Post by Thargym The Black on Jul 30, 2024 21:08:18 GMT -5
Just from the original series.
Honorable Mentions (all 8/10): One For the Angels, I Shot an Arrow Into the Air, Mr. Dingle the Strong, Spur of the Moment, Stopover in a Quiet Town, the 7th is Made of Phantoms, Probe 7 Over and Out, the Old Man in the Cave, Living Doll, Miniature, The Hunt, Showdown With Rance McGrew, A Piano in the House, The Silence, A Penny For Your Thoughts, Third From the Sun, The Last Flight, Elegy, People Are Alike All Over, The After Hours, King Nine Will Not Return, The Howling Man, Judgment Night, The Lonely, The Rip Van Winkle Caper
20. Mr. Garrity and the Graves. This is a funny take on a con artist that brings to mind the classic Rain Maker from the Old West. Even if you're not a fan of con artists, like myself, you'll likely enjoy the humor in this story. 8/10
19. The Hitch Hiker. You might catch on to this one quickly; it’s about a woman who becomes uneasy as a hitchhiker keeps overtaking her while she drives. However, the twist and the unfolding drama are quite engaging. 8/10
18. One More Pallbearer. A control freak attempts to trick three individuals from his past into embarrassing themselves by staging a fake nuclear disaster. The twist? These people were not the ones who mistreated him; they actually prevented him from harming others. 8/10
17. Four O Clock. This episode falls into the "train wreck" category, featuring a man who is mentally unstable and believes he possesses extraordinary powers. He judges others excessively, but rather than being malicious, he’s simply unhinged. When Serling labels him as evil, it feels off, especially since he showed compassion in another episode about a sane man who played God. Nonetheless, it’s a captivating episode with standout performances from Theodore Bikel as the lead antagonist, making it one of the top twenty. 8/10
16. A Most Unusual Camera. This dark comedy revolves around a magical camera that reveals what will happen just a minute after a photo is taken, discovered by a group of rogues. The casting and execution of the comedy are excellent, though the addition of a "fourth character" feels unnecessary and detracts from the overall rating. 8/10
15. Stop at Willoughby. This tale follows a man in search of the perfect place, which he discovers while dreaming on a train. The twist is quite intriguing. 8/10
14. Five Characters in Search of an Exit. This episode leans more towards style than substance, yet it captivates you throughout. It tells a compelling tale featuring five distinct characters. The main character is a major, while his rival is a clown. A lovely dancer serves as the romantic interest, and a bagpiper along with a hobo add depth as supporting roles. It's truly an unforgettable episode. 9/10
13. The Jeopardy Room. This one stands out as a thrilling drama with a touch of sci-fi. A sadistic and arrogant assassin engages in a deadly game with his victim. 9/10
12. Little Girl Lost. A captivating narrative about a young girl who finds herself in a mysterious realm, predating the Poltergeist film. 9/10
11. The Little People. Two astronauts find themselves stranded on a distant planet. One of them descends into madness, choosing to play god to the "little people" he encounters. It’s a tragic tale reminiscent of Shakespeare, akin to "The Man From Colorado." 9/10
10. Hocus Pocus and Frisby. Andy Devine stars as a charming rogue who spins elaborate tales, leading some aliens to mistakenly believe he is the genius he claims to be. It's quite amusing. 9/10
9. The Grave. Featuring a stellar cast, this episode has become legendary. While it may not be profoundly deep, it remains intriguing, with Lee Marvin portraying a bounty hunter haunted by the final words of an outlaw. 9/10
8. To Serve Man. This episode is one of the most memorable. A tall alien arrives on Earth with the promise to serve humanity. When I first watched it, I was keenly aware of the lie detector scene and puzzled over how the experts missed the alien's statement, "I hope you believe me when I say...". The underlying message seems to suggest that those in power are often the least qualified to lead. 9/10
7. Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up? A group of people gathers at a diner, but there are only six passengers on the bus. Yet, seven individuals are present in the diner. Two police officers are left to figure out which one is the Martian in this iconic dark comedy. 9/10
6. The Purple Testament 9/10. Knowing the ending in advance only enhances the experience in this tale of a man who can foresee death in the faces of those soon to die.
5. And When the Sky Was Opened. An intriguing science fiction concept featuring renowned actors as three astronauts who discover they are slowly disappearing. A captivating premise. 9/10
4. Death's Head Revisited. A cruel Nazi from a concentration camp returns to the site post-war and faces judgment from his victims. With no remorse or conscience, the supernatural interpretation seems most likely. 10/10
3. The Obsolete Man. Burgess Meredith's standout Twilight Zone episode, portraying a man deemed obsolete by hateful individuals who sadly exist in reality. 9/10
2. Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room. A timid man is coerced into committing murder, leading to a psychological battle with his alter ego in a mirror. A thought-provoking piece with a positive message, blurring the lines between psychological and supernatural elements. 10/10
1. BEST EVER EPISODE: Nightmare as a Child. A chilling narrative of a woman visited by a mysterious young girl, with viewers piecing together the truth before the protagonist does. The exceptional direction and acting elevate this episode to greatness. 10/10.
Honorable Mentions (all 8/10): One For the Angels, I Shot an Arrow Into the Air, Mr. Dingle the Strong, Spur of the Moment, Stopover in a Quiet Town, the 7th is Made of Phantoms, Probe 7 Over and Out, the Old Man in the Cave, Living Doll, Miniature, The Hunt, Showdown With Rance McGrew, A Piano in the House, The Silence, A Penny For Your Thoughts, Third From the Sun, The Last Flight, Elegy, People Are Alike All Over, The After Hours, King Nine Will Not Return, The Howling Man, Judgment Night, The Lonely, The Rip Van Winkle Caper
20. Mr. Garrity and the Graves. This is a funny take on a con artist that brings to mind the classic Rain Maker from the Old West. Even if you're not a fan of con artists, like myself, you'll likely enjoy the humor in this story. 8/10
19. The Hitch Hiker. You might catch on to this one quickly; it’s about a woman who becomes uneasy as a hitchhiker keeps overtaking her while she drives. However, the twist and the unfolding drama are quite engaging. 8/10
18. One More Pallbearer. A control freak attempts to trick three individuals from his past into embarrassing themselves by staging a fake nuclear disaster. The twist? These people were not the ones who mistreated him; they actually prevented him from harming others. 8/10
17. Four O Clock. This episode falls into the "train wreck" category, featuring a man who is mentally unstable and believes he possesses extraordinary powers. He judges others excessively, but rather than being malicious, he’s simply unhinged. When Serling labels him as evil, it feels off, especially since he showed compassion in another episode about a sane man who played God. Nonetheless, it’s a captivating episode with standout performances from Theodore Bikel as the lead antagonist, making it one of the top twenty. 8/10
16. A Most Unusual Camera. This dark comedy revolves around a magical camera that reveals what will happen just a minute after a photo is taken, discovered by a group of rogues. The casting and execution of the comedy are excellent, though the addition of a "fourth character" feels unnecessary and detracts from the overall rating. 8/10
15. Stop at Willoughby. This tale follows a man in search of the perfect place, which he discovers while dreaming on a train. The twist is quite intriguing. 8/10
14. Five Characters in Search of an Exit. This episode leans more towards style than substance, yet it captivates you throughout. It tells a compelling tale featuring five distinct characters. The main character is a major, while his rival is a clown. A lovely dancer serves as the romantic interest, and a bagpiper along with a hobo add depth as supporting roles. It's truly an unforgettable episode. 9/10
13. The Jeopardy Room. This one stands out as a thrilling drama with a touch of sci-fi. A sadistic and arrogant assassin engages in a deadly game with his victim. 9/10
12. Little Girl Lost. A captivating narrative about a young girl who finds herself in a mysterious realm, predating the Poltergeist film. 9/10
11. The Little People. Two astronauts find themselves stranded on a distant planet. One of them descends into madness, choosing to play god to the "little people" he encounters. It’s a tragic tale reminiscent of Shakespeare, akin to "The Man From Colorado." 9/10
10. Hocus Pocus and Frisby. Andy Devine stars as a charming rogue who spins elaborate tales, leading some aliens to mistakenly believe he is the genius he claims to be. It's quite amusing. 9/10
9. The Grave. Featuring a stellar cast, this episode has become legendary. While it may not be profoundly deep, it remains intriguing, with Lee Marvin portraying a bounty hunter haunted by the final words of an outlaw. 9/10
8. To Serve Man. This episode is one of the most memorable. A tall alien arrives on Earth with the promise to serve humanity. When I first watched it, I was keenly aware of the lie detector scene and puzzled over how the experts missed the alien's statement, "I hope you believe me when I say...". The underlying message seems to suggest that those in power are often the least qualified to lead. 9/10
7. Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up? A group of people gathers at a diner, but there are only six passengers on the bus. Yet, seven individuals are present in the diner. Two police officers are left to figure out which one is the Martian in this iconic dark comedy. 9/10
6. The Purple Testament 9/10. Knowing the ending in advance only enhances the experience in this tale of a man who can foresee death in the faces of those soon to die.
5. And When the Sky Was Opened. An intriguing science fiction concept featuring renowned actors as three astronauts who discover they are slowly disappearing. A captivating premise. 9/10
4. Death's Head Revisited. A cruel Nazi from a concentration camp returns to the site post-war and faces judgment from his victims. With no remorse or conscience, the supernatural interpretation seems most likely. 10/10
3. The Obsolete Man. Burgess Meredith's standout Twilight Zone episode, portraying a man deemed obsolete by hateful individuals who sadly exist in reality. 9/10
2. Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room. A timid man is coerced into committing murder, leading to a psychological battle with his alter ego in a mirror. A thought-provoking piece with a positive message, blurring the lines between psychological and supernatural elements. 10/10
1. BEST EVER EPISODE: Nightmare as a Child. A chilling narrative of a woman visited by a mysterious young girl, with viewers piecing together the truth before the protagonist does. The exceptional direction and acting elevate this episode to greatness. 10/10.