The most dedicated science-fiction fans may already know this, but all signs indicate that CBS wants to revive the historic series The Twilight Zone through Jordan Peele's production company, with Marco Ramirez (The Defenders, Daredevil) at the helm. More than fifty years have passed since the original version aired, and beyond its good intentions, this reboot has its hands full.
CBS's latest venture with Star Trek: Discovery is paying off, and that has prompted its executives to double down on science fiction, announcing the return of a true heavyweight: The Twilight Zone. If we look back, the series added 65 additional episodes thanks to a new version in the 1980s, Rod Serling's "Lost Classics" were published in '94, and the second reboot in 2002 delivered another 43 episodes. Perhaps it's a good time for the original series format to return, with self-contained stories that viewers can watch at any time without being tied to continuity. Of course, that depends on how good the new writers are, and I think it's not a bad idea to revisit some of the classic episodes to which they should at least measure up. It won't be easy…
It's a Good Life
Based on the story Jerome Bixby published in 1953, It's a Good Life reminds us that monsters can take many forms and are defined only by their actions. After all, how can we call a six-year-old child, capricious, unstable, and omnipotent, who terrorizes his family and neighbors, forcing them to be happy… always?
Nightmare at 20.000 Feet
Years before his iconic role in Star Trek, William Shatner stepped into the Twilight Zone as Robert Wilson, a salesman by profession and a family man who just wants to get home. Unfortunately, the fragility of his mind will manifest in a very particular way: is he imagining a gremlin on the wing of the plane?
Eye of the Beholder
Miss Janet Tyler, also known as patient 307, has undergone her eleventh and final operation to change her horrible appearance. The story shows Janet's crisis, covered in bandages. Doctors and nurses worry about her possible reaction, but once the bandages are removed, Janet and we ourselves will learn a thing or two about the meaning of 'beauty'.
The Brain Center at Whipple's
A personal favorite that I have cited on several occasions, and it holds chilling relevance today. Wallace V. Whipple is delighted with his company's technological progress and the possibility of cutting costs by automating an increasing number of functions. That translates into a massive wave of layoffs, and Whipple shows not a single ounce of compassion—until it's too late.
Steel
The film 'Real Steel' with Hugh Jackman was inspired by this episode, which presents the peculiar situation of Steel Kelly, a retired boxer. Boxing is now all about robots, and Steel tries to survive as the manager of an old heavy model that breaks down at the last moment. With no funds to repair it, Steel makes a decision that could cost him his life, fueled by poverty and determination.
Little Girl Lost
Bettina Miller, a lost girl. Her desperate parents want her back, but there is no act of evil involved. Bettina is trapped in another dimension, and any rescue attempt will require going far beyond what the human mind can process. If the plot feels familiar, it's because Steven Spielberg took elements from Little Girl Lost to develop 'Poltergeist'.
To Serve Man
An alien race arrives on Earth: the Kanamits. Tall, imposing, and benevolent, the Kanamits promise to assist humanity with their technology, and at first they do. Hunger, poverty, energy deficits—everything disappears. But To Serve Man carries a subtle play on words that is wonderful and chilling at the same time, sealing the fate of our species.
Time Enough at Last
One of Rod Serling's personal favorites, Time Enough at Last shows us a man like many others, bored with his job and passionate about reading. This causes conflicts with his cruel and ruthless bosses, but an unexpected twist fulfills his wish: a whole world to himself, where he can read. However, you should always be careful what you wish for…
Living Doll
For some strange reason, the Twilight Zone took five seasons and 126 episodes to reach its 'killer doll.' At the same time, Living Doll serves as the origin of the concept, parodied, recycled, and transformed more than once. With a solid performance from Telly Savalas, Living Doll reinforces the suspicion that all dolls are plotting something sinister.
The Monsters are Due on Maple Street
A lovely street. Children playing, parents talking, everything seems wonderful… until the shadow arrives. Electricity goes out, cars and lawn mowers run erratically, and what minutes ago was a peaceful community is now a pressure cooker of paranoid people, and a child's theory about an alien invasion doesn't help calm the mood.
Five Characters in Search of an Exit
An army major, a tramp, a dancer, a clown, and a bagpiper. None of them knows where they are or how they got there. They find themselves trapped in a strange cylinder and begin their plan to escape. But if there's one thing the Twilight Zone teaches us, it's that there are entire universes around the corner, and what they find outside the cylinder may not be what they expected…
The Invaders
And to end our tour, another Serling favorite. An elderly woman, living in poverty, becomes the victim of an unexpected alien invasion executed by miniature aliens. The initial surprise turns into an open battle, with the woman taking the offensive against the hostile dwarfs. But who are these invaders? What do they want? Once again, the answer blows minds.
And that's all for now. We could include dozens more episodes, but let this list serve as a starting point for you to find your favorites. Good luck!
