Death Ship - Twilight Zone Episode REVIEW

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  • Опубликовано: 2 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 81

  • @Galantski
    @Galantski 2 года назад +3

    An insightful review of another uber-fav of mine, even though the ending isn't necessarily that satisfying for me. I'd be interested in knowing what permutations the writing of "Death Ship" went through before Matheson came up with the payoff that they're all dead,, because it almost looks as though he might have at one point have been toying with different explanations. I could see him musing over whether it should be that they all died but aren't initially aware of the fact, that an alien life force is causing hallucinations, they're stuck in some sort of space-time loop, or something else.
    Although for me the idea that they're all ghosts viewing their dead bodies has some seemingly inherent flaws (Why are what should be disembodied spirits still flying around in a material object? If Lts.Carter and Mason--who believe they have passed on--are able to enter the realm of the dead, how is Capt. Ross, who doesn't believe, able to follow them there? How is he able to pull them back? Where is he pulling them back from, and pulling them to, if they all are in the same state of being? If Ross is the one who's wrong, is it not he who's having the delusion that they're all still alive? and so on.) Of course, there are problems with Ross's "solutions", as well.
    In short, there are strengths and weaknesses no matter which scenario is arrived at, and this ambiguity enriches the story. However, I don't think the "they're all dead" conclusion is ever proven to my satisfaction, although I.am ready to accept it as readily as the others. Of course, there's another possibility that Matheson doesn't explore, and that's that it's a playing out of Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence, in which he postulated (why I have no absolutely no idea 🙄) that all existence has been recurring, and will continue to recur, in a self-similar form endlessly across infinite time or space.
    But back to the episodes many high points. The cast, particularly Jack Klugman and Ross Martin, is strong. As Ross, Klugman is almost a villain as the story unfolds, except that he is convinced that they are still alive, and is basing his orders on this faulty, but sincerely held belief. As commander, he is so sure of the rightness of his position that he sees any other view to be counterproductive. Martin as Mason, on the other hand, has found that love is still waiting on the other side and is visibly overcome by emotion until he becomes incensed when Ross pulls him away from his family. And Carter, played by Fred Beir, experienced a similar reversal.
    One of the great _Twilight Zone_ shock moments for the entire series is the first viewing of the scene where they go aboard the crashed spacecraft to find their corpses. The design of everything in the episode is strong, particularly the control deck as they watch the blips on the screen from the planet below. One of my favorite scenes is the one after they return to space then descend to revisit the planet so that Ross can attempt to prove to them things will be changed for the better. They walk around the interior of the ship, slowly opening windows to reveal the alien landscape without their crashed craft, feeling more and more confident, only to finally open the one that reveals that the craft is still there, and still crashed. It's a real stunner on first viewing.
    Is this the only _TZ_ episode where there is a landing on another planet, but one without aliens? It seems that way. In any case, my quibbles aside, I rate this *5 out of 5 "I **_Don't_** Want to Believe!" Commanders*
    And here are some tropes: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/TheTwilightZoneS4E108DeathShip

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  2 года назад +4

      Hey Galantski! As far as I can recall, I think Death Ship may be the only one where aliens were not present on an another world. The first one that came to mind though was 'The Lonely', but that's more of just a desolate asteroid, and the main point was that the lead was in total isolation.
      Anyway, there was so much to go through in this classic Matheson story, so I'm glad to hear any and all thoughts on it. I tend to go by Serling's outros and maybe come up with my own head canon too when episodes have elements that are a bit open to interpretation. My take was that they are all dead and everything we're seeing is taking place within some spiritual realm and stuck in a loop. However, you hit a great idea when you noted that since Ross is wrong maybe this is his delusion alone. I really like that angle because at least that allows for the other two guys to have moved on long ago.

    • @Galantski
      @Galantski 2 года назад +1

      ​@@FeverDreamlandTheater You know, I didn't consciously intend to make the point that you inferred I made about Ross being alone in his delusion, but, wow, I like that, so I guess we need to take shared credit on that one, with you getting most of it. So, if he was imagining his crewmates being with him, and being stuck in a replay mode, that's just as grim in. its own way as any other. the explanation we may want to parse. I think it's fair to call this a form of cosmic horror in any case, horror cosmic merged with something akin to psychological horror.
      Incidentally, there is another great _TZ_ episode--in this case a half-hour one set on Earth, and not sci-fi--that I regard as a companion piece to "Death Shio" in theme and action, though with a few distinct differences. (I don't believe you've reviewed it yet. Care to take a guess? (I'm pretty sure it would be one of your favorites like it is mine. If you like "Death Ship", I can't imagine you _not_ liking the one I have in mind.
      I watched your interview (part one) of Marc Scott Zicree and really enjoyed it. That must have been a great experience for you. In a way, I'm guessing it was an easy task: You provide intelligent questions and then sit back for several minutes as Marc waxes eloquently about a subject he clearly loves. Thanks so much!
      P.S., I was intrigued by the idea of a "Rod Serling's Wax Museum" series, with him pulling hoods from the wax figures of the actors, Naturally, my mind leaped to "The New Exhibit", a genuinely creepy _TZ_ episode I believe you've reviewed.

    • @Galantski
      @Galantski 2 года назад +2

      @@FeverDreamlandTheater You bring up an interesting question as to whether there was any episode other than "Death Ship" set on another world, but a planet without any aliens. I wracked my brain for a while, and couldn't think of any, but then one came to mind: "On Thursday We Leave for Home" (Season 4, Episode 16).

  • @retrocorner
    @retrocorner 3 года назад +9

    Mixing space and the afterlife together was brilliant. Denying reality is like your mind wandering around in a endless void. You'll come up with any possiblity to deny what's right in front of you. Eventually you'll either lose your sanity and/or your life.
    Twilight Zone man... a timeless show.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад +1

      Hey wassup Retro, thanks for watching. Yeah, totally agree, space + the afterlife works brilliantly, especially here.

  • @stillmorereviews9114
    @stillmorereviews9114 3 года назад +3

    Once upon a time I got to explore an old derelict barge. Ever since then I’ve had a special place in my heart for any horror story taking place on a ship.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад +1

      Dude, that actually sounds cool as hell.

    • @stillmorereviews9114
      @stillmorereviews9114 3 года назад +2

      @@FeverDreamlandTheater it was definitely an experience. Highly recommended if you ever happen across one.

  • @ra15899550
    @ra15899550 Год назад +1

    "Death Ship" and "The Grave" are two of my all time favorite TZ episodes. Very eerie. Loved your review on Death Ship.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  Год назад

      Thanks! Death Ship was a lot of fun to cover and there was some cool trivia.

  • @BegoneJonah
    @BegoneJonah Год назад +2

    I saw this episode in 1963 when I was seven years old. It absolutely terrified me. I’ve never forgotten it.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  Год назад +1

      That's awesome, always a pleasure to hear from fellow TZ fans who enjoyed the show as it was originally airing. Thanks Wes.

  • @jamesdrynan
    @jamesdrynan 2 года назад +1

    The flights of fancy experienced by the two astronauts by seeing people from their pasts reminded me of something. In Ray Bradbury's " The Martian Chronicles, " the third expedition lands on Mars and the astronauts have hallucinations of their past in memories. This episode also has that groundhog day affect of repeating a pattern, like Dennis Weaver in TZs " Shadow Play. "

  • @white_heat.truth76
    @white_heat.truth76 Год назад +1

    I knew a WWII vet we called The Flying Dutchman, it was because he had a penchant for flying off the handle. The infamous ghost ship is one of several reasons this episode stands out for me.

  • @elmermedina1713
    @elmermedina1713 2 года назад +3

    I like to think Lt. Carter and Mason are in heaven and Capt. Ross is in hell that’s why Ross refuses to accept his demise. That’s why we never saw Ross’s afterlife.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  2 года назад +1

      That is another interesting interpretation. Thanks for watching & commenting on these vids Elmer, it is much appreciated! Be well!

    • @brandonmedina494
      @brandonmedina494 2 года назад

      @@FeverDreamlandTheater same to u my friend

  • @Pierce_Productions
    @Pierce_Productions 3 года назад +4

    Admittedly not one of my favorites but might have to go back and rewatch it after your review. I'm loving these twilight zone videos man.

  • @cirespeedreviews
    @cirespeedreviews 3 года назад +1

    Like how you connect this to the Flying Dutchman, I saw earlier this year a video where someone saw a silhouette in the distance in the ocean and referenced the Flying Dutchman. Great video as always.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад +2

      Hey wassup awkward reviewer, always good to hear from you. When Serling threw that Flying Dutchman note in at the end, I knew it sounded familiar. Figured it would be interesting to look into the history a little bit and see how it tied together. There was a GREAT episode of 'Star Trek The Next Generation called 'Cause & Effect' that I also thought might have fit as a Dutchman reference, but the vid was running a little long. : p

  • @rosettareviews6531
    @rosettareviews6531 3 года назад +1

    Take 2:
    You hit the part of this story that always freaked me out: the concept that an authority figure could lock a person in purgatory is scary... Excellent review Fever, you always look at them through a clear lens.

  • @proofnewtestamentistrue2948
    @proofnewtestamentistrue2948 2 года назад +2

    Remember when Mason pulls the id card out of the dead doppelganger's pocket and compares the Lt's own card to it? Ross is standing kinda far away. How good a look does the captain get at both cards to know they are 100% percent identical? Also, what was Ross writing down when they got back to their uncrashed ship? A log entry?

  • @VasManHorrorLivesMatter
    @VasManHorrorLivesMatter 3 года назад +2

    This episode had so many levels to it. Your analysis was spot on and the video presentation stellar 👍. Jack Klugman was an excellent and underrated actor. Amazin' work.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад +1

      Dude, thanks for watching. Yeah Klugman was great. I think I probably saw him initially on Odd Couple. Very underrated.

    • @VasManHorrorLivesMatter
      @VasManHorrorLivesMatter 3 года назад +1

      @@FeverDreamlandTheater It's Quincy for me and 12 angry men. Quincy reruns have been on TV in England consistently for as long as I can remember. Super preachy show but a fun, easy watch. Never seen the odd couple TV show.

  • @cessnaace
    @cessnaace 3 года назад +1

    In the original short story, which I read about a week ago, The Flying Dutchman comparison was made, and the dead bodies were severely damaged (one character had a crushed head). The flashbacks were not present, and the ship was described as having a rocket type shape. The model used in the episode was from the film Forbidden Planet, which was produced by MGM. The Twilight Zone was also filmed at MGM.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад

      Hey cessnaace, thanks for the watch and the additional details regarding the original short story. The Forbidden Planet props were really put to use in Twilight Zone. I reviewed 'To Serve Man' recently and the lower portion of the Kanamits' spaceship was also from MGM's Forbidden Planet.

  • @bridgetschlaefer5249
    @bridgetschlaefer5249 Год назад +1

    I love this one. It has dramatic writing, which is just one of the best of TZ. Jack Klugman was very good! Ross' part was unbelievable. Those eyes! Bair's part is the average scared man, but he played it so well.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  Год назад +1

      Hey Bridget, I agree. I love all four of Jack Klugman's TZ episodes, he was great. No wonder they asked him to come back repeatedly. Bair was truly great as well. Thanks for watching! 😃

    • @bridgetschlaefer5249
      @bridgetschlaefer5249 Год назад

      @@FeverDreamlandTheater You're very welcome, dear sir. The saddest of ALL of Jack's is *sniff* In Praise of Pip.

  • @BurjaRocar
    @BurjaRocar 3 года назад +2

    As expected, another solid and entertaining review man. Nicely done.
    Holy shit what an incredibly trippy concept for an episode. I feel like if done properly, that could be turned into a super interesting movie today. But that aside, the whole idea of landing, expecting to find aliens, only to find your own damn selves dead...I'm beyond intrigued to say the least.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад +1

      Hey Burja wassup, thanks for watching and commenting dude. It's funny, when I was re-watching this & reading up on the episode it did feel like a concept that could work as a movie. On that note, I actually thought of a few other movies that used a similar twist, the main character / characters being dead all along.

  • @juliamavroidi8601
    @juliamavroidi8601 2 года назад +1

    The only thing I dislike about this episode is that the subordinates are also punished for their captain's flaws. Still one of my favorite episodes.
    On a different note: It would be interesting to find out how many Twilight Zone episodes use the "3 astronauts explore an alien planet" set up. It seems to be obe of the most if not the most common one on the show.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  2 года назад +1

      Hey Julia, you are right, the three astronauts format shows up here in Death Ship, Elegy, And When the Sky Was Opened...there may be others? Not sure. I also agree about the two guys being dragged punished as a result of their Captain's flaws, that just seems tragically unfair. In any case, wonderful episode though. Thank you for watching & commenting!

  • @lesterma1608
    @lesterma1608 2 года назад +1

    At this time I would to commend RUclips having documenting many entertainment links for all of us to enjoy for years and years🤙🏼❤️😂

  • @ButOneThingIsNeedful
    @ButOneThingIsNeedful 3 года назад +2

    Very much agree this episode is underrated, and I'll go you one better. The negative feeling toward the one-hour eps that, as you mentioned, seems rather widespread is significantly misplaced. A number of season 4's installments are, in my opinion, high-quality TZ indeed! Examples: Valley of the Shadow, Death Ship, On Thursday We Leave for Home, No Time Like the Past, Printer's Devil, The Parallel, Passage of the Lady Anne, In His Image, etc. And other people would add ones like The New Exhibit, Miniature, Mute, Jess-Belle. That's a good batting average in my book.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад +1

      I agree 100%. I was expecting the absolute worst with season 4 prior to watching it based off what I had heard over the years. Your list is rock solid. Looking back, I think the only episodes I did not care for were The Bard and I Dream Of Genie.

  • @chubbsreviews
    @chubbsreviews 3 года назад +1

    Haven’t seen twilight zone in along time! Nice breakdown of this episode I dropped a like and subscribed

  • @Rozinante61
    @Rozinante61 3 года назад +1

    That was an awesome review! Thanks for putting it out there for us RM fans.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад

      Thank you for watching. There's other reviews too if you wish to check them out. Best wishes.

  • @riverguy75
    @riverguy75 2 года назад +1

    Whenever I watch this episode, I hope lieutenant Carter and Mason can finally reach the afterlife to be with their loved ones and Captain Ross can just stay in his own stubborn Limbo of his own making. Truly sad...😢

  • @fortheloveofmovies.
    @fortheloveofmovies. 3 года назад +2

    I don't think I ever watched this one, great video. Good reference to the pirates of the Caribbean.

  • @HaveCheetahWillView
    @HaveCheetahWillView 3 года назад +1

    Richard Matheson is a sci-fi writing legend......really enjoyed your review!!

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад

      No doubt. Prior to these reviews I never quite paid too much attention to the other individual writers on the show who contributed so much. Now I'm researching and learning more about them. Delving a bit deeper. Really good stuff. Anyway thank you for watching!

  • @nakeishamammeri5094
    @nakeishamammeri5094 Год назад +1

    Here’s a thought, maybe the reason the captain Jack klugman was reluctant was because he knew the real truth all along and it was best to stay up in space than face the bleak truth of their demise🤷🏽‍♀️

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  Год назад +1

      Yes! I like that possibility and it would fit with how his character behaves.

  • @Cinecrisis
    @Cinecrisis 3 года назад +2

    Another fine review, although not one of my personal favorites especially among the strong season 4 lineup. I'll have to give it another shot though since it's been awhile. Keep up the strong work!

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад

      Hey Cinecrisis, thanks for stopping by & commenting. I hear you, season 4 was pretty hit & miss.

  • @bobtis
    @bobtis Год назад +1

    Well this is an all time favorite. 5-5 forsure. What can you say about the cast. The story takes a very dark turn. This one made you think.

  • @SciFirstMovieTalk
    @SciFirstMovieTalk 3 года назад +1

    Cool looking scifi episode! Awesome review! :)

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад +1

      Yup, this is one of my more recent favorites. I spoke about it it a bit in the top 10 underrated TZ list too. Thank you for watching.

    • @SciFirstMovieTalk
      @SciFirstMovieTalk 3 года назад

      @@FeverDreamlandTheater I am certainly looking forward to catching these episodes when I can get some time! :)

  • @aldito7586
    @aldito7586 2 года назад +1

    "The darkest nightmare reaches of the Twilight Zone".

  • @vinylvinylvinyl
    @vinylvinylvinyl 3 года назад +1

    Very well done. Thank you.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад

      Hey John, thanks for the comment & support. It's much appreciated. Have a great day. 🤜🤛

  • @brandonmedina494
    @brandonmedina494 2 года назад +1

    I have a theory. We never saw Captain Ross's afterlife unlike Mason and Carter. I think the reason Ross refused to accept his death is because his soul probably went to hell while Mason and Carter went to heaven.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  2 года назад

      That is an excellent theory Brandon. And it also really plays into the fact that he refuses to go into the afterlife - that is not an afterlife anyone wants.

    • @trickq5883
      @trickq5883 9 месяцев назад

      Except that implies he knows what's waiting for him and nobody really knows what's on the other side especially not a guy who seemingly doesn't believe there could be an other side. It's not the afterlife Ross is afraid of it's the fact he's dead and honestly you can't blame him. Anybody in that situation would hesitate or be too scared to accept the truth.

  • @jupiterran
    @jupiterran 2 года назад +1

    This one gave me nightmares as a kid.

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  2 года назад +1

      It has some frightening moments. The whole mood is generally creepy.

  • @carlinio9
    @carlinio9 3 года назад +2

    This was amazing and actually quite strange because we actually started the Twilight zone last week, so this fits in nicely. Thank you for supporting my channel and obviously I’ve done the same. I have a bit of catching up as I must watch all these Reviews. Great job.😀👍

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  3 года назад +1

      Excellent timing then. I plan to cover all classic episodes marathon style. & thanks for the support as well. It's appreciated. : )

  • @thegringoscottproductions1699
    @thegringoscottproductions1699 3 года назад +3

    Well, done sir 😁

  • @ForgottenHorrorchannel
    @ForgottenHorrorchannel 3 года назад +1

    Great epic episode mate 👌 👍 brings back great memories 👌 👍

  • @simmonssimmons4494
    @simmonssimmons4494 2 года назад +1

    This came out in 1963... Wow 🥺 😲

    • @FeverDreamlandTheater
      @FeverDreamlandTheater  2 года назад

      Hey Simmons thanks for watching! I hear you, time flies. To me so many of these are still great because a good story is a good story. They're also a great time capsule of that era in television and the world during those years. Be well!

    • @simmonssimmons4494
      @simmonssimmons4494 2 года назад +2

      @@FeverDreamlandTheater yes these are some great stories and I truly enjoy watching them especially at night it just make it just that much more scarier

  • @Jones183
    @Jones183 3 года назад +1

    Great video man

  • @aldito7586
    @aldito7586 2 года назад

    Strange. I'm a big Star Trek fan. As I'm sure 99.9% of you are. The one fallacy that I have found on Star Trek is "USS Enterprise". USS means "United States Ship". - Flog me for whatever. But Isin't there no United Staes in the 23rd century ?

  • @himgod6495
    @himgod6495 Год назад

    Unfortunately the captain never did except the truth, in loop 26,476 the captain & crew became gay and .... yep.

  • @daleholbert8032
    @daleholbert8032 2 года назад +2

    Not a favorite