This episode is a disappointment for me, since from the very beginning it's blindingly obvious that the specialty is a human There's absolutely no suspense.
The only question is if the diners know, and that doesn't really get answered?
"Worthington, we're being attacked by giant bats!"
I agree that it is pretty obvious, but I still think its one of the better episodes. As for if the club members know, I'm gonna say no since club members are the meal. I wouldn't eat there if I knew I was likely to be killed and fed to people.
shareIt's a terrific episode, beautifully written, directed, shot and acted.
We don't just watch these shows for "the twist ending", for heaven's sake.
And it's not just WHAT'S going to happen...it's to whom and HOW.
I agree. I think it just paces up to an ending instead of it being some shock ending like you'd get on the Twilight Zone. It's enjoyable watching it play out.
As for the question of the diners knowing they're eating human, that's a very interesting question!
I love this episode. I like watching how it all plays out. One of my favorites.
And this would fit Hitchcock's definition of suspense, which is when the audience knows something the main characters don't know.
We watch the protagonist, who loves this place and its special meal, get a upclose and personal exposure to what is truly unique about it ..and his curiosity is fatal.
Here is Hitchcock's definition of suspense vs surprise: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/728496-there-is-a-distinct-difference-between-suspense-and-surprise-and
It is great when we too are surprised though.
P.S. I think the longtime members do of course know they are eating human. That is why they are so transfixed when the victim is walking toward the kitchen. It's been a while since I've seen it but doesn't the bouncer warn the man not to go back there.
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"I thought you were class,like a high note you hit once in a lifetime."- Young Man With a Horn(1950)
I didn't find it without suspense. I didn't get that the specialty is a human until at least near the end. I don't think the diners knew. If they did, and didn't have a problem with it morally, they would realize that they would be on the menu eventually. Great episode in my opinion.
share"The only question is if the diners know, and that doesn't really get answered?"
I don't think the diners know, since Mr. Laffler obviously didn't know. He believed the specialty was lamb, and he explained that the sheep supposedly came from Africa. And, as someone else pointed out, the waiter begs Laffler not to go into the kitchen (because the waiter does know).
I like it. Not a favorite, but a classic. Specialty Of The House has many fans. I've know a few real life ones, going back decades. For a long while I avoided it in reruns because I knew the ending, which was no big surprise the first time. It's rather telegraphed, but no matter.
What makes it watchable for me is the acting, writing and direction. It moves along briskly, keeps its Big Secret discreetly and, wisely, on the part of the production staff, it wasn't made for a Big Payoff ending. There is one (I suppose you could call it that), but like a piece of music, Specialty has qualities of its own that hold one's attention, and I now watch it every time it's rebroadcast.
Another one like that was on last night (Don't Interrupt), set on a train and centering on an obnoxious child, which I find riveting even as precious little actually happens. Chill Wills sold it for me. His odd, enigmatic presence was creepy from his first appearance.