The Twilight Zone produced a number of the most iconic episodes of tv of all time. Through the use of incredible parts to discover delicate subjects, The Twilight Zone could possibly be thought-provoking, surprising, and, at instances, controversial. The phrase controversial carries a connotation that it should imply dangerous, however that’s not essentially the case.
Controversy could be meaningless if it solely exists to offend, however when used intelligently, it’s capable of 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 considered 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 most important focus to choose 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 means. When a lately 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 battle that ends in Joe punching Phyllis out a window to her loss of life, 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 sequence 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 value 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 providers 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 an excellent factor.
Clearly, Roger is within the incorrect and in want of a lesson to be taught, however he wouldn’t be embraced as a sympathetic protagonist by a brand new technology of viewers. Roger by no means sees Leila as an precise particular person with emotions or desires of her personal – he can solely see her as an object he can both possess or eliminate. The potion Leila drank is irreversible, outdoors the poison that Roger significantly considers, so even when Roger has “discovered 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 Prevalence 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 power of will, the person travels and survives the weather with the singular purpose of creating it again into the arms of his spouse. On the finish of the episode, he accomplishes his activity, 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 Prevalence at Owl Creek Bridge” is exclusive in that it was a brief movie that was truly re-edited to suit the format of The Twilight Zone. The brief story of the identical title by Ambrose Bierce has been tailored a number of instances, however the episode may trigger a stir with audiences not enthusiastic to look at a Accomplice sympathizer as a protagonist. The Civil Battle doesn’t play a central function within the episode, however it’s a time frame 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 worked up in regards to the change of surroundings, however her husband, Franklin (Everett Sloane), has detrimental emotions in regards to 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. Though they have been solely supposed to remain for just a few days, Franklin is doomed to spend his remaining days chasing the joys 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 dependancy, on this case playing, take heart stage. Whereas this might not be as surprising or controversial as different episodes, viewers who’ve both seen the destruction of dependancy or skilled it firsthand will perceive the load of the story. “The Fever” is generally mild in its presentation, however as Franklin berates his spouse for interrupting his time on the slots, the story speaks volumes relating to the injury 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 which 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 closing 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 which 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 doubtlessly be significantly distressing to look at, even with a optimistic message because the core ingredient of the story. In fashionable programming, there’s usually a warning relating to the content material that can be featured in an episode, and no matter the place particular person viewers stand on the hassle, 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 analyze sounds that lead her to the hospital’s morgue, the place a menacing nurse tells her, “Room for another, 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 lads round her.
“Twenty Two” is an successfully creepy episode of The Twilight Zone that lingers on the horror aspect of the present’s choices. The condescending means 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 features of contemporary 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 motorcycle delivering newspapers, and reasonably 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 ceaselessly honk and cease on the intersection the place the hit-and-run occurred. Oliver permits another person to take the blame for the loss of life, however the automobile will be sure 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 motorcycle would most likely be additional than most networks could 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 dad and mom, however that is also 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, and so they look ahead to a brand new day of serving to the folks. Nevertheless, Ramos rapidly 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 thought of the pre-Columbo actor carrying 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 transient runtime, but it surely looks as if it wouldn’t have been that arduous to get somebody of the right nationality to play the half.
2
“Nightmare as a Little one”
Season 1, Episode 29
In “Nightmare As a Little one,” a lady has an opportunity encounter with a well-recognized little one who is aware of solely an excessive amount of about her. Helen (Janice Rule) finds a wierd little one 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 can be compelled to relive terrifying moments of her previous that reveal who Markie truly is.
“Nightmare As a Little one,” is an successfully unsettling episode due to Burnham’s efficiency because the adult-like little one with an otherworldly presence. Helen’s gradual development of unearthing buried childhood trauma will hit near dwelling for individuals who skilled abuse of any selection as an adolescent, which could possibly be a painful watch. The crimes of the person who pays Helen a go to usually are not absolutely spoken of, however there’s an implication of his emotions towards her as a baby that might be controversial it doesn’t matter what yr 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 in search of work. The proprietor of the home, a World Battle II veteran named Fenton (Neville Model), invitations Arthur up for a drink and a suggestion 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 instances, 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 sequence, 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 People.
