The Fear - Twilight-Tober Zone

[@SirSmoldham]

Amazing story. When Rod Serling spoke at our film school, one of his sessions involved this very episode. He screened it then asked us what was wrong. Of course no one could say. As you say he was burnt out and told us he wrote the dialogue the way he thought and not how people spoke. It was a valuable lesson to us new writers. I saw it when it originally aired and was so freaked out (it was the second time the show blew my mind) that my parents stopped us kids from watching it. BTW, that stock music was my favorite Fred Steiner score from "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim". It always gave me chills.

[@mikeoyler2983]

It is interesting that he was self reflective and that he could hold some objectivity toward his own work.

[@esteemedmortal5917]

Damn, wish I could have been in a writing seminar with Rod Serling!

[@JackKirbyFan]

Rod, sadly would hae lived a longer life were it not for cigarettes. What greatness could he have accomplished otherwise.

[@Neroskully]

It still can work if he framed it as these guys were toys. Just from the toys pov of not being played with. And them them playing their roles acting as you'd think a stylist and hard boiled cop would interact. You could even say they are being played in those roles by a child or a film / tv show maker. A script being pitched or an idea being shared. Rod sterling needed to learn how to fix things and not be so critical of himself, like ALL creatives have to learn. sometimes mistakes can be "happy mistakes". He could've shown in a flash a kid laughing or a person pitching and idea (very meta) or a person imagining how the two toys would interact and in the "alien" bits were just the person imagination getting the better of him / her. Same thing with a person listening to a story of two people and an alien. Or it could've should the tiny toy usa aliens / nasa astronauts. LOL That would've been a great direction to "save it". Making the best out of the film!

[@christophertheriault3308]

Another common writing problem is having characters who can just deliver dialogue to each other and never interrupt. TV folks are always just so polite and usually always let everyone have their say!

[@rodgerblackoro3442]

When you realize there’s one episode left…. of the twilight-tober zone.

[@DigiRangerScott]

I wonder what his next series will be now that it and Bat-May are done

[@kdusel1991]

​@@DigiRangerScott maybe are you afraid of the dark or goosebumps?

[@anubusx]

The version from the 80's.

[@jonmercano1138]

That’s right! Nooooo! 😭

[@kdusel1991]

​@@anubusx that could be good too!

[@animefan77]

The episode can be seen as a metaphor of Serling’s momentum literally deflating in that moment after 5 seasons worth of content

[@himoverthere6716]

“IT’S A BALLOON” 😂

[@VidWatcher01]

"FANTASTIC!"🤣

[@jefelix2010]

If I can suggest a good substitute for the Twilight Zone, it would be Rod Serling's other work Night Gallery.

[@himoverthere6716]

Night Gallery wasn’t really Rod’s work though, he just did narrations.

[@jefelix2010]

@himoverthere6716 Hey, I can dream.

[@VidWatcher01]

"Nightvember Gallery"

[@roguebritgravy1]

I agree with you on this episode. There's something of a moral here. How the fear of something is worse than it actually is. And who could predict tiny aliens pranking humans with big alien balloons? Maybe that's why aliens visit, to troll us.

[@LandonErp]

This has been a real highlight. Just a reminder that there were 3 other runs of the Twilight zone. You can make a case that the last two (2000's and Jordan Peele) either didn't run long enough, didn't have the overall quality or lacked cultural impact, but the 80s series had a good long run and some great installments by creators like George R.R. Martin. It doesn't get enough love so, you know, food for thought.

[@christophertheriault3308]

I still have every pair of fingers crossed for Night Gallery. Why settle for lesser content when the OG guy himself still has content available?

[@saltyk9869]

The true fear is no more Twilight Zone videos.

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

Rod the Zone Master goes the full Scooby Doo in this one .

[@johnkirby8939]

The scene where the balloon deflates reminded me of nothing so much as those giant flailing arm inflatable things you see in front of used car lots 😂

[@trinaq]

Thank you for working so hard to bring us these annual recaps, Walter. I hope that we'll hear your thoughts on the other TZ revivals.

[@kdusel1991]

Same! This was both informative and fun!

[@BrookieSmallz]

I can’t believe there is only one episode left 😢

[@kdusel1991]

Same 😢😭😭😭

[@Lewcifer91]

This has been a fantastic series!

[@ianr.navahuber2195]

The final script written by Rod Serling 6:22 Walter's recommendation of Rod Serling's Best episodes 6:40 Walter's begrudgingly recommendation even if only for its finality value

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

Had a mad crush on hazel court. Also, kind of a reversal on the Agnes moorhead/mini invaders!! 😂😂😂

[@Oppeldeldoc1]

This is nearly the only episode with a horror movie "queen."

[@lowrider993]

I remember this, the build up was scary, but the twist made me laugh

[@ldgrittmanpeanutsfluffy6754]

I absolutely love the Twilight Zone. My favorite one was the characters in a metal type room. Come to find out their dolls are being donated to others for Christmas.

[@melissacooper8724]

Oh yeah! "Five Characters In Search Of An Exit"! That's a good episode!

[@kdusel1991]

​@@melissacooper8724I love that episode!!

[@MUGTOWN4LIFE]

This episode is awesome

[@RasheedaParker-qn9ec]

Awesome 🤩

[@ChrisTalkz]

The end of Rod's writing run on TZ! Next time the finale!

[@spikeoramathon]

Has anyone else seen Rod's version of "A Christmas Carol"? it's called "Carol for Another Christmas" and though it's a little slow in parts, it's classic Serling and well worth a watch.

[@shyguyry2033]

I immediately recognized the trooper as the teacher from Friday the 13th Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan

[@jtzor5922]

@@shyguyry2033 he also played in Star Trek TNG episode The Neutral Zone. This is the first time he faced an alien.

[@hitmanmonaghan6633]

You can’t harm the man from HARM! (Cinema Snob quote when he reviewed Jason takes Manhattan)

[@davidzdziarek-zl8cu]

I've enjoyed so much these past five years, and I know only the good, let alone the best years of our lives have to end, but I certainly could stand another five. You'll be MISSED, Walter. You could shoot for The Outer Linits. You've had it suggested to you, why NOT?

[@nl3064]

Am I the only one who sorta likes this episode? The ending's laugh-out-loud goofy, but that's part of the fun.

[@MinutesFromVegas]

Even though there's only one episode left I wanna say thank you. For years of nostalgia, fear, laughs, and every emotion one can experience.... In the Twilight Tober Zone

[@kdusel1991]

*cue twilight zone theme*

[@spraragen88]

Even when I first saw this episode as a kid, I was like 'oh no, they're dolls again' even though that wasn't the twist. The whole episode just felt like I've seen the premise done so many times before on the show. I wish they explained just a bit more about the aliens plans, like why they were trying to scare humans, what was the point? If this episode was done from their perspective it could have been more interesting. An episode about aliens trying to induce fear to see how other life forms react and figure out if they were generally hostile towards what they didn't understand. Or if the humans reacted more peacefully/passively to the fear tactics it would mean they are more docile and not in a rush to destroy what they don't understand.

[@gshaz7]

I’ll enjoy my twilight zone marathon this new years’ eve more knowing so many people are in love with it as I am after following this channel the last couple octobers. Let’s go out with a bang tomorrow then show sci-fi channel they better not think of changing their NYE plans anytime soon..

[@thealchemist51]

The last episode, I checked out less than five minutes in did not realize it was over until the end credit started roll. This I will admit as the last Rod Sterling script. It had me intrigued the twist was interesting. His vest work but still good. And now we have one episode left probably one of the most bizarre twilight zone episodes just because I have no idea what they were doing . Again, I hope Walter decides next year to do the 80s one

[@racheljackson4428]

And The Outer Limits.

[@Elephant2024]

Always rated this episode highly. Hazel Court was excellent as Miss Scott and the State Trooper character was very good as well. Very universal message about the way fear can exacerbate a stressful situation that much more. Loved the twist of making you think that the aliens were giants only to find out in the end that they are tiny beings.👽

[@kali3665]

I enjoyed this episode. Once again, we have one of Serling's classic character studies, and an excellent commentary on the "poles of fear." As Serling knew, nothing is as terrifying as the Unknown, and the fear fades once the Unknown becomes Known. Yet again, we have the Spaceship C-57D from Forbidden Planet standing in as the aliens' craft. Ah well, it kept the costs down, right? And for once, we get to see it at its normal size. Yeah, I must admit that the dialogue did sound like two Rod Serlings arguing with each other, complete to Serling's cadence. But I believe Mark Richman and Hazel Court do develop chemistry over the course of the episode, and I liked their wordplay. The only problem I had was in how the episode established the "giant." The fingerprints on the police car were clearly painted on and so very obvious (Guys? WHITE fingerprints?!). The footprints aren't nearly as deep as they should have been had the giant been THAT big. And every time we reach the point where Trooper Franklin calls out "It's a balloon" (5:17), I keep hearing Frank De Kova (Chief Wild Eagle on F-Troop) crying out "It is BALLOOOOON!" Damn earworms. 😜 Of course, this was near the end for Twilight Zone, and the budget was lower than the cost of craft services on the original Star Trek. And I doubt MGM would have appreciated TZ digging a REALLY deep hole for a single scene.

[@TramiNguyen-oi3kp]

Awesome The Twilight Zone episode!

[@UnnamedHero0922]

There's one more but these past 5 October's have been the best

[@christophertheriault3308]

Hazel Court was a Hammer horror scream queen, so is ostensibly a good pick for an episode titled "The Fear". MST3K fans will recognize the trooper as the titular "Agent for H.A.R.M." Speaking of MST3K, I re-watched "Teenage Crime Wave" recently. In one shot a lot of cigarette butts are seen on the floor and the comment is "what, did they have Rod Serling over for dinner?" This was especially funny as Walter had also just commented on Rod's cigarette ads in a recent review. The prop department appears to have used just one fingerprint stencil for all the prints, but I'm not going to fault a show for trying to do as much as they can on a budget!

[@musclesforsupes]

Please come back for “85 in 25” series for next year 😢😢

[@Morgil27]

I'll give it this, the giant fingerprints is something I've never seen done before.

[@zac3278]

It is BALLOON!

[@pjabrony8280]

Came here to make this reference.

[@Myself-yf5do]

Now that you've done Disneycember, Dreamworksuary, Bat May, and this, you should do Nickuly/Aprilodeon.

[@ExplorerDS6789]

"A footprint. That's what it is, a footprint." "A balloon, that's what it is, a balloon!" Thank you, Captain Obvious!

[@tepidtooth8539]

I pray to God that Night Vember Gallery is right around the corner to replace Twilight Tober Zone

[@wesleygleason5868]

All of these videos have been great these past few years! Please tell Mr that you'll review the 80s relaunch! 🙏😎

[@expendableindigo9639]

I’m going to be honest, maybe it was just the circumstances I watched it under, but I always liked these two’s dynamic; I just wish they hadn’t used the same final twist as several other episodes, and the lack of a supporting cast admittedly feels symptomatic of a show ending. Compared to what I’ve heard about The Bewitching Pool, though, this seems like the series almost kept its dignity to the end.

[@KyleRobots]

*shooting at alien* "I'll agent from HARM you!" I would seriously love for you to do the relaunches of the zone, even eventually the Jordan Peele one you seemed to loathe. It could help highlight what a prodigious talent Mr. Serling was.

[@waverly2468]

Yes, nobody talks like that. They do in "Assault on a Queen" that he co-wrote. When Tony (Richard Conte) looks at the U-boat they're trying to refurbish he says "Are you kidding?". The German guy says "I didn't say it was just launched". Frank Sinatra asks "Did you serve on one of these boats". Tony says "I only served on the engines. You'd be crazy to go inside one of these things". The actress looks like Kim Novak but it's Hazel Court, a British actress who did a lot of American TV.

[@Eva-g9z1k]

You should totally continue on with the 80's version of the series after finishing up with this October-zone but that's just my opinion Ive thoroughly enjoyed you reviewing the series throughout these past Octobers.

[@sarysa]

And we have reached the twilight, of the twilightober zone.

[@DasKame]

I liked this one. Not that grand for Characters, but i like the Idea "Fear itself is the greatest enemy"

[@JabbarMuhammad-f8j]

A very interesting good episode it has something to do of what we fear but the only thing we have to fear is fear itself

[@George-kz5hb]

One More Round

[@brendakrieger7000]

I will miss this series😿 Happy Spooktober🎃🕷🧟‍♀️

[@raymicheals4127]

Maybe next year we can go through the 80's twilight zone if only..... If only

[@mjt07f]

The Ray Bradbury Theater next?!

[@deandreushayes9836]

4:28 Twist

[@HamdiTafa]

Say goodbye to the Twilight Zone

[@PatricksCrazyPlace]

As sad as it is to say, this episode feels exactly what one would expect out of a show like this once its gotten a little long in the tooth. The elements are all there, but the bite and impact seem missing.

[@jcarterla]

I would love to see you do Alfred Hitchcock Presents

[@kdusel1991]

We're in the endgame now

[@antonmassopust568]

I saw an American Masters once about Rod Serling and by this time he was burned out he was tired and he just couldn't do the glorified work that he used to do well you know that's how it is he said I am beyond tired

[@JoseMorales-lw5nt]

SUBMITTED FOR YOUR APPROVAL from around 1995. I actually own a DVD of that very episode! Loved seeing the whole black and white concept carry into the interviews with those directly connected to Mr. Serling!❤

[@louisduarte8763]

3:18 NORMAL PEOPLE DO NOT TALK THAT WAY! Those two will probably forget this whole episode, after the MIB show up to take the big balloon away and use the flashy-thing on them.

[@animeknight8958]

Only 24 hours to go untill the series finale......

[@NimanWielder01]

Y'know, if this episode followed Rod trying to make something up for his last episode, have all the characters talk like him because he's still brainstorming what they're like, that would've been an interesting episode. Possibly quite the finale.

[@roxannpoor8770]

Come tommorow it's gonna be the end of an era

[@josephlosinno2456]

The penultimate TTZ episode 😢

[@HereForTheComments]

Look at Charlotte, wearing pants. That's nothing to us nowadays, but maybe I've been watching too much Twilight Zone this Twilight-Tober because I'm very aware of how rare pants on women are in this show. A sign of how the times changed as the show aired. So I can imagine how people in 1964 felt, starting to see women in pants on TV. "Huh, well that's a smart look on her, isn't it? Very 'handsome.' Definitely not what I think of when I think of a woman."

[@weareallbronies9031]

wow! what a title!

[@RialVestro]

That's an interesting twist when the entire episode is making you think giants only to find out they're actually tiny.

[@duvalie7732]

Please tell me why Doug, who has been running the channel since 2014, has so few subscribers? Only one million and something. In theory, he should have at least 6 or 7 million subscribers

[@Nasser851000]

Fear is the Mind Killer!

[@kdusel1991]

Lisan-al-gaib!!!

[@slyfox2022]

Man's out here talking like Barry "What is it?" "It's a balloon that's what it is! JUSTAMOMENT! I don't beli what the hell is going on here!"

[@Moviemakers05]

He might return if the 80s 2000s and 2010s show have to offer

[@ianr.navahuber2195]

Hey! I doubt it!

[@claymccoy]

He did mention he tried watching the Jordan Peele produced version but he stopped watching it, couldn't get through it.

[@ArcaneEther]

I expected those giant finger prints would reveal that they were just toys in a kid's playroom.

[@fredsmith4165]

This is what the government called the Roswell incident in 1948. A balloon, granted in that incident they called it a weather balloon.

[@ninjabluefyre3815]

It took me until the end to realize...I've seen this before. I don't remember any of the rest of it.

[@julieporter7805]

One to go. 😢 I like this episode. Even though it's verbose I like it because I have Anxiety Disorder and I love how it shows that people are afraid of what they don't see or have to wait for rather than the thing itself.

[@majinsole8554]

The Fear…that the Twilight-Tober Zone will be ending soon. ~_~

[@XM394-xxx]

Do Night Gallery next

[@melissacooper8724]

One more to go folks!

[@ExplorerDS6789]

And sadly, it's the worst episode (of TZ) of all.

[@melissacooper8724]

​@ExplorerDS6789 I agree! Instead of the best for last, it's the worst for last!

[@ExplorerDS6789]

@@melissacooper8724 Right, and the reason it's so bad, as I've no doubt Walter will have plenty to say about tomorrow, is the dubbing job.

[@Martynde]

which is the best season for having the most good episodes?

[@rogers1032]

Could you please do these as part of FanScription • What if Alice never escaped Wonderland (Alice in Wonderland 1951movie) • What if Disney’s Bolt 2 happened? • What if Maleficent hadn't cursed Aurora (Disney’s Sleeping Beauty 1959movie) • Big Hero 6 vs Ultron • What if Meg was the real hero in Disney’s Hercules (1997movie) • What if Ariel didn’t become human in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (1989movie) • What if Nala married Scar in Disney’s The Lion King • Batman vs Electro • Spider-man vs Mr. Freeze • What if Lady Tremaine (from Cinderella 1950movie) had won? • What if we fixed Van Helsing (2004movie)

[@milestrombley1466]

It's almost over!

[@davestevens2908]

Now you gotta do tales from the cryptober.

[@bryanheilman4376]

2nd to last episode :(, sad

[@HandsomeSteveJacobson]

Are you afraid of the dark for next October would be awesome

[@PhoenixHealing]

It was driving me nuts through the whole episode wondering where I had seen the police officer before then it hit me! He was the smarmy jerk was from the MST3K episode Agent from HARM 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Nom_AnorVSJedi]

Oh no it’s almost over?

[@seanporter3616]

Buddy, it's significantly better in the radio drama format. Would strongly endorse

[@Purplesubmariner]

The play off fear, suspense and imagination was played off far better in Season 2's "Will The Real Martian Please Stand Up?"

[@samus88]

Like I said in the Stopover video, I like the episode but the twist feels unnecessary. After the balloon pops out I mean. It didn't need to be yet another 'flying saucer' episode. You already thought it was aliens from the context of the episode. A better twist would have been the balloon was controlled by humans in some way.

[@bdove2007]

Do beyond belief fact or fiction next

[@bjdeee1239]

Rod loved More Things in Heaven and Earth….surfaces many times

[@wyattearp2833]

I wonder if he plans on reveiwing Night Gallery

[@CaptainCJ97]

I getting iron gaint vibes from this video

[@dadeleemurphy85]

Peter Mark Richman may be better known to modern audiences from being in 1989's Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan as biology teacher Dr. Charles McCulloch.

[@chrisbullard5901]

This is sadly a rehash of some of the greatest hits. Though, I will say it is still fun to watch.

[@sebastiantrias1529]

1 more video.

[@unum1979]

One left

[@XM394-xxx]

It's a robit!

[@tvmaniac78]

Not the strongest episode but one of the first i saw, (on uk channel 4 around 01.00 on a friday night 30+ years ago. Are you gonna do the 80s Twlight Zone if not may I recommend Steven Speilberg Amazing Stories Tales from the crypt Outer limits

[@popculturewatch8689]

I hope you do the 80s twilight zone as well. It was the only worthy zone follow up imo. Peele and the UPN had that good to great episodes but the 80s was a lot better than it got credit for.

[@daylightsilence1]

Wasn't there a duck tales episode based on this episode?

[@DaleRibbons]

I'm sorry, but I have to say it: I actually liked this episode. It is not one of my favorites and I'll never go out of my way to catch it, but if it's on TV, I will watch it.