The absolute greatest episodes in "The Twilight Zone" - or even the greatest Sci-Fi stories in general - feature an uncanny atmosphere from start to finish, have bleak endings, and their plots continue to haunt your thoughts for several more days after. "Death Ship" ticks all the above boxes, and I honestly cannot understand why this episode isn't listed among the best and top-rated ones of the entire series.
Richard Matheson - who else? - delivers captivating Sci-Fi tale that handles with one of the most complex and sensitive themes of the genre, namely time-traveling and all the paradoxes and loops that come with it. It's not the story's main premise, though, and thanks to the longer running time (50 minutes) there is also room for mystery, suspense and melodrama (but not the irritating kind).
During a routine interstellar mission to scout for new resources, in the year 1997 (!), a three-headed space crew spots a strange reflection on an unknown planet. When they land to investigate, they make a shocking discovery, namely their own crashed ship with their own dead bodies inside. This naturally leads to paranoia, deep fear, hallucinations, extreme speculation, and severe disagreement between the three of them. "Death Ship" is a stupendous episode, brought to an even higher level by the integer performances, and the bitterly sad family moments.
Richard Matheson - who else? - delivers captivating Sci-Fi tale that handles with one of the most complex and sensitive themes of the genre, namely time-traveling and all the paradoxes and loops that come with it. It's not the story's main premise, though, and thanks to the longer running time (50 minutes) there is also room for mystery, suspense and melodrama (but not the irritating kind).
During a routine interstellar mission to scout for new resources, in the year 1997 (!), a three-headed space crew spots a strange reflection on an unknown planet. When they land to investigate, they make a shocking discovery, namely their own crashed ship with their own dead bodies inside. This naturally leads to paranoia, deep fear, hallucinations, extreme speculation, and severe disagreement between the three of them. "Death Ship" is a stupendous episode, brought to an even higher level by the integer performances, and the bitterly sad family moments.