The Changing Of The Guard (Season 3 Finale) - Twilight-Tober Zone

"The Changing of the Guard" is a home run in every sense of the word. It's a feel-good classic where the performances, writing, and directing elevate each other to a sum greater than their parts. Join Walter as he discusses this marvelous Twilight Zone episode.
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"The Changing of the Guard" is the 102nd episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.
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[@ChannelAwesome]

What did everyone think of the Season 3 finale? Watch the new NC here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/poPLpHudacqqeLc Watch more Twilight-Tober Zone here - bit.ly/TwilightToberZone Follow us on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/channelawesome

[@melissacooper8724]

I thought it was touching that the students from beyond would come back to make Fowler realize how his lessons impacted them!

[@lowrider993]

This one I really liked, it was heartwarming

[@vishalkalicharan7710]

How many episodes of Season 4 ae there?

[@melissacooper8724]

@@vishalkalicharan7710 There are 18 episodes total for Season 4.

[@colorin81colorado]

I just discovered your channel only days ago and I have been binge watching them... Thank you for all the hard work you have put on them, it shows!

[@paulbaresel6784]

This is one of my favorites. As a teacher, it speaks to me. I watch it every Christmas.

[@DanGamingFan2406]

This is one of the best episodes of the show, and really would've made for a perfect series finale. Donald Pleasanse has such a moving performance. As a creative writer, seeing how someone's work can leave such an impact on people really touches and inspires me.

[@watershipup7101]

Pleasanse was the best part.

[@waterbullstudios9195]

Awesome.

[@alexoman7161]

as much as i love some episodes of season 4 and 5 the real twilight zone ended with season 3 for me

[@amyfisher6380]

This episode was Rod’s love letter to teachers and the teaching profession, which is why it aired in June, at the end of the school year, when some teachers would have finished their final year of teaching. That’s why it contains so much heart and poignancy to it, without being overly maudlin. As for season four, like the other seasons, it’s a mixed bag, with some excellent episodes, some fair to middling episodes, and some real clunkers.

[@57highland]

Which do you think are excellent and which are clunkers? There's one in particular which I think is excellent but gets pretty low marks on these postings.

[@MaximumRD]

Just another great example of why Donald Pleasence was a legendary actor.

[@anubusx]

He defitnetly was.

[@wdd3141]

He played the heavy in "Fantastic Voyage," and had a role in one of the "Halloween" movies (where he mispronounced "Samhaim," which New-Age types insist is pronounced "Soween").

[@RedLeif1]

I only have two regrets with this episode: 1. That I cannot give it more than 10/10. 2. That I cannot watch it again for the first time.

[@lilybond6485]

@Redleif1: Every time I watch this and every original Twilight Zone - I enjoy it just like it is the 1st time seeing it.

[@wstine79]

This feels like a dark version of Mr. Holland's Opus. A man who felt like he did not say anything, only realize that he help other people in his life. Donald Pleasence was great as always.

[@trinaq]

OK yes, you're quite right! I knew that it felt familiar to a particular movie, and you've certainly hit the nail right on the head!

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Mr. Holland’s Opus is a movie more people need to see

[@melissacooper8724]

I remember watching Mr. Holland's Opus in my high school class. I remember when we got to the part where they were showing news footage about John Lennon's death, a girl in my class said, "Who's John Lennon?" I ended up explaining to her who he was. All in all, the movie was great!

[@Chaosfox04]

​@@melissacooper8724 Kinda reminds me of that story where Paul McCartney did a duet with some artist if today and someone made a similar comment asking who Paul was and that it was nice for an "unknown artist" to be included.

[@ChrisOnStage2]

More like Goodbye Mr. Chips

[@princessangel821]

I always loved this one. Most good people dont realize the impact they've had on others

[@trinaq]

True, to the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you are the world.

[@adamdavis1648]

​@@trinaqAwwwwww

[@57highland]

It's impossible to not look back on a teacher with at least a trace of fondness.

[@kelleyceccato7025]

I'm always glad to see this episode get the love it deserves. Too often I get the impression that dark-hued cynicism is regarded as synonymous with quality, while sincerity and honestly-earned sentiment are disregarded as "cheap" and "shallow." This episode is both sweet and smart, and I can't help wishing more of today's screenwriters understood how to combine these characteristics.

[@louisduarte8763]

They don't make (or get nominated for awards) them like this anymore.

[@cherylcampbell9369]

Excellent insight. I agree.

[@bvigil1888]

This was definitely one of the sadder and heartfelt episodes, I always felt it was a polar opposite piece to Death's Head Revisited because in that its a man who touched and tortured a lot of lives ending in death and is haunted by them, while with this episode its with a man who thought he hadnt reached and taught the boys in his charge anything useful to be better in life and is visited by the ghosts of students who show gratitude.

[@precious_muse]

Love this episode! As an English teacher myself, I often look to it as a pick-me-up, to remind myself that I am making a difference even if it doesn't seem so. And I really enjoy the discussion and recitation of "When I Was One-and-Twenty" at the episode's opening.

[@gothicMCRgirl]

Please, please keep on teaching! English teachers were honestly my saviors in school, and I sometimes wished I had told them as such at the time. But I was young, and young people have a hard time vocalizing those feelings, but I can assure you, you may have students who find comfort in your class and they just don’t tell you. Things like literature and free writing can be some people’s only outlet for their emotions.

[@precious_muse]

@@gothicMCRgirl I really appreciate your saying that.

[@LordGreystoke]

I’ll tell you this. It wasn’t my English teachers who left a lasting impression upon me but my history teacher. My high school history teacher made me believe that history mattered and whether we learn from it or not it is a subject worth studying and that we can incorporate it into our lives if we choose to do so. History is worthy of respect and when we do show respect it can aid us in choosing the right path forward.

[@josephstevens9888]

Some of the most practical tools I use in daily life came from a very influential English teacher.

[@57highland]

When they get old enough to possess even a bit of wisdom, the students who didn't care about schoolwork or didn't show their teachers due appreciation, will look back fondly on those teachers with a regretful wish for a "do over."

[@inwyrdn3691]

This episode was the thing that cemented my desire to become a teacher. Though I graduated from university with my degree and did get my certification, I never taught as a professional occupation. I have been a teacher in many aspects, and have never once regretted the time or cost of my schooling. Every time you teach someone something, that is a small victory for humanity, because you have made one of its members a little better.

[@trinaq]

This was a heartwarming instalment, which still holds up well today. The message is absolutely timeless, showing that you never know the impact you can make on another person, no matter how small it may seem at first.

[@karrihart1]

My best friend and her husband are both teachers, and thanks to administrations, bureaucracy, difficult parents, etc; they can definitely feel sometimes like nothing they do matters. Teachers matter and deserve to be treated and paid accordingly.

[@melissacooper8724]

I feel that these days teachers don't get the respect like they used to. Nowadays, the parents take their children's side even if the child was in the wrong!

[@ThenewTchannel]

Just thinking about Donald Pleasance being on The Twilight Zone puts an immense smile on my face

[@George-kz5hb]

I don’t think there is any story archetype I love more than “ one man’s worth”

[@spacedinosaur8733]

Follow Me, Boys! (1966) starring Fred MacMurray

[@cherylcampbell9369]

@@spacedinosaur8733 I saw that years ago, and will try to find it for viewing again, since you mention it a few times here. TY.

[@JohannaLeigh]

This story reminds me of the movie, Goodbye Mr. Chips, from the 1940's.

[@dreaminvater]

I absolutely love this episode, it never fails to make me teary eyed. Donald Pleasance was an amazing actor, and I loved the little nod you gave calling him Dr. Loomis.

[@kshitijmehta876]

There are no words to describe the way I feel about this episode....just a feel good and sincere story. I LOVE THIS!!!

[@travtotheworld]

This episode almost seems like an inverse of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol.

[@janeyrevanescence12]

I think a lot about my late fiancé whenever I watch this. He was studying for his teaching license when he died in a car accident. He was such a loving and caring man, always giving of himself…and I remember him telling me once that he didn’t think he made a difference in anyone’s life. This floored me. The funeral was packed both with friends and family but also people we didn’t know. All of them with stories of how he had helped them in their hours of need. I said to my MIL that I wished he was there to see how he had impacted so many lives.

[@als3022]

I also enjoy how his eyes widen for a moment when the barrel gets into his line of sight. Almost like his mind caught up with what he is contemplating. This episode always brings me to tears. When I was a kid, I thought it sad like a grandfather feeling he wasted his life. When I started to teach, I sympathized with him as someone who rather than wondering if I mattered wondered if I would matter. And as I get older, I understand completely the feeling of questioning whether you mattered in the end. If your legacy is a success or failure. It's an excellent episode

[@adjam1991]

This episode doesn't get talked about enough considering how good it is.

[@Omar-wq9dz]

1 of the more heartwarming episodes of the show, with a sentimental ending

[@trinaq]

Precisely, I loved it as a preteen, and still loved it now.

[@mitchman3006]

Watched this the other day, such a good episode, that scene of the boys appearing at their desks is so haunting.

[@57highland]

Appearing, looking up, and smiling. Friendly ghosts.

[@Troninater]

I never even seen this episode before yet the mere clips I saw here moved me to almost tear up when watching this.

[@Omar-wq9dz]

I would say this episode has a cult following because it’s not as famous as something like Monsters Are Due On Maple Street or Nightmare At 20000 Feet, but it’s 1 of the more beloved of the entire show

[@vinceA3748]

Donald Pleasence was a legend. I loved this episode. It always gets me teary eyed.

[@Buzz-McCool]

One of my favorites. Very satisfying.

[@MillieGriffin]

This one made me cry

[@beauwalker9820]

This is possibly one of the most touching episodes of the series.

[@georgeburnham1880]

The BEST Twilight zone episode!!!

[@MagnetHero]

So great to see Donald Pleasence in a Twilight Zone episode. One of my favorite roles of his in TV is in Columbo where he is the operator of a winery. The back and forth between him and Peter Falk is amazing.

[@jeffreyberkin-ez3uh]

He also did a great Outer Limits (original series) episode "The Man With The Power".😊

[@Torgo-and-the-Lucifer-Cat]

This episode managed to encapsulate the heartbreaking beauty of poetry along with the understanding that even a humble person can affect many others in very positive ways❤

[@georgeburnham1880]

Best and my favorite Twilight Zone episode

[@janetbelanger5757]

Absolutely adored the actors who played Beechcroft and Bartlett. They delivered their lines pefectly and with respecet for Fowler. Bartlett was really good at quoting the poem and how it affected his life decisions.

[@ponygon777]

Going from Cavender is Coming to this episode is like watching a double feature with The Love Guru as the first movie and Good Will Hunting as the second.

[@derekstein6193]

Now THAT is an example of tonal whiplash.

[@claytonrios1]

Donald Pleasance is in this one. The original Dr. Loomis. One of my favorite horror film roles to be frank.

[@chasehedges6775]

👍🔥

[@Pugman-c1h]

This Twilight Zone episode is one of the few ones that I legit cried to. It's so good.

[@KeiFox]

This was such a beautiful, emotional, and powerful episode on how the things we think we've done can seem small at first, until we learn what they did for others. Professor Fowler, whom Donald Pleasance, who would more popularly be known for villainous roles, gave a fantastic performance as this kindly, yet sad old schoolteacher who felt his life was worthless. But after his experience with the spirits of his past students who came to say thank you for everything he taught them, brought about that heartwarming realization that his life was one of success. The finale showing him sitting down and enjoying his dinner, with the expected comfortable retirement, topped with the carolers outside, gives us a happy tearful episode, one of Rod Serling's most touching stories ever written.

[@johnlong9778]

The greatest TV Sci Fi Series of All Time. Every episode was thought provoking. Thank you Rod!

[@jasongodwin1319]

Donald Pleasance aka Dr. Loomis. Very appropriate here since Halloween is coming up this month. And this October also has a Friday the 13th. Nice.

[@jharmond3874]

My Grandfather was a teacher and then later a principle. Even now he gets calls from his former students telling him how grateful they are for his teachings years later.

[@wiley8976]

Absolutely love this episode

[@fishbench7764]

One of my most vivid memories of this show was watching this during an all day marathon of the Twilight Zone. All of the other episodes I can barely remember, but I remember watching this episode for the first time and how it made me tear up. This is a episode that stuck with me in a similar way as Night of the Meek did, as in they both hit me with feelings that other shows or even TZ episodes wish it could make me feel. This one is in my top 3 favorite episodes of this series and I'm so happy to finally see it covered.

[@DerGlaetze]

My absolute favorite. We all have impact on every day people that we interact with. Just a warm smile and a hello to a stranger sends out ripples of positive energy. One of my favorite teachers was Mr. Harral in 5th grade. He was almost a father figure to me, during a difficult time in my family, between my dad and the rest of us. Alcohol was the culprit. I would often come back to visit him periodically, before he retired, years later. I miss him terribly. I hope to see him again on the “other side”, when it’s my turn to move on.

[@mudvalve]

Many of the students who passed on explain they met their demise by winning some victory for humanity! That’s a main point, as it was the teacher who taught them this life lesson!

[@annm4833]

This is one of my favorite episodes, very emotional and just touches you ❤

[@simplejan5942]

I just saw this episode, my granda was a teacher, i always liked school and im a martial arts teacher part time, so this hit me in the heart.

[@Nasser851000]

I bet this one will give us the feels 😢

[@emirlsanchos6302]

Funny story: I was watching this episode and noted how The Teacher was written and portrayed in accordance to Rod Serling and thought "If Donald Pleasance were still alive and they did a re-enactment of this episode, even if it were on a theatrical stage, he'd be perfect for this role". When the end credits rolled and I saw "Starring: Donald Pleasance", it elicited a good hearty laugh and filled me with awe at how well this role fit him like a snug coat. Additionally, he was only 42 years old at the time when it was recorded.

[@HelloJoseph83]

Max Von Sydow was also 42 when he played Father Merrin in The Exorcist.

[@MattCaliber]

I think the greatest joy any teacher or professor could have, besides a decent paycheck, is the knowledge that they were able to impact a student's life from what they taught.

[@ECO473]

This was a positive ghost story, with the deceased students showing Fowler that his efforts didn't go to waste, and they went on to do great things because of him. Nice supernatural twist.

[@PENGUINGIRL1210]

I relate to this episode way too much. It feels like the main character is literally me, and his being an English professor is even more relateable because I’m an English studies major and writer. It’s an existential but bittersweet feeling reflecting on your life and wondering just who has been touched by your words. I think it’d be nice to see everyone who was moved by you before you die, similar to the classroom scene

[@Charlie_Wolfe]

Warms my heart the same way “Goodbye Mr. Chips” did 😢

[@megacrashthehedgehog5377]

I think this episode is severely underrated. It may not be as dark or have an incredibly shocking twist like many of the more famous episodes, but I think it executes going for a more hopeful and optimistic angle very well.

[@voiskumbeaver3285]

A pleasure to discover this channel which enhances my appreciation of Serling's work. Many thanks!

[@ArtsyLadyCrafter]

Just came to say that I cry whenever I see this episode.😢 Just saw it tonight on Pluto Classic TV. I agree with all of the comments about the excellent acting and other.

[@MalcolmBrown-z5o]

A great performance from a great English actor, arguably the best Twilight Zone episode.

[@519djw6]

*I've never seen "The Changing of the Guard"--but as a college English teacher, myself, I would like to watch this!*

[@julieporter7805]

This episode is so lovely and it is wonderful to see Donald Pleasance play a good guy when I am used to seeing him as sinister or villainous characters, for example The Spirit of Dark and Lonely Water in the infamous Water Safety PSA. (Fun Fact: If you love the George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol, Donald's daughter, Angela plays The Ghost of Christmas Past and does a very good job playing the elven, sweet, but sometimes creepy spirit.) Oh Jaime Tennyson is talking again, that's a relief. I must admit that I do make one joke. When one of the students says that Fowler taught him Ethics, I always quip "And now I'm in prison, jerk!" The part where Fowler recites Houseman's "When I Was One and Twenty" gets to me every time.😢

[@ericjanssen394]

MST3K once joked that even as a good character, Donald Pleasance's calm, slightly out-of-it delivery could make anything sound sinister: "Just imagine Donald walking into a Denny's and saying 'I would like...a Grand Slam breakfast...with extra bacon.....please.'" Even so, the George Bailey elements make this a good double-feature to watch when digging out "Night of the Meek" with the other classic-TV Christmas reruns, certainly more than "Five Characters in Search of an Exit".

[@mst3KGf]

He is Pleasance and he is funky.

[@Stroheim333]

This is also a short story written by Rod Serling. I remember reading it as a boy, and I cried floods. This is sentimentality done good. (And everyone who think sentimentality is always bad or embarrassing -- get the h*ll out of here! People with a soul appreciate sentimentality.)

[@stillaboveground2470]

A very emotional and touching episode. It's nice when you realize that you mean something to others.

[@Chaosfox04]

Thank you Waler for twlking about this one. I watechrd a marathon during rhe July 4th weekend and I happened to watch this episode. I got all choked up. Easily one of my top ten. Maybe Top 5.

[@shenloken2]

This episode being the last episode of season 3 before the 4th season is more than fitting as huge changes were ahead! I am definitely mixed on season 4 but it definitely going to enjoy hearing your guys thoughts on it! As for the episode ‘Changing of the Guard’ itself; one of the most emotional and best episodes ever! As it resonates with so many people out there wishing to leave a memorable legacy behind; it really does move some viewers to tears!

[@DanBrizuela]

Beauty personified.

[@jrkorman]

I do wonder about some of my teachers in the past. I know there are a handful still with us; I graduated high school in 1974. Now looking back over those years I may point out many of them for lessons taught and then used over the years. I can but say, "Thank You" to each of them in memory.

[@Purplesubmariner]

In His Image is one of my all time favorite TZ Episodes. The dialogue exchange at the climax is just so well written, and some of the metaphors so striking. The raw human emotion, desire and feeling given life in a Frankensteinion creation of happenstance and regret

[@KyleShiflet13666]

Along with The Hunt this a episode that will make you tear up

[@dankrowpman1201]

What a wonderful episode!

[@Jack1994hoo]

Oh God thank you for remindong me of this episode. This one is DEFINITELY in my top 5

[@jabbarmuhammad8804]

What a intriguing and interesting episode

[@bensaret]

Love that Mann quote at the end, saving it among a list of other great quotes I've collected over the years.

[@Terry-hm4bs]

Despite the blatant age discrimination, this was one of my most favorite episodes. The acting was great and the lesson that the professor was taught by the students was very touching. Bravo! 👏👏👏

[@matthewmccoyd2578]

"The most emotive eyes... An angel's eyes"

[@LearndingLife]

A good show and reminder for anyone changing seasons or going through a changing of the guard.

[@SpongeyTheEditor]

Pretty solid season ender for sure. A simple story that works well.

[@Randomlad.0737]

And yet, two subpar seasons came out after this season.

[@charlirenner193]

With season 3 finished, there are still a lot of classic episodes to go through past season 4. Can't wait to see those be covered.

[@D5v5d]

Beautiful episode

[@miroslavtomic7038]

Due to the fact that alot of than young guys appeared in this episode, this episode has an unusually high number of cast members still alive today.

[@brianrunyon266]

Fan of this one, as Donald Pleasence, who I first saw in the original Halloween, is one of my favorite British actors.

[@wingzero7X]

Ohhhh I'm emotional from this one, such a heartfelt story that really speaks to what we leave behind before/after we're gone

[@DCXXVI-626]

the make-up was incredible!!

[@bethanywallace8575]

I'm so conflicted because I wamt to watch each of these episodes as soon as they come out, but I also would like to sit all cozy with some tea and watch the whole Playlist. Life is so hard 😭😭😭

[@melissacooper8724]

I felt that it was a heartwarming episode! I know on the surface that it seemed like the school was being callous by putting him out to pasture, but in the long run they were doing him a favor so he could enjoy his twilight years by traveling or enjoying some relaxing hobbies. I felt that it had a bit of It's A Wonderful Life the way Fowler was in despair to the brink of suicide only to be visited by the ghosts of his former students. It was heartwarming to see how his lessons impacted the lives of his students! ❤

[@articusramos808]

Wait. I remember this one. It's a great one among many

[@latinforever]

This episode appears to be a copy of an episode of "The Christophers" starring James Cagney. "The Christophers" was a 1950s religious anthology series; its motto was, "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."

[@miroslavtomic7038]

It is mentioned that professor worked for 51 years. In real life, Donald Pleasance was only 42 at the time of this episode.

[@johnnymccraze]

I don't care if this is essentially a shorter version of It's A Wonderful Life. It's truly one of the most underrated episodes of the series.

[@chrisbullard5901]

This is a great episode! I could watch it over and over.

[@Avoidnow]

This is one of my favourite episodes, it is so good.

[@monchytales6857]

the twist is that there is no twist; he deserves to feel good about himself

[@james_t_kirk]

*A friendly suggestion: change the name of "The Twist" (spoilers) to the Twilo-Twist.*

[@richewilson6394]

I cry at this episode every time It makes me think of that movie that was done in 1939 called goodbye Mr chips. Which I assume that's what Sterling had taken the inspiration from. That one makes me cry every time. Must watch before you die kinda of movie as well as my man Godfrey.

[@fierceditiesnaruto]

A treasured classic!

[@dionruffin3996]

This is definitely one of the slower paced episodes but it’s worth watching and has a great lesson

[@labyfan1313]

Never would have guessed that was Donald Pleasance. I knew whoever the actor was, he was wearing old age make-up but that's about it. My first introduction to him was in Escape to Witch Mountain which was/is my favourite childhood movie. So I'm very fond of all the actors from it. I agree that his performance in the TZ was phenomenal.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

Although Donald Pleasence (Professor Ellis Fowler) played a teacher with 51 years experience, he was only 42 when this episode was filmed.

[@Randomlad.0737]

And yet he successfully plays a 60 year old.