Breaking down the episode “The Self-Improvement of Salvadore Ross” - 8 categories, 1 final score
S5, Ep 16: “The Self-Improvement of Salvadore Ross”
(Trying to win the affection of an old flame, a brutish man finds an odd way to improve his lot in life)
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1️⃣ Storyline:
There are legitimately two whole storylines operating at once within this episode: the abusive jerk who’s trying to impress the girl and prove his worth to her and her father - and then also the method Sal discovers, by which he can attempt to do so. The relationship between Sal & Leah on its own is hardly worthy of being TZ-fare; but the “swap ability” that Sal discovers is one of my favorite devices ever conceived of by the Twilight Zone.
I have never really enjoyed the start of this episode, partially because Sal’s treatment of Leah is just so darn grotesque but it’s also not the type of stuff I want from my Serling-time 😂 The middle portion, however, is fantastic - I think the way they show the swapping evolve is marvelous, and honestly I would gladly sign up for a longer runtime or even more episodes specifically within this universe. The ending is abrupt, but solid. It leans hard into the human condition and (though it may be seen as a bit corny) carries a great message.
Score: 7/10
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2️⃣ Atmosphere:
The first and third sections are fine but not atmospheric at all - just characters at odds with each other in a small apartment. But the meat of the episode, the storyline in between, has me immersed almost immediately. I love the idea of someone trying to quantify exactly what their years, their health, and their estate, is worth to them.
Score: 6/10
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3️⃣ Existential Terror:
From the main character’s POV, I don’t see this category as a particularly weighty one. He doesn’t have the self-awareness to feel existential terror, I don’t believe. But the life-swapping scenes, particularly the ones where Sal buys youth from the bellhops, are truly awful if we consider the reality of what’s happening. The last time Sal buys youth watches like a brief moment from a psychological horror movie.
Which leads into the next category…
Score: 6/10
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4️⃣ Creepiness:
… While this episode is far from a ghost story or supernatural scary tale, there are extremely disturbing elements at play - especially if we read into some of the scenes.
The evolution of Sal discovering how to trade for youth, and then the montage of him exploring those transactions, is just DISTURBING. I don’t mean that as a negative at all, those scenes are very well done! They just also make my skin crawl.
Score: 5/10
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5️⃣ Message:
Are some of the lessons delivered within “Salvadore Ross” quite on-the-nose? Without a doubt. But they are excellent messages and I do think they are effectively painted for the audience.
We cannot become “good people” just by acquiring wealth or status. We cannot buy a quality reputation. And among all human qualities, compassion and tenderness rank higher than most.
Score: 10/10
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6️⃣ World-Building:
The world-building of the main characters is fine but pretty vanilla. But I LOVE the way the episode explores the “rules” or mechanics of how the swapping works; it’s one of my favorite plot devices in a TZ.
Score: 5/10
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7️⃣ Acting:
Don Gordon and Gail Kobe are solid as the two leads. Gordon gets a bit over the top at times, but he’s fine. Kobe is generally very good, although she can drift into syrupy-dramatic mode at times.
Vaughn Taylor is always fantastic, and this episode is no exception. It’s not exactly a “let him cook” role, but he does a great job with the opportunity at hand.
The other actors aren’t awful but they aren’t memorable.
Score: 5/10
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8️⃣ The Human Condition:
So many aspects of the human condition are explored in this one Twilight Zone: the quest for companionship, the value of time vs money, “what makes a man?”, just to name a few. This isn’t one of my all-time favorite TZ installments, but it’s definitely one of the better ones in the 5th season.
Score: 9/10
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✅ Total Score:
53
“The Self-Improvement of Salvadore Ross” never shows up on people’s Mt. Rushmore lists of the Twilight Zone, but it has some very enthralling pieces to it. Perhaps a more gripping and believable love story or a different protagonist could have taken this from a solid upper-mid tier TZ to an all-time great. As it is, we have an imperfect but very appealing and thought-provoking episode, and one that you should go watch if you haven’t lately.
What do YOU think? 🤷🏼♂️
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