"The Indestructible Mr Weems" was actually one of the 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes that this reviewer was in all honesty not expecting to enjoy or much from. Or at least to this extent. The premise on paper is not a great one and sounds ridiculous (and that's being generous). Sometimes though there have been premises in film and television that do not sound great conceptually but actually manage to be a big surprise in a good way. So expectations were mixed for this.
Fortunately, "The Indestructible Mr Weems" was one of the 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes that was infinitely better than expected, and it was amazing that something near special was done with a premise that didn't have that much promise. What could easily have been one of the most ludicrous Season 2 episodes turned out to be one of the most interesting and entertaining. It is also much better than the disappointing previous episode "Father and Son" and one of director Justus Addiss' best episodes.
Maybe it is a little on the ordinary side to begin with, but this is one of the few Season 2 episodes where it was very hard to find fault.
It is a very well acted episode for one thing. Robert Middleton carries his role with a good amount of intensity, while Russell Collins plays his slippery eel one with unsettling unpredictability. The character interaction is strong throughout with no exception, igniting especially when anybody is interacting with Collins. Addiss' direction is some of his most accomplished and inspired for any of his ten 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes, especially in the second half.
As far as Season 2 goes, "The Indestructible Mr Weems" is one of the best written. Absolutely love the droll irony of Hitchcock's bookending, and the twist is absolutely delicious and was not expected at all. The season did vary when it came to its twists, more so than the previous season, the one here is one of the most unpredictable and cleverest therefore one of the best. Every bit as delicious is the dark humour, which is genuinely funny too (which is great as to me dark humour doesn't always come off).
The story is tightly paced and is nowhere near as ludicrous as it sounds, the second half is actually quite suspenseful. Production values are solid and atmospheric and the theme tune is suitably macabre.
Overall, absolutely great. 9/10.