logo
Menu
logo
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Stories
  • Games
  • Lifestyle
  • News

Topic: The Twilight Zone

The Original Twilight Zone Episodes Examined

You are about to enter a dimension of pure imagination, belonging to Hollywood’s last angry young man. Inspired by pulp comics and sci-fi radio programs, it is Rod Serling.

Having battled TV executives over censorship and commercialism, Rod Serling ushered in a defining series to science fiction television. Each of the original Twilight Zone episodes delivered a sermon or morality through clenched teeth, a unique view into another reality.

It was The Twilight Zone, a noir anthology of fantasy and horror that spanned 5 decades with 2 movies and 3 revivals.

original twilight zone episodes

Vast as Space and Timeless as Infinity

Rod Serling had a successful television career by the late 50s but wanted to delve into more controversial subjects. Viewing writing as a form of therapy, he found a realm of freedom within the science fiction genre. Able to make social commentaries with more ease and spotlight the horrors of modern reality. Most episodes of The Twilight Zone offered everyday characters in surreal circumstances. Turning desperate when faced with their deepest fears and implacable fates befalling innocent and guilty alike. Portrayed by beloved actors, the series featured performances from veterans like Buster Keaton and Burgess Meredith. Also young up-and-comers like William Shatner, Dennis Hopper, and Robert Redford.

Beyond That Which is Known to Man

Even though The Twilight Zone was primarily science fiction, many episodes served up paranormal elements. Existential beliefs of an indifferent universe would overlap with the horror genre. The most prominent trope throughout the series was that of adult fears. A product of the time, episodes echoed post-war trauma and nuclear anxiety. On the fantastical end of the spectrum, tropes of alien invasion, time travel, and existential cosmic horror were repeated. On the more realistic side, are the hard truth Aesops that took a swing at modern society. Challenging systemic prejudices and anti-war sentiments with post apocalyptic tropes like after the end and earth all along.

The Original Twilight Zone: Contributions to Genre

Though Rod Serling would write on 92 of the 156 episodes of original Twilight Zone episodes, he would also bring other science fiction authors to the screen.

Ray Bradbury’s short story “I Sing the Body Electric” was adapted for the 100th episode. His works would also influence the episodes “Walking Distance” and the pilot, “The Silent Towns”.

Richard Matheson, best known as the author of I Am Legend, would contribute 16 episodes. Charles Beaumont would be credited with 22 episodes, most notably, “Number Twelve Looks Just Like You”. Jerry Sohl would ghostwrite “The New Exhibit”, “Queen of the Nile” and “Living Doll” for Beaumont, later writing for The Outer Limits, and Star Trek.

These prominent pulp roots would shape the weaving lines of science fiction and horror for television. They are reminding the audience to look beyond the screen and into themselves for the true thrills of horror… within our own personal Twilight Zone of everyday life.


Part of the FOUNDATIONS OF HORROR more>>

    Related Movies/TV/Stories: The Simpsons
twilight zone printer’s devil
Horror TV

Headlines from Hell: The Twilight Zone’s “Printer’s Devil”

The Dansburg Courier has always been Douglas Winter’s dream, a successful small-town syndication built from the ground up. That is where we begin ...
By Krystle RatticusOctober 19, 20210
twilight zone death ship
Horror TV

Set Sail for Eternity in The Twilight Zone’s “Death Ship”

Between science and superstition lies the middle ground upon which Rod Serling created The Twilight Zone. A fan of fantasy and sci-fi magazines ...
By Krystle RatticusSeptember 20, 20210
the twilight zone black leather jackets
Horror TV

The Twilight Zone’s “Black Leather Jackets” Provides Old Fashion Alien Horror

Creator of The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling, spent most of his career fighting censors… struggling to maintain creative control while making comics and ...
By Krystle RatticusAugust 20, 20210
twilight zone the little people
Horror TV

The Twilight Zone’s The Little People is an Existential Nightmare

Rod Serling believed that the role of a writer was to “menace the public’s conscience”… often demonstrating with social commentaries hidden in the ...
By Krystle RatticusAugust 1, 20211
twilight zone queen of the nile
Horror TV

The Twilight Zone’s Queen of The Nile Reigns Supreme

Rod Serling’s iconic Twilight Zone television series gave him freedom. Wanting to delve into more controversial subjects, the sci-fi anthology allowed him to ...
By Krystle RatticusJune 25, 20210
twilight zone the silence
Horror TV

The Twilight Zone’s “The Silence” is Golden Television

It has been six decades since The Twilight Zone first premiered. Though now most are familiar with the series during the holiday season. ...
By Krystle RatticusMay 30, 20210

Recent Stuff

  • soft and quiet movie explained

    Soft and Quiet: Explaining a Movie Like No “Other”

    June 20, 2023
  • eyeless jack

    Eyeless Jack: All About the Creepypasta’s Origin, Stories, Fanart, Costumes, Masks

    June 9, 2023
  • what is a lamia

    What Is A Lamia, The Child Devouring Sea Monster Of Greek Mythology

    June 7, 2023
  • movies like cabin in the woods

    Movies Like Cabin in the Woods: Let’s Get This Meta Party Started!

    May 22, 2023
  • case 39 ending explained

    Case 39: Explaining the Monstrous Child and THAT Ending

    May 19, 2023

Follow Us

  • Facebook
    9.6K+ likes
  • Twitter
    15.8K+ followers

PLAY SCAREDLE

A horror-themed word game

Join our newsletter!

Enter your email to receive our newsletter.

Don't worry, we don't spam

This website contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission. Privacy Policy »

  • Foundations
  • Documentary
  • About
Giant Thumb LLC © 2023.
logo
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Stories
  • Games
  • Lifestyle
  • News

logo

✕
  • About

Popular Posts

  1. the girl with the green ribbon

    The Girl with the Green Ribbon – The Story Behind the Tale

    May 12, 202172430 views
  2. audition movie explained

    The Audition Movie Explained – A Masterpiece of Contrasts in Horror

    June 6, 202120042 views
  3. liminal space

    Uncomfortable Liminal Spaces and the Horror Films that Influence Them

    November 4, 202117440 views
  4. human centipede explained, human centipede true story

    The True Stories Behind the Human Centipede – The Most Misunderstood Horror Film?

    July 14, 202116020 views

Gifts & Ideas

  • goth stores san francisco, punk san francisco

    Goth and Punk in San Francisco: The Best Stores, Clubs, Bars

    April 7, 2023
  • hereditary dvd, hereditary bluray

    Buy Hereditary DVD/Blu-Ray: Best Places to Find Deals

    February 14, 2023
  • goth and punk in los angeles

    Goth and Punk in Los Angeles: The Best Stores, Bars, Clubs, Events

    January 3, 2023
  • Goth and Punk in NYC: The Best Stores, Bars, Clubs, Events

    September 5, 2022
  • chicago goth punk bars clubs and stores

    Goth and Punk in Chicago: The Best Stores, Clubs, and Bars

    August 31, 2022

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
    9.6K+ likes
  • Twitter
    15.8K+ followers

logo

✕
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Stories
  • Games
  • Lifestyle
  • News

Popular Stuff

  • the girl with the green ribbon

    The Girl with the Green Ribbon – The Story Behind the Tale

    May 12, 202172430 views
  • audition movie explained

    The Audition Movie Explained – A Masterpiece of Contrasts in Horror

    June 6, 202120042 views
  • liminal space

    Uncomfortable Liminal Spaces and the Horror Films that Influence Them

    November 4, 202117440 views
  • human centipede explained, human centipede true story

    The True Stories Behind the Human Centipede – The Most Misunderstood Horror Film?

    July 14, 202116020 views
  • possum movie explained, possum movie

    Possum Explained: The Movie’s Uncanny Origins

    April 9, 202115130 views

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
    9.6K+ likes
  • Twitter
    15.8K+ followers

Join Our List: Be One Of Us

Subscribing to the Scary Studies newsletter means you'll know when we have the best new original stuff. Horror is fascinating. Join us in dissecting it all!




You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit the About section of our website.