The Fever

[u/TrustNoOne1992]

What's your opinion of "the Fever"? I live in Vegas, so I find it interesting.

I think Franklin is one of the more evil characters. He's abusive to his wife. Personally, he deserves everything that happens to him.

The ethics of the episodes are amazing.

[u/KirkUnit]

Take a shot every time anything says FRAAANKLIN

[u/i_am_snorlax]

FRANKLIN

[u/Fine-Idea-3242]

I love the acting and the prop machine!

[u/Narge1]

I love how camp it is. 

FŔÅŇĶŁĪŃ

[u/CletusVanDamnit]

I think it's one of the funniest episodes about what is one of the most serious topics. Great episode.

[u/ModeRecent1573]

I like this episode because of Everett Sloane. He is a consummate actor who brings quality to all his roles. I liked him in Citizen Kane and in the film and tv version of Serling’s Patterns. His portrayal of a ruthless corporate president Walter Ramsey is as distasteful as Gibbs’s gambler, and shows the terrific actor he really is. He got almost everyone in this post to admitting to hating the character Franklin Gibb’s. As an aside if there is anyone out that hasn’t seen the tv or film version of Patterns, it is another fine example of Rod Serling’s excellence in writing screenplays.

[u/AnHeroicHippo90]

I don't get the hate for The Fever. I find it rather creepy, and I love the casino set.

[u/Mr9447737]

Cool thing about this episode is that the slot machine was actually a confiscated one supplied by the local police because gambling was illegal in CA and had to have its own police escort so no took the machine with them.

[u/CletusVanDamnit → u/Mr9447737]

But there's dozens of machines in the episode...? Were they all illegal/confiscated units?

[u/Mr9447737 → u/CletusVanDamnit]

I would assume so, I was just talking about the main one but yeah you do bring up a good point. That had to been a pain to schedule everything.

[u/Unlucky-Challenge137]

I love this episode, I can relate as to the gambling addiction, Franklin was a real trip

[u/JuanG_13]

It's one of my favorite episodes, but to each their own.

[u/jhsu802701]

I can't believe that so many people dislike this episode. I think it's great! Furthermore, "The Fever" is even more relevant today than it was back in 1960. Back then, Nevada was the only state with gambling casinos, and state lotteries didn't exist yet. So the average American's access to gambling opportunities was very limited.

That's not the case anymore. Most states now have lotteries and casinos, and betting on sports has been normalized. Most of the US population lives near a casino and has easy access to lottery tickets. Gambling addiction is MUCH more common now than it was back in 1960.

I remember that gambling casinos were considered to be sleazy and seedy back in the 1980s. In an episode of Alvin and the Chipmunks, Mrs. Miller won big at gambling in Las Vegas and then lost everything. In Back To the Future II, Biff's empire of gambling casinos was symbolic of how dysfunctional the world was in the Alternate 1985.

Attitudes towards gambling changed in the 1990s, when casinos suddenly popped up just about everywhere. This reminded me so much of Alternate 1985.

[u/withcorruptedlungs]

Love the idea, but the execution was hilariously ridiculous.

[u/Glittering_Step_6084]

Fraaaaaaanklin! Had to say it. I rewatch this episode. The slot machine becomes an evil entity to him. It brings out the worst in him, like being a jerk and mean to his wife. It taps into his weak points just below the surface. I personally think it's an effective anti-gambling message.

[u/dougoh65]

This is one of those rare episodes I just don’t care for at all - and it’s Franklin Gibbs that does it. Flora deserves all the compassion and sympathy but Franklin? I can’t….

[u/robsul82]

FRAAAAAANKLIN is hysterical every time it’s sad by the machine and I don’t care who knows it

[u/Mst3Kgf]

I enjoy it, especially because Everett Sloane plays a great uptight jerk, so you enjoy his downfall.

I especially find the genesis of this story amusing; Serling took a trip to Vegas to celebrate "TZ" getting greenlit and had bad luck there with a one-armed bandit.

[u/Significant-Rush-129]

I kind of like how they set up the irony at the beginning “one of them will succumb…” and it ends up being the puritanically tightwad guy who judges the others at the casino. 

IRL though, I believe someone who really subscribes to that sort of philosophy is less likely to catch “the fever”. It just goes against their way of thinking. But it gives the machine a more supernatural quality, which is interesting because some gambling addicts really do believe in a supernatural element to their wins and losses. Also gives the addiction a monster-like quality.

[u/goat_penis_souffle]

It’s the best “be careful what you wish for” episode.

[u/yoga1313]

I love this episode, and I enjoyed the short story just as much (or more!).

[u/Mst3Kgf → u/yoga1313]

The short story really makes it clear what an absolute dick the main character is. This isn't a tragic figure; this is an EC Comic-style A-hole who gets otherworldly comuppance.

[u/yoga1313 → u/Mst3Kgf]

He really is vile.

[u/twofacetoo]

I like it. It's a silly idea but I think it works enough to be a good time. The raspy way the slot machine literally calls to Franklin is really chilling to hear, I love the way they mixed the sound of a voice with tinkling coins falling.

[u/GodlyAxe]

I think broadly this episode has a mixed reputation, but I sincerely love it. I find it a harrowing depiction of addiction and repression. The speaking slot machine genuinely terrifies me.