One
Night At Mercy
Dr. Jay Ferguson saves his first life in the emergency room, a moment to savior.
Another patient will arrive that will challenge all that he knows about life and
death.
A patient that hung himself and was found hanging for over twenty-tour hours is
brought into the emergency room. He has no identification and he claims to be
death. Even though Dr. Ferguson is overworked and is suffering from headaches,
he is lucid enough to know that this person is crazy. "You can't be
death,” he says. Besides, Dr. Ferguson has no time for these games. Death
conjures up a moment where Dr. Ferguson relives his own mother's death. "I
remember the look of determination on your face when your mother died. One could
say that I am responsible for you becoming a doctor."
The exchanges between Death and Dr. Ferguson are priceless as Jason Alexander
wonderfully portrays the depressed executioner. Death simply wants a day off . .
. "Life and death walk side by side, partners in life. If you don't
believe, just as Doctor Jay Ferguson, first year resident of the Twilight
Zone." The episode was well done and the performances stand out. The manner
in which Jason Alexander endeavors to prove who he is and describes his exploits
are well done. The ending with the rose was startling and surprising. If the
production team continues to write episodes like this, this show will do well.
My rating: B+
Synopsis (From Twilightzonetv.com)
Directed by: Peter O’Fallon
Starring: Jason Alexander, Tyler Christopher
Dr. Jay Ferguson, a young emergency room doctor, is just completing a double shift at the hospital when an attempted suicide victim is brought in. The man, who had unsuccessfully tried to hang himself, claims to be Death incarnate. Immediately suspicious, Dr. Ferguson demands proof of the man’s identity. Death successfully convinces Dr. Ferguson that he is who he claims to be. He then proclaims that he is quitting his job and that there shall be no more death in the world. Ferguson believes Death’s quitting would be a wonderful thing as people would no longer have to suffer the pain of loss. However, when burn victims are brought into the hospital, Dr. Ferguson quickly realizes that without Death, people could suffer indefinitely and that life without Death is not a miracle, but a curse. Although Dr. Ferguson convinces Death to return to his job, he must face consequences he could never have possibly foreseen.
