Amazing Stories Review: The Cellar (Season 1 Episode 1)
The revival of Amazing Stories starts off with romance on its mind, and it’s a rousing success. Amazing Stories Season 1 Episode 1, “The Cellar,” finds a lot of its power through star-crossed lovers lost to time, and how time and technology are barriers to fate.
The very first thing to notice about the show is its undeniable optimism. There is hope in the air, and even if it’s a bittersweet ending, there is still hope through both its leads finding their true life. It’s becoming rarer that an anthology show has optimism in its heart, but with Little America and now Amazing Stories, Apple is bringing it back.
The episode handles the theme of both Sam and Evelyn being of different times incredibly well, allowing them both to feel like a fish out of water as they accept their new realities. Sam’s is certainly more developed since it’s over the course of the episode where we get to see him in this new reality, but Evelyn’s feelings of being trapped allow the past to guide the future she wants.
The small gestures of hope that Sam provides her are like an awakening, as though he’s the beacon of a future that she didn’t know she could have. The moment at the speakeasy, where Evelyn sings on stage, is as though her entire life is unlocked now, and the possibilities are endless. The past may not want that for her, as her fiancee beats on Sam and tries to steal her back, but the future isn’t done with her.
It’s a rather positive message, that one’s future overpowers the past and places them on the path they’re always meant to be on. Sam sacrifices the love he holds for not only his family but for Evelyn to allow her the future she deserves. In the end, both ultimately get what they want, as Sam accepts the past as where he belongs now, but it’s pushing Evelyn to take the plunge (literally, as it turns out, in the flooding cellar) that is the true sign of how much she means to him.
Even with so much hope, there is tragedy. Sam and his brother don’t entirely separate on the best terms, with Sam’s sanity coming into question. But the rare baseball card making a comeback is a sign that there are no hard feelings, at least, as does Evelyn’s sudden appearance, proving it all to be true. But it’s a tough ending for their relationship, since they’re so close and leave things unsaid.
Dylan O’Brien and Victoria Pedretti make wonderful leads on the episode, their performances saying just as much with their eyes as they do with their dialogue. The standout moment is when Evelyn is on stage, and how despite everyone else in the room, they are both drawn to each other, and us to them. Even when other dancers may obscure their view, they still barely break their eyeline.
It’s moments like those that really sell the conflict and the emotions they hold for one another.
Another interesting before-and-after for Sam is that he does not appreciate the house’s charm and character at first, as he only sees the flaws and its age. By episode’s end, his opinion has entirely shifted, and he appreciates the charm and character of the past, finally finding his place. It’s the old adage “stop and smell the roses” in full effect once Sam’s slowed down and seeing things for what they are.
The episode does a great job segmenting the differences a century can make, not only through lifestyles but through how technology factors into lives. Sam’s initial time is spent locked behind his phone screen, swiping left and right to try and find a connection. Once he’s in the past, it’s more personal and the connection between Evelyn and himself is born out of kindness and allowing someone to be themself.
The house at its various stages over the past, the present, and the future is a solid production design choice to show the passage of time and how the house is the mainstay, its visual design a great way to show the various periods.
It’s an overall comment on the whole production, as well, the way Amazing Stories is able to discern the time periods and make them feel genuine and unique to each other. Combined with the great costume work, the show is pulling out all the stops to stand out as a gorgeous series.
Amazing Stories Season 1 Episode 1, “The Cellar,” is a beautiful short story about the effects of time and how it can cause someone to appreciate things. While time can be cruel to love, it’s also a chance for hope, as it allows Evelyn the chance she never had in the past. With stories like these, the show can be a brilliant return, as it shows that there is still goodness to find.
Some stray thoughts on the episode:
- At the very beginning of the episode, Sam mentions that carpet may be best to replace over the floor. During Evelyn’s future that ends the episode, there is carpet on the floor.
- It’s great to have the original Amazing Stories theme back from John Williams. Just like this episode, it’s timeless!
What did you think of this episode of Amazing Stories? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Amazing Stories streams Fridays on Apple TV+.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.