The Conversion

A young businessman involved in financial manipulation ends up in prison, while his accomplices go unpunished and turn their back on him. After release from prison, he decides to retaliate, but things go wrong and he ends up seriously wounded and guilty of triple murder. On the run, a complete stranger approaches him and offers him a chance for redemption and a new beginning. The episode is very atmospheric and deals with the inner struggle of the individual between good and evil, selfishness and selflessness, instinct and self-control, material and spiritual. Although its mostly two men talking at the restaurant table, this is the best episode of the series so far, and it's unlikely they'll surpass it.

7,5/10

In my opinion only a very select few of the episodes of this show were ever so well made or joyously optimistic and utterly moving as this one was It has such a beautiful strong sense of positivity and wonder to it that effortlessly touches the heart, and powerful important themes of human goodwill and simple kindness to others, and it hammers home the karma point again and again that if you at least try to be a basically decent, human being and put out the good as opposed to fear and negativity, that's what comes back to you. I believe in that. That sometimes, seemingly random chance and circumstance can subtly help you out in small or large ways, give you little chances and steps in the right direction to take, in vague and roundabout ways... Just like the sweet '90's song says "You Get What You Give!" What I love the most about the story and how strong it is, is that the main bulk of it is really just two guys talking, sitting there and just brilliantly playing off each other as the tension mounts. I thought both Frank Whaley and John Savage were terrific and had a great chemistry together that was exactly what the story needed for where it was going. John Savage was especially good and played it to the hilt. His almost child-like purity of character and expressions are simply mesmerizing and immediately draw you into the story. And I love the scene where he discusses what "Intelligence" is defined as. I think I have at least the good half of what defines it! He uses his guru-like simple, yet forceful philosophies of compassion and lofty concepts of ultimate selflessness to battle the Frank Whaley character's selfishness and compel him to remain seated while the events unfold around them. Something else I love about The Conversion is that it's set during Christmas and despite being nothing at all to do with the holiday there is something very festive about the atmosphere that generates a warm sense of wellbeing. And that beautiful spiritual song fits the finale perfectly and absolutely says it all. The mysterious transcendent beings of peace featured in this tale of redemption of the spirit never seemed to appear again in any of the later loose story arcs that they did. They really should have brought them back! It was all so much doom and destruction... Terrible dark futures and Armageddon scenarios where all of mankind had been invaded or enslaved by insidious and cruel alien races, or wiped out by madmen with doomsday devices, by plague or merciless robots! It would've just been interesting to see a little more of these benign "Children of the Stars" who to me seemed to suggest that there was some kind of divinity and larger design to the rather cold Outer Limits universe that was beyond the petty actions of man and alien alike. It's a shame that a great many of the other episodes of this show weren't quite up to the level of quality this was, not that there wasn't many gems to enjoy throughout the seasons. But this one to me just couldn't be better. I hope they look back and are still proud because there's no question that it's possibly the most emotionally uplifting and soul-stirring episode of the entire series. Bravo!!! 🌠

What better way to depict the journey of an unenlightened state into a state of ENLIGHTENMENT. This episode has been my inspiration for 11 years and counting, since I first saw it back in '95! Is there anything so selfless? Watch this episode to find out what exactly I am talking about. Possibly these beings are from the inner earth, the heart of mankind.. the hollow place where ancient secrets are held. Maybe ascended masters from the center of space and time.

Caught in the middle of a struggle between right and wrong, good and evil. A man is presented with a guru, a guide.. a friend. When life seems to be at its end and the walls are closing in all around, will a second chance make a difference.. an opportunity to start new is only available to those who are able to see the opportunity. This episode is a battle between the inner struggles of selfishness and selflessness!

Definitely a must see episode for all those interested in the journey of life and its purpose. 50 Stars and 10 Thumbs up! - Solarstone 2012

Disclaimer upfront: I was going to give this an 8, but the presence of Rebecca DeMornay automatically bumped it up. It still deserves the rating though!

My favourite episode so far, in large part because of the presence of Frank Whaley (who I've been a fan of since I first saw him in Career Opportunities) and Rebecca DeMornay (who I've always had a crush on because she's gorgeous AND because she's a damn good actor), but not only because of them. Speaking of the cast though, John Savage does a great job as the 'guardian angel'-styled stranger our lead character encounters.

It's a really good "It's A Wonderful Life" type of story which aims to remind the viewer that everything we do can have implications for people we've never met. Every decision we make, every action we take, can send unseen ripples out through the world and eventually impact dozens upon dozens of people we have never met, and likely will never meet.

The episode also handily avoids being seen as overly preachy and religion-focused by not actually telling us exactly who this stranger is and where he comes from.

This story had such a profound effect on me. My drinking career ended in early 1997, but I think my recovery began 20 months earlier, when I saw this episode. I had to WANT a different life before I could be willing to take action. "The Conversion" inspired me to want it. I love that it's set around Christmas. I think there are subtle nods to "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Carol," both stories of redemption. Every time I hear Enigma's "Return to Innocence," this episode flashes through my mind. I tear up every time I watch it.