Sandkings (26 Mar. 1995)

When his research project is closed down, Simon Kress rescues a few of its living subjects and transplants them to a recreation of their native Martian environment in his barn. They grow ... See full summary »

Director:

Stuart Gillard

Writers:

George R.R. Martin (novel), Melinda M. Snodgrass (teleplay)

Stars:

Beau Bridges, Helen Shaver, Dylan Bridges

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Beau Bridges	...	Dr. Simon Kress
Helen Shaver	...	Cathy Kress
Dylan Bridges	...	Josh Kress
Kim Coates	...	Dave Stockley
Lloyd Bridges	...	Col. Kress
Patricia Harras	...	Debbie
Nathaniel DeVeaux	...	Security Captain
Deryl Hayes	...	Policeman
Mark Saunders	...	Lab Assistant
J.B. Bivens	...	Mover
David Cameron	...	Technician #1
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brandon Obray	...	Todd Brantley (scenes deleted)

Storyline

When his research project is closed down, Simon Kress rescues a few of its living subjects and transplants them to a recreation of their native Martian environment in his barn. They grow and learn, but then Kress makes an error with disastrous implications.

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Details

Release Date:

26 March 1995 (USA)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Did You Know?

Trivia

The cast of this episode includes three generations of the Bridges family. The main character, Dr. Simon Kress, is played by Beau Bridges. His father is played by his real-life father Lloyd Bridges and his son is played by his real-life son Dylan Bridges.

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Quotes

[last lines]
The Control Voice: Increasingly, modern science pursues powers traditionally reserved for the almighty, but those who encroach upon the province of the gods realize too late that the price for entrance is destruction.

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Connections

Featured in The Outer Limits: Final Appeal (2000)

User Reviews

The Nobel Prize

The scientist Dr. Simon Kress (Beau Bridges) has been researching the development of a species using eggs found in a sample of Martian soil. When one bug escapes from the laboratory breaking the security of the facility, the project is shut-down by the government due to its hazard. Dr. Simon expected to win the Nobel Prize and steals 275 g of the sample ground, bringing it to the barn of his property and developing new species. He hides the truth from his wife Cathy (Helen Shaver) and shares the secret with his smart son Josh (Dylan Bridges). Along the days, Simon realizes how intelligent the creatures are and feels like a god since they seem to worship him. However, when Simon is bitten by a subject, he changes his irresponsible behavior to insanity, jeopardizing his family, his friend and mankind.

"Sandking" is the pilot of "The Outer Limits" show and presents a story very similar to "The Fly": an ambitious scientist that makes a mistake with his experiment, being affected and becoming insane with the transformation. The story is disclosed in a low pace, with reasonable special effects for a television show, but the character of Dr. Simon Kress looks like a "crazy scientist" since the very beginning with his irrational behavior when one subject escapes. The final message criticizing scientists that wish to behave like gods is silly and shallow, since the development of science is important and necessary within the limits of ethic, otherwise humanity would still be in the Dark Age. The deranged Dr. Simon Kress is not a good example of a responsible man-of-science. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Quinta Dimensão - Reis da Areia - Partes 1 e 2" ("Fifth Dimension - Sandkings - Parts 1 & 2")