By Melissa Antoinette Garza
This is one of my favorite and one of the most underrated episodes in THE TWILIGHT ZONE series. I like to think of this as a precursor to THE STEPFORD WIVES (1975) as it deals with many of the same themes, but in very different ways.
Marilyn (Collin Wilcox Paxton) is turning 19 years old which is a huge milestone. In this society, at age 19 each person chooses their appearance from a series of pictures. It’s a full transformation that results in many of the residents looking identical to one another.
Marilyn’s mother Lana (Suzy Parker) is excited and can’t wait for her daughter to choose between identities #8 or #12. Lana chose #12 which is so popular that even her maid appears to be a twin.
Marilyn is not excited. Her Uncle Rick (Richard Long) who also went thru a transformation comes by to talk with her. It is there that Marilyn says the best line in the episode, “but is that good – being like everybody? Isn’t that the same as being nobody?”
Marilyn tries to convey her concerns to her Uncle and mother. She talks of how when her father was alive they would discuss real topics like individualism. Her uncle doesn’t understand and offers her a cup of “instant smile.” She tries desperately to relate to him saying that sometimes she doesn’t want to smile. She wants to keep her autonomy in tact and feel real emotion, but everyone around her is content with this false reality they’ve created. Not only are they content with it, but they insist on dragging her down too.
No one can understand why Marilyn would choose to remain her own self when the alternatives were so much more beautiful and voluptuous. None grasp the concept of self-determination or self-identity. They buy into the glam of it all – hook, line and sinker without ever questioning the methods.
I won’t spoil the conclusion, but I definitely suggest seeking this one out. It’s absolutely fantastic and gut-wrenching at times. Enjoy this on PRIME – Sesason 5/Episode 17!
Scared Stiff Rating: 8/10
