By Geno McGahee
Ray Bradbury liked futuristic stuff, but I guess that makes sense. He was considered a sci-fi writer and a great deal of sci-fi stuff takes place in the future, but this was the 1980’s version of the future. I grew up in the 1980s and loved it and when I watch these shows and see their vision of the future. Remarkably, as with most futuristic stories, a lot of the science fiction becomes science fact, and in the 1989 episode of The Ray Bradbury Theater “THE VELDT”, you get that, but there is social commentary here that is truer today than it was back then when this first aired.
George (Malcolm Stewart) and his wife, Lydia (Linda Kelsey), are from a time in the future and they have a house that is run by a computer system. All they have to say is “open door” and the door opens, and their food is prepped by the same system. They have it made. It’s sort of like TOTAL RECALL or BACK TO THE FUTURE 2…where the computers have taken over and technology is so good that humanity has lost touch with what it means to be a living being. Nobody does anything anymore and that is a point of discussion with George and Lydia. They have lost touch with their kids and society because of this technology.
In the kids’ room, there is an adjustable theme and the focus of the children has been Africa, but it has been getting more real by the day. Somehow, it seems that what they see on the screen is intruding into reality, forcing George and Lydia to put their foot down. Peter (Damien Atkins), the oldest child of the two, and the younger Wendy (Shana Alexander), protest. Peter calls his dad by his name and is a total prick. Wendy is just following what her older brother tells her to do, but Peter is spoiled and will not listen to either one of his parents. In fact, he has a certain disdain for them and he does not hide it.
David (Thomas Peacocke), a family psychologist, advises the couple to shut off the house and live…to go outside and experience life beyond the technology, but there is a heavy price to pay when they shut down the home, leading to a predictable ending, but a good one nonetheless.
THE VELDT is a decent watch, but what I found most interesting was the obvious concern from Bradbury about the direction of the technology. He probably saw some dude walking down the street with a big boom box on his shoulder and said “oh my god. What if they make that smaller? Nobody will talk to anyone.” He was right. Technology has separated society as everyone is on their phones instead of mingling. At least with the 80’s boom box, you could stop them and say “what cassette tapes do you have for that? Anything from Cutting Crew?” Now people are in their own worlds and technology has moved along dramatically.
One thing I wanted to mention about this episode. At one time, they scan over to a set of TV sets and each one has an episode of the Ray Bradbury Theater playing. Jeez…this guy must have been full of himself. In his future, ONLY his show is playing. Dream on Bradbury.
I really did like this tale. It’s not a standout, but it’s absolutely worth a watch. I recommend it.
Rating: 6/10
THE NEWEST HORROR COLLECTION IS UNLEASHED – ORDER NOW!
