Post by Lunkhead on Nov 14, 2010 11:57:14 GMT -8
Original Airdate: September 30, 1963
I consider this the first, true classic of the series. It’s my 2nd all-time favorite and it holds a special place in my heart. I recall the preview (prior to the original airing), which showed the laser gun zapping the hunters’ car to flames. Looked like it was going to be way cool and certainly delivered. 40 years later, it’s still one of the best. A great sci-fi theme blended with a touching love story and musically, this ep introduced the beautiful “Allen & Yvette” love theme, which was reused in later shows.
Robert Culp heads the excellent cast as Allen Leighton, the brave soul who selflessly sacrifices himself in the hope of making a better world (by agreeing to become something out of this world). It always moves me thinking of what he gave up, even beyond his own life. Culp is unforgettable here, and he will also return for 2 more OLs down the road, “Corpus Earthling” and the classic “Demon With a Glass Hand” (season 2). Leonard Stone and Geraldine Brooks lend top support. (Look for Brooks in the William Shatner ep “Cold Hands, Warm Heart” – also season 2). For a novelty, you can catch Stone in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” of all things. During an interview, Robert Culp said they wanted to do something that hadn’t been done before [referring to the ep]. They more than succeeded.
The production is superb – tense and haunting. Quick shots of the more grotesque developments in Allen’s transformation are handled extremely well. When we see the Thetan more at length during the finale, it is an amazing, original creation. With veins on the scalp, twitching eyelids, bizarre legs and arms, it remains one of the best bears. It was such an unusual creature back in 1963, that one or more stations actually blacked out the Thetan’s scenes during the original airing, fearing it was too disturbing. Luckily, that didn’t happen here in Philly. We got to see it complete - in all its glory!!
Certain OLs can literally move me to tears, and “Architects” gets me every time. Another reason this one’s so special to me is it’s one of 2 pre-recorded OLs that my wonderful father bought me years ago, before he passed away. I’ll always think of that. Also, the music, story & acting just blow me away. When Allen (as the Thetan) signals to Yvette the mark against evil before succumbing, I start welling up. And when Yvette kneels down to caress her fallen soul-mate for the last time, it’s all I can do to keep from wailin' like a baby! But hey, isn’t that what great art is all about? Just as a beautiful symphony, I can always count on this episode to touch an inner chord.
Summarizing in two words – Simply Magnificent
“A scarecrow would change everything.”
