I love this series, and especially Fred Gwynne's roles... but this episode is quite unsatisfying to me. He and the always brilliant Robert Dryden are as good here as in any other show in the series,  but the level of Gwynne's unrealistically stupid behavior from the outset is just too damned irritating to me to enjoy it fully. What kind of moronic pussywillow is Charlie? I understand his nervous disorder but good God, man, ACT. And even if I could accept that flaw, why would his otherwise smart and capable wife be just as weak? What kind of parents allow anyone to endanger their child, and then watch that child getting sick and sicker and not act, no matter the trouble? All the way around, there are ridiculous stressors and even more ridiculous non-reactions... to the point that as fantastic character actors as they are, the story itself (as related to Poe as flowers are related to accordions) betrays them. Too little, too late, and just unsatisfying.