Who or what was Jeff Myrtlebank ....
after he returned to life at his own funeral?
We really don't know enough to say. For example: The custom of waiting 2 to 3 days between death or seeming death was developed in part to avoid folks being buried alive. One of George Washington's last requests was that attendants "not let my body be put into the Vault in less than three days after I am dead."
shareInteresting fact about Washington.
We do know when Myrtlebank lights a match without striking it on anything that something supernatural is going on. What's never made clear is whether this supernatural something is benevolent or not. We see evidence that it could be benevolent -- Myrtlebank is now a much harder worker than he was before -- as well as malevolent -- Myrtlebank's son grows up to be a politician. Unlike so many other episodes that make clear distinctions between good and evil the makers of "Myrtlebank" never tell us what to think of their titular character. I think that makes for a more interesting piece than "Myrtlebank" might have been otherwise.
It's interesting. I always felt that Jeff did come back but with a little darker soul. It's almost as if we never found out his true purpose. He always seemed like he had something else in mind and didn't have the smaller thinking at everyone else did. I would rate him more closer to evil than good but with a mind your own business attitude to him.
shareHe made all those threats and I feel he had the ability to do it. I think the old men were right that a spirit entered his body. His kids were said to possess some abilities themselves.
shareYes. His threats were quite awful too! Twilight Zone had a great way of having evil on earth and having you fear someone without showing you anything. Jeff, Little Evil Anthony, Willie, PIP etc... all characters that were as evil as it gets and yet without all the fire and brimstone. That's why these can't be remade. To subtle for today's audience. There would be too many jump scares.
shareBut was Myrtlebank evil? Yeah, the bouquet of roses he picked are all dead when he gives him to his girl. But that might have less to do with evil and more an indication Myrtlebank is no longer of this Earth. Plus, he's now a harder worker as his parents observe. He also deals with potentially violent townsfolk with a shrewdness that he no doubt passed on to his son who winded-up a politician. In the end, Myrtlebank's reanimation seems to have had an effect on him that is not wholly good or evil; instead, it's something subtler, which is to the episode's benefit.
I think he was. I believe he was as Jeff seemed to be hiding something. Ted mentions it was stuble. On my rewatch I noticed a few things like his face changes like when he talks to comfort brother he seems like he gained or acted like he just heard about the bullying he received from him. Also the dead move quickly and in the fight moved strangely. His punches were strong that he felt his jaw was broken and would've kept fighting him if his girlfriend along with their mom hadnt walked outside.
Also when he hands off the flowers he acts like he suspected they would be dead and tries to play it off like it was nothing.
Jeff seems quick to anger no matter how casual the conversation is.
Also the match does light itself and he tells comfort that she needs to stop seeing things. I picture them getting married with weird occurances happening often and she'll feel like she has gone crazy or seeing things.
I believe he was.