The Outer Limits (1995-2002)

[Tsukiyumi]

I just noticed that the entire series seems to be on Hulu; I started rewatching today, and I have to say that I think this show has easily stood the test of time. The first four episodes (at least) are so well-written and acted that the relative scarcity of sfx doesn't even bother me.

The fourth episode, "The Second Soul" is so good IMO that it could have been the basis for an entire show, or at least a miniseries.

Anyone who hasn't ever seen these really needs to check it out.

[Mikey]

I'll have to take a second look; when it was on the air, it just never struck a chord with me.

[kostmayer]

The Second Soul was a superb episode.

The show was a bit hit and miss sometimes but it had some very good episodes.

[Tsukiyumi]

The show was a bit hit and miss sometimes but it had some very good episodes.

Yeah, that's the problem with anthologies.

Mikey, you may have just caught some of the less interesting eps.

[Mikey]

Perhaps. I was probably also unconsciously comparing it to the original The Outer Limits.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

I remember catching it late at night on syndication. Maybe not as good as the original, but still good. Weren't there episodes tied together in some way?

[Tyyr]

The thing with The Outer Limits is that the concept has to strike a chord with you. If it doesn't the episodes are just meh. If they do then they're just awesome.

[Tsukiyumi]

The thing with The Outer Limits is that the concept has to strike a chord with you. If it doesn't the episodes are just meh. If they do then they're just awesome.

Exactly.

...Weren't there episodes tied together in some way?

A few, yeah. But then, there were 150+ episodes, so a few dozen out of that number is still a small percentage.

[Captain Picard's Hair]

I caught a few of them. They were hit and miss, but the better ones were really good.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll look into this.

[Graham Kennedy]

I thought the new Outer Limits was fairly weak a lot of the time. Some eps were interesting, but a lot of it was cliche. Valerie23 for instance - robot built to simulate a human starts to develop real emotions. That's a plot so overdone it's almost beyond cliche.

One thing I am thankful to the series for. A long time ago I read a short story by Larry Niven called "Inconstant Moon". It really stuck with me - it wouldn't be too harsh to say it actually haunted me, as it's quite a poignant little work for the most part. In an afterword Niven said that the story had often been bought up for a movie or TV show, but to his regret it had never made it past the planning stages.

Well, many moons later The Outer Limits finally did make Inconstant Moon into an episode. And although I didn't think it was all that brilliantly done, it gave me a nice warm smile to see that old story finally make it to the screen.

One thing that always captivated me about Inconstant Moon was the one line summary on the back of the book. It's a spoiler, so I'll hide it...

It read simply : "A moon so bright could mean only one thing... the sun had gone nova." Look at the moon and tell me that thought doesn't send a shiver down your spine.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Just a bit of a shiver, just a bit.

[katefan]

I didn't realize it was on Hulu. Thanks for the heads up.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Now I wonder what happens where the Outer Limits meets the Twilight Zone.

[Mikey]

Hmmm... anyone remember the name of the color series Rod Serling had after The Twilight Zone?

[Vic]

Night Gallery?