| Production and Decay of Strange Particles | |
|---|---|
| Season 1, Episode 30 | |
| |
| Air date | April 20, 1964 |
| Written by | Leslie Stevens |
| Directed by | Leslie Stevens |
| Episode guide | |
| Previous A Feasibility Study |
Next The Chameleon |
After a nuclear reactor goes out of control, a flood of radiation is released in the form of near-human creatures.
Opening narration[]
In recent years, nuclear physicists have discovered a strange world of sub-atomic particles, fragments of atoms smaller than the imagination can picture, fragments of materials which do not obey the laws of gravity. Antimatter composed of inside-out material; shadow-matter that can penetrate ten miles of lead shielding. Hidden deep in the heart of strange new elements are secrets beyond human understanding-new powers, new dimensions, worlds within worlds, unknown.
Plot[]
At a nuclear plant, Dr. Marshall places a sample from a quasi-stellar body in a cyclotron. The sample emits visible light and radiation, and the emergency team places it in the plant's reactor. The energy creates a "rip" in the fabric of time/space to another dimension, and energy beings come through. They fill the hazmat suits of anyone sent to stop them, disintegrating the people inside. Only Dr. Marshall and his wife Laurel can stop them before they engineer an explosion that will widen the rift and destroy Earth in the process.
Marshall and Laurel create a new nuclear reaction to neutralize the creatures. Marshall is temporarily knocked down as the nuclear reaction is initiated, but Laurel helps him up and they escape from the facility in their car. They flee to a bunker miles away and observe as the facility explodes, and then implodes, destroying the creatures and the entire facility.
Closing narration[]
As Man explores the secrets of the universe, strange and inscrutable powers await him. And whether these powers are to become forces of destruction or forces of construction will ultimately depend upon simple but profound human qualities: Inspiration. Integrity. Courage.
Cast[]
- George Macready – as Dr Marshall
- Signe Hasso – as Laurel Marshall
- Joseph Ruskin – as Collins
- Robert Fortier – as Paul Pollard
- Allyson Ames – as Arndis Pollard
- Rudy Solari – as Griffin
- Leonard Nimoy – as Konig
- Barry Russo – as Terrell
- Willard Sage – as Coulter
- Paul Lukather – as Official
Crew[]
Cinematographer - Kenneth Peach