‘Felicity’ Steps Into the ‘Zone’ for One Episode

She loved Ben. She lost Ben.

She loved Noel. She lost Noel.

If anyone needs treatment for the broken-hearted, it is emotionally torn college sophomore Felicity Porter (Keri Russell).

In Sunday’s very special episode of the WB drama “Felicity,” we cross over to another dimension for a sly, smart and surreal homage to one of television’s timeless greats, “The Twilight Zone.”

Co-creator J.J. Abrams, who wrote this faithfully rendered black-and-white piece saluting the spirit of Rod Serling, did so because of his admiration for the artful anthology, some of whose clever yarns were helmed by Lamont Johnson, the Emmy Award-winning director deftly calling the shots on this particular (and some might say peculiar) “Felicity.”

The less said the better in terms of plot, but fans should know that executive producer Abrams has replicated the original’s lighting (oh, those shadows), ‘60s wardrobe and moody music to give us the feel and nuance of a typical “T-Zone,” all of it adding up to an offbeat but thoroughly enjoyable hour.

Briefly, the story finds Felicity reluctantly seeking assistance at a creepy clinic for the lovelorn, where a dour doctor (Dennis Lipscomb) promises an undisclosed therapy.

Afterward, our pretty protagonist is hearing things, seeing things and having a conversation with a dead guy.

And in an unexpected twist reminiscent of any scripting from the sterling Serling, we finally get a peek at the heretofore concealed contents of the secret box kept by weird, ever-hostile roommate Meghan (Amanda Foreman).

“Felicity” viewers may grouse about the surprising departure in style, but credit Abrams with breaking from the norm to offer something unique.

In this entertaining effort, he is truly in the zone.

* “Felicity” can be seen Sundays at 8 p.m. on the WB. The network has rated it TV-PG (may be unsuitable for young children).