Entering the Twilight Zone

Preparing for the New Year's Day Marathon

New Year’s Twilight Zone Marathon

It’s time for another entry for

Macabre Monday

I’ve decided that I’m going to add these to a collection in my newsletter. That will allow people the opportunity to opt out of receiving these if they aren’t interested in the topic of horror.

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In most places the New Years not only brings resolutions and new beginnings, but a twenty-four hour marathon of one of the best horror anthologies ever created. It was executed so well that many people may not even consider it to be horror because of how mainstream it came to be. And yet, while the series as a whole focused on the full spectrum of human experience it did frequently divert into the darker expressions of those experiences. Whether The Twilight Zone qualifies as actual horror or not, it is fantastic writing and I encourage everyone to watch as many episodes as you possibly can while it airs.

I realize that New Years is still a few weeks away, but I wanted to give people ample time to set up DVR timers, adjust their schedules, and get in a store of snacks to tide them over for 24 straight hours of TV binge-watching. With that in mind, I’d like to provide you with a guidebook of sorts in the hope that you will stop to enjoy these waypoints on your journey. Here are my five favorite episodes of The Twilight Zone.

• The Hunt

• In Praise of Pip

• A Passage for Trumpet

• A Game of Pool

• One for the Angels

I suppose it’s ridiculous to be concerned with spoilers for a show that’s more than fifty years old, but I don’t want to ruin anyone’s experience. With that in mind, I’ll discuss the big themes of each episode but won’t go into specifics.

The Twilight Zone is such a special show that the best way to experience each episode is to go in knowing as little as possible, but the truly amazing thing about this show is that the writing holds up well even if you know what’s coming. I have seen some of these episodes dozens of times and I still enjoy them.

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The Hunt

The Hunt is one of the more touching episodes in the entire series. It’s unusual in that it doesn’t follow the usual Twilight Zone pattern where the main character learns some truth that deeply changes their life. Rather this episode is devoted to showcasing the good qualities of its protagonist Hyder Simpson. It does so in an unusual and heartwarming way.

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In Praise of Pip

Jack Klugman appeared in four episodes of The Twilight Zone. Three of those episodes are in my list today. There’s a reason for that. Some of it really has to do with Klugman’s acting ability. He really does have the chops to showcase a range of human emotion, but more than his theatrical prowess it’s about the writing and themes of these episodes. They speak to me because they address the universal human experience that we all share.

This specific episode has a man evaluating his life and feeling regret for his shortcomings as a father. It’s a poignant lesson for all of us— even those without children because we all interact with people who look up to us in some way.

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A Passage for Trumpet

This was one of the very first episodes of The Twilight Zone that really got to me. It’s also one that is frequently shown during the marathons. So, check your local listings for when it airs. It’s worth watching. That’s all I’ll say about it.

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A Game of Pool

Can an episode of TV change your life? I don’t know, but I can tell you that this episode really made me take a look at how I was spending my time and what my priorities were shortly after my first child was born. This episode is about obsession and the price you have to pay to be the very best. If you are someone who is prone to obsession and hyper focus, you might want to give this one a watch. There’s nothing wrong with either of those qualities but I do think that all of us can benefit from examining our priorities from time to time.

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One for the Angels

This is my favorite episode. It was the second episode of The Twilight Zone when it aired in 1959. This is another sweet story that focuses on evaluating your priorities and making a conscious decision to live for others. I hope you’ll check it out.

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Talk to Me

I’d like to hear from you. What are your favorite Twilight Zone episodes? Why? What is it you enjoy most about the show?