Ep 9. The Long Shot

In Alfred Hitchcock Presents season 1 episode 9, entitled "The Long Shot," viewers are taken on a thrilling journey that explores the lengths one man is willing to go to in order to win a bet. The episode begins with a group of men sitting at a bar, watching a horse race on the television. Among them is Barney, a man who is known for his love of gambling. As the race progresses, it becomes clear that the horse he bet on is about to lose.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Barney comes up with a plan to ensure his victory. He makes a bet with George, the bartender, that he can take a photo of him holding a gun to his head and survive. If he succeeds, he'll win the $20,000 that George has in savings. The two men shake on the bet, and Barney sets off to make his plan a reality.

The majority of the episode follows Barney as he attempts to capture the perfect photograph. He visits a number of different locations, including a gun store, a film studio, and even a graveyard. He enlists the help of a makeup artist to make his staged death look as realistic as possible. He even goes so far as to create a dummy version of himself that he can use in the photograph, in case the real thing doesn't work out.

As Barney's obsession with winning the bet deepens, he becomes increasingly reckless. He puts himself in danger multiple times, experiencing several close calls with death. Even when he realizes that he could back out of the bet and avoid all of the risk and danger, he continues to pursue the photograph.

The tension in the episode builds steadily as Barney's attempts become more and more desperate. The audience is left wondering whether or not he will be successful in his quest, and at what cost it will come.

At its core, "The Long Shot" is a character study of a man who is willing to risk everything for the sake of a bet. It explores the psychology of gambling and addiction, and the lengths to which people will go to feed their addiction. Throughout the episode, Barney's obsession with winning the bet starts to take over his entire life. He becomes consumed with the idea that he can't back down, no matter how dangerous the situation becomes.

Another theme that runs throughout the episode is the idea of morality and consequences. At several points, Barney is presented with opportunities to back out of the bet and avoid the danger that he has put himself in. However, each time he chooses to continue on, despite the potential consequences. The episode ultimately raises the question of whether or not it is ever worth it to risk everything for the sake of a bet.

Overall, "The Long Shot" is a tense and engaging episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. It showcases the masterful storytelling of Alfred Hitchcock, as he takes a simple premise and turns it into a gripping exploration of human psychology and the consequences of our actions. Viewers who enjoy psychological thrillers and character-driven drama will find much to enjoy in this episode.