The Twilight Zone - The Long Haul...Mirror, Mirror

Rod Serling introduces Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room

Joe Mantell's performance(s) will be an acquired taste. The sheer amount of times George is said by Mantell's Jackie Rhodes is example enough that this episode might not be on too many TZ fans' favorites list. I know I don't typically watch it often, and if I do it is because of the reflection gimmick. The strong personality that takes issue with wimpy, sweaty, fingernail-chomping Jackie, named John, who wants out of the mirror and in charge of the life might be impressive for viewers since Mantell does differentiate one and the other. It is the dichotomy of our existence, these different thoughts and feelings inside us wanting to determine how we live and the decisions we make. Douglas Heyes really does get the most out of the gimmick involving the "two Mantells" talking it out over a period of time regarding a job assigned to Jackie from George (William D Gordon) to kill a bar owner who won't succumb to bullying tactics (paying George for "protection", essentially surrendering to a type of mobster). Plenty of mirror gimmickry; I imagine at the time, this episode's special effects threw folks for a loop. I give them credit for the idea, and Mantell got a chance to really develop two different personalities combating for the same body. George has that smile, doesn't he? The smile followed by "Do as I say or you will die!" When John Rhodes give him a stomp to the foot and punch to the stomach, George's concern emerging out of shock, the subtle change in Mantell does impress me, I will say.