History Recap / TheTwilightZone1959S5E8UncleSimon

* ThousandYardStare: Barbara, when Simon's lawyer shows up for the weekly investigation of the premises ("he makes his wants known"). Schwimmer's response is a signal that quite some time has passed.

->'''Creator/RodSerling''': Dramatis personae, a metal man who'll go by the name of Simon, whose life as well as his body has been stamped out for him; and the woman who tends to him, the lady Barbara, who's discovered belatedly that all bad things don't come to an end, and that [[AnAesop once a bed is made, it's quite necessary that you sleep in it.]] Tonight's uncomfortable little exercise in {{avarice}} and automatons, from the Twilight Zone.

->'''Creator/RodSerling''': Dramatis personae, a metal man who'll go by the name of Simon, whose life as well as his body has been stamped out for him; and the woman who tends to him, the lady Barbara, who's discovered belatedly that all bad things don't come to an end, and that [[AnAesop once a bed is made, it's quite necessary that you sleep in it.]] Tonight's uncomfortable little exercise in avarice and automatons, from the Twilight Zone.

* AnAesop: In addition to Serling's closing narration: in time, your true character ''will'' come out.

Simon Polk (Creator/CedricHardwicke) is an inventor. His niece Barbara (Constance Ford) can't stand him, particularly since he constantly nags her for hot chocolate. However, as he notes, 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 an undisclosed robot Simon created before his death. Thinking nothing of it, Barbara decides to go along with it; however, as she interacts with the robot, she finds it increasingly taking on the traits of her dead uncle, right down to his habits, personality, and eventually a limp. Since Mr. Schwimmer shows up regularly, as per the will's stipulations, Barbara realizes that the only way to inherit Simon's fortune is to continue looking after his property. ''Especially'' the robot.

* WorthIt: The reason the BatmanGambit on which the will is based works. Barbara still believes she can get the inheritance.
* XanatosGambit: The will was cleverly set up so that the 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.

* OnOneCondition: There is almost nothing ambiguous about the stipulations in Simon's will[[note]]except the time limit, as there would be in "The Masks"[[/note]]; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. If she selling or destroys or otherwise disposes of anything, refuses to take care of his inventions, or [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking leaves the house,]] Barbara forfeits ''everything'' to the state university. And his legal team has been instructed to visit every week to verify that she's following through on it.

* OnOneCondition: There is almost nothing ambiguous about the stipulations in Simon's will[[note]]except the time limit, as there would be in "The Masks"[[/note]]; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Selling or destroying anything? Disposing of anything? Refusing or skirting responsibility for his creations? [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Moving out?]] Barbara forfeits ''everything'' to the state university. And his legal team has been instructed to visit every week to verify that she's following through on it.

* AnAesop: In addition to Serling's closing narration, your true character will eventually come out.
* AndThereWasMuchRejoicing: To say that Barbara was pleased that Simon died is an understatement; he even lampshaded that very sentiment. Doesn't last long, though.

* BatmanGambit: The terms of the will make it a textbook example. Simon's plan to continue making Barbara miserable after his death wouldn't succeed if she just decided the money wasn't {{worth it}}.

* {{Determinator}}: If waiting on Simon for 25 years ''doesn't'' qualify Barbara as this, nothing does. And that's to say nothing of Simon himself.

* OnOneCondition: There is almost nothing ambiguous about the stipulations in Simon's will[[note]]except the time limit, as there would be in "The Masks"[[/note]]; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Selling or destroying anything? Disposing of anything? Refusing or skirting responsibility for his creations? [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Moving out?]] Barbara forfeits ''everything'' to the state university. And his legal team has been instructed to visit every week to verify that she's following through on it.

* ThousandYardStare: Barbara, when Simon's lawyer shows up for the weekly investigation of the premises ("he makes his wants known"). Schwimmer's response is a signal that quite some time has passed.
* WorthIt: The reason the BatmanGambit on which the will is based works. Barbara still believes she can get the inheritance.

* AndThereWasMuchRejoicing: To say that Barbara was pleased that Simon died is an understatement; he even lampshaded that very sentiment.

* BatmanGambit: The terms of the will make it a textbook example. Simon's plan to continue making Barbara miserable after his death wouldn't succeed if she just decided the money wasn't {{worth it}}.

* {{Determinator}}: If waiting on Simon for 25 years ''doesn't'' qualify Barbara as this, nothing does. And that's to say nothing of Simon himself.

* OnOneCondition: There is almost nothing ambiguous about the stipulations in Simon's will[[note]]except the time limit, as there would be in "The Masks"[[/note]]; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Selling or destroying anything? Disposing of anything? Refusing or skirting responsibility for his creations? [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Moving out?]] Barbara forfeits ''everything'' to the state university. And his legal team has been instructed to visit every week to verify that she's following through on it.

* ThousandYardStare: Barbara, when Simon's lawyer shows up for the weekly investigation of the premises ("he makes his wants known"). Schwimmer's response is a signal that quite some time has passed.
* WorthIt: The reason the BatmanGambit on which the will is based works. Barbara still believes she can get the inheritance.

* BatmanGambit: The terms of the will make it a textbook example. Simon's plan to continue making Barbara miserable after his death wouldn't succeed if she just decided the money wasn't {{worth it}}.

* CoolOldGuy: Simon, considering what he pulled off on Barbara.
* {{Determinator}}: If waiting on Simon for 25 years ''doesn't'' qualify Barbara as this, nothing does.

* OnOneCondition: There is almost nothing ambiguous about the stipulations in Simon's will[[note]]except for a time limit, as there would be in "The Masks"[[/note]]; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Disposing of any of his property? Selling or destroying his property? Refusing or skirting responsibility for his creations? [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Moving out?]] Barbara forfeits ''everything'' to the state university. And his legal team has been instructed to visit the mansion every week to verify that she ''is'' obeying his instructions.

* ThousandYardStare: Barbara, when Schwimmer shows up for a weekly investigation of the premises ("he makes his wants known").
* WorthIt: The reason the BatmanGambit on which the will is based works. Barbara still believes she can get the inheritance.

->'''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.

Simon Polk (Creator/CedricHardwicke) is an inventor. His niece Barbara (Constance Ford) can't stand him, particularly since he constantly nags her for hot chocolate. However, as he notes, 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 an undisclosed robot Simon created before his death. Thinking nothing of it, Barbara decides to go along with it; however, as she interacts with the robot, she finds it increasingly taking on the traits of her dead uncle, right down to his habits, personality, and eventually a limp. Since Mr. Schwimmer shows up regularly, 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.

->'''Creator/RodSerling''': Dramatis personae, a metal man who'll go by the name of Simon, whose life as well as his body has been stamped out for him; and the woman who tends to him, the lady Barbara, who's discovered belatedly that all bad things don't come to an end, and that once a bed is made, it's quite necessary that you sleep in it. Tonight's uncomfortable little exercise in avarice and automatons, from the Twilight Zone.

* IronicHell: As indicated in the BookEnds, Barbara was hoping for a financial inheritance and a brand new life; instead, she is stuck doing [[StatusQuoIsGod exactly what she was doing at the start]], only with a functionally immortal robot. LaserGuidedKarma, indeed.
* OnOneCondition: There is almost nothing ambiguous about the stipulations in Simon's will; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Disposing of any of his property? Leaving the premises? Refusing or skirting responsibility for his creations? Barbara forfeits ''everything'' to the state university. And his legal team has been instructed to visit the mansion every week to verify that she ''is'' obeying his instructions.

[[caption-width-right:350:Woman versus machine. WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong]]

%%[[caption-width-right:350:some caption text]]

Simon Polk (Creator/CedricHardwicke) is an inventor. His niece Barbara (Constance Ford) can't stand him, particularly since he constantly nags her for hot chocolate. However, as he notes, 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 an undisclosed robot Simon created before his death. Thinking nothing of it, Barbara decides to go along with it; however, as she interacts with the robot, she finds it increasingly taking on the traits of her dead uncle, right down to his habits, personality, and eventually a limp. Since Mr. Schwimmer shows up regularly, as per the will's stipulations that a member of the firm visit to verify that she's not reneging on her duties, Barbara realizes that the only way to inherit Simon's fortune is to continue caring for his inventions. ''Especially'' the robot.

!This episode includes examples of:

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, as he notes, 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 an undisclosed robot Simon created before his death. Thinking nothing of it, Barbara decides to go along with it; however, as she interacts with the robot, she finds it increasingly taking on the traits of her dead uncle, right down to his habits, personality, and eventually a limp. Since Mr. Schwimmer shows up regularly, as per the will's stipulations that a member of the firm visit to verify that she's not reneging on her duties, Barbara realizes that the only way to inherit Simon's fortune is to continue caring for his inventions. ''Especially'' the robot.

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

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, as he notes, 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 an undisclosed robot Simon created before his death. Thinking nothing of it, Barbara decides to go along with it; however, as she interacts with the robot, she finds it increasingly taking on the traits of her dead uncle, right down to his habits, personality, and eventually a limp. 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.

* 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.

* FeelNoPain: Simon's robot is functionally immortal. It needs no sleep and proves to be immune to anything Barbara can throw[[note: in either sense of the word]] at it.

* FeelNoPain: Simon's robot is functionally immortal. It needs no sleep and proves to be immune to anything Barbara can throw at him.

* BatmanGambit: The terms of the will make it a textbook example. 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: As indicated in the BookEnds, Barbara was hoping for an inheritance and a brand new life; instead, she is stuck doing [[StatusQuoIsGod exactly what she was doing at the start]], only with a functionally immortal robot. LaserGuidedKarma, indeed.

----> '''Barbara:''' “As of this second, as of this very second, I have quit suffering because of you. I am no longer sowing, Uncle Simon. As of right now, I am going to reap! Hey, world, I’m back! I’m ''really'' back!”

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, as he notes, 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 taking on the traits of her dead uncle, right down to his habits and personality. 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.

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, as he notes, 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, right down to his habits and personality. 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.

----> '''Barbara:''' “Hey, world, I’m back! I’m ''really'' back!”

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

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, right down to his habits and personality. 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.

* BatmanGambit: The terms of the will make it a textbook example. Simon's plan to continue making Barbara miserable after his death wouldn't succeed if she just decided the money wasn't worth it.

* OnOneCondition: There is almost nothing ambiguous about the stipulations in Simon's will; thus, LoopholeAbuse is averted. Destroying or disposing of any of his property? Moving outside the mansion? Refusing or skirting responsibility for his creations? Barbara forfeits ''everything'' to the state university. And his lawyer has been instructed to visit the mansion every week to verify that she is obeying his instructions.
* StaircaseTumble: How Simon dies and how Barbara attempts to destroy his robot, except that it ''doesn't'' break.