Ep 5. The Man Upstairs

The Ray Bradbury Theater season 2 episode 5 is entitled "The Man Upstairs." The episode is based on a short story by author Ray Bradbury and is set in a small town in the early 1900s. The protagonist is a 12-year-old boy named Douglas, who lives with his parents in a rented house. In the episode, viewers get to witness the struggles that the family has, mainly with money issues. The father is often away, working as a salesman, and the mother is always trying to stretch the little amount of money they have to take care of the family.

The episode takes a turn when Douglas starts to pray every night to the man upstairs, asking for a friend. One day, an old man moves into the empty house upstairs, and Douglas is ecstatic as he finally has someone to play with. The man, whose name is Mr. Koberman, is initially seen as weird by the neighbors, making them all uncomfortable. Douglas, however, quickly warms up to him, and they become close friends.

As the friendship between Douglas and Mr. Koberman grows, the boy begins to notice some strange things about his new friend. He watches him for hours as Mr. Koberman stays inside with the windows shut, and he hears strange noises coming from upstairs, including laughter and footsteps. Douglas begins to wonder what his friend is doing, and he even starts to worry that Mr. Koberman might be up to something sinister.

One night, Douglas decides to investigate and sneaks into Mr. Koberman's house. What he finds is not what he expected, for he sees that the old man is building something. Mr. Koberman explains that he is building a rocket ship, one that can take him to the stars. He reveals to a bewildered Douglas that he's from outer space and has been stuck on Earth, waiting for someone to come to take him home.

The episode takes a surprising turn as viewers witness the boy's reaction to his friend's confession and how he decides to tell his mother about it. Her reaction isn't as surprised, which confuses Douglas, but she shows him the bond between family and courage to do what the right thing is. The ending of the episode is a heartwarming one as the boy finally understands what it means to be a good friend.

The episode, "The Man Upstairs," is a classic and heartwarming tale that highlights the theme of friendship, courage, and family bonds. It beautifully captures the essence of Bradbury's writing style, especially since he often wrote about the human experience and the connections people share. Not only is the episode engaging, but it's visually stunning, with the set design and lighting perfectly capturing the era in which it is set. Overall, the episode leaves viewers with a sense of nostalgia and a renewed appreciation for the simple things in life.