The Outer Limits (TV Series) The Grell (1999) User Reviews

Racism of the Future

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 22 July 2014]

The Grell are a subjugated people who are made to serve their more "enlightened" masters. They have the best of humanity, kindness and compassion, and yet are treated as if they were filthy insects. They raise the children, give of their own being to save others, and receive nothing in return. In this episode, a family of earth people are trapped and must find a way to their place of rescue. Unfortunately (or not), they are hunted by the Grell who have formed a resistance. The poor servant must choose between his loyalty to his family and joining the rebels. He gets an agreement from the family as he uses his devices to save the father in exchange for his freedom. Of course, the earth people will promise anything and then not deliver on their promises. How can you make a pact with something so inhuman? The bodily fluids used to save the man have some interesting side effects and that's when the themes of the story come out to play. Deanna Troi from Star Trek: The Next Generation stars as a bigoted mother who has no scruples whatsoever. This is a very interesting episode.

Well, Gary Ewing and Deanna Troi, If Nothing Else

[richard.fuller1 · 4 May 2006]

In a distant galaxy, a high official (Ted Shackleford) and his family (Marina Sirtis as his wife) crash-land with their two servants, aliens called Grell on a planet. Is it Earth or the aliens' world? I think it was the aliens planet, but never mind.

We never leave the woods.

One of the alien slaves is killed trying to escape. The other, Jasha, is torn between serving his masters and joining his native people.

Jasha feels he has no family other than his masters.

Decently done and it is fun seeing Marina Sirtis as a discriminating, bigoted woman.

Shackleford is okay, but a bit comical looking in alien makeup.

Actually not too heavy on everybody has rights, or maybe that plot has been played out, but a good story nonetheless.