The Outer Limits Wiki
Register
Advertisement

A man with aspirations for a better life undergoes a surgical procedure that allows him to control electromagnetic energy, but faces continued berating from his wife and colleagues.

Opening narration[]

"In the course of centuries, man has devoured the Earth itself. The machine age has dried up the seas of oil. Industry has consumed the heartlands of coal. The atomic age has plundered the rare elements... Uranium, cobalt, plutonium... Leaving behind worthless deposits of lead and ashes. Starvation is at hand. Only here, in the void of space, is there a new source of atomic power. Above us, in the debris of the solar system, in the meteorites and asteroids, are the materials needed to drive the reactors. Yet, in their distant, silent orbits, these chunks of matter are beyond the reach of man, beyond the reach of human hands, but not beyond the reach of the human mind.

"Driving along a country road in an ordinary car is a modest man: Harold J. Finley, quiet and profound."

Plot[]

An unassuming university professor, Harold Finley (Donald Pleasence), develops a device that, implanted in the brain, gives the user telekinetic powers. Although disregarded as a milquetoast by his wife and coworkers, the teacher impresses the U.S. space agency when he proposes to use the power to obtain vital minerals from asteroids with minimal risk and effort to the astronauts sent to retrieve them. But as the experiments with him go on, he learns that his subconscious has been using the power to take revenge on those who have dismissed or demeaned him by manifesting a cloud of energy to destroy them. Realizing that his invention is to be implanted in the brain of an ambitious astronaut with questionable motives, the teacher becomes determined to stop the operation and prevent anyone else from wielding such destructive power.

In the end, Finley chooses to kill himself with the same destructive cloud of energy rather than live with such unstoppable power.

Closing narration[]

"Deep behind the kindest, gentlest soul may lurk violent thoughts... deadly wishes. Someday men may learn how to cope with the monsters of the mind. Then, and only then, when the human mind is truly in control of itself, can we begin to utilize the great and hidden powers of the universe."

Notes[]

This is the first episode to feature the recurring cold open that introduces each episode with a clip from later in the story.

The title sequence narration from the Control Voice is shortened starting with this episode.

Cast[]

  • Donald Pleasence – as Harold J. Finley
  • Priscilla Morrill – as Vera Finley
  • Edward Platt – as Dean Radcliffe
  • Fred Beir – as Steve Crandon
  • Frank Maxwell – as Dr. Keenan
  • John Marley – as Dr. Sigmund Hindeman
  • Paul Lambert – as Dr. Henschell
  • Paul Kent – as Detective
  • Ann Loos – as Emily Radcliffe
  • James McCallion – as Dr. Tremaine
  • Harry Ellerbe – as Finley's Doctor
  • Jane Barclay - as Nurse
  • Pat O'Hara - as Surgeon
  • Saul Gross - as 1st Tree Pruner
  • Fred Crane - as 2nd Tree Pruner

Crew[]

Cinematographer - Conrad Hall

Advertisement