The Twilight Zone produced a number of the most iconic episodes of tv of all time. By utilizing incredible components to discover delicate subjects, The Twilight Zone may very well be thought-provoking, surprising, and, at occasions, controversial. The phrase controversial carries a connotation that it should imply unhealthy, however that’s not essentially the case.
Controversy could be meaningless if it solely exists to offend, however when used intelligently, it’s in a position to begin a dialog – to open a dialogue about habits that should change even when it’s “acceptable” within the eyes of a present social local weather. Rod Serling wasn’t afraid to make the viewers uncomfortable if it meant they thought of society from a perspective they hadn’t beforehand thought-about. The next episodes of The Twilight Zone have the potential to create controversy with a contemporary viewers, a testomony to how impactful the present stays.
10
“What’s within the Field”
Season 5, Episode 24
A deeply sad couple make it their major focus to select on the different within the season 5 episode “What’s within the Field.” Joe (William Demarest) has had sufficient of his spouse Phyllis (Joan Blondell), and she or he feels precisely the identical manner. When a not too long ago repaired tv offers Joe a entrance row view of his personal infidelity, he’s fast to show the channel. Nevertheless, when he sees a broadcast of him killing Phyllis, Joe has to marvel if he’s watching fiction or issues to return.
One of many extra imply spirited episodes, Joe and Phyllis’s interactions are paying homage to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s exchanges in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, however extra violent. Because the bitter married couple interact in a bodily combat that ends in Joe punching Phyllis out a window to her demise, one can assume anybody who has been the sufferer of home violence will discover the episode arduous to look at. That mentioned, followers of the HBO anthology collection Tales From the Crypt will contemplate this a misplaced episode of the present.
9
“The Chaser”
Season 1, Episode 31
Love, or the phantasm of affection, can include a hefty worth within the season three episode, “The Chaser.” Roger (George Grizzard) is hopelessly obsessive about the beautiful and composed Leila (Patricia Barry), however she makes it clear that she doesn’t reciprocate his advances. Unphased, Roger is beneficial the companies of a mysterious man who could make a potion that may sway Leila into loving him. When Roger efficiently makes use of the potion, he’ll study there could be an excessive amount of of a great factor.
Clearly, Roger is within the mistaken and in want of a lesson to be taught, however he wouldn’t be embraced as a sympathetic protagonist by a brand new era of viewers. Roger by no means sees Leila as an precise individual with emotions or desires of her personal – he can solely see her as an object he can both possess or get rid of. The potion Leila drank is irreversible, outdoors the poison that Roger significantly considers, so even when Roger has “realized his lesson,” Leila is trapped in a faithful relationship she didn’t select and, in her proper thoughts, was vocally in opposition to.
8
“An Incidence at Owl Creek Bridge”
Season 5, Episode 22
A Accomplice sympathizer faces execution by hanging from the Union forces earlier than making a miraculous escape that appears too good to be true. By means of sheer pressure of will, the person travels and survives the weather with the singular objective of constructing it again into the arms of his spouse. On the finish of the episode, he accomplishes his process, however earlier than he can rejoice, the rope round his neck snaps tight, and he dies from hanging. The escape was merely a fantasy within the final moments of his life.
“An Incidence at Owl Creek Bridge” is exclusive in that it was a brief movie that was really re-edited to suit the format of The Twilight Zone. The quick story of the identical identify by Ambrose Bierce has been tailored a number of occasions, however the episode may trigger a stir with audiences not enthusiastic to look at a Accomplice sympathizer as a protagonist. The Civil Conflict doesn’t play a central position within the episode, however it’s a time period that displays one of many ugliest eras of the US.
7
“The Fever”
Season 1, Episode 17
A free journey to Las Vegas has unexpected prices for a pair in “The Fever.” Flora (Vivi Janiss) is happy concerning the change of surroundings, however her husband, Franklin (Everett Sloane), has adverse emotions concerning the metropolis and even worse opinions about playing. Nevertheless, the beckoning name of a slot machine turns into louder and louder till it’s the one factor Franklin is ready to hear. Despite the fact that they have been solely meant to remain for a couple of days, Franklin is doomed to spend his remaining days chasing the fun of a win.
“The Fever” is about as simple of a morality story as they arrive for The Twilight Zone, the place the evils of habit, on this case playing, take heart stage. Whereas this will not be as surprising or controversial as different episodes, viewers who’ve both seen the destruction of habit or skilled it firsthand will perceive the burden of the story. “The Fever” is usually gentle in its presentation, however as Franklin berates his spouse for interrupting his time on the slots, the story speaks volumes concerning the harm attributable to the affliction.
6
“The Altering of the Guard”
Season 3, Episode 37
On the finish of his profession, Professor Ellis Fowler (Donald Pleasence) finds himself questioning whether or not his life had any that means. Figuring out that he provided nothing and his work was in useless, Ellis plans to kill himself on Christmas Eve. Earlier than he can perform his last needs, he’s beckoned to talk to the ghosts of his former college students who have been impressed by his phrases. At peace that his life had that means – and his phrases have been taken to coronary heart by others, Ellis calmly embraces his retirement.
Suicide is a painful subject for the family and friends who’ve misplaced folks near them from the tragic actions. For these, the episode of “The Altering of the Guard” may probably be drastically distressing to look at, even with a optimistic message because the core component of the story. In fashionable programming, there’s usually a warning concerning the content material that will likely be featured in an episode, and no matter the place particular person viewers stand on the trouble, it is a solace to those that want it.
5
“Twenty Two”
Season 2, Episode 17
Liz Powell (Barbara Nichols) is a dancer whose keep within the hospital is meant to be calming to her overworked nerves, but it surely seems to be the alternative within the season two episode “Twenty Two.” Every evening, Liz is woke up and pushed to research sounds that lead her to the hospital’s morgue, the place a menacing nurse tells her, “Room for yet one more, honey.” Terrified, she makes an attempt to inform her physician and supervisor, however they dismiss it as rambling fantasies. When Liz checks out from the hospital, she does nicely to belief her intuition and ignore the boys round her.
“Twenty Two” is an successfully creepy episode of The Twilight Zone that lingers on the horror facet of the present’s choices. The condescending manner that each her male physician and supervisor communicate to her all through the episode is a reminder of the gender inequality that’s nonetheless current in numerous facets of recent society. Ultimately, Liz is left with nobody to show to, however she’s strong-willed sufficient to know what she noticed was greater than a meaningless dream.
4
“You Drive”
Season 5, Episode 15
Whereas distracted behind the wheel, Oliver Pope (Edward Andrews) fatally hits a 12-year-old-boy on a motorbike delivering newspapers, and relatively than cease to get assist, he drives away in an act of cowardice and disgrace. Though Oliver refuses to return ahead, his automobile has different concepts, and begins to often honk and cease on the intersection the place the hit-and-run occurred. Oliver permits another person to take the blame for the demise, however the automobile will be certain justice is served.
“You Drive” is one other incredible instance of how darkish season 5 of The Twilight Zone could be. Killing a boy on a motorbike would in all probability be additional than most networks can be prepared to go on prime-time tv now. The age and innocence of the sufferer makes the influence of Oliver’s crime extra egregious within the eyes of many mother and father, however that may be a cause for outrage.
3
“The Mirror”
Season 3, Episode 6
“The Mirror” opens with a celebration within the wake of a profitable authorities revolution in Central America. The chief, Ramos Clemente (Peter Falk), toasts his 4 closest associates who contributed to the victory, they usually look ahead to a brand new day of serving to the folks. Nevertheless, Ramos shortly spirals right into a murderous paranoia that claims the lives of his closest confidants, and finally, himself.
Falk does a superb job within the a part of Ramos, however the concept of the pre-Columbo actor sporting make-up and utilizing an accent to painting a Fidel Castro-type revolutionary wouldn’t go over nicely with fashionable audiences. “The Mirror” does an efficient job of condensing the cautionary story of energy and corruption into the temporary runtime, but it surely looks as if it wouldn’t have been that tough to get somebody of the proper nationality to play the half.
2
“Nightmare as a Youngster”
Season 1, Episode 29
In “Nightmare As a Youngster,” a lady has an opportunity encounter with a well-known baby who is aware of totally an excessive amount of about her. Helen (Janice Rule) finds an odd baby named Markie (Terry Burnham) outdoors her door who is aware of intimate particulars about her. When Helen is visited by a mysterious man from her childhood, she will likely be pressured to relive terrifying moments of her previous that reveal who Markie really is.
“Nightmare As a Youngster,” is an successfully unsettling episode due to Burnham’s efficiency because the adult-like baby with an otherworldly presence. Helen’s sluggish development of unearthing buried childhood trauma will hit near residence for individuals who skilled abuse of any selection as an adolescent, which may very well be a painful watch. The crimes of the person who pays Helen a go to should not totally spoken of, however there’s an implication of his emotions towards her as a baby that might be controversial it doesn’t matter what 12 months it was created.
1
“The Encounter”
Season 5, Episode 31
“The Encounter” follows a younger Japanese American man named Arthur (George Takei), who stops by the home of a stranger on the lookout for work. The proprietor of the home, a World Conflict II veteran named Fenton (Neville Model), invitations Arthur up for a drink and a proposal to assist him clear out the attic. The interplay begins calmly sufficient, however the presence of a cursed sword slowly pushes each males towards an altercation. Neither will survive.
In sure circumstances, the powers that be acknowledged controversy instantly, like when “The Encounter” first aired. Famously, the racially charged episode was pulled from airing after it’s preliminary premiere till 2016, making it a topic of curiosity amongst The Twilight Zone followers. Whereas the racist undertones to the 2 males’s dialog is within the spirit of most different episodes within the anthology collection, the plot reveals that Arthur’s father was a spy for the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor, perpetuating a dangerous stereotype in the direction of Japanese Individuals.
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