Ep 16. Nightmare in 4-D

It's a race against time in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents season 2 episode titled Nightmare in 4-D. The episode features a man named Barry who agrees to undergo a revolutionary new treatment for his claustrophobia. But when the treatment goes awry, Barry finds himself trapped in a nightmarish world where his fears come to life.

The episode opens with Barry, a businessman living in New York City, coming to the realization that his fear of enclosed spaces, or claustrophobia, is starting to greatly impact his life. To remedy the situation, he visits a doctor who offers him an experimental treatment. The treatment is called 'four-dimensional psychotherapy' which is supposed to help Barry confront his fears in a safe, controlled environment. The doctor promises that the results will be painless and immediate. Desperate to overcome his phobia, Barry agrees to undergo the new treatment.

While undergoing the treatment, Barry soon realizes that everything is not as it seems. He begins to hallucinate and sees himself stuck in a small, enclosed space with no way out. The doctor had warned him that he would be placed in a controlled environment to help him face his fears, but the reality is far more frightening than anything he could have imagined. This nightmare becomes even worse when Barry realizes that he cannot wake up from this vivid dream.

As time passes, Barry's situation goes from bad to worse. He becomes increasingly frantic, desperately trying to escape the four-dimensional prison he finds himself in. Meanwhile, his friend and employer, who is waiting outside for him, is getting more and more concerned by his prolonged absence.

The rest of the episode plays out in a tense, suspenseful manner with Barry fighting to escape his nightmare while his friend, the doctor, and another doctor who was consulted during the treatment try to figure out how to bring him back to reality. The situation takes many twists and turns, with the audience never quite sure what is real and what is imagined.

The story highlights the dangers of untested, experimental treatments and raises questions about the ethics of offering unproven therapies. It also delves into the complex workings of the human mind and how our deepest fears and anxieties can manifest in unexpected ways.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents season 2 episode 16 Nightmare in 4-D is a classic example of vintage television storytelling at its best. It showcases Hitchcock's mastery of suspense and his ability to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. With its eerie storyline and talented cast, this episode is sure to keep viewers gripped until the very end.