The Experiment

Second episode, directed like the first one by the same Joseph Sargent (a great film director, which I always admired - he directed episodes of other great TV series like "Kojak", "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", "Bonanza", "The Fugitive", "Star Trek", "The Immortal", and a great feature film called "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three"(1974), with a fantastic cast, Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, great great film...) Same tension like in the first episode, great acting, special role by Roddy McDowall, Cornelius from "Planet of the Apes"(1968), Harold Gould, from "The Sting"(1973), and Laurence Naismith, from "Deadlier Than the Male"(1967), "Scrooge"(1970), "Diamonds Are Forever"(1971). No beautiful ladies this time, maybe in the next episode...

When the story begins, Professor Lindstrom is on an airplane in order to go to a conference. However, he notices the member of the groundcrew has weird hands....indicating he's an alien! So, Lindstrom storms off the plane...and later, it crashes killing everyone aboard!

David Vincent is trying to get ahold of Lindstrom, as he finally has found someone who ALSO knows about the alien invasion. The professor also has some proof of the conspiracy...and David wants to discuss this with him. But before they have much chance to talk, the professor is murdered. And, soon you realize one of THEM is the professor's son (Roddy McDowell)...who is on mind-altering drugs to make him work for the aliens! When one of the son's friends learns about this (Harold Gould), he is 'taken care of' by the aliens. What's next? See the show.

This is an exceptional show...better than the pilot episode actually. It also features a very impressive cast...not just McDowell and Gould but also Dabs Greer and Laurence Naismith. Well written, fun to watch and, above all, incredibly paranoid and unique. Oh, and violent and explosion filled at the finale...and very satisfying to watch.

A WOW episode, which should have been the season premier. Make no mistake, this camp sci fi series was the ultimate addiction for all us kids back in the day. The offbeat story is proof positive, definite shades of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS.

David finally learns of someone who shares his deadly secret... The person in question is Professor Lindstrom (played by British actor Laurence Naismith), who has proof the aliens have landed on Earth. He escapes death in a plane crash, after recognizing one of the crew with deformed hands. BEWARE of the hands! Unfortunately, the scientist still manages to get killed, leaving David to confront his son ( Roddy MacDowall). The frightmare only continues when he discovers the young man is a mental slave of the aliens. How convenient.

Again, Vincent is on his own and the chase continues. An excellent performance by MacDowall, who could play some ominous characters. A top villain in several cop shows. Veteran actor Harold Gould also guest stars. Many other familiar faces in this totally weird adventure, asking the question, which one could you trust? Guessing the enemy alien was the fun part, and generally, most of us kids scored a few points.

Unforgettable cliff-hanger by Anthony Spinner (who passed in 2020). Co-producer for CANNON in the 70s, several others.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 2, remastered in beautiful color. Season box set released in 2008. The entire series, 12 dvds total, released 2018. Thanks always to METV for running this all time classic.