The Galaxy Being

As the other reviewers pointed out, this was the beginning of a wonderful series of science fiction on early television. Even with a limited budget,Leslie Stevens & his colleagues managed to convey the effects needed for each thought-provoking story very well. Even the Schaper Cootie lookalikes in "The Zanti Misfits" scared the s#!+ out of me when I was a kid. (I couldn't play with the toy/game for a couple of months after that.)

But this episode also contained a unique, fascinating discussion of God, life & death and existence - an interesting give and take on mortality, immortality and how the universe all tie in together on a basic level. Similar to Kenobi explaining the Force to Luke but more grounded in the real science of physics and matter.

When I first saw this, it blew my Catholic-raised mind. Then I realized this was from 1963 and was stunned it was even allowed to air. But sci-fi can get away with this kind of thing since it's not 'real'.

Like the 1st interracial kiss on "Star Trek" or discussions on racism and intolerance that wouldn't make mainstream TV for several more years - when "All in the Family" burst on the airwaves. (A show that would never be made now, thanks to political correctness.) If you haven't seen it, give this episode a try and see what your reaction is to the Q&A between the Terran and the Andromedan.

And remember, don't be offended. It's just another point of view.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did but it's a great little episode. The alien being looks fantastic and the primitive SFX work an absolute treat. The story is mannered, reasoned and intelligent and it's much more than an alien-on-the-rampage tale. Top marks!

The first episode of The Outer Limits contains many elements which would reoccur throughout its run. A dedicated scientist who is obsessed with his work and neglects his emotional life until it's almost too late. A misunderstood alien visitor. A clash between high ideals of scholarship and the more venal concerns of commerce and greed. There are some minor differences between this pilot and later episodes, most notably a slightly longer title sequence which merges into the first scene of the story. But the strengths of the series are self-evident: intelligent writing, a well-realised alien creature and a terrific film noir look to it all, lots of stark shadows and a hard cold look to the picture. Cliff Robertson is ideal as the man reaching out to the stars, but missing the importance of people around him. A great template for the series.

I'm just rewatching the original series. I have to say that while this episode has an interesting concept, the acting and the basic plot elements are lacking. The interaction among the characters is stiff and unbelievable. The wife is an insensitive stiff who refuses to listen to her husband, not even giving him a chance to explain himself or to involve him in what he is doing. Cliff Robertson has made an intergalactic connection where a being that is brought to him through waves he receives in a radio transmission station takes on a corporeal being when a silly dial is turned up by an idiot disc jockey. The thing begins to run around town, emitting some kind of death ray, while Cliff attends and awards ceremony in his honor. How they attempt to come to grips is amazingly stupid. Not a very good beginning to the series.

The radio station KXKVI operator Alan Maxwell (Cliff Robertson) uses most of the station´s power to research the space seeking life. When he contacts an extraterrestrial being from Andromeda, they exchange experiences and information. They agree that their experiment is illicit in both planets but they decide to go on in their conversation. However, Alan´s wife Carol Maxwell (Jacqueline Scott) interrupts him and forces Alan to go to a feast offered by the mayor and the community to him. The reluctant Alan goes to the banquet and leaves the channel of communication with the alien open in low power. He warns the Radio DJ Gene 'Buddy' Maxwell (Lee Philips) to keep the transmission in low power. However Buddy turns the power up to full, bringing the alien to Earth and causing havoc in the community.

("The Galaxy Being" is the first episode of "Outer Limits" with a great story of direct contact with an alien. In the period of the Cold War, there is an exaggerated importance and participation of the army. The special effects are ahead of time. The conclusion with the ignorance of the army and the being fading out is the reflection of this dark period. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Ser da Galáxia" ("The Galaxy Being")