The Innocent

'The Innocent' is not only the best episode of season one, but it is the strongest chapter of whole series. Well written script with very atmospheric direction and another dedicated performance by Roy Thinnes supported by cool cast of character actors led by legendary Michael Rennie. This is also the first episode we see the insides of the aliens' spaceship. Eerie open ending leaves the viewer with somewhat unnerving feel.

This is a must see sci-fi storytelling for every fan of the genre.

When the story begins, David Vincent learns that a fisherman in New England claims to have seen a UFO as well as obtaining one of their weird metallic discs they use as a weapon. Not surprisingly, David heads to New England....and so do the aliens.

Now the aliens try a different approach when they meet up with David. Instead of trying to kill him, they offer to take him up in one of their space ships and show him how they can and are benefitting mankind. This approach almost convinces him...almost. So, they try another trick...threats to the fisherman's wife and son!

All in all, this is an excellent episode of the series....new, unique and interesting. The only part that didn't quite work for me was the ending, as the officer played by Dabney Coleman reacted VERY oddly to David and his new friend when they met.

By the way, I was surprised to see William Smithers in this episode playing a good guy instead of his usual evil weaselly sort of character. He's still alive, by the way, in his 90s and I wish him the best.

Also by the way, just once I want to see an episode of this show where Kang and Kodos make a guest appearance!

The aliens took David on the spaceship and apparently to another world, but when he awoke on the spaceship afterwards he said "It was all in my mind" and "It's wrong". So it's not clear to me if he was actually taken to another planet or if he was just unconscious on the spaceship the whole time and everything that occurred was all in his head. Why the ambiguity about it? Was he really taken to another planet or not?

And what was "wrong" with it as David said? I found nothing to fear or dislike from the world he was apparently taken to. It didn't seem at all sinister to me or made me feel as if the aliens were something to fear from what I saw. The whole scene on the other planet left me confused because it looked like a great place to me.

And why don't the aliens just slap one of their discs onto the back of David's neck to eliminate him quickly and efficiently? The discs apparently give humans an immediate heart attack and death, so why the elaborate scheme to get him drunk and behind the wheel of a car where he has a chance of surviving when they can simply kill him with their disc?

Either these aliens are really dumb or they just have a flair for dramatics and want David to live so they can continue to toy with him.

I can see why this series was cancelled after only 2 seasons because there's so many things that confuse the viewer. The lead actor is the only thing that keeps me watching because he's appealing and plays his role good. If it weren't for him, i'd have tuned out of this after the first few episodes.

I did enjoy the trip to the other planet and wish it was done more in depth rather than one short scene and then implied that it was all in David's mind when he woke up.

In fact, I wish they did an entire episode on the other planet where David learns exactly what the aliens want and why they want to take over earth. Hopefully something like that is coming up in the series so i'll keep watching until I can't take anymore.

David Vincent in a reclining chair, experiencing... The Matrix? No, Utopia! I don't understand why there are no new ideas under the sun. Or is everyone so lazy that they need to steal what other works others have done??

At the very least, they ought to have CREDITED this episode and Sutton Roley for the storyline or concept.

I wanted to watch this when I read that they abucted David Vincent and put him on spaceship for a "trip". Some kind of trip! It was all in his head. The Wachowski Bros just expanded on the concept and added the Bible elements and took it from there.

The Day the Earth Stood Still is my favorite movie from the 50s and The Maxtrix, favorite from the 90s. I rate this at a 7/10 Fast paced enough but somewhat anti-climactic. I can't stand Katherine Justice (strangely carrot-topped here!) I can't stand Michael Rennie as a bad Martian (sacrilege!) and the whole episode needed a bit more oomph for me. But great for the historical content and we almost had Thelma & Louise recreated by men. Oops! The other way around: this came first! Worth a watch but don't expect much.

10 Stars. Acting, directing, writing. Defined.

Had this been real life, David would have been toast. Keep that in mind.

Next stop: Maine. David searches for a man called Greely (William Smithers in a far different role), who can I. D. the Invaders. Unfortunately, that puts his wife (Patricia Smith) and young son in danger. However, it's David whose in double jeopardy, kidnapped by the aliens and brought aboard one of their space crafts. Fairly creepy stuff, even better in color.

A mini classic from the start with the appearance of Michael Rennie (Magnus), well remembered for the DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. Magnus resorts to mind control, his mission to convince David the Invaders come in peace, their real mission to develop earth into a Utopian planet or "project"? Rennie is everything you would expect, a commanding, devious presence, due to some fine direction by Sutton Roley, later to head MANNIX and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.

Oustanding episode, and check out the creative sets and background locations, beautifully filmed at Laguna Hills, long before condos and office buildings. John W. Bloch wrote the story, previously working on the MAN FROM UNCLE.

If casting is the key, the episode hits its mark with memorable performances by Smithers and Patricia Smith. Katherine Justice (from DAYS OF OUR LIVES) co-stars, also Dabney Coleman playing Captain Ross. All around bad guy Frank Marth this time turns up as one of the aliens, and with that poker face, he's spot on.

Best of SEASON 1 EPISODE 10 remastered color. Collectors First Season edition for episodes like this. Thank you METV for the memories.