5 Twilight Zone Episodes with Powerful Messages

I grew up in the wholesome TV era, with many great shows for young people and older people alike. In my article, "5 of the Greatest TV Shows with Meaning," I listed a few of the absolute best. Even though The Twilight Zone is science fiction, I probably should have included it on the list, because many of the episodes had such great morals and commanding, strong messages.

Here are 5 of the most intriguing Twilight Zone stories, along with my explanations of how we can learn from them:

1. Eye of the Beholder

"The State" in a certain time and place was performing surgery on a woman in a desperate attempt to make her "beautiful," as she was considered very ugly and abnormal. During most of the story, she is wrapped in bandages, patiently awaiting the outcome.

Finally it happens, and the unveiled woman is the stunning Donna Douglas, but the team of surgeons is shown as a pack of deformed, ugly entities. Of course, they see her as ugly because she's different, and consider their operation a dismal failure.

This is the type of back-to-front thinking that occurs when people see beautiful as ugly, good as evil and vice versa. Honest people who are qualified to be leaders might be shunned, because many may have an altered or corrupted set of values and standards. By the same token, this is how the wrong people often get into power.

2. The Shelter

Neighbors having a dinner party receive news over the airwaves that a nuclear attack is occurring. They all attempt to figure how to save themselves, but only one neighbor has a bomb shelter.

Soon, the neighbors with no shelter start panicking and they demand to be let in as violence erupts. An ugly scene develops, as these friends all begin turning on each other, viciously.

The episode concludes with an announcement that the attack was a false alarm and everyone is safe. Of course, the neighbors then felt ashamed and embarrassed, wondering about their true natures and what sort of friends they really were to one another.

How loyal are we to our friends?

3. The Howling Man

In this episode, the devil has been locked up in a cell, but he convinces a traveler to let him loose upon the world, by lies and deception. It shows the tragedy, heartbreak and suffering that can occur when people are made to doubt themselves, and when man falls to one of his greatest weaknesses, which is the inability or failure to recognize evil.

This story is actually very relevant today, and I was inspired to write an entire article around it: "The Howling Men of Guantanamo Bay: Is Obama in the Twilight Zone?"

4. To Serve Man

Nine feet tall outer space beings come to earth, striking fear into the hearts of everyone. However, these super-intellectuals promise to bring peace, prosperity, solutions, technological advances and a multitude of benefits.

Earth scientists decode their agenda, and the title of their book, which is "To Serve Man." However, these aliens are more interested in serving themselves, as people eventually become loaded onto their spacecraft, taken to their planet and put on the menu to be eaten.

This episode reminds me of ambitious politicians who make promises during their campaigns, only to betray the people after they've gained their trust and their approval.

5. Time Enough at Last

Burgess Meredith played Henry Bemis, a banker who was completely caught up with reading books, magazines and periodicals. He never had enough time to engage in his favorite activity until a nuclear blast finally gave him the time, as he was the only person to escape. However, he broke his glasses just as he had piled up all of the books he wanted to start reading, and was unable to continue.

This is significant, because we never know what might interfere with our plans in life, no matter how perfect circumstances seem to be. It can happen to anyone.

There were so many intriguing, thought-provoking episodes on this awesome television show that aired from 1959 to 1964. It provided fantastic entertainment for the entire family.

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This is original content from the author, who is a viewer and entertainment enthusiast