'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' "Touche" (1959)
Opening thoughts: Every season of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' had some truly fine episodes, and they all had some not so good episodes. This was all obvious in Season 4, that had some real highs and some real lows and sometimes in quite quick succession to each other. "Touche", Season 4's thirty fifth and penultimate episode, was the second of the series directed by John Brahm, after the quite good "A Night with the Boys", who went on to do another eight episodes.
While not one of the best 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes or one of the best of Season 4, "Touche" is a not bad at all episode for Brahm and makes one intrigued enough in seeing his succeeding 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes. While his outings for the series did vary and his work wasn't as distinguished as the best work of the series' regular directors, Brahm was hardly a slouch and his best episodes were at least quite good. Quite good sums up "Touche".
Good things: What stands out here immediately is the acting, which is first rate. Paul Douglas is terrific, and brings a lot of steel and charisma. It is also quite affecting seeing him here, knowing that such a gifted actor was to die not long after. Robert Morse is suitably formidable.
The episode looks good, the settings are a little sparse but the moody lighting and equally atmospheric camera work cmmpensate. Much better looking than "A Night with the Boys". While not inventive, Brahm keeps things moving along at a breezy clip and there is a lot of strong character dynamics. The theme tune continues to haunt and the writing is mostly taut and intriguing. Hitchcock's bookending is amusingly ironic while gelling well tonally.
Bad things: It is not a perfect episode, the opening goes on a little too long and takes too long getting to the point.
Suspense could have been more in the second half where it all gets on the routine side. While the ending is interesting, it is also much too obvious far too early. For me, it was guessable around the halfway mark.
Closing thoughts: All in all, quite good if not great.
7/10.