Ep 2. Premonition

In the second episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents' first season, titled "Premonition," the audience is taken on a journey through the mind of a troubled housewife. The episode begins with Mrs. Bixbee, played by Patricia Collinge, trying to go about her day as usual. She is cooking breakfast for her husband, who kisses her on the cheek before walking out the door. Soon after, however, Mrs. Bixbee begins to experience a series of strange occurrences, each one more eerie than the last.

At first, Mrs. Bixbee brushes off the strange happenings as mere coincidences. She hears a siren in the distance, which she attributes to a nearby hospital. But then the siren continues to get louder and louder until it is right outside her window. She receives a phone call from someone claiming to be from her husband's employer, who informs her that her husband has not showed up for work that day. Mrs. Bixbee is worried but assumes her husband simply decided to take the day off.

However, as the day progresses, Mrs. Bixbee's unease only grows. She sees a man on the street who she believes is her husband, only to realize it is a complete stranger. She receives another phone call from her husband's employer, this time informing her that he has been fired. And then, as she is walking down the street, she sees a newspaper headline that makes her blood run cold: "Woman and Husband Killed in Collision."

From this point on, the episode becomes a gripping exploration of Mrs. Bixbee's psyche. She cannot shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen, and she starts to withdraw from the world around her. She avoids answering the phone, she refuses to leave her home, and she even tells her neighbor to go away when he comes to check on her. All the while, the audience is left wondering if Mrs. Bixbee's fears are justified or if she is simply suffering from a nervous breakdown.

As the episode draws to a close, Mrs. Bixbee's premonition reaches its climax. She hears a car screeching outside and then a loud crash. She runs outside to discover that her husband has been hit by a car and is lying in the street. The final shot of the episode shows Mrs. Bixbee standing alone on the sidewalk, staring off into the distance with tears in her eyes.

"Premonition" is a masterful example of Alfred Hitchcock's ability to create tension and suspense. From the very beginning, the audience is on edge, wondering what is going to happen next. As Mrs. Bixbee's fears escalate, the tension only increases. The episode keeps the audience guessing until the very end, and even then, there is an ambiguity that is both haunting and intriguing.

What makes "Premonition" stand out is its exploration of the power of the mind. Mrs. Bixbee's premonitions are never fully explained; we are never told if they are truly psychic or simply the product of her imagination. This ambiguity makes the episode all the more unsettling, as it raises questions about the nature of reality and the limits of human perception.

Overall, "Premonition" is a must-watch episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Its combination of suspenseful storytelling and psychological intrigue make it a standout in the series. Whether you are a fan of classic television or just someone who loves a good thriller, this episode is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.