Suspense Sundays (147) Tonight at 5:55

Suspense was a radio series from 1942 to 1962.  I have a fondness for "Old Time Radio" as we call it now, and Suspense is my favorite show.  It sets up weird, dark, scary, or intriguing stories with a plot twist in the end, and all in half an hour.  For Suspense Sundays I'll give a short review of an episode.

"Tonight at 5:55"

Air date: April 17, 1960
Starring Louis Van Routen & John Gibson

>>Episodes here<<

A small group of government men are locked in a room to decide on a very important matter.  Earlier the U.S. received a telegram stating that if the nation didn't surrender they would be attacked by nuclear missiles.  They have until 5:55 to respond.  The men are there to decide if they should attack first or call the other country's bluff.

This is one kind of Suspense story that I think would be fun to write.  To have a dilemma and to explore all sides of it through this small group of characters.  We can see different prejudices, opinions, and thought processes through this select group and it reveals a lot about humanity.  While I'm not the biggest fan of the political intrigue story, especially with something as ill-advised as nuclear warfare, this was still an interesting story because of how the characters had to deal with the potential consequences.  What was also interesting was the way this story ended, with no clear resolution/explanation of the consequences of the decision.  I normally don't like open-ended stories, but it was clear that this episode was made for everyone to think about the reality of the situation and make up their own mind.