Watch Out of the Unknown

Out of the Unknown was a science fiction anthology series that aired on BBC2 from 1965 to 1971. Each episode was a self-contained story, adapting short stories and novellas from the likes of Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. The series was a successor to the earlier show Out of This World, but with a darker tone and more sophisticated production values.

The show is often compared to The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits, both of which were popular at the same time. However, Out of the Unknown had a distinctive British sensibility, with a focus on technological advancements and social commentary. Many of the stories dealt with the consequences of scientific progress, whether it be time travel, cloning, mind control, or artificial intelligence.

Terence Morgan hosted the first two seasons of the show, providing introductions and epilogues to the episodes. His character was known only as "The Control Voice", a nod to the similar role played by the narrator of The Outer Limits. Morgan's delivery was suitably ominous and theatrical, setting the tone for the eerie tales to come.

The first season of Out of the Unknown consisted of six episodes, each running for around an hour. The most famous of these is "The Counterfeit Man", which was written by Alan Nourse and originally published in 1954. The story follows a team of astronauts who return from a mission to find that they are being replaced by identical duplicates. The premise was later reused in the Star Trek episode "What Are Little Girls Made Of?".

Another notable episode from the first season is "No Place Like Earth", based on a story by John Wyndham. This episode imagines a future where Earth has become uninhabitable and humans have migrated to a paradise planet called Venus. However, the veneer of perfection soon starts to crack as the settlers discover that their new home is not as idyllic as it seems.

The second season of Out of the Unknown saw a change in format, with the show now consisting of thirteen half-hour episodes. Terence Morgan continued to host, but with a slightly reduced role. This season featured several memorable stories, including "The Prophet", which was adapted from a short story by Arthur C. Clarke. The episode explores the idea of precognition and the dangers of interfering with the future.

Another standout episode from this season is "The Midas Plague", adapted from a story by Frederik Pohl. This tale takes place in a future where automation has made everything abundant and available, but also created a society where overconsumption is mandatory. The main character, Morey, is struggling to find ways to use up his allotted quota of goods, leading to a surprising twist.

The third and final season of Out of the Unknown was a more mixed bag, with only five episodes produced. The show was starting to feel dated, and the quality of the stories varied. The standout episode from this season is "To Lay a Ghost", based on a story by Milton Lesser. The episode features a young Ian Holm in a prominent role, as a researcher investigating a haunted house. The episode manages to combine traditional ghost story elements with a sci-fi twist.

Overall, Out of the Unknown is an important piece of British sci-fi history, bridging the gap between the classic literature of the 1950s and the more psychedelic era of the 1970s. The show was innovative for its time, featuring groundbreaking special effects and exploring themes that were ahead of their time. Despite some unevenness in the later seasons, the series remains a nostalgic favorite for many sci-fi fans.