History Recap / TheTwilightZone1959S5E8UncleSimon

* XanatosGambit: The will was cleverly set up so that the state university would get all his money no matter what, [[WinsByDoingAbsolutelyNothing without having to do a thing]]. Exactly when that happens depends entirely on Barbara, who ''will' be doing all of the dirty work.

* XanatosGambit: The will was cleverly set up so that the state university would get all his money no matter what, without having to do any dirty work. Exactly when that happens depends entirely on Barbara.

* DrinkOrder: Simon likes hot chocolate, and is always forcing Barbara into making it for him.

* IronicHell: As indicated in the BookEnds, Barbara was hoping for an inheritance and a brand new life; instead, she is stuck doing exactly what she was doing at the start, only with a functionally immortal robot. LaserGuidedKarma, indeed.

* IronicHell: As indicated in the BookEnds, Barbara was hoping for an inheritance and a brand new life; instead, she is stuck doing exactly what she was doing at the start, only with a functionally immortal robot. LaserGuidedKarma, indeed.

* WorthIt: The reason the BatmanGambit on which the will is based works.
* XanatosGambit: The will was cleverly set up so that the state university would get all his money no matter what, without having to do the dirty work. Exactly when that happens depends entirely on Barbara.

Simon Polk (Cedric Hardwicke) is an inventor. His niece Barbara (Constance Ford) can't stand him, particularly since he constantly nags her for hot chocolate. However, she keeps waiting on him in hopes of gaining his wealth after he dies. While she does indeed become heir to his estate after Simon tumbles down the stairs, the will has some very strict conditions, one of which is caring for a robot Simon created before his death. Barbara decides to go along with it; however, as she interacts with the robot, she finds it increasingly resembling her dead uncle. Since Mr. Schwimmer shows up regularly for inspection, as per the will's stipulations, Barbara realizes that the only way to inherit Simon's fortune is to continue caring for his inventions. Especially the robot.

* IronicHell: The robot proves to be functionally immortal ''and'' it takes on Simon's personality, right down to the precise specifications of the DrinkOrder. Which means it's not only not going to die, it's likely to be immune to any physical tactic Barbara can think up. LaserGuidedKarma, indeed.
* OnOneCondition: There is almost nothing ambiguous about the stipulations in Simon's will; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Destroying or selling any of his liquid assets? Moving off the premises? Refusing or skirting responsibility for his creations? Barbara forfeits ''everything'' to his alma mater. And his lawyer has been instructed to visit the mansion every week to verify that she is following through on the terms.

* XanatosGambit: The will was cleverly set up so that Simon's alma mater would get all his money no matter what, without having to do the dirty work. Exactly when that happens depends entirely on Barbara.

* IronicHell: Barbara handles the robot on the stairway exactly as she handled her uncle, except that it ''doesn't'' break. Quite the opposite. Which means the robot will probably be around as long as she is. LaserGuidedKarma, indeed.
* OnOneCondition: There is nothing ambiguous in Simon's will; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Destroying or selling any of his liquid assets? Moving off the premises? Refusing to care of his inventions? Barbara forfeits ''everything'' to his alma mater. And his lawyer has been instructed to visit the mansion every week to verify that she is following through on the terms.
* StaircaseTumble: How Simon dies and how Barbara attempts to destroy his robot.

* XanatosGambit: The will was cleverly set up so that Simon's alma mater would get his money. Exactly when that happens depends entirely on Barbara.

* WorthIt: The reason the BatmanGambit on which the will is based works.

Simon Polk (Cedric Hardwicke) is an inventor. His niece Barbara (Constance Ford) can't stand him, particularly since he constantly nags her for hot chocolate. However, she keeps waiting on him in hopes of gaining his wealth after he dies. While she does indeed become heir to his estate after Simon tumbles down the stairs, the will has some very strict conditions, one of which is caring for a robot Simon created before his death. Barbara decides to go along with it; however, as she interacts with the robot, she finds it increasingly resembling her dead uncle. Since Mr. Schwimmer shows up regularly for inspection, as per the will's stipulations, Barbara realizes that the only way to inherit Simon's fortune is to continue caring for his robot.

* BatmanGambit: Clearly factored into the terms of the will. Simon's plan to continue making Barbara miserable after his death wouldn't succeed if she just decided the money wasn't worth it.

* IronicHell: Barbara handles the robot exactly as she handled her uncle, except that it ''doesn't'' die. Which means the robot will probably be around as long as she is. LaserGuidedKarma, indeed.
* OnOneCondition: There is nothing ambiguous in Simon's will; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Destroying or selling any of his liquid assets? Moving off the premises? Refusing to care of his inventions? Barbara forfeits the entire estate to his alma mater. And his lawyer has been instructed to visit the mansion every week to verify that she is following through on the terms.

* GoldDigger / {{Greed}}: Barbara's motivation. She doesn't like her uncle, but she's his only heir.

* {{Greed}}: Barbara's motivation. She doesn't like her uncle, but she's his only heir.

* WorthIt: Played straight and factored into the BatmanGambit.

* StaircaseTumble: How Simon dies and how Barbara attempts to destroy his robot.

* OnOneCondition: There is nothing ambiguous in Simon's will; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Destroying or selling any of his liquid assets? Moving off the premises? Refusing to care of his inventions? Barbara forfeits the entire estate. And his lawyer has been instructed to visit the mansion every week to verify that she is following through on the terms.

Simon Polk (Cedric Hardwicke) is an inventor. His niece Barbara (Constance Ford) can't stand him, particularly since he constantly nags her for hot chocolate. However, she keeps waiting on him in hopes of gaining his wealth after he dies. While she does indeed become heir to his estate after Simon tumbles down the stairs, the will has some very strict conditions, one of which is caring for a robot Simon created before his death. Barbara decides to go along with it; however, as she interacts with the robot, she finds it increasingly resembling her dead uncle. Since Mr. Schwimmer shows up regularly for inspection, Barbara realizes that the only way to inherit Simon's fortune is to continue caring for his robot.

%%Simon Polk (Cedric Hardwicke) is an inventor. His niece Barbara (Constance Ford) can't stand him, particularly since he constantly nags her for hot chocolate.

%%Since Mr. Schwimmer shows up regularly for inspection, Barbara realizes that the only way to inherit Simon's fortune is to continue caring for his robot.

* BatmanGambit: Clearly factored into the terms of the will.
* BookEnds: The episode begins with Barbara waiting on her uncle. It ends with her waiting on the robot that takes on his traits.
* {{Greed}}: Barbara's motivation.

* OnOneCondition: There is nothing ambiguous in Simon's will; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Destroying or selling any of his liquid assets? Moving off the premises? Not taking care of his inventions? Barbara forfeits the entire estate (including the money). And his lawyer has been instructed to visit the mansion every week to make damn sure she respects the terms.

* OnOneCondition: There is nothing ambiguous in Simon's will; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Destroying or selling any of his liquid assets? Moving off the premises? Not taking care of his inventions? Barbara forfeits the entire estate (including the money). And his lawyer has been instructed to make damn sure she respects the terms.
* StaircaseTumble: How Simon dies.

* OnOneCondition: There is nothing ambiguous in Simon's will. Destroying or selling any of his liquid assets? Moving off the premises? Not taking care of his robot? Barbara forfeits the entire estate (including the money). And Mr. Schwimmer is going to make damn sure of it.

->'''Creator/RodSerling''': Dramatis personae: Mr. Simon Polk, a gentleman who has lived out his life in a gleeful rage; and the young lady who's just beat the hasty retreat is Mr. Polk's niece, Barbara. She has lived her life as if during each ensuing hour she had a dentist appointment. There is yet a third member of the company soon to be seen. He now resides in the laboratory and he is the kind of character to be found only in the Twilight Zone.

* AssholeVictim: Both Barbara and Simon, she for being greedy and he for being a chronically crotchety complainer.
* IronicHell: Barbara handles the robot exactly as she handled her uncle, except that it ''doesn't'' die. Which means the robot will probably be around as long as she is.

* IronicHell: Barbara handles the robot exactly as she handled her uncle, except that it ''doesn't'' die. And since his lawyer shows up regularly to make sure she isn't shirking her duties...

%%* AssholeVictim: Both Barbara and Simon.
* IronicHell: Mr. Schwimmer makes sure that Barbara isn't shirking her duties toward the robot.

%%Simon Polk (Cedric Hardwicke) is an inventor.

%%His niece Barbara (Constance Ford) can't stand him, particularly since he constantly nags her.

->'''Creator/RodSerling''': Dramatis personae: Mr. Simon Polk, a gentleman who has lived out his life in a gleeful rage; and the young lady who's just beat the hasty retreat is Mr. Polk's niece, Barbara. She has lived her life as if during each ensuing hour she had a dentist appointment. There is yet a third member of the company soon to be seen. He now resides in the laboratory and he is the kind of character to be found only in the Twilight Zone.

Since Mr. Schwimmer shows up regularly, Barbara realizes that the only way to inherit Simon's fortune is to