Ep 4. Kill with Kindness

Kill with Kindness is the fourth episode of the second season of the iconic anthology series, Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The episode, which originally aired on October 21, 1956, explores the dark side of human nature and the destructive power of jealousy.

The episode centers around Mary Maloney (played by Barbara Bel Geddes), a sweet and innocent woman who is married to a successful police detective named Patrick (played by Harold J. Stone). Mary is heavily pregnant and devoted to her husband, but her world is shattered when Patrick suddenly announces that he is leaving her. Mary is devastated by the news, but instead of lashing out in anger, she decides to take a different approach.

Determined to win back Patrick's affections, Mary devises a plan to show him how much she loves him. She decides to make him his favorite dinner, and even goes so far as to buy a leg of lamb and cook it to perfection. However, when Patrick arrives home, Mary's plans take a dark turn. In a fit of rage, she kills Patrick with the leg of lamb, and then frantically tries to cover up her crime.

The rest of the episode follows Mary as she tries to dispose of the evidence and evade suspicion. She sets out to create an alibi by pretending that Patrick is still alive, going so far as to call his colleagues on the phone and pretend that he is still working on a case. Mary seems to be getting away with her crime, but as events unfold, it becomes clear that she may not be as clever as she thinks.

One of the things that makes Kill with Kindness such a compelling episode is the way it explores the themes of jealousy and betrayal. Mary's murder of Patrick is not a crime of passion, but rather a calculated act of revenge. She is angry and hurt by his decision to leave her, and she wants to make him pay for it. The episode also touches on the idea of how far we are willing to go to protect the things we love, and whether our actions are truly justified.

In addition to its powerful themes, Kill with Kindness is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. As Hitchcock himself said, "there is no terror in a bang, only in the anticipation of it." The episode builds tension slowly, drawing the audience into Mary's twisted world and keeping them on the edge of their seats. Bel Geddes delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Mary, capturing both her vulnerability and her dark side.

Overall, Kill with Kindness is a stunning episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents that showcases the best of the series' storytelling. It combines powerful themes with masterful suspense, creating a truly unforgettable viewing experience.