Marathon Madness

This week bring many things with the Fourth of July holiday, including a favorite of mine—the Sci Fi Channel’s annual Twilight Zone episode Marathon.

I won’t belabor why I like the Twilight Zone here, as the series has been endlessly talked about elsewhere … sometimes to the point of far overshadowing some other decent shows of a similar vein, including The Outer Limits (which I felt was faithfully adapted into the newer series by Showtime).
Instead, I’ll present two lists: the first is a list of five episodes that are recommended viewing for those who have never experienced the show (are there such unfortunates??) and the second, a list of my personal favorite “second-stringer” episodes—these are not the episodes that first leap to mind as the best (some of which I mention in my first list) but rather a number of episodes that are less well-known but in my opinion noteworthy nonetheless. I’ve purposely skipped over some famous episodes (“It’s a Good Life” and “The Invaders” spring to mind for a start) here and tried to go for other, less obvious choices, though I’m sure the more TZ-savvy will be acquainted with most or all of them regardless. On to the lists!

Five Must-Watch Twilight Zone Episodes

1. Nightmare at 20,000 Feet
For me, this is the quintessential Twilight Zone episode. It embodies that deeper fear that all human possess … to encounter something fearful and have no one believe you, no one at all. Adapted from the brilliant Richard Matheson script (and short story) and well played by William Shatner, who generates sympathy not only as a frightened man no one believes, but also as a man desperately afraid he may soon question his own sanity. Matheson once looked out a plane window while flying and thought, “what if I saw a man out there?” and this lead to what may be one of the most famous episodes of all. The episode is doubly good considering that it aired during TZ’s Fifth Season, when most TZ concepts had already become painfully cliché.
The somewhat goofy gremlin design (a William Tuttle mask coupled with a furry suit from wardrobe) fails to undermine the pure horror Matheson evokes here.

2. Where is Everybody?
The original pilot and a good intro to the series. Here the fear of being alone is well tapped. The scene in which Mike Ferris (Earl Holliman) desperately pushes against a phone booth only to realize it pulls open came from a similar experience Rod Serling had in which he panicked inside an airport phone booth.

3. A Stop at Willoughby
Who can’t feel empathy for a man who feels overworked, underappreciated, and stressed out by life? It's easy to feel the need for escape, and this episode implies that for some, death is the ultimate escape.

4. Time Enough at Last
This episode usually is named on most best episode lists. A charming performance by that TZ veteran Burgess Meredith (who starred in three other episodes of the show) as the goofy but endearing Henry Bemis, victim of a harsh wife and unforgiving boss. The cruel, ironic ending lingers long after the closing credits.

5. The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
Serling often wrote episodes that warned about the dangers of mob mentality (“The Old Man in the Cave” and The Shelter” are two such episodes that come to mind) and here he does it best in a story that demonstrates that our own worst enemy is indeed ourselves.

Runner-Ups: It’s a Good Life, The Invaders, The Lonely

Which is your favorite episode of these?

Give your opinion"Nightmare at 20,000 Feet""Where is Everybody?""A Stop at Willoughby""Time Enough at Last""The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"

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Ratatosk’s Oft-Overlooked Twilight Zone Episodes

1. Nick of Time
A couple in love, sitting in a sunny diner being served by a good-natured counterman—not the place to find evil unless you are deep in the Twilight Zone. The creepy machine (which you may be able to purchase here or build yourself!) was probably based on the popular Ask Swami diner machines of the 1940s. It is a real co-star here, a little tin tyrant quite willing to consume your life if you give it half a chance.

Nice episode summary here.

2. The Midnight Sun
One of many frightening episodes dealing with the breakdown of society after a natural disaster (man-made or otherwise)—something that I’ve always found scary myself. Here the Earth has broken loose from its normal orbit and tumbles ever closer to the Sun. The words of the neighbor Mrs. Bronson at the end are haunting, “Yes, my dear … it’s wonderful.”
(Astute viewers might recognize the actress here—Betty Garde—as the sarcastic Thelma the Maid in an episode of The Honeymooners.)

3. Back There
In this episode Russell Johnson (much better known as the Professor in Gilligan’s Isle) tries to undo the assassination of President Lincoln—and learns that it isn’t easy to change what has already happened.

4. Mirror Image
An eerie episode that explores man’s hidden fear of losing his own identity.
I’ve had people tell me that they’ve “seen my twin” more than once, and one time, long ago, I experienced a bout of folks waving to me and addressing me—by another name. I often wonder what that other me is really up to…

5. To Serve Man
Probably the most popular episode on this list, maybe too popular, but worth a note. No great moral here except to always look a gift horse in the mouth. (And the crabby Russsian diplomat in the UN scene is right!)
This great episode always make me think of Charton Heston’s shrieking “Soylent Green is people!” years later in 1973.

6. Living Doll
Scary. You couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for Erich Streator (Telly Savalas), even if he is an ass. I’ve always found dolls creepy and this episode is a major nightmare come to life for many. Comparisons with other works, such as Ray Bradbury’s brilliant “A Small Assassin” aren’t unjustified. “My name is Talky Tina, and you’d better be nice to me.” Yikes! And to think June Foray, who did the voice of Rocky the Flying Squirrel, gave voice to this small creature.

7. Mr. Bevis
It’s a Wonderful Life told in a half-hour. A charming performance by Orson Bean as the child-like Bevis. A gem.

8. Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up
A classic “who done it?" story told in pure Twilight Zone style. Two policemen, a bus driver, and seven passengers huddle in a snow-bound diner—the problem: one isn't human. (Why do all these weird episodes take place in diners, anyway?) Great surprise ending.

9. The Arrival
An episode with an engaging mystery that keeps us watching. The success of the episode is somewhat lessened by the less-than-fulfilling ending, but Harold Stone’s performance easily makes up for it. Watch as Inspector Sheckly begins with a business-like, iron-clad control and slowly loses control of everything around him even as he struggles to make sense of it all.

10. The After Hours
Another creepy episode. This one runs a bit long but still delivers.

Happy marathon watching and
a happy 4th of July!