THE TWILIGHT ZONE, PART 9: Alone Again, Unnaturally

From Season One, Episode 1, loneliness and isolation have been a major theme of The Twilight Zone. By the late 50’s, the age of extended families living under one roof or even in the same community had significantly disappeared in America, and it continues today, with mammoth urban apartment complexes, little-box suburbs, and condominium associations filled … Continue reading THE TWILIGHT ZONE, PART 9: Alone Again, Unnaturally

THE TWILIGHT ZONE, PART 6: Other Dimensions Are Where You Find Them

Last week, we watched The Twilight Zone not to learn answers or to receive moral lessons. Instead, Rod Serling unsettled us with the fear of the unknown, the situation that has no answer. This week, in the most classic of the episodes we watched, Serling shows us that he can scare us and explain it all away. Instead of … Continue reading THE TWILIGHT ZONE, PART 6: Other Dimensions Are Where You Find Them

THE TWILIGHT ZONE, PART 5: Stretching the Boundaries of Imagination

When I was in eighth grade, I had this wonderful English teacher who loved to make us write stories. I want to say for the record that the tales I produced – none of which I can remember – were wholly original, but they were clearly influenced by The Twilight Zone. Fortunately, my teacher enjoyed my … Continue reading THE TWILIGHT ZONE, PART 5: Stretching the Boundaries of Imagination

THE TWILIGHT ZONE, PART 3: The Evil That Men Do

Rod Serling’s moralism ran high in the many parables he wrote to illustrate how rotten mankind can be. Sometimes, frankly, it could be unwatchable, like his 1964 TV-movie, A Carol for Another Christmas, a modern retelling of Dicken’s classic tale. Commissioned to promote the United Nations. Serling replaces the heart and charm of the original with … Continue reading THE TWILIGHT ZONE, PART 3: The Evil That Men Do