Amazing Stories Review: The Rift (Season 1 Episode 5)
Everything happens for a reason, even time travel, as we learn on Amazing Stories Season 1 Episode 5, “The Rift.”
It’s another episode that feels like something out of the classic Amblin vault, where a sudden meeting upends lives and sends them on a journey of finding out that what they’re looking for is right in front of them.
The episode cleverly plays with the idea of fate and having to return just as you came. But it’s the impact that Cole leaves behind in Mary Ann and Elijah’s lives that makes his passage through the rift possible, as he gives both them and his own life a sense of closure. This incident brings both widow and stepson closer than before, and becomes a second moment of saying goodbye to a pilot that’s touched their lives.
The episode becomes the bonding moment for Mary Ann and Elijah, where the devastating loss they face is tested and Elijah missing with Cole becomes that reminder of how much he means to Mary Ann. It also allows Elijah to see the lengths Mary Ann goes to in order to protect him, while seeing that sometimes it takes time to see reason, as he does with Cole realizing he must go back through the rift.
A small downer is that Cole is essentially going back to his death, if the obituary is to be believed. The Whiz bar being unnecessary for his return, and therefore the bulletproof vest could have gone back with him, is a sad thought.
There’s also the fact that Edward Burns doesn’t get to do a whole lot, and he could have been great if given a little more. His no-nonsense character is the right kind of energy to sell the ramifications of getting this rift closure right.
The last few moments of the episode really manage to do the heavy lifting. The scene where Cole finally gets to visit Pauline is such a kind, touching moment, where it’s everything he hoped for and provides that closure he’s been searching for his whole time in the present.
There’s also the entire build-up to Cole’s flight back into the rift, which feels so much like Close Encounters of the Third Kind’s third act. Even slightly invoking that iconic scene is an exciting moment, but it’s Mark Isham’s score, Austin Stowell, and the use of rift colors that really help that moment land.
Mark Mylod directs the hell out of “The Rift,” as he captures moments of emotional impact and beauty without losing any of the excitement or urgency that it all represents. The back half of the episode works a little better than the first half, but Mylod’s direction remains excellent throughout, especially during the car sequence in the muddy paths.
One funny little thing that becomes a common occurrence is the reckless driving. Pretty much everyone is driving a bit too aggressively, even Mary Ann when she’s backing up or pulling a U-turn. But it does add to the speediness of the episode, so it does fit.
Kerry Bishe is always great, and here is no different. Mary Ann is still emotionally distressed from the loss of her husband, and so a lot of the role comes down to worrying and wanting to get back to fixing her life, but there are genuine moments, like at the airstrip field, where Bishe is able to do so much with the emotion of her character and searching for what’s best for everyone.
Duncan Joiner has a fun role as the person pushing Cole to figure out everything, and he does well here as Elijah. He’s also fantastic on the recent Prime Video sci-fi anthology series Tales From The Loop. It’s the kind of role where it could easily get annoying because of Elijah being the instigator to Cole being difficult to find, but it works because Elijah is looking for any excuse to being dropped off with his aunt.
Austin Stowell is a rather stoic presence on the episode, and his classic film look and charms work great as he tries to piece together where and when he is. He does wonders with the scene where he gets to finally say goodbye to Pauline, able to really sell the emotion of the scene, as brief as it gets to be.
Amazing Stories Season 1 Episode 5, “The Rift,” can feel a little scattershot with its ideals, but it’s through its heart and emotions that it hits all the right notes. The show continues to be a great production piece with top-notch visual treats and scores, but there is this slightness to the episodes, as though they deserve a little more time, that affects even this successful episode.
But with emotion, the show is capturing something special.
What did you think of this episode of Amazing Stories? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Amazing Stories streams Fridays on Apple TV+.
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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.