The Obsolete Man

An episode with a theme near and dear to Serling's heart: intellectual freedom and the will and power of the "little" guy. It's an obvious tribute to novels like "1984", and while not as well executed as that novel, there is something to be said for the startling visuals presented on such a low budget that bring to life the horrors of a totalitarian regime. My only criticism is the ending -- not to give anything away, but did they run out of money for something better? Regardless, this is an episode that makes you wonder what today's political realities and quasi-religious governments would have inspired Serling to write.

I watch this episode, "The Obsolete Man" last week on MeTV and it has to be just about the best episode of any series I watched so far! It has highly thought provoking themes to it! It takes stabs at totalitarianism in Government and also has a good religious theme to it as well (which is the thing I enjoyed most about it)! It was very well acted by Burgess Meredith (an actor who's films I almost always enjoy),the shows hero, and by Fritz Weaver, playing the shows villain! Now I know why the series "The Twilight Zone has ratings over 9 out of 10! It's because of intelligent episodes like this! I challenge anyone to show me any mindless, violence and special effects filled action film that can stand up to this "Twilight Zone" masterpiece!

The 'Osolete Man' is one of my favorite Twilight episodes! Mr. Woodsworth's story is more relevant today as her was back then! Society is on a strange trajectory. I feel like Mr. Woodworth's character is a welcoming representation of how one should behave with honor and dignity. All the words that comes out of his mouth are true and pertinent to this day in age. It's a pretty chilling story considering how fragile society is. The government encroachment of individual rights is nothing new.

Another of Rod Serling's cautionary tales of the rise of the totalitarian state.

Rodney Wordsworth is declared "obsolete" by a tribunal of the state in the not too distant future. The sentence is. of course, death, but some surprises await the State at the humble hands of Mr. Wordsworth.

Anyone seeing this episode today will be shocked at it's relevance. A society which has "proven" that there is no God; a state which enforces a mind-numbing conformity; a state which refuses to respect or acknowledge the rights of the individual or the sanctity of life.

Watch this episode and reflect long and hard.

This episode was written by Rod Serling, and in my opinion it ranks as one of the best of the series. The theme of a totalitarian possible future is not merely well produced entertainment, but is a recurring theme in Serling's work that serves as a warning we should not easily dismiss. This nightmare future seems even more relevant today then perhaps when it was written over 50 years ago. Burgess Meredith's performance is outstanding as he carries the single ray of hope in a very dark world.