This time travel entry could have benefited from more imaginative direction. The premise is an interesting one that we have all pondered at sometime or another-- can the course of history be altered by going back in time to change a significant event. Or is history in some sense inalterable-- at least in those major events that clearly affect its course. Here the history-shaping event is the Lincoln assassination which clearly affected the nation's future course. Setting aside the probably impossible problems that a "yes, the past is alterable" answer would entail, it's at least fun to speculate.
The episode, however, is filmed without imagination or style. Having Johnson grab his brow while the focus goes fuzzy to indicate the transition moment is much too facile, while the 1860's sets suggest little historical change at all. Too bad an atmospheric director like John Brahm wasn't in charge. What the episode does have is a terrific performance by John Lasel as the florid John Wilkes Booth, and a latter day look at 1940's teen idol Jimmy Lydon as the credulous policeman. Also, the time traveling handkerchief robs the story of an interesting ambiguity-- perhaps he only imagined his trip after a relaxing evening by the fire with friends.
The episode, however, is filmed without imagination or style. Having Johnson grab his brow while the focus goes fuzzy to indicate the transition moment is much too facile, while the 1860's sets suggest little historical change at all. Too bad an atmospheric director like John Brahm wasn't in charge. What the episode does have is a terrific performance by John Lasel as the florid John Wilkes Booth, and a latter day look at 1940's teen idol Jimmy Lydon as the credulous policeman. Also, the time traveling handkerchief robs the story of an interesting ambiguity-- perhaps he only imagined his trip after a relaxing evening by the fire with friends.