James Neilson directed two 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes prior to "The Legacy". They being "Help Wanted" and "The Orderly World of Mr Appleby", both worth watching episodes without being great or particularly distinguished. "The Legacy" is another change of pace for Season 1, with a slighter and lighter feel and a different type of story. Changes of pace should never be automatically dismissed, Season 1 was no stranger to changes of pace and did them well ("Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid").
"The Legacy" is another one of Neilson's efforts, so pretty much the same as his previous two instalments, worth watching without being great or particularly distinguished. It is a long way from being one of the best episodes of Season 1 or 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents', but the change of pace is handled quite well and it is miles better than the incredibly disappointing previous episode "The Hidden Thing". It is very understandable though if it doesn't click for all.
Did think that the story is too on the lightweight and thin side, and there is a preference for the more suspenseful and tense sort of episodes (the types of stories where Hitchcock was at his finest).
Maybe it could have had a tighter pace, a few draggy stretches here and there. The ending at least makes sense, but comes off a little blandly and forgettably. The make up for Jacques Bergerac agreed is an eyesore and seemed excessive and not needed.
Having said all of this, it is a slick looking episode and Neilson directs more than competently, with a mostly assured pace and a sense that he knew what he was doing. Hitchcock's bookending is as enjoyable and drolly ironic as ever, not coming as out of place. The main theme for the series has lost none of its memorability. The script is thought provoking while not taking itself too seriously or coming over as verbose.
Furthermore, the story provokes thought enough and even better is the character writing, very interesting psychologically. As was the interaction, which was a lot more detailed than one expects for this story. Jacques Bergerac is dashing, while Leora Dana brings real poignancy and honesty to her mousy character.
Concluding, not bad at all and pretty decent, if not exceptional. 7/10.
