10 Twilight Zone Episodes Not Written by Rod Serling You Must Watch

Generally speaking, The Twilight Zone shone brightest when its creator, Rod Serling, took the pen for an episode. More often than not, this held true. But there were exceptions, such as “The Chaser,” which some feel has dated poorly, or “The Howling Man” from Season 2, a tale that seemed disjointed and strange even within the context of the series. However, it’s worth noting that many fans’ favorite episodes weren’t authored by Serling himself.

The examples that follow demonstrate how an episode of “The Twilight Zone” can still be effective and engaging, even if Rod Serling didn’t personally create its underlying story. It’s worth noting that while some episodes might not have been originally conceived by Serling himself, like his adaptation of Lynn Venable’s short story “Time Enough at Last,” they are still considered Serling-scripted episodes because he wrote the screenplay for them.

The examples show how an episode of “The Twilight Zone” can be successful and interesting, even if Rod Serling didn’t come up with its initial idea. For example, some episodes may have been based on ideas that weren’t originally thought of by Serling himself, like his adaptation of the short story “Time Enough at Last.” However, these episodes are still considered to be Serling-written because he wrote the script for them.

1) “Perchance to Dream” — Season 1, Episode 9

In the initial season of “The Twilight Zone,” comprising 36 episodes, Rod Serling authored nearly all of them, with only eight exceptions. Among those not written by Serling, Charles Beamont penned four, including “Perchance to Dream,” which was adapted from his own short story with the same title.

In a different take: Richard Conte plays Edward Hall, a man suffering from a heart condition who’s been plagued by a persistent nightmare. He worries that the next time he drifts off to sleep, he might not regain consciousness. Strangely enough, his real-life surroundings are becoming indistinguishable from his dreams, such as the receptionist at his doctor’s office bearing a striking resemblance to someone from his nightmares. However, it is revealed that Edward actually visited the doctor’s office, lay down on the couch, fell asleep, and passed away with a terrifying scream.

2) “The Invaders” — Season 2, Episode 15

Just as with the initial season, Rod Serling authored most (31 out of 39) episodes in The Twilight Zone ‘s second season. Among the episodes from its five-season span that Serling didn’t write, many were penned by either Charles Beaumont or Richard Matheson. In Season 2 alone, Richard Matheson wrote “The Invaders,” one of only two episodes he contributed to that season.

In a twist of events, the character portrayed by Agnes Moorehead from the series “Bewitched” resides in a secluded farmhouse. One fateful night, her tranquil abode is invaded by extraterrestrial gun-wielding beings, or so it seems. However, the silent woman we’ve been observing throughout the storyline turns out to be an alien herself, while the small space-men are actually American astronauts belonging to the U.S. Space Force.

3) “Long Distance Call” — Season 2, Episode 22

Among the six episodes recorded on video, “Long Distance Call” can be hard to endure due to its noticeably lower production quality compared to other non-video taped episodes. However, as a story, it embodies the traditional spirit of The Twilight Zone. Interestingly, it also stars Bill Mumy, one season prior to his main appearance in the popular episode “It’s a Good Life,” which came later.

Long Distance Chat”

Character: Little Billy Bayles, played by Mumy, is heartbroken when his grandmother passes away during his birthday party. He discovers a small toy phone given to him by her, and he believes it’s his deceased grandmother speaking through the device, causing concern among his parents. The truth is revealed that she is indeed on the other end of the line. In a tragic turn of events, Billy’s mother accidentally breaks the phone, sending him outside in distress where he falls into the family pool. On the brink of death, Billy’s mother pleads with his grandmother to let her live. The ending scenes may leave some questions unanswered (such as whether grandma was trying to control Billy’s life or not), but it makes for an intriguing episode, and the moment when Billy’s mom hears her late mother-in-law on the phone is as eerie as any episode of “The Twilight Zone.

4) “Nothing in the Dark” — Season 3, Episode 16

In Season 3 of “The Twilight Zone,” Rod Serling wrote 21 out of the 37 episodes, and the ones he didn’t write still turned out to be quite strong. For example, “Nothing in the Dark,” an emotional story that featured a young Robert Redford before he became famous.

This episode was penned by George Clayton Johnson, renowned for crafting deeply emotional stories. One of his most notable works, “Kick the Can,” was adapted for “Twilight Zone: The Movie” under Stephen Spielberg’s direction. However, among all his pieces, “Nothing in the Dark” stands out as his finest. It revolves around an old woman with a profound fear of death who aids a young man, unbeknownst to her that he is Death himself.

5) “Little Girl Lost” — Season 3, Episode 26

A significant number of episodes from “The Twilight Zone” served as the foundation for timeless films in Hollywood’s cinematic history. Particularly, the episode “Little Girl Lost” directly influenced Tobe Hooper’s movie, “Poltergeist.” Notably, this was one of three episodes written by Richard Matheson for Season 3, making it his 16th contribution to the series.

Intriguingly enough, I find myself captivated by a narrative where a young girl, much like myself at six, ventures into another realm, right within the four walls of her home. What follows is an intense and desperate quest by her parents to bring her back, mirroring the plight of Carol Anne Freeling in the classic movie, ‘Poltergeist’. They manage to achieve this through a magical rope threaded into a portal – an eerie yet captivating parallel to the events depicted in that film.

6) “I Sing the Body Electric” — Season 3, Episode 35

Prior to launching his own anthology series, Ray Bradbury initially penned a few scripts for “The Twilight Zone”. However, only one of them was produced, titled “I Sing the Body Electric”, which starred Veronica Cartwright, who would later become famous in “The Birds” and “Alien”, but at that time she was just one year away from her role in “The Birds” and 17 years before her part in “Alien”.

This narrative revolves around Mr. Rogers, who’s not the TV personality you might think of, but rather a widowed father of three kids. He takes them to Facsimile Ltd., a unique company capable of creating lifelike grandmothers for families. The grandmother they get seems to have an extraordinary ability – she can sense human emotions!

However, one of the three children finds it hard to accept this artificial grandmother. But as she spends more time with the bot, she discovers its caring and affectionate side, something that was missing in their real grandmother who had passed away. The story doesn’t have a surprising twist like those found in ‘The Twilight Zone’, but it’s an exceptional episode nonetheless.

7) “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” — Season 5, Episode 3

I followed in Rod Serling’s footsteps for most of the episodes during the first three seasons, penning a significant number of them. However, when it came to Season 4, I wrote slightly fewer, contributing to only 9 out of the 18 episodes. The following season, Season 5, saw an even more noticeable drop in my output, as I penned just 16 out of the 36 episodes. Interestingly, this decrease didn’t include what many consider the best episode not just of Season 5, but of the entire series: “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” This exceptional episode was instead written by Richard Matheson and directed by Richard Donner, who is known for his work on movies like Lethal Weapon and The Goonies.

Indeed, the story unfolds around William Shatner’s character, Robert Wilson, who’s recently discharged from a psychiatric facility. Now on board an aircraft, he seems to be experiencing a delusion, perceiving a gremlin that appears to tamper with the plane’s wing. However, one might wonder if this creature is truly a figment of his imagination…

8) “Living Doll” — Season 5, Episode 6

In a surprising turn of events, the final season of most shows can’t rival their debut year in terms of quality, but The Twilight Zone was an exceptionally consistent series. Its last year featured episodes like “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” and the Charles Beaumont-written “Living Doll.” Notably, “Little Girl Lost” served as a precursor to Poltergeist, while “Living Doll” had a significant impact on Child’s Play.

In this role-play scenario, I find myself as Erich Streator, recently married to Annabelle and stepping into the fatherly role for Christie. The transition has proven challenging, and when Christie insists her new Talky Tina doll is genuinely vocal, my skepticism turns into sternness. However, it isn’t long before I realize there might be some truth to her words, causing even more turmoil in my life. This revelation only adds to Annabelle’s concerns about our family dynamics, and as the truth behind Talky Tina unravels, I fear it may already be too late for me.

9) “Stopover in a Quiet Town” — Season 5, Episode 30

Earl Hamner, Jr., who penned eight episodes of The Twilight Zone, generally wrote episodes that were not particularly strong. For example, his contributions such as “The Bewitchin’ Pool” (the show’s finale) and “Black Leather Jackets” are often cited as some of the weakest in the series.

The unexpected strength of “Stopover in a Quiet Town” is striking. It’s clear and uncomplicated, much like an episode from “The Twilight Zone”. Its conclusion carries the eerie tone reminiscent of Rod Serling’s creations. The story revolves around a couple who stumble upon what appears to be an empty town, only to realize they can’t leave. By the end of the episode, it is revealed that this place isn’t a genuine town; instead, it turns out to be a child’s toy.

10) “The Encounter” — Season 5, Episode 31

The episode titled “The Encounter” from The Twilight Zone, considered one of the most contentious, didn’t air again for more than 50 years following its initial broadcast. Notably, this was one of just two episodes penned by Martin M. Goldsmith, and like “What’s in the Box,” it’s a gripping tale about a television that seems to predict your future, making it a standout episode.

The narrative “The Encounter” bears a striking resemblance to a Rod Serling piece, given its thought-provoking exploration of race relations. It’s fascinating how it manages to address this complex issue in such an engaging manner. The tale unfolds around two contrasting characters, differing significantly in ethnicity and age, who find themselves in a predicament: stuck in an attic with a mystical sword. At first, their interaction appears amicable, but as the story progresses, tensions escalate to a point where lives are at stake.

2025-06-01 23:44