Aliens have been studying human life on Earth for millions of years, and an experiment will be conducted using five students representing different classes in high school: the science nerd (Jesse Moss), the snob with looks (Meghan Ory), the Christian (Kandyse McClure), jock athlete (Zachery Ty Bryan, of Home Improvement fame), and outcast (Jesse Cadotte).
They are attending school like any other morning when a bright white beam shines through the halls and "removes" all of the faculty and students except the five chosen by the aliens for their particular experiment. One of the alien representatives (Eric Schneider, in a robe with a crystalline staff) tells them (attempts to escape from either entrance/exit of the hall sends them right back into the school as this field around the building prevents escape) this, not mincing words or placating their fears about its presence. The experiment: in five hours the five students must choose one among them to die! The majority of the episode has the teens arguing amongst themselves on how to get out of the decision no normal human being would wish to face.
Heated discussion, pointed comments, criticism of each person's standards and their cliquish tendencies, debate on not accepting the terms the alien specified (if there isn't a victim chosen, all five will die), and the argument that despite their differences the value of human life is precious. Interestingly, I expected there to be manipulation among some of them to save their own skin, but that doesn't happen instead it seems the outcast is central to who might or might not die. I think it does preach from the pulpit regarding the school violence that was sad news in America with the Columbines and such, but the episode has a sincere message about defying the aches and rage that exist in kids who feel they must use a weapon to prove a point regarding how they're treated by others. It does cry aloud about acceptance, the value of life, and not succumbing to using violence all because you are rightfully in pain. This might not be the ideal Outer Limits episode for those not in the mood for a lecture in the vein of the afterschool special, but the message has merit this addressed real crimes and young lives lost.
They are attending school like any other morning when a bright white beam shines through the halls and "removes" all of the faculty and students except the five chosen by the aliens for their particular experiment. One of the alien representatives (Eric Schneider, in a robe with a crystalline staff) tells them (attempts to escape from either entrance/exit of the hall sends them right back into the school as this field around the building prevents escape) this, not mincing words or placating their fears about its presence. The experiment: in five hours the five students must choose one among them to die! The majority of the episode has the teens arguing amongst themselves on how to get out of the decision no normal human being would wish to face.
Heated discussion, pointed comments, criticism of each person's standards and their cliquish tendencies, debate on not accepting the terms the alien specified (if there isn't a victim chosen, all five will die), and the argument that despite their differences the value of human life is precious. Interestingly, I expected there to be manipulation among some of them to save their own skin, but that doesn't happen instead it seems the outcast is central to who might or might not die. I think it does preach from the pulpit regarding the school violence that was sad news in America with the Columbines and such, but the episode has a sincere message about defying the aches and rage that exist in kids who feel they must use a weapon to prove a point regarding how they're treated by others. It does cry aloud about acceptance, the value of life, and not succumbing to using violence all because you are rightfully in pain. This might not be the ideal Outer Limits episode for those not in the mood for a lecture in the vein of the afterschool special, but the message has merit this addressed real crimes and young lives lost.