Glim-Glim (4 Feb. 1989)

The last three survivors on earth find an alien who can help them.

Director:

Peter Stein

Writer:

F. Paul Wilson

Stars:

Mark Hofmaier, Brian Fitzpatrick, Jenna von Oÿ

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Mark Hofmaier
Brian Fitzpatrick	...	Carl
Jenna von Oÿ	...	Amy
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ken Walker	...	Glim-Glim

Storyline

The last three survivors on earth find an alien who can help them.

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Genres:

Horror

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Details

Release Date:

4 February 1989 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Laurel Entertainment Inc.

User Reviews

Sometimes it's important not to judge a book by it's cover

Three sole survivors remain in a small town decimated by a plague. With an strange alien being having trapped them in the town, the two adults fear it is up to no good. The child, Amy, instead reaches out to and befriends the alien. The question is: who's right?

What can I say about "Glim-Glim" that hasn't probably already been said. This seems to be a consistently high-rated episode and with good reason. It is arguably the best episode this show ever produced.

Unlike most other Monsters episodes, "Glim-Glim" does not rely on scares or even comedy, for that matter, to get its point across. There is one moment where a severed head is shown but it's still pretty mild. Instead, it relies on emotion.

Almost from the beginning, we are shown that Glim-Glim is not evil and is trying to halt the spread of the plague, so you can't help but cry when you realize he's ultimately doomed because of his physical appearance, the circumstances surrounding his arrival, his inability to communicate in the English language and the adult humans' unwavering attitude towards him. It really makes you stop and think about how we perceive those who are different. Seeing him form a bond with the little girl also doesn't help matters. To add the final cherry on top of the sundae, the episode takes place on Christmas. It's as if they wanted to rip your heart out. All of this leads up to one of the most gut-wrenching endings I have ever seen. I won't spoil this one, but you'd almost have to be made of stone not to feel anything while watching it.

Monsters has had its share of good and bad episodes during its run, but i feel this is an emmy-worthy episode (at least for the writing if nothing else) and it is definitely not to be missed as it will probably stay with you for a long time.