# What is your favourite episode of the original Twilight Zone? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 15, 2017, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646 "2017-11-15T00:03:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/21 "2017-11-15T03:05:57Z")
Just thought of another one–Rod’s favorite from the first season, [A Stop at Willoughby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Stop_at_Willoughby) ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/22 "2017-11-15T04:24:00Z")
It’s hard to pick just one favorite, but one good one that hasn’t been mentioned is “The Hunt”, written by Earl Hamner, Jr. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/23 "2017-11-15T04:35:03Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > **Nick of Time** : it’s a solid Maybe-Magic-Maybe-Mundane story, with William Shatner carrying the episode in low-key fashion – well, low-key _for Shatner,_ but that’s still weirdly memorable – and it’s interesting enough to stick with you. Shatner is almost Brandoesque at that stage of his career. That and first-second season of Trek, he turns in plenty of nice character moments. Snapping at crew, throwing lines away…he’s often a joy to watch. As for TZ. “It’s a Good Life” ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/24 "2017-11-15T04:52:29Z")
It’s a Good Life. It’s good that you did that Anthony. REAL GOOD. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/25 "2017-11-15T11:15:42Z")
“A Nice Place to Visit,” with the inimitable Sebastian Cabot as a guardian angel.\* \*Well, something like that. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/26 "2017-11-15T11:19:44Z")
That and “Judgment Night,” with Nehemiah Persoff as “Carl Lancer.” ---
**Author:** ![Mavic\_Chen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mavic\_Chen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mavic_Chen)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/27 "2017-11-15T13:34:20Z")
Having just checked the wiki entries for some of the episodes mentioned, I now know the source for several Simpsons Halloween specials! ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/28 "2017-11-15T14:23:25Z")
It \*is \*hard to pick a favorite; most of the ones that have been mentioned are among my favorites. I think the one I look forward to most during the yearly marathon is the one with the mannequins. A young woman shops in a dept. store and ends up on an empty floor with a bunch of mannequins. I’ve always like the one with the Mardi Gras masks. Miserable, greedy family visits rich, dying relative who bequeaths each of them an unpleasant little sumpin’ sumpin’. The one where the young showgirl(?) is in a hospital for nervous exhaustion and has a recurring nightmare about following a nurse down to the morgue and the nurse says “room for one more, honey”. And, not that the OP asked, my most hated, turn the channel, hells no episode is the _Bewitchin’ Pool_. I also tend to dislike the ones with Jack Klugman. Not because of anything against JK, he just seems to be in all the maudlin, boring ones. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/29 "2017-11-15T14:33:29Z")
I love Christmas, so it’s _Night of the Meek_ for me. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/30 "2017-11-15T14:54:36Z")
So many good ones… I haven’t seen “Deaths-Head Revisited” mentioned, about an SS Captain visiting Dauchu years after WWII–and not enjoying the visit at all. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/31 "2017-11-15T16:11:27Z")
I’m naming two. ‘Night Call’ scared the bejesus out of me, starring Jessica Tandy as an old woman living alone who gets peculiar phone calls late at night. This is one of my phobias, the phone ringing late at night and … no one is there…or are they? But I got you all beat, my very favorite is Charles Bronson and Elizabeth Montgomery in ‘Two’. They are both lone soldiers of opposing armies in a deserted town, suspicious of each other, not speaking a common language. (American and Russian? Liz is the Russian.) He eventually tames her a bit, and I swear, the ending is iconic and amazing. I would watch a whole tv series based on these two. Just wonderful! ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/32 "2017-11-15T16:36:55Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > **Nick of Time** : it’s a solid Maybe-Magic-Maybe-Mundane story, with William Shatner carrying the episode in low-key fashion – well, low-key _for Shatner,_ but that’s still weirdly memorable – and it’s interesting enough to stick with you. My answer as well. I usually say the one with Shatner that wasn’t on an airplane. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/33 "2017-11-15T17:11:59Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > **Nick of Time** : it’s a solid Maybe-Magic-Maybe-Mundane story, with William Shatner carrying the episode in low-key fashion – well, low-key _for Shatner,_ but that’s still weirdly memorable – and it’s interesting enough to stick with you. My choice, too. It avoids the gratuitous nastiness of some episodes, and the horror is very subtle – with the kicker at the end that sticks in your mind. ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/34 "2017-11-15T17:18:22Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I think the one I look forward to most during the yearly marathon is the one with the mannequins. A young woman shops in a dept. store and ends up on an empty floor with a bunch of mannequins. Lot’s of favorites, but this one is the first one that comes to mind. I don’t know the title, though. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/35 "2017-11-15T17:46:03Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I’m naming two. ‘Night Call’ scared the bejesus out of me, starring Jessica Tandy as an old woman living alone who gets peculiar phone calls late at night. This is one of my phobias, the phone ringing late at night and … no one is there…or are they? > > But I got you all beat, my very favorite is Charles Bronson and Elizabeth Montgomery in ‘Two’. They are both lone soldiers of opposing armies in a deserted town, suspicious of each other, not speaking a common language. (American and Russian? Liz is the Russian.) He eventually tames her a bit, and I swear, the ending is iconic and amazing. I would watch a whole tv series based on these two. Just wonderful! Both great choices. I believe the actress in _Night Call_ is Gladys Cooper. Boyfriend had a friend called Brian. I would always say his name like the old woman . . . BrIIIne!! and neither of them had a clue why I did it:p ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/36 "2017-11-15T18:13:08Z")
I love the Twilight Zone. Mine is “Number 12 Looks Just Like You”. Prescient commentary that could have been written with little difference today. It’s not the most famous episode but I like it. My next favorite is “Midnight Sun”. A good disaster story with a classic Zone twist. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/37 "2017-11-15T20:01:13Z")
There were a lot of classics in that first season. My favorite, not-on-anyones-radar, episode is from season 3: [The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Rites_of_Jeff_Myrtlebank). A man returns to life at his own funeral. Initially his recovery is explained away, but when he starts to become both healthier and harder working than ever before, townspeople start talking. They believe something unholy is afoot. This leads to a final confrontation that ends with an impassioned speech, and a question from his fiancee: “how did you light that match?” ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/38 "2017-11-15T21:31:44Z")
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder. Very thought-provoking. I always wondered about the events that lead to that world and what life was like in the colony of “ugly” people. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/39 "2017-11-15T21:46:17Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > My answer as well. I usually say the one with Shatner that wasn’t on an airplane. He was also in the episode where he gets obsessed with a fortune telling machine in a coffee shop. My favorite is “The Invaders”, starring Agnes Moorehead. Virtually no dialogue, about a woman living alone who is terrorized by tiny men from outer space. Written by Richard Matheson, score by Jerry Goldsmith. Also, “Nothing in the Dark” about an old woman who lives behind locked doors and is afraid to open the door till a young man played by a very young Robert Redford comes knocking on the door asking for her help. I also have to mention the NEW Twilight Zone episode “Shatterday” starring Bruce Willis, where he’s the only character in the entire show. Bruce Willis was actually very very good in this. From a short story by Harlan Ellison, directed by Wes Craven. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2017, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646/40 "2017-11-15T22:30:54Z")
Another vote for ‘Nervous man in a four dollar room’. That one was a great story about reinventing yourself. I’d say that is my favorite. ‘Its a good life’ is also a classic worth watching. They did a remake in a later twilight zone series with the same actor when he grew up. ‘the midnight sun’ also worth watching. So is ‘the obsolete man’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-episode-of-the-original-twilight-zone/801646.md?page=3)