A Feasibility Study

An extraterrestrial civilization performs an experiment with amazing characteristics. They abduct an entire neighborhood from Earth and transport it to their planet, they need to know if humans have antibodies to a virus that affects them. The inhabitants of the neighborhood begin to notice strange phenomena, lack of energy and disconnection of services among other things, but the worst will happen when they cross the limits of their streets and find horrified that they are on a dark and nebulous planet. A story of great creativity that over time has become an emblematic episode of this series and that was one of the few chosen to make a remake in the series of the 90s.

I recently saw this excellent episode, and I noticed several things that brought to mind similarities in Star Trek TNG and Star Trek Voyager. The idea of scooping out an entire area was also shown in the TNG episode The Best of Both Worlds - Part 1, where the Borg removed the entire New Providence colony. In fact, the post-removal shots in both episodes look very much alike.

Also, the disease symptoms in A Feasibility Study look similar to the Phage, which afflicted the Vidiians in Star Trek Voyager. The Phage looks more terrifying possibly because the makeup budget was no doubt smaller in the Outer Limits episode.

A typical American street of the 1960s is taken over by aliens.

This one has moments that will stay forever locked in the memory: the sick guy in the empty house, the car in the fog, the aliens first appearing, the look of the street, the look of the fog, etc.

I can think of several Outer Limits shows I like more than this one but there is no question that the general look of the episode is a knockout! Perhaps this hour could have used a bit more spark in it but it must of scared the hell out of people way back in 1964.

A 1964 version of TV's Under The Dome you might say. But done in one hour instead of several hours.

A Feasibility Study is directed by Byron Haskin and written by Joseph Stefano. It stars Sam Wanamaker, Phylliss Love, Joyce Van Patten, David Opatoshu and Frank Puglia. Music is by Dominic Frontiere and cinematography by John M. Nickolaus Jr.

Season 1 - Episode 29

Episode sees an entire neighbourhood transported to the planet Luminos, where the inhabitants, Luminoids, are suffering from a disease that renders them as living statues. They are conducting a study to see if humankind can be used as slave labour, and thus this neighbourhood are the guinea pigs.

Super concept on offer here as the key twist in the tale revolves around a critical choice the humans have to make. This choice gives The Outer Limits one of its better episodes because it leads to an emotionally pumped, poignant and unforgettable finale. 8/10

Two couples go about their daily business as usual, until they realise that something is very wrong, they soon learn that they are taking part in an experiment by the beings of the planet Luminous, a race that are looking for a labour force.

I would imagine this episode is both well remembered and well liked by fans of the show. The opening sequences were terrific, and really do manage to grip the viewer, I can imagine they gave several people a sleepless night or two.

In so many ways this episode was way ahead of its time, that has been the real beauty of The Outer Limits.

Lots of interesting ideas and themes here, there's a real streak of cleverness in the writing, from the idea of the disease, to the very idea of what a 1960's housewife's life should look like, this does actually challenge the norm.

Very well acted, the standouts were Sam Wanamaker and David Opatoshu.

9/10.