I think most people agree-- including Serling-- that the half hour format was ideal for the Twilight Zone. Particularly if there was some sort of twist.
This one could very easily have been a half hour but it works well stretched out to a full hour and just takes its time the whole way through. It's basically a slow burn episode which gives us time to appreciate both sides of the situation.
In effect, it's a character study of several characters, where BOTH sides are experiencing the Zone.
I do agree with some reviewers that having nobody heard of JFK seemed a bit too far, as well as having other extensive historical differences. The more subtle changes were more interesting and (relatively) more believable. That election was close and I would have liked it better if Nixon had won and they would have all known exactly who JFK was. That would have fit the "something's off" and "someone's confused" vibe better.
This one could very easily have been a half hour but it works well stretched out to a full hour and just takes its time the whole way through. It's basically a slow burn episode which gives us time to appreciate both sides of the situation.
In effect, it's a character study of several characters, where BOTH sides are experiencing the Zone.
I do agree with some reviewers that having nobody heard of JFK seemed a bit too far, as well as having other extensive historical differences. The more subtle changes were more interesting and (relatively) more believable. That election was close and I would have liked it better if Nixon had won and they would have all known exactly who JFK was. That would have fit the "something's off" and "someone's confused" vibe better.