The Twilight Zone isn’t just a science fiction show. It premiered in 1959, but the iconic idea took root in Rod Serling’s mind four years earlier.
While following the trial of J.W. Milam and Roy Bryant, the white men who murdered 14-year-old African American boy Emmett Till, Serling decided to write fantastical stories to shine a light on society’s biggest problems like racism and war.
After the original series ended in 1964, it was rebooted three times in 1985, 2002, and 2019. There are countless incredible episodes to choose from, but here are the top 5 most life-changing from 1959 to 2002.
#5: On Thursday We Leave for Home (1963)
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The 16th episode of the underrated 4th season of The Twilight Zone (the only season to have hour-long episodes instead of just 30 minutes) tells the story of a stranded Earth colony on a planet with two suns, led by Captain William Benteen. After waiting to be rescued for years, their wish is granted, but Captain Benteen is scared and tries to convince the colony it’s best to stay under his command.
Not only was James Whitmore’s emotional portrayal of the stubborn captain a highlight, but this episode also asks the audience important and fascinating questions: How hard is it to let go of leadership? Can our egos hold us back from major life decisions? Is it easy to rejoin society? In the captain’s case, the answer to the last question is no.
“On Thursday We Leave for Home” ends with the captain choosing to stay behind while the colony returns to Earth on their saviors’ ship. Even though there’s no happy ending, this episode stays with you long after you’ve watched it. This episode is equal parts frightening and thought-provoking, one of The Twilight Zone’s signatures.
#4: The Gift (1962)
Rod Serling’s gift for twist endings is alive and well in this season 3 episode. We follow an alien who has crashed near a small Mexican village. Appearing to be human and calling himself Mr. Williams, he scares the residents of this town in an altercation with a police officer and by giving a mysterious gift to a little boy named Pedro.
This episode shines a light on our nature toward concepts or people we don’t understand, making for one of The Twilight Zone’s most realistic stories. You’re put in the villagers’ shoes as Mr. Williams insists that he doesn’t mean any harm and they kill him anyway. You feel their fear and make the fatal decision along with them to burn the gift. For 30 minutes, you are a villager.
The twist is one of The Twilight Zone’s best. Mr. Williams’s gift turns out to be a cure for all forms of cancer, lost forever due to their suspicion and mass hysteria. “The Gift” makes you look at yourself and wonder: Would I act the same way in the same situation? Most would say no… but is that just what we tell ourselves?
#3: Chosen (2002)
The 21st-century revival of The Twilight Zone didn’t do as well as the two versions that came before it and only lasted one season. Despite this, there are some incredible episodes that are worth a watch. One of these incredible episodes is number 15, featuring a man named Vince who struggles with debt as he runs from missionaries who want him to embrace his fate as a “chosen one”.
This episode is among the best because, for some people, it’s not just television, it’s their worst nightmare. It’s based on the religious concept that before the world descends into chaos, a chosen few will ascend into heaven. Vince doesn’t trust the missionaries enough to go with them and ends up getting left behind, a real-life fear for some.
The fusion of sci-fi and religion is unique, and even if you don’t believe the world is going to end that way, it’s still classic Twilight Zone: a good old-fashioned scary and exciting story to make you think.
#2: A Matter of Minutes (1985)
Sounds like time travel, right? It’s not, but it’s in the same neighborhood. A married couple wakes up one morning to discover they’ve somehow jumped a few hours into the future. The catch? They’re behind the scenes watching workers build time.
The premise is based on a short story by Theodore Sturgeon called “Yesterday Was Monday” and makes for one of the most captivating episodes in The Twilight Zone universe. It’s pulse-pounding to watch the workers chase the couple through their town, determined to keep them from revealing the secret behind time.
It’s unlike any sci-fi or fantasy episode there is, and it brings a fun, new perspective to life. Are there actually employees of time? Are they building our next minute right now?
#1: How Much Do You Love Your Kid? (2002) A.K.A: A Twilight Zone Masterpiece!
“The show is licensed, and their permits are all in order.” That’s what the police tell Donna when she races into a precinct begging for help to find her kidnapped son, Wylie, only to discover that she’s on a reality TV show. With only riddles and clues to guide her, she has 1 hour to find Wylie for the chance to win $500,000. If she doesn’t, he’ll die.
This action-packed episode is horrifying and a magnifying glass on society. Throughout the episode, a hysterical Donna begs strangers and the police for help. Her horror and everyone else’s calm demeanor are an exaggerated example of our attitude when it comes to reality TV: you can do whatever you want to people for the sake of entertainment.
“How Much Do You Love Your Kid” is not only one of the top 5 best Twilight Zone episodes but also the most exciting.
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