Boy, I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt somewhat underwhelmed by "The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine".
That is a great list! I was looking for something like that. Thanks.
"Walking Distance" (1x05)
Synopsis: While middle-aged businessman Martin Sloan visits his hometown, he suddenly finds himself in the past.
Review: "Walking Distance" is a brilliant episode and represents the high point of the series thus far. Everything is in place: the casting, the dialog, the direction, the music – yet the episode seems to be even larger than the sum of its parts, mainly because of its fascinating topic, which – although similiar to "The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine" in some respects – permits a very easy identification due to how it is presented. Most people should be familiar with the longing for the simplicity of their carefree childhood in the confusing everyday life of adulthood. "Walking Distance" manages to deals with this topic on a reduced, simplified and yet marvelously deep level.
The tools with which this is managed are numerous, but the episode owes much of its effectiveness to Bernard Herrmann's legendary score, which – contrary to many other episodes – was especially composed for "Walking Distance". The music is able to communicate the sweet feeling of innocence which inherits the childhood of the protagonist while at the same time it conveys the emotional force to which he sees himself exposed when confronted with his past.
Additionally, the creative direction of the episode is quite impressive for a television production. The moment when Martin Sloan unknowingly starts to walk into the past and the camera follows him in the reflection of a mirror is particularly well done. Also, there are many moments throughout the episode when the direction subtly brings the fact to the viewer's attention that we are in a dream world.
While Gig Young marvelously portrays the busy melancholic, it is primarily Frank Overton's performance as Martin's father which draws attention to it.
Trek fans might remember him as Elias Sandoval from the classic "This Side of Paradise". Although much briefer, his performance is far more impressive here.
The message of the episode is conceivably simple and yet very profound: Our past cannot be brought back. And he who cannot let go of it will never be able to become happy here and now.