TWILIGHT ZONE was MUCH BETTER
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telegonus — 3 years ago(January 27, 2023 11:07 AM)
I don't care to make comparisons that slight older TV series, one against the other, as I prefer to enjoy each for its own individual qualities. Both
The Twilight Zone
and
The The Outer Limits
were fine series, with each having, built into them, due who had the most control over the series, its own strengths and weaknesses. For example: both shows had "heart", and each wore its heart on its sleeve. The
TZ
's Rod Serling was preachier, and more of a moralizer than the writers for
TOL
. In this, he made his job tougher due to his insistence on stressing morals emotionally, and emotions, morally.
TOL
was overall more cerebral and seriously intellectual. Joe Stefano and others who wrote for the series, examined the human condition more broadly, more wisely, and they struck me as better educated and with greater sophistication than the
TZ
people. Rod Serling was streetwise, a city boy who knew about ballparks, pool rooms and corner bars.
TOL
's characters can be deeply flawed and wounded, and still perform heroically, bear whatever burdens they have to carry, and do it well. Rod Serling, a compassionate man, could yet deliver a verdict (as it were) about his unfortunate characters having to, having made their beds, now having sleep in them. Even the
TOL
characters who have "failed" life's challenges, still retain an integrity in their individuality, their resolve, their judgment and moral courage. This does not make these characters losers. It's not like that on
TOL
. -
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gbennett5 — 10 years ago(August 26, 2015 07:16 PM)
Yet again this RIDICULOUS comparison when OL was strictly cerebral
sci fi and TZ was fantasy-based. And TZ has a TON of awful episodes,
and I would argue that 95 percent of the fourth year (which ran a year)
was out and out dreadful. When TZ shone, it was - and remains -
captivating and stunning. But gawd, when it was bad it was BAD.
Both shows could be brilliant, but it is absurd to compare them. -
gbennett5 — 10 years ago(August 27, 2015 03:40 AM)
They are brilliantly thoughtful, written, lit, shot and acted. There are
duds, and occasionally bad monster makeup, although the latter holds up
better than the horrible monster makeup in something like "Star Trek: The
Next Generation."
It is one of the most revered sci fi shows in history. If you don't get
it, or don't like it, don't watch it. But don't come here and troll about
it. At least not until you can compose a sentence that makes you look
older than a middle-school brat. -
Owlwise — 10 years ago(October 19, 2015 09:24 AM)
I second that. Both TZ & TOL were intelligent, atmospheric examinations of the human condition , as well as thoughtful, philosophical speculation. Each series took a different approach, making each one distinctive & more sharply focused on its chosen direction. No need to set them against each other in a ridiculous, artificial competition. I'm glad we have both series, because they both hold up beautifully half a century later.
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Carycomic — 10 years ago(October 19, 2015 12:17 PM)
TZ was kind of a buffet. Offering a well-crafted mixture of science fiction, allegorical fantasy, a few lighter-hearted fables, and one psychologtical thriller (starring Martin Landau) in equal measure.
But, in terms of straightforward sci-fi? I'd have to give the edge to OL.
Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 