… and in typical Twilight Zone fashion, the villain gets exactly what he deserves. “My name is Talky Tina!! And you’d better be NICE to me!”
EXPLORE BY SEASON: Season 1 (1959-1960) ; Season 2 (1960-1961) ; Season 3 (1961-1962) ; Season 4 (Spring 1963) ; Season 5 (1963-1964)
Welcome to the definitive Twilight Zone Episode Guide, a comprehensive resource dedicated to the iconic original television series. If you’re a fan of The Twilight Zone or a newcomer eager to explore its timeless tales, this guide offers detailed summaries and insightful critical commentary for every episode aired between 1959 and 1964 on CBS.
What is The Twilight Zone Episode Guide?
This episode guide is your portal to revisiting or discovering the brilliance of the original Twilight Zone. It provides more than just basic plot synopses; it delves into the heart of each story with critical commentary, offering a deeper understanding of the themes, narratives, and lasting impact of this groundbreaking show. Consider this your companion through the fifth dimension, meticulously crafted for enthusiasts and scholars alike.
Origins and Inspiration of the Guide
The creation of this Twilight Zone episode guide has been a labor of passion, evolving over many years. The initial seeds were planted way back in 1996, with various iterations and periods of intensive work culminating in this online resource. Inspiration was drawn from several sources. Firstly, Marc Scott Zicree’s “The Twilight Zone Companion” served as a starting point, though this guide aims to expand upon it, providing richer detail and commentary on often overlooked aspects of numerous episodes. Secondly, a less-than-stellar guide from the early days of the internet, hosted on Scifi.com, highlighted the need for a more insightful and comprehensive resource. Ultimately, this guide is fueled by a deep personal fascination with The Twilight Zone and a desire to offer thoughtful episode reviews akin to book-style analyses.
Author’s Approach to Episode Commentary
Each episode commentary within this guide represents an objective evaluation. Some episodes, rich in subtext and innovation, warrant extensive analysis, while others receive more concise assessments. For the most celebrated and widely discussed episodes, the commentary is intentionally focused, offering fresh perspectives without reiterating already common knowledge. The aim is to provide balanced and honest critiques across the entire spectrum of Twilight Zone episodes.
Navigating the Episode Guide
Looking for information on a specific episode or actor? Easily navigate this Twilight Zone episode guide using your browser’s “Find on this page” function (typically accessed via ‘EDIT’ and ‘Find’). Simply enter keywords such as actor names like “Claude Akins” or “Robert Redford,” or even episode-specific terms like “Kanamits,” to quickly locate relevant entries.
Further Exploration: Scripts and Books
To enrich your Twilight Zone experience further, this guide encourages exploring the original scripts. Approximately 90% of Twilight Zone scripts are now available in print, many accompanied by in-depth commentary. Refer to the BOOKS page (if available within this website structure) for detailed recommendations on published script collections and further reading materials.
Special Acknowledgements
This Twilight Zone episode guide would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of several individuals. Special thanks are extended to Bill DeVoe and Chris Conlon for their positive feedback upon completion of the guide. Gratitude is also owed to Eric Herrera for his encouragement to pursue print publication. Deep appreciation goes to the late George Clayton Johnson for his invaluable insights into the series. Tony Albarella is acknowledged for indirectly motivating the project’s completion. Thanks are also due to The Sci-Fi Channel for their 1995 Twilight Zone programming, which sparked the initial idea for this guide. Finally, heartfelt thanks to the Twilight Zone cast and writing core, including Rod Serling, and to Lynne Soto-Seelig, for instilling the importance of strong writing.
Rating Rubric
To provide a quick assessment of episode quality, this Twilight Zone episode guide employs a unique rating rubric:
WE ARE NOT WORTHY TO WALK ON ITS SOIL = I
IT IS EXCELLENT = II
IT IS VERY GOOD = III
IT IS MILDLY GOOD = IV
IT IS BARELY PASSABLE = V
IT IS STILL BETTER THAN ALMOST ANYTHING ON TV TODAY = VI
Mardi Gras incident, the dramatis personae being four people who let themselves go. This they did with a vengeance. They now wear the faces of all that was inside of them, said lives now to be spent in shadow. Tonight’s tale of men, the macabre and masks—on The Twilight Zone.
Dive into the Twilight Zone episode guide and rediscover the timeless wonder of this television masterpiece.
