Twilight Zone Sci-fi

[Nosferatu@Cult Labs]

Judging what exactly constitutes a sci-fi episode is very difficult as science fiction isn't really a definitive genre, comprising elements of horror, drama, science fact and topical stories. In the case of The Twilight Zone, there are numerous episodes which play on the (very real) fear of nuclear annihilation and the mysteries, wonder and danger of manned space flight.

That said, you generally know science fiction when you see it and these are three episodes I've selected as representing the best of Rod Serling's sci-fi episodes:

The Last Flight (Season One)

Nothing fits more into science fiction like time travel and, in this case, a British pilot from World War I finds himself completely out of water, and out of time, when he lands on a modern day America Air Force Base without any knowledge of how he got there or how to get back.



People Are Alike All over (Season One)

Another staple of science fiction is space flight, dating back to the mid-17th century with Cyrano De Bergerac's The States and Empires of the Moon and The States and Empires of the Sun, continuing with books like Joseph Atterley's A Voyage to the Moon and continuing with David Lindsay's A Voyage to Arcturus.

By 1960, travelling into orbit and even to the Moon was more science fact than science fiction, but travelling to Mars was something else entirely, so imagining what Martians would really be like and how 'Earthmen' would be treated when they got there was something both intriguing and terrifying.



Two (Season Three)

Set in a deserted and almost destroyed town somewhere in post-World War III America, this draws on the fears of what may happen if the US went into war culminating in (to quote Major Kong from Dr Strangelove) 'Nuclear combat, toe-to-toe with the Ruskies.'

With a cast of only two people – Charles Bronson and Elizabeth Montgomery, no less, as surviving soldiers from opposite sides, this brilliant episode which was written and directed by Montgomery Pitman, shows the likely devastating after effects of nuclear war and a possible way forward. As Rod Serling says in narration at the end: "This has been a love story, about two lonely people who found each other... in the Twilight Zone."



These are three episodes I picked out and Sarah will follow with hers next week but, in the meantime, what are your favourite sci-fi episodes and those which best define science fiction?

With Christmas approaching, these Twilight Zone sets would make perfect gifts for the sci-fi fan you know (or even for yourself!) and can be ordered by following the links below.

The Twilight Zone Season One (Blu-ray) - Amazon - HMV - Play

The Twilight Zone Season One (DVD) - Amazon - HMV - Play

The Twilight Zone Season Two (Blu-ray) - Amazon - HMV - Play

The Twilight Zone Season Two (DVD) - Amazon - HMV - Play

The Twilight Zone Season Three (Blu-ray) - Amazon - HMV - Play

The Twilight Zone Season Three (DVD) - Amazon - HMV - Play

[iluvdvds@Cult Labs]

A very interesting question Nos. Whilst I think that the majority of The Twilight Zone are obviously Sci-Fi, with all the aliens, time-traveling, etc, there's some that I would put firmly into the horror genre. Stuff like The Dummy for instance - one of the best episodes - but whether it's a supernatural horror or a sci-fi is subjective I guess. Even episodes like The Mind And The Matter, could be said to be sci-fi because of the messages behind it, even if there are no robots.

Just my 2 cents worth anyways.

[Sarah@Cult Labs]

It's a question I'm debating myself - what actually does constitute science-fiction? Especially in a series like Twilight Zone where the episodes can be quite genre-bending! There's usually sci-fi at the heart but, as Kyle says, some seem more like pure horror. I've noticed episodes too that dip into genres like romance, comedy, tragedy and so on.

So in a series that is predominantly sci-fi, what episodes can be said to be true sci-fi? I'll try to look at this myself next week a bit but it's a very interesting question!

I'd be interested to hear what people have to say...

[iluvdvds@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Sarah@Cult Labs

It's a question I'm debating myself - what actually does constitute science-fiction? Especially in a series like Twilight Zone where the episodes can be quite genre-bending! There's usually sci-fi at the heart but, as Kyle says, some seem more like pure horror. I've noticed episodes too that dip into genres like romance, comedy, tragedy and so on.

So in a series that is predominantly sci-fi, what episodes can be said to be true sci-fi? I'll try to look at this myself next week a bit but it's a very interesting question!

I'd be interested to hear what people have to say...

Don't forget Western too, Sarah. There's plenty of episodes that definetly belong to the Western genre!

I'm not sure there are any episodes which are strictly sci-fi, or strictly horror. Stuff like (my fav) Mr. Dingle, The Strong is one of the most sci-fiy of the lot (two headed aliens, superhero strength), and yet it's played for laughs, so could be called a comedy too. And does the twist make it a thriller? My head hurts.

[TwilightZoneTom@Cult Labs]

One of my favourite sci fi eps is Zone's first ep that I would consider to be sci fi: The Lonely.

Great location, simple premise and a brilliant and intense central performance.