Sandkings

Probably the most interesting thing about this episode in this day and age is seeing 3 generations of the Bridges family on screen together - Lloyd, his son Beau, and HIS son Dylan - playing those same positions of grandfather, father, son. Oh, and getting to see a younger Kim Coates.

The story itself is decent enough, too - creatures found in a soil sample from Mars, by Earth scientists, are deemed too dangerous to live but the man who made the initial discovery takes matters into his own hands and hi-jinks ensue - and it's all acted capably by the aforementioned actors and Helen Shaver.

The 'moral' is pretty predictable, but really, it's the journey that we're here for and it's a decent enough journey.

This episode is inspired by the George Martin short novel Sandkings. It is actually a very different story with different themes and concepts and ideas.

Most good science fiction is a metaphor for real life in the time in which it was written. It generally explores themes and ideas going on right here and now, and usually provides insight into modern problems or issues. The Sandkings episode of The Outer Limits doesnt really touch on any of the moral, philosophical, or ethical issues of the original short story. Its basically a god-complex story about a man who starts as a scientist, seeking to increase human knowledge, then goes off the rails as a maniac possibly infected with a disease making him act irrationally. There isnt much growth in the protagonist and no one really has a character arc. Nor do they debate the topics of one person having power over a lower life form, or letting a dangerous life form get out of control, or what kind of horrible things one man would do to either advance science or stoke his ego. And theres a lot of filler/fluff material about families that just doesnt work because its not well done or interesting. The dialog is cheesy, especially compared to later episodes of the series, and its all kind of a mess. Other sci-fi movies and shows have explored these topics better, and usually with a more satisfying resolution. I won't get into spoilers but lets just say the ending is pretty typical of lazy horror or sci-fi films and fails to capture the essence of good story telling, unlike the original short story which was very poignant.

3 / 10 and not a very good start to a series that would eventually become excellent. In fact the very next story about a live-in Android helper woman is superb by comparison.

I've read this short story/novella several times and it's always been enthralling. Pacing, characters, setting, everything. Just something that George RR Martin penned decades before Game of Thrones. The TV episode of Outer Limits that is supposedly based on 'Sandkings' is really a sad treatment of a great story. To be honest I haven't seen the episode in years but I can still remember the excitement and anticipation I had waiting for the episode to first air and then the complete disappointment when I actually viewed it and thought to myself "What the heck was that?" The despair and loneliness, the utter horror, the creepiness, the style, basically everything that made the story great was missing from the TV episode. All I can say is, do yourself a favor and read the story before (or instead of) viewing the TV episode. You won't be disappointed.

Also, the story itself is not very long (maybe 35 - 40 pages?) and should be available free online. Check it out.

The scientist Dr. Simon Kress (Beau Bridges) has been researching the development of a species using eggs found in a sample of Martian soil. When one bug escapes from the laboratory breaking the security of the facility, the project is shut-down by the government due to its hazard. Dr. Simon expected to win the Nobel Prize and steals 275 g of the sample ground, bringing it to the barn of his property and developing new species. He hides the truth from his wife Cathy (Helen Shaver) and shares the secret with his smart son Josh (Dylan Bridges). Along the days, Simon realizes how intelligent the creatures are and feels like a god since they seem to worship him. However, when Simon is bitten by a subject, he changes his irresponsible behavior to insanity, jeopardizing his family, his friend and mankind.

"Sandking" is the pilot of "The Outer Limits" show and presents a story very similar to "The Fly": an ambitious scientist that makes a mistake with his experiment, being affected and becoming insane with the transformation. The story is disclosed in a low pace, with reasonable special effects for a television show, but the character of Dr. Simon Kress looks like a "crazy scientist" since the very beginning with his irrational behavior when one subject escapes. The final message criticizing scientists that wish to behave like gods is silly and shallow, since the development of science is important and necessary within the limits of ethic, otherwise humanity would still be in the Dark Age. The deranged Dr. Simon Kress is not a good example of a responsible man-of-science. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Quinta Dimensão - Reis da Areia - Partes 1 e 2" ("Fifth Dimension - Sandkings - Parts 1 & 2")

A collaborator at a scientific institute obsessed with the extraterrestrial theme steals a sample of sand brought by a space mission from another Mars. He installs a fish tank in the barn of his country house where he places it and introduces ants into it. As the days go by, he discovers that the insects begin to behave strangely and with supernatural organization and intelligence. This first episode has certain reminiscences of the classic The Zanti Misfists from the original Outer Limits and also has the attraction of having Lloyd Bridgess and his son Beau in its cast, also playing a father and his son in fiction. Without being an outstanding story, it is an acceptable and entertaining start to the season.