Fine director Robert Altman directed two episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', of which "The Young One" is the first. The other being "Together", also from Season 3. The other most notable aspect is the subject matter, which is one of the most daring and most ahead of its time subject matters up to this point of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' run. The only other episode to have a subject as daring and have execution as unyielding, as far as the previous entries go, is perhaps Season 1's "Never Again".
"The Young One" is an excellent episode, it may not be one of the very highest rated episodes of Season 3. But for me it actually it is better than some episodes of the season rated higher and among the better episodes of the first quarter of the season. The subject may be a turn off for some, and while it is quite different territory for 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' that the series dared go near one that was very rarely covered in film and television and certainly not executed in as a pull no punches way as seen here.
Did feel that the lead up up to the climax was on the rushed and anti-climactic side, which made me feel worried that the twist ending would be anti-climactic and abrupt as well.
Luckily it wasn't, actually thought it was stunningly executed and one of the season's biggest shockers. Another reason as to why "The Young One" works as well as it does is the very layered, beyond her years performance of Carol Lynley. Very brave of her to do something as sensitive territory and bold at so young an age and it is a performance that is sensual, moving and intense. Vince Edwards is very good also, if not quite as much as Lynley, and they have very strong chemistry together.
Altman directs with tautness and sensitivity throughout and doesn't trivialise or overdo the content, both easy to do in fear of not offending. The story is not the most suspenseful one of the series, but it has tension and is suitably disturbingly unflinching, pulling no punches while not being heavy handed. The script is thought provoking and is harrowing yet tactful.
Production values are not elaborate but are strong and slick enough. Hitchcock delivers on the drollness and the tone of his bookending doesn't jar too much tonally, it did in "Never Again" but not here. The theme music is timeless.
In conclusion, excellent. 9/10.
"The Young One" is an excellent episode, it may not be one of the very highest rated episodes of Season 3. But for me it actually it is better than some episodes of the season rated higher and among the better episodes of the first quarter of the season. The subject may be a turn off for some, and while it is quite different territory for 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' that the series dared go near one that was very rarely covered in film and television and certainly not executed in as a pull no punches way as seen here.
Did feel that the lead up up to the climax was on the rushed and anti-climactic side, which made me feel worried that the twist ending would be anti-climactic and abrupt as well.
Luckily it wasn't, actually thought it was stunningly executed and one of the season's biggest shockers. Another reason as to why "The Young One" works as well as it does is the very layered, beyond her years performance of Carol Lynley. Very brave of her to do something as sensitive territory and bold at so young an age and it is a performance that is sensual, moving and intense. Vince Edwards is very good also, if not quite as much as Lynley, and they have very strong chemistry together.
Altman directs with tautness and sensitivity throughout and doesn't trivialise or overdo the content, both easy to do in fear of not offending. The story is not the most suspenseful one of the series, but it has tension and is suitably disturbingly unflinching, pulling no punches while not being heavy handed. The script is thought provoking and is harrowing yet tactful.
Production values are not elaborate but are strong and slick enough. Hitchcock delivers on the drollness and the tone of his bookending doesn't jar too much tonally, it did in "Never Again" but not here. The theme music is timeless.
In conclusion, excellent. 9/10.