The Crossing (The Twilight Zone)

"The Crossing" is the thirty-eighth episode and the third episode of the third season (1988–89) of the television series The Twilight Zone.

Opening narration[]

There dwells within this parish a modern day apostle and master builder, who lists among his tools of trade a Bible, a rosary, and a calculator. His name: Father Mark Cassidy. Age: 42. A fair and noble man who's about to discover one of his accounts is still open. That account is labeled "guilt" and it's concealed in a ledger stored...in the Twilight Zone.

Plot[]

Parish Priest to St. Timothy's Church Father Mark Cassidy is again attempting to find the funds to open a children's wing at a local hospital. Maggie, his housekeeper and cook, comes in with his breakfast but he refuses except for a cup of coffee. She tells him he looks terrible and if he doesn't take care of himself he'll need a hospital bed. As Father Mark heads outside, he notices an old red station wagon that seems familiar. After it pulls away he hears a crash. He yells to Maggie to call 9-1-1 and heads down to the sound of the crash. He looks over the edge and sees the station wagon in flames, but when Maggie joins him the crash and car are gone.

Back at the parish, Father Cassidy is visited by Monsignor Perrault. Not only was he concerned about the funds for children's wing but Perrault also knows about what Father Cassidy imagined earlier. He feels Father Cassidy needs a vacation but he refuses. While teaching a class of children about self-sacrifice, Father Cassidy again sees the station wagon and then it drives off. Once again, he hears the crash. This time, the children follow him. He yells the name "Kelly" as he sees a girl in the car choking. He tells the children to find help but finds the accident missing upon looking at the scene again. Later, sitting before a fire and studying his Bible, Father Cassidy becomes lost in thought. He begins looking at pictures of himself and the girl named Kelly. The pictures show them sitting on the station wagon that has been appearing to him.

At the fundraising meeting, Perrault announces that the children's wing will be built and it will be dedicated to Father Cassidy. He accepts the honor but talks incoherently about whether or not he deserves it. Perrault quickly intercedes and concludes the meeting. Afterward, Perrault and Father Cassidy discuss him taking a vacation and he discovers that he has been ordered by the bishop to do so. Perrault tells Mark that he has put St. Timothy's and the community back on its feet and it will stand on its own. But Father Cassidy asks what he is to do now and Perrault tells him to let God steer him where He needs him.

That night at the church Father Cassidy confesses to God that he was a coward and the guilt is hurting him. When the accident with the station wagon occurred, he wasn't brave enough to save Kelly. The next day, from his office Mark once again sees the station wagon with Kelly behind the wheel. He goes outside, enters the vehicle with Kelly and they drive away. The accident occurs. At the funeral for Father Cassidy, Kelly appears in black and puts a rose on his coffin. She smiles and walks off.

Closing narration[]

Blessed are the pure in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. A message delivered from thousands of pulpits to millions of people yearning for peace, including one local parish priest whose road to peace and salvation crossed right through...the Twilight Zone.

External links[]

• "The Crossing" at IMDb