The Obsolete Man - Twilight-Tober Zone
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2022
- Walter's favorite episode is here! "The Obsolete Man" is a piece of classic vintage TV that is still as relevant today as it ever was. The themes and morals aren't unique, but the execution of this story in every facet; from the visuals to the performances to the writing are top of the heap. Join Walter as he discusses this brilliant episode and dives further into The Twilight Zone.
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"The Obsolete Man" is episode 65 of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone, starring Burgess Meredith as Romney Wordsworth. It originally aired on June 2, 1961. The story was later adapted for The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas starring Jason Alexander as Wordsworth.
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What did you think of "The Obsolete Man"?
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This is definitely a Top 10 best episode to me, but I gotta say 1 thing I find interesting about this episode is how quickly the Chancellor is declared obsolete. In the beginning of the episode Romney is declared obsolete after an almost 2 year observation period. However, from the time the Chancellor arrives to Romney's room, the execution from the bomb, and him returning to his office only an hour or so passed. What I interpret from this is that the State has to keep up its appearance in order for average citizens to continue to believe in it otherwise they might rebel against it and demand a change to the system. So, once the State sees the Chancellor showing weakness and being a coward in front of the entire nation, they quickly replace him with his underling we saw at the beginning of the episode and declare him obsolete to prove it was the man and not the State that was flawed. Finally, this reminds me of the story of Harrison Bergeron where a similar government structure enforces equality amongst all its citizens but not its members and any sad memories of individuals or events are erased to keep up this facade of a perfect society.
It's a classic episode, and definitely one of the highlights of a wonderful show.
I love this episode, especially since religious people get so crapped on nowadays.
One of the best, a adore this awesome Table!
Oh, I remember this ep! I saw it in the last couple of years. I can't remember how I came across it. I was just a bit too young for the old Batman show, but I do remember watching reruns or whatever. I only knew Burgess Meredith as Penguin. Not only did I have no idea he did dramatic roles, I had no idea what a brilliant actor he was. Shame on me!
The scariest thing about this episode is how relevant it still is today, which is also why I love The Twilight Zone because it knew how to tell stories that still resonate with people decades later, for better or worse
Now that you say that I do wonder, especially when you see the public debates about work culture and fair wages you get a feeling of this very attitude that, while not as extreme as a mandated death sentence, someone who is not considered valuable by very subjective and biased standards doesn't deserve a quality of life
Ironically this episode seems to play on Cold War scares against leftist ideas but the modern attitude leans more conservative
Yep you're absolutely right kind of like George Orwell's 1984 I saw the movie and I was like holy s*** who the hell would want to be happy because they're being controlled that's bullshit I ain't going in like that no sir I will die before I'm controlled shit and the other one going around you will owe nothing and you will be happy yeah right they can kiss my ass with that shit
It never *hasn't* been relevant....
The scariest part to me, is that these "horrors" continue to happen, progressively more or in different ways, and humanity keeps running "business as usual" plows replaced hoes, tractors replaced plows, robots replaced tractors. It keeps going on and on accelerating, humans pushed more and more to the sidelines of the functioning of our civilization, and we just see it as normal
@@left4twenty yep I know what you're talking about I went into Taco Bell one day and not have seen that a soul inside in there except one dude at the counter I saw a lot of kiosks in there you can press the button on the kiosk and order your food or you can go to the counter and tell the cashier what you want to eat on the menu who knows how long that will last
Rod Serling was a genius way ahead of his time
This is my favorite episode too. I love how a librarian is the hero. This episode is so gutsy.
It's sort of like a David vs Goliath situation, which is perfect because of the religious themes and undertones in the episode
Twilight Zone shows how people of ANY cause can be corrupt if left unchecked, and how religion isn’t always the cause of this (as is portrayed in every single book/movie/speech I’ve ever seen.) Note how JK Rowling includes religious themes in her books, yet also portrays any religious influence as an excuse for the sins of characters.
Also shocking for the time were all the moral grays and political complexity in Twilight Zone. So, it was very brave of this show on live television to make such statements. Even today, people ban anything “controversial” because it leads to introspection. And critcal thinking is apparently the enemy of “good people” these days.
That’s what I liked about Star Trek episodes that weren’t written by Gene Roddenberry. They actually cite the bible as a reason to champion human rights, and highlight individual liberty as important while limiting government. DS9 further explores how religion vs state can affect societies and the moral grays of various extremes.
@@ConnanTheCivilized With all due respect, NOT EVERYONE believes in "The Bible" because it is an OVERRATED piece of religious literature and propaganda as well. After all, the writers of some of the episodes of the "Star Trek" shows were probably somewhat religious and that is so sad indeed.
The chancellor becoming the victim of the crowd reminds me of “Lord of the Flies.” In it the main characters turn on other kids one at a time in almost random cruelty, and it is only once Ralph looses power that he (and the audience) truly experience just how terrifying being hunted down by the state can be. Before becoming a victim himself, he portrayed it as “just a prank, bro!” It really shows how unreliable the viewpoint of someone in power can be, and how tempting it is for “good” people to excuse corruption. I love it.
Theory: Wordsworth is actually Henry Bemis. After Henry broke his glasses, he then is encountered by a group of armed men claiming to be from the government. they said they were sent out to organize and rebuild the world. (For those who don't know, this is a reference to the Old Man in the Cave) Henry goes with them, gets eye contact lenses, and changes his name. He sees this as a new start for him and decides to change his name in respect to the written word, "Wordsworth". He then gets a job as a librarian.
This I believe makes his death all the more meaningful. Henry/Rodney has been judged for reading books, by his wife, by his boss, and now the state. So it makes sense that he would grow wiser and decide to die for what he believes is a way of life.
I love this theory.
A pretty sound theory.
It's definitely not the case, but I do really like this idea! It adds up very well
Oh, I love this idea!
Someone give this man a raise!
The title "The Obsolete Man" is very applicable, but doesn't refer to the man we initially presume it does. It's fascinating that Wordsworth, a lowly libarian, accepted his death calmly, reading his Bible before the explosion. This is in stark contrast to the Chancellor, an esteemed State Member, who prowls the room for the key, then flees in a panic once its open.
It does tie into Sterling's ending narration very nicely.
Wordsworth reminds me of my father. Had he been in that situation where he is to be executed he would probably be reading his Bible too. Like Wordsworth my father is a God fearing man.
"Who is the monster and who is the man?"
"What makes a monster and what makes a man?"
I'm not sure what to substitute for "monster" for this episode, but it's the same principle: the surface layer and the truth are often diametrically opposed.
This is my dad's favorite episode. He admired Meredith's character because like Wordsworth my dad is a God fearing man. Also the fact that he wasn't afraid to die while the Chancellor was a coward.
God fearing man is the not the right description of Wordsworth. If he was, he would have been preaches Heaven and Hell.
@Chris Jackson, How would you describe Wordsworth? I only described him as God-fearing because he was reading the Bible to the Chancellor in his last hours!
@@melissacooper8724 I was describe him as the best example of a Christian. He truly believes in God and the Bible but he doesn’t condemn others and the State for not believing. He condemns them for saying a human can be labelled as obsolete and how they decriminalise people like him because of his views. Even in his final moment, he shows the Chancellor mercy and opens the door so he could live.
God fearing seems to indicate that Wordsworth was motivated out of fear of damnation.
@Chris Jackson, You're right. Wordsworth didn't act out of fear of damnation.
This is definitely a Top 10 best episode to me, but I gotta say 1 thing I find interesting about this episode is how quickly the Chancellor is declared obsolete. In the beginning of the episode Romney is declared obsolete after an almost 2 year observation period. However, from the time the Chancellor arrives to Romney's room, the execution from the bomb, and him returning to his office only an hour or so passed. What I interpret from this is that the State has to keep up its appearance in order for average citizens to continue to believe in it otherwise they might rebel against it and demand a change to the system. So, once the State sees the Chancellor showing weakness and being a coward in front of the entire nation, they quickly replace him with his underling we saw at the beginning of the episode and declare him obsolete to prove it was the man and not the State that was flawed. Finally, this reminds me of the story of Harrison Bergeron where a similar government structure enforces equality amongst all its citizens but not its members and any sad memories of individuals or events are erased to keep up this facade of a perfect society.
Perfection is only ever a theoretical, so the closest you can come is to make an illusion of it, but by taking measures to falsify the quality and nature of a thing, we tend to make it far worse than it would be if we just made it to serve the needs of its maker and made no claims to infallibility.
I always believed that some things must be inexcusable for the state. I believe that Romney would have been executed immediately had he been found with the Bible. Well, a top official of the state pleading for mercy to an obsolete librarian and yelling out "In the name of God" on live television, that must be grounds for immediate punishment
Totalitarian states cannot have those in power display weakness, at least not in public. It's one of the things that can lead to everything crashing down. You want a real-life example unfolding now, look at how the ongoing Russian military disaster in Ukraine is affecting Putin.
I thought the only reason that the Chancellor was declared obsolete was because he invoked the name of God when the state declared there is no God.
Because he humiliated The State and revealed the cracks in the system. He revealed them for who they really are and they weren't going to allow that.
I played The Chancellor in a stage production of this. I loved it.
I think this would make a great play. Were things added to the production?
@@AnotherPugBoy Wordsworth was portrayed by a woman, but other than that, not too much. The set was simple. Our director adapted three of these and we had an actor portray Rod Serling, as well.
It was a very enjoyable experience.
I still swear that the crowd was enjoying the idea of tearing the former chancellor a new one. There's something about that "wail" that possesses a sense of sadistic glee and satisfaction to my ears.
That SOUND they made :O and the body language they used! Omfg. I bet even on the set that was really alarming to witness. I also wonder what the hell that dream was about, in spite of myself.
I believe it. In authoritarian circles like that, you live in constant fear of your friends, much less your superiors. Fear leads to hate, and hate, when the balance of power shifts, leads to wrath.
The way they pulled off that sound was they had everyone start out at a relatively high pitch but at a low volume then as they got louder they lowered their pitch some of the time they got to the bottom it was a deafening base growl
A great show comparable to Orwell 1984,Fahrenheit 451 and other shows.
This is my #2 episode of the entire series. #1 being the monsters are due on maple street.
The obsolete man gave me chills the first time I saw it and Rod Sterlings ending narration has stuck with me for so long.
I'll miss all those Maple Street's. They just all disappeared, over night, like they tore themselves apart in the process.....
Every single Maple Street!
@@landonletterman831 No wonder I couldn't find it... Woah
Another great Twilight Zone episode with Burgess Meredith. And his second to involve books.
"It was time now..."
In his third episode, he is the devil who composes newspaper headlines. All three episodes involve reading or writing.
What’s funny is that in this episode, he was the victim of a bomb explosion. In the other episode, he was the only one who wasn’t.
This is my number one episode of all time. It’s so scary because of how real it is.
Now we are heading toward Christian fascism.
@@progKansas lol get with reality
@@ColonelCarnage look at Marjorie Taylor Greene's speech and laws passed by state legislatures.
@@progKansas look at Biden sicken the FBI on people. Look at the left censoring anything they disagree with. The Democrats are exactly the authoritarians in this episode.
@@progKansas when your only input is leftist dogma you're going to think there's a white supreme around every corner.
I didn't realize that was Burgess Meredith as the main character until you pointed it out. Such amazing talent from Meredith!!!
This is another one of those episodes that I did a reading for in high school. It's as chilling now as it was when I was a teenager in the 2010s...
Agreed, I never would have seen the twist coming, it's one of the most memorable installments of the series.
@@trinaq Probably explains why my teacher chose this and Maple Street for the episodes to show his high school class.
There is a reason Burgess Merideth is one of my all-time favorite actors. Every role he did was golden. RIP, Mr. Merideth.
I agree so much with that. He n
ever has been regraded as highly as merited.
and he was one of those chameleons.
I played this episode for my students on the last day of their Introduction to Humanities course. We had just finished studying Antigone, and this seemed like a very relevant tie-in. Great review, Walter!
Dang good choice.
I'm surprised your teaching license wasn't revoked for showing something depicting tyrannical government as bad.
@@guillermoelnino Haha
@@guillermoelnino especially if it's in Florida
@kthemaster1999 How stupid are you exactly?
The look on the Chancellor's face when he realizes that the State will not be coming to his rescue is priceless. And Fritz Weaver perfectly shows the Chancellor's increasing panic with the knowledge that he is to share Wordsworth's fate in a matter of minutes. And of course, Burgess Meredith was equal to the task of twisting the psychological knife by using the Chancellor's own words against him, and showing him a special brand of karma to come. Weaver and Meredith really played well off each other in this episode.
I have nothing to add to Walter's summation of this episode. Burgess Meredith and Fritz Weaver knocked it out of the park. And the relevance to the modern world is frankly terrifying.
I'm happy with the amount of praise the big room with the table and podium got here. Such an intimidating set.
A little tidbit I always found interesting was that the Chancellor first referred to the librarian as "Mr. Wordsworth" when he had power over him, but then called him "Wordsworth" after he realized that he had been set up.
This episode is still relevant today as it brings up censorship, rewriting history, and cancel culture. Serling was really prophetic about people and society when he says at the beginning, “Logic is an enemy and truth is a menace”
A lot of writers at the time wrote things like this. Such as Ray Bradbury, one of Serling's favorite authors.
Well, you can look to the past to get a glimpse of a possible future.
I have noticed that, when it comes to episodes like this, conservatives assume its an indictment of liberal values and liberals see it as a critique of conservative values. It's worth noting that Serling was a passionate progressive (politically and socially) and this episode, and others, reflect his denouncement of fascism and totalitarianism.
@brianskirk, I see it as an indictment of method rather than ideology. Both liberal AND conservative ideologies can end up in that place.
I think you're falling into a trap by describing it as an indictment of ideology. It's not. It's an indictment in trust in something other than truth, of the state taking over the place of an objective morality that exists outside of it.
It's far more productive to see ourselves in light of these stories than our enemies. I can't change those that ascribe to an ideology I dislike, but I can change myself.
@@JP2GiannaT Exactly. If you say "My side is the good side and has good reasons for everything, but the OTHER side is the bad side, and must be stopped at all costs", you're flirting with totalitarianism, regardless of which side you're on.
The craziest part to me is the librarian faced his death with dignity and peace while the chancellor was kicking and screaming and begging.
I didn't find it surprising because Romney was a man of faith while the Chancellor was not.
@@melissacooper8724 Isnt the problem more with autocrats?. Though one way i think you could spark fear in Romney is saying God is a woman, and i have proof. XX is woman, XY is man. Therefor XY is a addon to nature, ergo what if judging innocent people sends you to hell?. Either case, the sin is being an autocrat.
This seems to be a constant: examine the cases of Yagoda, Yezhov and Beria, each in his turn the head of the Soviet secret police. When each of these men fell out of favor, they -who had subjected their own victims to terror, torture and death- they ended up cringing, sobbing, begging for their lives. When the end came, they couldn’t face their deaths with any courage or dignity. They died as the cowards they truly were.
One of the most stellar episodes it's so simple yet so powerful it's the perfect example of the perfect episode of any show and it's one the episodes that helped The Twilight Zone stay relevant to this day
This is my absolute favorite episode too! When Romney turns the Chancellor’s words back on him, I get goosebumps, no matter how many times I’ve seen it.
Both men are excellent in their roles. Every episode with Burgess Merideth is top notch, a winner. This is probably his most powerful role in the series but his roles in "Time enough at last" and "Mr. Dingle the strong" showed that he had a real flair for humor. He was just so damned good at what he did.
This was one of rare strictly serious roles for Burgess Meredith in his entire career... And he totally nailed it. His performance was simply perfect.
This is also one of my absolute fav TZ episodes. It always reminds me of George Orwell's 1984, and yes, it IS quite relevant today as it was back then, when you look at how our individual liberties are slowly being taken away from us and the words of the people no longer apply. Then when you listen to Serling's closing comments, almost makes you weep.
Yes, I was wondering what Walter's favourite episode was, and we've finally gotten there, almost three seasons in! I'd definitely recommend showing this episode to someone who hasn't seen the show before, I reckon that they'd be instantly hooked! 💗😍
It might come off too preachy to some. Religion might hinder the episode for some to.
@@ramsfan0868 Personally, I really love the inclusion of religion in the episode. Wether you believe in God or not, no state or ideology should be able to ban religion. Plus, like the video said, it's the perfect correlation since the state pretty much sees themselves as a god and it made for the perfect moment when the chancellor yells out "In the name of God, let me out of here!" live on television, thus showing the hypocracy of the state
@@xXTwigManXx Fair enough
@@xXTwigManXx Exactly. One of my all time favorite favorite episodes.
The way he spoke definitely took inspiration from dictators, but I feel only Christian's see the wildest part of this.
The huge room, the congregation (how quickly, and dangerously, they became a mob), the man on the pulpit, the fact that he's preaching his ideas and the fact that he's yelling "there is no God" no differently than a preacher would stand up there and cry "there is a God!"
He talks about dangers, and how the state may show him mercy and "save" him, but religion or belief is still a personal journey, it can't be handed to you by someone else. It _can,_ but it will never be as strong as what you went out and confirmed or denied for yourself.
Wow! Talk about completely missing the point.
@@Yesica1993 how so? You failed to explain.
You mean the religious persecution of this man resulting in his death because he stuck to his guns (literally dieing on that hill), while the persecutor runs and cowers just to be torn apart by a machine even colder and more unfeeling than the one he just sentenced to death as "dangerous"?
Perhaps it was the tearing down of information for all to help promote the more state sponsored, and approved, dispensing of information!
Yeah, went right over my head, sorry. Sorry I just decided to raise one thing I noticed about the scene, and thanks for making your point so clear.
Hate to think you were just bleating about somebody else's opinion on something, as if any of it mattered.....in the Twilight Zone.....
@@Yesica1993 Wow! Talk about a glib complaint!
One interesting thing that I didn't know until recently is that this episode was made around the time that verificationism was starting to die out in philosophy. Verificationism was the idea that any statement that could not be verified using the scientific method was meaningless and in a sense worthless. CS Lewis wrote about this attitude in The Abolition of Man. He argued that if we were to follow that philosophy to its natural end we would end up wiping out mankind since mankind's value could not be scientifically verified. We see a great depiction of that idea here. I wonder if Serling was responding to this very idea
I prefer "he's alive" basically implying Neo- Nazis in America
Basically using words that would be echoed by Trump
A very powerful ep with a timely message. Sadly, the cigarettes that RS pushes is what killed him. :(
I'm glad that you mentioned Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and Orwell's 1984 in the review as this episode shares a lot of the same themes as the two books and deserves to be analyzed and taught in schools. This is also my favorite episode.
I could see them happening in the same world,.in the same dimension.
I can just hear the excitement in Walter’s voice during this
I loved the Obsolete man, i was only 15 years old when i first saw, i just saw a random couple of episodes of the show and honestly I was not amused but after this one I was a total fan.
Definitely my favorite episode. Those that deem others worthless are intrinsically talking about themselves. They need to tear others down.
One of my favorite Burgess Meredith episodes.
Agreed: one of my very favorites, and one of the best showcases for Meredith, and Weaver both: they needed to be able to depend on each other to carry this as strongly as they do.
“You cannot erase God with an edict” what an amazing line. This guy is a chad
As a creative writer, I love writing and handwriting my ideas. When I first watched this episode, we really connected with the words "obsolete" and how relevant it feels in our life.
What's the point in handwriting when nearly everything is typed?
What's the point in writing lovely words when most people don't read?
What's the point in a skill which seems more focused on visual media than written?
It really made us think that in that society, and an extension of this one, perhaps my own skills are obsolete. That I was obsolete. We honestly struggle with it often whenever we notice people don't read things we write for work, or friends don't read the stories we write unless they are published and drawn online.
This episode hit such a cord with us, we still tell people about it as one of the Twilight Zone episodes we take inspiration from in our stories.
"we"? Are you talking about the voices in your head lol
I can tell you. From the bottom of my heart (as small as it is). You, my friend, are NOT obsolete.
There may come a time when your skills are needed or - more likely - desired.
@@Jack1994hoo By saying this, you have a greater heart than you know
@@Chaos89P 🧡🙏
I've been waiting for a video dissection of this particular episode for quite some time now. You have no idea. This episode is a big deal to me. It's what I fear most. Thank you so much Walter. You're the man.
Get your head out of the gutter, you should not fear the "state" maybe fear the unfeathered greed and capital that is slowly destroying and corrupting the earth, not a state that attempting to regulate and prevent this
This one is definitely in my top ten, in part because of that amazing opening set, and the excellent performances.
My favorite episode of all time. It's a timeless classic. I love at the end when the mob comes for him, the Chancellor is still pleading that he wants to serve the state, still oblivious the the cult-like, slave mentality.
"You can not erase God with an edict!"
I remember watching this episode as a kid and most of it going over my head. But it stuck with me, and has all the more so now that I've grown up and have a much firmer grasp on and the life experience necessary to get an idea of what's going on.
"This story is anything but obsolete." Very well put.
Now THIS is a timeless story.
Yes it is! Look at what’s happening in Florida.
@@Globalman43 I agree with you because of the right-wing assault on certain books that were being declared as "controversial" and "not mainstream" in any way has proven the conservative and religious extremists to be so intolerant as ever.
As kids my brother, sister and I would say “you are obsolete “ whenever we got mad at each other. Childish but effective and we cracked ourselves up.
Since you love this episode, may I suggest the audio drama with Jason Alexander as Wordsworth. It expands on the piece by showing who else is being declared obsolete, how he got the idea for his plan, and a scene with the man who sets up the camera in the room.
The most terrifying thing about this episode is that every day this comes closer and closer to becoming our reality.
What can be done about it? I don't know. I wish I had the answer.
Seeing our enemies as people is a start. Affirm the truth in what they say, then work from that common ground on the rest.
The trouble is that both parties have to agree on that.
@@JP2GiannaT
Be serious the western world has been undergoing a "leftification" for decades. There is no such a the 2 sides have to agree... They are using the "two sides" for simplification and the world is far too complecated to have such simplistic ideologies.
Oh, what utter nonsense. Meaningless doom-speak. "Oh, things are so bad in the age I live in. They were SO much better in the past."
@@JP2GiannaT There's no truth in what some people say. There's no common ground with people who want to destroy you.
This is my second favorite episode of all time, right after Walking Distance! This review actually made me decide to rewatch it for like the 20th time, haha. This ep holds sort of a special place in my heart, as it just so happened to be one of the very first episodes that I watched of the series, by pure chance. When I first started on this series, I decided to just choose random episodes from random seasons to watch and this was one of the first ones I chose randomly. It's always been one of my favorites and I realized only about a week or so ago that's its definitely my second favorite.
This review is a clear love letter to the episode. Excellent job Walter!!
Gosh that wailing is so visceral, it really is bone-chilling excellent coverage as always
The way the chancellor repeats himself into the microphone after every rebuke from Wordsworth hits hard for how almost any discussion goes today.
OMG..you nailed your analogy on my favorite "Twilight Zone" as well. The brilliance of this episode is unmatched. Thank you so much! 🥰
A lot of us remember (and love) Burgess as The Penguin, in much the same way we remember (and love) Richard Basehart as Admiral Nelson (able to spout any old scientific gibberish and make it sound plausible) yet somewhat bizarrely forgetting/overlooking the fact that they were both excellent actors with many superb roles under their belt(s). Thank you lads, R.I.P.
Never saw this episode but the fact that walter is praising it as his favorite makes me want to watch it!!
This is without a doubt one of the most fascinating episode of the twilight zone series. And to think this story was made to reflect an idea of what the world could be, now we can easily see it as our world will be soon. And it’s no longer a question of how will it come to be this way……..but when.
Definitely one of the best episodes of the show. Great video Walter!
Best Burgess Meredith episode ever. Love how the bad guy gets killed by his own state
one of my personal favorites I I remember when it was broadcast many years ago , and now looking back on how much is taking place today in our country and the world !
Ever since you started uploading these videos i was so earnestly waiting for this particular episode...I LOVE this episode...Obsolete Man and Changing of the Guard are my personal favorites😊😊😊
Powerful, terrifying, and still very relevant today. Great story telling that still makes you think.
I must thank you for covering this series! There is basically not Twilight zone content on RUclips, and it’s such a shame because it has so much to give. Your channel is like a diamond! Thank you! Happy New Year!
If you guys loved this episode their is an audible versio (like an old time radio show) out there. It's a longer story staring Jason Alexander. It's really good too. This one of my favorite pieces of any media. Wonderful for its time, and just as relevant today.
The whole look and feel of the episode is reminiscent of 1950’s live television dramas, which gave Rod Serling his start in television. In fact, Nineteen Eighty-Four is one of several literary classics staged for live television in that decade, and these productions were often minimalist and stark, with a theatrical feel and a small number of cast members due to budgetary constraints. Viewers of “The Obsolete Man” would probably have experienced a bit of nostalgia for the live television programs of the previous decade.
When the Chancellor berates Romney for being obsolete, he declares: _"Delusions, Mr. Wordsworth, that you inject your veins with printer's ink."_ 8:48
In the video you mention that this is one of two episodes where Burgess Meredith's character has close ties with books; the other being "Time Enough At Last". where he portrays bookworm Henry Bemis, who becomes an obsolete man in a different sort of way.
What's also of note along these lines is that while these two episodes allude to the reader's end of books, the Chancellor's rant about "printer's ink", that is, a component in the manufacturing end of reading matter. This reminds of us another Meredith episode that is about that aspect: "Printer's Devil".
What's disturbing in how closely the near-dystopia of the hysterical reaction to the 2020 pandemic by officials both elected and unelected mirrored this episode, and to some extent still mirror it. In "The Obsolete Man" the State deems that there is no longer any need for certain occupations, hence. Wordsworth is declared "obsolete", while in the real world government officials declared some businesses and other groups as *non-essential*, as if they had any right whatsoever to do so. The outcome of this closet totalitarianism meant the bankruptcy of many long-standing companies, along the disruption of countless lives through unemployment culminating in homelessness and severe depressions/suicides. In other cases, even houses of worship were persecuted as non-essential,
I think they got the idea from the early turn of the century progressives.
"We should all be obliged to appear before a board every five years and justify our existence... on pain of liquidation." George Bernard Shaw
Still one of my favorite Zone episodes, and as you say, just as relevant today.
I always thought I was alone in having this episode as my #1 favorite TZ episode. It becomes more and more relevant as time goes on . . . . .
What a coincidence, this is my favorite too.
This is such a good episode, easily in my top 5. Welcome back to October Walter, we're hype for your TwilightOber Zone
We watched this episode in my tenth grade English class and the whole class was invested all the way through.
This episode I was never too crazy about but to each their own and it does have Burgess Meredith.
This is my #1 favorite! I absolutely love it. This is, also, by far, my favorite Burgess Meredith performance.
This is such a strong episode, one of those simple-but-assertive pieces of writing that will shape a part of your thoughts. Glad that people haven't forgotten it.
This channel deserves more views more subscribers, I look forward to this every year.
Man this is going to be a strong month of episodes. This one is a classic, but my favorite has to be "5 characters in search of an exit". Can't wait for that one.
Birthday Twighlight-Tober Zone? Best Day Ever!
Loved this episode!! your twilight toner is so great especially for this episode!!!! 🎉
While this isn't the most subtle, it gets the point across very well.
"The Obsolete Man" and "Death's Head Revisited" are the two best Twilight Zone episodes ever made!
This was my favorite episode for a while
I love that someone still shows love for this episode.
We back and I’m happy.
This is literally my FAVORITE TWILIGHT ZONE EPISODE!!! I can quote that court scene word for word, to the point where my brother finds it annoying and oddly cringe.
This is also is my favorite episode of the entire series.
Awe man!! This is my favorite episode as well!! Very Powerful!! The hum of the crowd at the end!
Thankye from Denver North Carolina
I can't wait for Deaths-Head Revisited, a fantastic episode.
Twilight Zones 30 min episodes have MORE story then hours of Today's movies n shows
One of my favorite episodes
My favorite Twilight Zone episode.
Such a GREAT episode... We always chant OBSOLETE every time the word comes up... decades later.
I always felt like this episode fit perfectly alongside the British series "The Prisoner"
Just like Walter, this is one of my absolute favorites. The pacing is inanely perfect, the acting balances each other out so well & that ending is horrifying; the original extension of the finale was actually even more gruesome
I’m glad this series returned! Good stuff! Happy Halloween!!!
This was one of my favorite episodes of the twilight zone! Fantastic performances by burgess Meredith, and fritz weaver! Both showed passion for their arguments, and what happens when the; state has it's power turned against them from a in their terms obsolete person! Even more important in this day and age!
One of the greatest episodes of television I've ever seen!
That last scene was terrifying!!
This is one of my favorite episodes absolutely amazing writing.
One of my all time favorites. Love the message.