Entering the Fifth Dimension: A Twilight Zone Podcast

What price would you pay to change your appearance, and what happens when the power to transform yourself becomes a curse? This month we look at two epsodes where identity and the consequences of changing one's appearance take center stage. They explore themes of conformity, individuality, and the dangerous allure of being able to become someone else – whether by choice or societal pressure. In "The Four of Us Are Dying," Arch Hammer is a con man with the ability to change his face to look like anyone he's seen. He uses this gift to impersonate various men for personal gain, including a dead musician, a boxer, and a gangster. His schemes ultimately lead to his death when he takes on the wrong identity at the wrong time. "Number 12 Looks Just Like You" takes place in a future where everyone undergoes a "transformation" at age 19 to become beautiful, choosing from a limited number of approved models. Young Marilyn desperately resists this conformity but eventually submits to the procedure, losing her individuality in the process. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

When the lines are blurred between the animate and inanimate, suspenseful and thrilling things happen within the sandbox of the Twilight Zone. This month we explore "The After Hours" and "The New Exhibit" which present stories with characters whose reality isn't what it seems, leading to shocking revelations about their true nature. In "The After Hours," Marsha White visits a department store to buy a gold thimble but is taken to an empty ninth floor that doesn't exist. After strange encounters with an oddly familiar saleswoman, she discovers she's actually a mannequin who's been on her month of being human, and must return to her mannequin form. "The New Exhibit" centers on Martin Senescu, a wax museum caretaker who becomes obsessed with protecting murderers' wax figures when the museum closes. He takes them home, where mysterious deaths begin occurring. In the end, it's revealed the figures are actually killing people, and Martin becomes their final victim. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

The Twilight Zone can be a cruel adjudicator doling out ironic punishments to characters whose desires ultimately become their undoing. Greed, short-sightedness, and the notion that "heaven" and "prosperity" aren't what they seem are the focus this month, and the characters in these stories find themselves on the receiving end of the most poetic kind of criminal justice. In "A Nice Place to Visit," petty criminal Rocky Valentine dies in a shootout and finds himself in what appears to be heaven, where a guide named Pip grants his every wish. After endless winning and pleasure becomes unbearably boring, Rocky begs to go to "the other place" – only to learn he's been in hell all along. "The Rip Van Winkle Caper" follows four thieves who steal gold bars and use suspended animation to hide for 100 years. When they wake, they discover gold has become worthless in the future, and their greed leads to their deaths in the desert.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

In the shadowy realm of the Twilight Zone, "Night Call" and "Mr. Garrity and the Graves" present haunting narratives where the boundary between life and death blurs with terrifying results. Both stories examine profound isolation and unresolved guilt, while warning against disrupting natural boundaries. The episodes share a powerful cautionary message about tampering with the natural order, delivering ironic justice to those who fail to accept finality. In both stories, the disturbed dead return not as comforting presences but as reminders that some separations must remain permanent.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Time is a fun concept to explore and the Twilight Zone did plenty of playing in that sandbox. "A Kind of Stopwatch" follows the story of a man named McNulty who comes into possession of a stopwatch that can stop time. Excited by his newfound power, he uses it for personal gain but eventually discovers there are unintended consequences. "90 Years Without Slumbering" stars Ed Wynn and centers on an elderly man named Sam who believes his life is tied to the functioning of his old grandfather clock. As he becomes obsessed with keeping it running, he learns to reconcile his fear of mortality and discovers peace.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

This month we're heading to the old west! In "Mr. Denton on Doomsday," Al Denton is a former gunslinger, now a town drunk. His life changes when he gets a magic drink that makes him a great shooter again, but it quickly propels him back into the violence he wants to leave behind. In "Showdown with Rance McGrew," a cocky TV western star suddenly meets real outlaws from the old west. Both episodes share themes about facing consequences and getting a second chances. One of the episodes hit close to home for us and had some poignant moments, while the other's comedic efforts landed more for one of us than the other.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

This month we look at two episodes which share the common theme of time being unnaturally halted and the moral quandaries that such power presents. In "Elegy," three astronauts become stranded on an asteroid which shares characteristics similar to earth Earth. Soon they discover people frozen in time, evoking themes of time suspension and existential anxiety. Similarly, "Still Valley" follows a Confederate soldier discovering a village frozen by a mysterious spell, presenting him with moral dilemmas regarding the use of this power to assist the Confederacy. We had differing opinions on the themes and moral viewpoints of these episodes, which bled into an interesting Whipples segment. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

The 16mm Shrine" and "Static" are Twilight Zone episodes thematically linked by the persistent pull of nostalgia. In "The 16mm Shrine," audiences witness an actress so enchanted by her cinematic past that she chooses to inhabit it, distancing herself from the present realm. On the other hand, "Static" features a man rediscovering a vintage radio that transmits echoes of his past joys, offering a momentary haven. Both episodes expertly capture the theme of longing for days gone by, exposing how such attachments, though comforting, risk isolating individuals from current experiences and growth.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

The truth is out there, but do you recognize it when you hear it? "The Old Man in the Cave" is about a post-apocalyptic community guided by a mysterious old man in a cave who provides crucial advice for survival. When outsiders challenge his authority, chaos and disaster ensue. "Black Leather Jackets" involves three alien bikers who infiltrate a small town as part of a conquest plan but face unexpected human emotions. Both episodes explore the themes of trust, authority, and the consequences of disobedience. They reflect on the vulnerabilities of human societies when confronted with external influences and the critical importance of faith in guidance, whether it be from figures of authority or unknown entities. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

"A Thing About Machines" and "The Brain Center at Whipple's" each explore the tension between humans and technology. From the second season,"A Thing About Machines," tells the story of Bartlett Finchley, a technophobic man, who is tormented by his household appliances which eventually drive him to his demise. "The Brain Center at Whipple's" from season five features Mr. Whipple, who automates his factory, replacing human workers with machines, only to find himself redundant and isolated. Both episodes critique humanity's over-reliance on technology and its dehumanizing consequences, highlighting the potential for machines to dominate and disrupt lives when human value and interaction are overlooked.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

"Mr. Bevis" and "The Man in the Bottle" from "The Twilight Zone" explore the pitfalls of wish fulfillment. "Mr. Bevis" features James B.W. Bevis, whose guardian angel temporarily improves his unlucky life. Bevis soon realizes these changes erase his unique personality, and he chooses to return to his authentic self. In "The Man in the Bottle," Arthur Castle, an antique shop owner, uses a genie's four wishes to solve problems, but each brings dire consequences. His final wish restores his original life. Both episodes highlight the dangers of altering fate and emphasize that true fulfillment comes from embracing one's authentic self.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Step into the ring with us this month as week take a look at two sports-themed episodes from The Twilight Zone.  "The Mighty Casey" and "Steel" both explore themes of man vs. machine and the struggle to stay relevant in a changing world. In "The Mighty Casey," a struggling baseball team's fortunes change when they recruit a mysterious but talented player named Casey, only to discover that he is a robot. "Steel" takes place in a near-future world where human boxing has been replaced by robot fighters, and a former boxer disguises himself as a robot in a desperate attempt to prove his worth. Both episodes highlight the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity and the challenges posed by technological advancement. SyFy Twilight Zone Marathon Info   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Themed around groups of people making an escape, this month we look at two iconic Twilight Zone episodes: "Third from the Sun" and "On Thursday We Leave for Home." Season One's "Third from the Sun" presents a story steeped in the dread and anticipation of a nuclear apocalypse, following a desperate plan by a group of individuals to escape their doomed planet. Season Four's episode, "On Thursday We Leave for Home" offers a look into the psychological and social dynamics of a leader who faces the reality of relinquishing control as his colonists prepare to return to Earth after 30 years. Both episodes masterfully explore the human condition under extreme circumstances, highlighting themes of hope, fear, authority, and the longing for safety. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Nothing is civil about war, and nothing is ever as it seems in The Twilight Zone. This month we take a look at two Civil War themed episodes, "The Passerby" from season 3 and "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" from season 5. Each episode not only plays in the sandbox of Civil War themes, but also takes a look at the supernatural realm, passing through to the afterlife, family, and paying for one's acts while on earth. "The Passerby" includes a wonderful Abraham Lincoln portrayal from Austin Green, while "Owl Creek" is a short-film that was purchased as a completed project and edited to become last episode of The Twilight Zone ever produced. We had a lot to say about each of these wonderful episodes, and hope you enjoy our discussion. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Music has the power to enchant, stir emotions, calm the spirit, and heal. This month we take a look at two episodes that use the power of music to explore the impact of music. In season 3, "A Piano in the House" takes a look at the sides of our humanity that we all try to hide, by using music to expose those hidden faces. In season 5, "Come Wander With Me" is a somewhat disjointed story that still leaves us enchanted and mesmerized by Mary Rachel and her melody.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Alternate dimensions and parallel worlds is not something The Twilight Zone was afraid to explore, and this month we take a look at two excellent examples of this type of storytelling. Season 3 "Little Girl Lost" explores a scenario where a young girl named Tina slips into the fourth dimension via a portal that opens up in her bedroom wall. The following season in "The Parallel" we see astronaut Robert Gaines transported to a parallel earth where he has a slightly different family in a slightly different house and JFK is unknown. Each of these episodes wonder what might happen if one was to get trapped in an alternate dimension in such a way that it leaves us much to ponder, while still giving us quite a bit to enjoy.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

  Rod Serling was no stranger to the atrocities of what Hitler's Nazi party did to Jews during the Holocaust. He fought in WWII, battled anti-semitism in his own home state, and through the power of his pen fought to bring light to this hate in an effort to end racism of every kind. As brilliant as he was, we unfortunately still find racism all around us and Jews are still being attacked more than any other group today. This month we look at two episodes that Rod wrote to shed light on the horrors of the Nazi party, and express his confidence that their ultimate judgement awaited them. These episodes are "Judgement Night" from season 1 and "Death's Head Revisited" from season 3. These episodes stand as proof that The Twilight Zone is just as relevant today as it was in the 1960's.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Many Hollywood legends spent time in The Twilight Zone, and this month we look at two of the largest legends in Hollywood history with Robert Redford and Dennis Hopper. Redford's season 3 appearance with Gladys Cooper has him portraying the role of the death angel escorting her character to the afterlife. Meanwhile, Hopper's season 4 role is one of an angry young man under the influence of Hitler, who is raising up his own all-too-familiar brand of hate. It's easy to see in these performances what will make these men legendary, and each of these stories gives us a lot of meat to chew on for discussion.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

The Twilight Zone is no stranger to close encounters between various aliens and humans. Sometimes those encounters are fun or silly, other times they reveal some of the darker realities of our humanity. This month's episodes fall into that latter category with "People Are Alike All Over" from season 1, and "Stopover in a Quiet Town" from season 5. Of course, the dark side of humanity is not all that is on display, because in a twist only the Twilight Zone can deliver, these aliens have their own dark side as well. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Over the course of the 5 season run of The Twilight Zone many episodes touched on religious themes. We've already looked at episodes like, "The Hunt," "The Obsolete Man," and "The Howling Man," for example. This month we take a look at two episodes which, for better or for worse, are very on the nose with their religious themes. First up is "The Gift" from season three. Drawing parallels to Jesus and his crucifixion, an alien visits a small Mexican town with a gift that will change the world, but their fear leads them to killing him. Next up is "Probe 7, Over and Out" from season five, which tells its own version of the beginning of Earth, Adam, Eve, and a tree with fruit. In our Whipple's segment, Robert shares this list of books about alien contact and messages from outer space.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

It's been said that magic is just science that we don't understand yet. While we're not sure if that's a suitable explanation for the kinds of magic on display in this month's episodes, we certainly had a magical time discussing them. First up is "Dust" from season 2. Written by Rod Serling and directed by Douglas Heyes, it tells the story of a dusty small town on the verge of killing a man who drunkenly killed a young girl. Is it magic dust or something else that brings the town the hope it so desperately needs? In "The Fugitive," we encounter a young girl with a crippled leg name Jenny, and an elderly man the neighborhood children call Old Ben. Written by Charles Beaumont and directed by Richard Bare, we learn that Old Ben seems to have the gift of magic, and while he may not be what he appears, he might just be the savior Jenny needs. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Carol Burnett was recently honored on her 90th birthday for her lifetime of work in film and television. Her talent was recognized early in her career, and Rod wrote an episode especially for her with season 3's comedy, "Cavender is Coming." Before Martin Landau became famous for his work on Mission Impossible, he starred in two Twilight Zone episodes and we cover season 5's thriller, "The Jeopardy Room" here. Both Burnett and Landau would go on to become Hollywood legends and each have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Carol's star has a fantastic story that relates to her Twilight Zone episode, and we share that story in this month's episode.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Season 5 of The Twilight Zone brought us two episodes handing out poetic justice to the lead characters. In "A Short Drink from a Certain Fountain," an aging businessman drinks from a fountain of youth in order to satisfy his much younger, demanding wife. His plan backfires, leaving both of them to deal with life-altering consequences. In "Sounds and Silences," a toy boat manufacturing executive forces everyone in his life to be constantly subjected to loud noises. His life is turned upside down when he develops hypersensitive hearing, and he's forced to live his life with highly compromised hearing. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

"Perchance to Dream" follows the story of Edward Hall, who suffers from a recurring nightmare. He seeks help from a psychiatrist who helps him confront his fear. However, the dream becomes a reality, blurring the line between dream and reality, while the episode explores the power of the mind and the subconscious. "Twenty-Two" tells the story of Liz Powell, who has a recurring dream in which she is in a hospital and follows a nurse to room 22, which is the morgue. Once released from the hospital, she realizes that the dream is a premonition of death, and it saves her by keeping her from boarding a doomed aircraft. The episode explores the theme of fate and the idea that our dreams can reveal hidden truths about the future. Both episodes are known for their psychological horror and explore the idea of being trapped in a nightmare or a dream that is indistinguishable from reality. They also examine the relationship between the mind, the subconscious, and the external world, as well as the idea that our dreams may hold hidden meanings and truths about our lives. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

The world is full of big talkers, and not even the Twilight Zone can escape them. In season 2 Rod Serling wrote "The Silence" about two rich men who square off in an expensive bet, just so one of the men can be freed from the incessant talking of the other. In season 3 the Zone served up "Hocus-Pocus and Frisby," a story about a country bumpkin that can spin yarns unlike anyone else. He's abducted by aliens and is able to escape using his harmonica, but the townsfolk believe his story is just another of his exaggerated tales.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Hollywood legends Dennis Weaver and Robert Duvall each made trips into The Twilight Zone. In the season 2 episode, "Shadow Play," Dennis Weaver portrayed Adam Grant, a man stuck in a dream where he is convicted to die over and over again in the electric chair. In season 4, Robert Duvall starred in, "Miniature," a story where Charley Parkes falls in love with a woman from a museum display. Each of these two brilliant actors showed why they would soon become Hollywood legends.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

The power of the human mind is perhaps often underestimated, but it's certainly capable of much more once it enters the Twilight Zone. Season 2 of Rod Serling's masterpiece gave us two excellent examples. Episode 16 features Dick York in, "A Penny for Your Thoughts" and episode 27 showcases Shelley Berman in, "The Mind and the Matter." Both of these light-hearted episodes had us cracking up and enjoying our trip to the Twilight Zone! Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback

Are machines capable of love? Can they learn, adapt, conspire, or feel emotions? They definitely can in the Twilight Zone! In season 3, Ray Bradbury contributed the episode, "I Sing the Body Electric," inspired by Walt Whitman's poem of the same name. After losing their mother, a grieving father acquired a robot to help love, care, and raise his children.  In season 5, Bernard C. Schoenfeld contributed the episode, From Agnes, With Love" in which a computer programmer is tormented by the jealous computer he works with at his office. In our Whipples segment we explore robotics, humanity, self-awareness, and other film projects that have tacked similar subjects as these episodes. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback  

Whether it's on the train to Willoughby or coming home from a 'coon hunt, you never know when you might find yourself on a journey to the after life.  You might discover that you're seeing dead people and don't know it, or even that you yourself have passed into the afterlife.  At least, that's the case with Mr. Williams and the Old Man in "A Stop at Willoughby" and "The Hunt." These two stories give us quite different approaches to dying and what it's like passing on to the afterlife, but both episodes hit their marks quite well and earn high scores from us and other viewers. Whether you grew up in the country like Darrell, or are a city boy like Robert, we think you'll like this month's trip to the Zone   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback  

Stories that focus on the young or the elderly tend to bring us as viewers into an introspective frame of mind. Season 3 of The Twilight Zone gives us two such examples of this. "Kick the Can" blends both the elderly and the young into the storyline, giving us a double punch to ponder the innocence and wonder of childhood in a way that makes us never to grow old in our spirit. "The Trade-Ins" helps us appreciate the ones we cherish most and the life we've build together. Written by George Clayton Johnson and Rod Serling respectively, these two stories serve as powerful reminders to make the most of the life we have, enjoy it to the fullest, and never forget what it's like to be young.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback  

It takes a gifted actor to be able to pull off a single-actor episode.  When executed well - such as Agnes Moorehead's "The Invaders," the episode can become legendary.  Since we've already covered that episode, this month we look at two other single-actor episodes.  First up is Robert Cummings' season 2 premiere, "King Nine Will Not Return." Cummings portrays a US Air Force pilot who was unable to pilot what ended up being a fateful flight that took the lives of his entire crew.  Next up we look at Mickey Rooney's season 5 episode, "The Last Night of a Jockey." Rooney plays Grady, a jockey who wishes he were big after being suspended for fixing races and doping. Each of these episodes was written for their respective leads by Rod Serling himself.  While they haven't risen to the top of the Zone echelon like Moorehead's "Invaders," they both showcase top-level performances and offer up lessons on issues that are still very relevant today: mental health.  Certainly the lessons Rod penned sixty years ago are ones we need to be reminded of and learn today. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback  

Jack Klugman, along with Bergiss Meredith, has the esteemed honor of being one of only two actors to be featured in the lead role of four Twilight Zone episodes.  We previously covered, "In Praise of Pip" and "A Passage For Trumpet," and this month we're taking a look at "A Game of Pool" and "Death Ship."  In "A Game of Pool," Klugman stars alongside Jonathan Winters in what was Winters' first dramatic role.  Both men provided stellar performances that make "Pool" a fan favorite to this day.  "Death Ship" tells the story of a space flight crew caught in an unfortunate and eerie Flying Dutchman scenario.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Contribute Listener Feedback  

Whether driving or flying across the country, tragedy can strike at any moment, especially in the Twilight Zone.  This month we take a look at two episodes that capitalize on this true, yet unsettling reality. Season 1 of the Zone gave us "The Hitch-Hiker," a story of Nan Adams who is driving her way from New York to Los Angeles.  Unfortunately for Nan, much like Malcolm Crowe in "The Sixth Sense," she doesn't realize that her fate for quite some time.  As a result, we're treated with a story with lots of drama and a great twist ending. In season 5, tragedy struck again with "Ring-a-Ding Girl" starring Maggie McNamara.  Maggie plays Bunny Blake who simultaneously seems to be on a cross-country flight, and visiting her family and friends living in her small childhood hometown.  Drawn by visions she sees in a piece of jewelry, she somehow comes to the aid of her townsfolk, saving them from being victims of the wreckage that took her own life.  It's another twist ending, and one that leaves the viewer scratching their head as something that only makes sense within the bounds of the Twilight Zone. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278

Throughout the 1950's and 60's Rod Serling wrote several stories aimed at shedding light on racial issues with blacks in America. His stories were often watered down or changed to other racial groups by network executives or sponsors, leaving Rod in a state of frustration. When JFK was gunned down in Dallas on the afternoon of November 22, 1963, Rod was inspired to write "I am the Night - Color Me Black," an episode which not only addresses racism and bigotry head on, but it also addressed hate all over the world. "I am the Night" released in March of 1964, and it can be challenging for today's audience to appreciate its impact or tone. To help us better understand life in the 1960's for black Americans, and give us a perspective on how things are today, we're joined this month by Rodney Barnes. Rodney is a thirty year veteran of Hollywood, working on projects like "Everybody Hates Chris," "Major Payne," "The Green Mile, and "Wu-Tang: An American Saga." Most recently, Rodney is the executive producer and co-writer of the HBO Max Docu—Dramedy called “Winning Time.” He is also a critically acclaimed Graphic Novelist with his killidelphia Series. We had a very enlightening and enjoyable conversation with Rodney, and it's our honor to bring you this discussion for this month's episode of Entering the Fifth Dimension. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278  

Beloved as Catwoman from the 1960's Batman series, Julie Newmar first appeared as Miss Devlin on the season 4 Twilight Zone episode, "Of Late I think of Cliffordville." Pat Hingle, who played the role of Commissioner Gordon in the 1980's and 90's Batman films, made his Twilight Zone appearance in the season 4 episode, "The Incredible World of Horace Ford." Besides featuring actors who would later appear in the Batman universe, these two episodes features plots involving men who can't let go of their past. While "Cliffordville" tells the tale of a business tycoon who finds his life empty after reaching the top of the mountain, "Horace Ford" features a story of a man who evidently hasn't matured into adulthood. One of these episodes, while far from perfect, still does a fairly good job of landing its intended message. However, the other episode fails to land coherently for either Darrell or Robert and even caused them to wonder if it might be the worst Twilight Zone episode of them all. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278  

If there's one thing The Twilight Zone loves, it's exploring humanity through the lens of space travel. This month we take a look at two episodes where the lead characters find themselves stranded in space, albeit for entirely different reasons. In season 1 episode 7 entitled, "The Lonely," we encounter the story of a man named Corry who has been sentenced to solitary confinement on an asteroid millions of miles from earth. He's given a human-looking robot to ease his loneliness, but what happens if he's eventually forced to choose between the robot and returning to earth? Next we take a look at season 3 episode 28, "The Little People." Here we encounter two astronauts who land on an unknown planet so they can make repairs to their spaceship. While there, they discover a colony of ant-sized intelligent beings. One of the men, Craig, decides to prop himself up as their god and maniacally torments them to receive their praise. His superior, Fletcher, leaves him behind on the planet against his better judgement, but Craigs reign as god will not be long-lived. These two episodes give us a chance to explore what it means to be human, the importance of kindness, compassion, and empathy, and lessons we've learned in our lives when we let our egos get the best of us. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278  

While the weather may be a bit unseasonably warm for us right now, we find ourselves in a much cooler situation than those in the season 3 Twilight Zone episode, "The Midnight Sun."  For much of the episode we are lead to believe they are on a collision course with the sun...or are they?  This is a podcast episode with a snow theme after all.  Then we take a look at season three's final episode, "The Changing of the Guard."  The content of this episode draws us back to our own childhood and the teachers that impacted us indelibly. This episode is both a reminder to thank those who have positively impacted our lives and that we are quite blind to the impact our lives have on others.  2022 SyFy Twilight Zone Marathon Schedule Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278  

Burgess Meredith's impact on the Twilight Zone is arguably deeper than any other thespian to enter the fifth dimension.  While most know him immediately for his work on the beloved episode, "Time Enough at Last," many have never seen his appearance in the season four episode, "Printer's Devil." This month we not only take a look at "Printer's Devil," but we also take a look at his season 2 appearance as the meek pushover "Mr. Dingle, the Strong."  Dingle is much more commonly recognizable due to the zany two-headed Martians and antenna-clad Venusians who look like children but sound like grown men.   These two episodes offer a contrast in the characters portrayed by Meredith that show off his versatile acting chops, while giving us a glimmer of what was to come in his iconic role as The Penguin in the 1960's TV series, Batman.   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278

Is dealing with the devil ever a good idea? Would you even recognize the devil if you met him face to face? Would there be peace on earth if you could somehow capture Satan himself and confine him to a prison cell? October is the month of ghosts, goblins, witches, and devils, so it seems like the perfect time to look back at two episodes of The Twilight Zone that feature the devil as a main piece of the story. In season 1 Rod Serling gave us "Escape Clause" where hypochondriac Walter Bedeker makes a deal with the devil which grants him immortality. However, he soon finds out there can be unexpected consequences of living forever, and may need to take advantage of the escape clause in his contract with the devil. Season 2 gave us "The Howling Man." David Ellington stumbles across a remote monastery where Brother Jerome and his followers claim they have captured Satan and have him locked in a prison cell. The prisoner seems harmless to Ellington, and he's faced with the dilemma to leave the situation alone, or act on behalf of the prisoner and rescue him from captivity. His decision has consequences that may impact all of humanity. Support the Rod Serling Monument Kickstarter campaign! Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278

Mirrors give us glimpses into a parallel world and allow us to see the hearts of men.  Well, at least they do in The Twilight Zone.  This month we look at "Mirror Image" and wonder if the ticket agent and washroom attendant are all part of the plan to make Millicent believe she's crazy.  We also review "The Mirror" and share our theories on whether or not the mirror actually had special powers, or if it was merely the power of suggestion amplified by paranoia that brought about the demise of these revolutionaries. Westmoore High School Marching Band performance of "You Unlock This Door.." Pride of Piedmont Marching Band performance of "Door 13" Edmond North Husky Marching Band performance of "Wheels of Joy"   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278

I'll go out on a limb here and state unequivocally that James Best is in the best two scary Twilight Zone episodes of the entire show. Darrell may or may not agree with me, but we discuss the noire feel of "The Grave" and the playful, yet thought-provoking take on "The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank" too. Both episodes were written and directed by the great Montgomery Pittman. Both episodes feature incredible cast members with fun names of the characters to boot. It was great seeing Best play a character to type but also one with vulnerability. Join in and let us know your thoughts. Was Connie killed by dumb luck or by Pinto's ghost? Only the Zone knows!   Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278

When you look at the beginning and the ending efforts of arguably the best genre tv show in history, you need to expect there might be low's and high's to discuss. Furthermore, you‘d expect the first episode to have more lows than the last, simply because it is still finding its footing. But that isn't the way we saw it. Episode one‘s story misdirection, although not suggestive of entering the Zone “Canon” enough to be formulated in the very next episode, did establish a great twist ending which is a hallmark of Serling's best material. The last episode, judge for yourself, shows a great show fell apart on its last effort. Listen in and as always give us a shout because we would love to hear from you. Even if your accent isn't truly Southern. Connect with Entering the Fifth Dimension: Facebook community Follow us on Twitter Voice feedback: (304) 837-2278