were the case, why do dictators live so long? A person riddled with continual stress doesn't normally reach 90. Castro, very ironically, was not only never toppled but lived a very happy and very long life of barely restrained sadism and thievery - the fave hobbies of any self-respecting murderous loon.
Hence this episode once again displays the embarrassing levels of Serling's ineptitude, not so much in terms of crafting a story but in terms of his child-like, gullible view of human nature. To so completely misunderstand the true nature of a tyrant is typical of left-wingers though. So how cam we possibly expect an intelligent take on this subject, when that subject is completely misunderstood by the writer.
For example, the confidence and distinct LACK of fear shown by the disposed dictator have zero bearing on the real world. He appears far too brave for a man about to be shot and/or tortured. It's almost as if Serling is suggesting that tyrants are brave men, even in extreme situations, when in fact they most often are not. It's comic-book-like cardboard characterization albeit with better written speeches/monologues than what one finds in other pulp fiction of the period. (Which isn't saying much.)
There's other nonsense. Falk is such a stupid dictator that it never occurs to him to have his general (or whatever he is) drink the wine to see if it's poisoned or not. Instead, Falk smashes the glass angrily on the floor. Ts ts ts: if Castro had been this thick, he wouldn't have lasted a week in power.
But it's the end-twist that takes the cake. Peter Falk kills himself. Now, anyone who knows even a bit about psychopath tyrants knows that their limitless narcissism prevents them from committing suicide, except perhaps in moments when they want to avoid an even worse fate. One of the dumbest endings in the entire series.
This is why Serling should have scripted far less episodes himself. Would have been far wiser to involve more talented people, such as regulars Matheson and Beaumont.
The reason for this episode's low ratings is that most filmophiles are left-wingers who don't take kindly to having their idols (Castro, specifically) presented in a negative light, in any way - much less this blatantly. Castro is, after all, the hero of the pseudo-proletariat and so western Marxists love this dictator, making up a host of excuses for every single non-democratic/criminal thing he ever did. (They hence had to be very busy making up nonsense...)
Western Marxists are so used to subliminal sympathizing with Marxism, both on TV and in the cinema, that modern Marxist viewers in particular might be shocked to see a "Hollywood" creation that takes a few jabs at their beloved genocidal ideology.
Serling, just to make sure the episode doesn't offend his left-wing comrades too much, makes a reference to Castro, just to dispel any notion that Falk is playing the man himself. But by this point it's too late to make amends with Castro fans. And by placing Bautista on the same level with his (much more dangerous) bearded successor, Serling makes sure to not differentiate between Far Left and Far Right sociopaths - which also offends many Castro fans.
It's a typical (bad/weak) Serling episode full of preachiness and long speeches. It has little substance due to its lack of credibility - because of the (hey, the irony) naivety with which left-wing Serling portrays and defines sociopaths. The central theme in a tyrant's life is paranoia, i.e. The fear of being violently overthrown, or so Serling believes. But if that were the case, why do dictators live so long? A person riddled with continual stress doesn't normally reach 90. Castro, very ironically, was not only never toppled but lived a very happy and very long life of barely restrained sadism and thievery - the fave hobbies of any self-respecting murderous loon.
Hence this episode once again displays the embarrassing levels of Serling's ineptitude, not so much in terms of crafting a story but in terms of his child-like, gullible view of human nature. To so completely misunderstand the true nature of a tyrant is typical of left-wingers though. So how cam we possibly expect an intelligent take on this subject, when that subject is completely misunderstood by the writer.
For example, the confidence and distinct LACK of fear shown by the disposed dictator have zero bearing on the real world. He appears far too brave for a man about to be shot and/or tortured. It's almost as if Serling is suggesting that tyrants are brave men, even in extreme situations, when in fact they most often are not. It's comic-book-like cardboard characterization albeit with better written speeches/monologues than what one finds in other pulp fiction of the period. (Which isn't saying much.)
There's other nonsense. Falk is such a stupid dictator that it never occurs to him to have his general (or whatever he is) drink the wine to see if it's poisoned or not. Instead, Falk smashes the glass angrily on the floor. Ts ts ts: if Castro had been this thick, he wouldn't have lasted a week in power.
But it's the end-twist that takes the cake. Peter Falk kills himself. Now, anyone who knows even a bit about psychopath tyrants knows that their limitless narcissism prevents them from committing suicide, except perhaps in moments when they want to avoid an even worse fate. One of the dumbest endings in the entire series.
This is why Serling should have scripted far less episodes himself. Would have been far wiser to involve more talented people, such as regulars Matheson and Beaumont.