IN TURNING BACK our collective memories a half century or so, we would find that we had a whole generation of youngsters who had deep seeded fears that they would never Live to adulthood, love their spouse and raise their own family. These kids of the "Post War Baby Boom" did have such wide-spread feelings. We should know, being "Boomers" ourselves. And we're boomers who spoke to others in our generation; finding such pessimism to be widespread, even pandemic.
THIS WAS AN Era when terms such as I.C.B.M. (that's Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Schultz), Nuclear Fission and Radioactive Fallout found their way into our everyday lives. They painted a sort of imaginary Hell, that continually lurked in the recesses of our minds.
OIT WAS TO this World of the "Cold War", Arms Build-up and Space Race that Mr. Rod Serling brought this story. Interjecting it into his outstanding and now classic TV series of THE TWILIGHT ZONE, he got truly "dead" serious with his audience. With this episode the flight of fancy and whimsy that so often were a major element of the show were shelved. It was time for a serious sermon to us, his Friday evening Congregation.
OUR STORY DEALS with the meeting of two survivors of a thermo-nuclear exchange between the super powers of the World. This Atomic War has wreaked its havoc on the Planet Earth. One survivor is a Male, the other (luckily) a member of the opposite Sex.(a Girl, Schultz)
IRONICALLY, THEY ARE each from the opposite side of the conflict. Being enemies, they must be committed to fight and annihilate the other. But then, Father Time, Mother Nature and the Good Lord intervene.
FOLLOWING THEIR INITIAL disdain for the other gradually gives way for "doing what comes naturally." The male 'lead ' and only other player besides the female 'lead' eventually do fall for each other. And just for the record, the Lady (a pre BEWITCHED Elizabeth Montgomery) appears to be representing the Soviets; while the Gentleman (a young Charles Bronson) is portraying the USA.
IN THE FACE of all of the previously mentioned troubles and horrible potentialities, our guide to THE TWILIGHT ZONE, Mr. Serling, is telling us that everything is going to be all right, even if it takes a post-Atomic conflict's new Genesis.
OUR VOTE PUTS this episode right up at the pinnacle of this great, intelligently written series. Rating: ****+
THIS WAS AN Era when terms such as I.C.B.M. (that's Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Schultz), Nuclear Fission and Radioactive Fallout found their way into our everyday lives. They painted a sort of imaginary Hell, that continually lurked in the recesses of our minds.
OIT WAS TO this World of the "Cold War", Arms Build-up and Space Race that Mr. Rod Serling brought this story. Interjecting it into his outstanding and now classic TV series of THE TWILIGHT ZONE, he got truly "dead" serious with his audience. With this episode the flight of fancy and whimsy that so often were a major element of the show were shelved. It was time for a serious sermon to us, his Friday evening Congregation.
OUR STORY DEALS with the meeting of two survivors of a thermo-nuclear exchange between the super powers of the World. This Atomic War has wreaked its havoc on the Planet Earth. One survivor is a Male, the other (luckily) a member of the opposite Sex.(a Girl, Schultz)
IRONICALLY, THEY ARE each from the opposite side of the conflict. Being enemies, they must be committed to fight and annihilate the other. But then, Father Time, Mother Nature and the Good Lord intervene.
FOLLOWING THEIR INITIAL disdain for the other gradually gives way for "doing what comes naturally." The male 'lead ' and only other player besides the female 'lead' eventually do fall for each other. And just for the record, the Lady (a pre BEWITCHED Elizabeth Montgomery) appears to be representing the Soviets; while the Gentleman (a young Charles Bronson) is portraying the USA.
IN THE FACE of all of the previously mentioned troubles and horrible potentialities, our guide to THE TWILIGHT ZONE, Mr. Serling, is telling us that everything is going to be all right, even if it takes a post-Atomic conflict's new Genesis.
OUR VOTE PUTS this episode right up at the pinnacle of this great, intelligently written series. Rating: ****+