Ep 10. Worlds Apart
- TV-14
- March 22, 1996
- 51 min
-
6.7 (231)
In the Outer Limits season 2 episode 10 titled Worlds Apart, viewers are taken on a journey to a distant planet in the future. The episode explores the theme of absolute power and how it corrupts those who wield it.
The story begins on the planet Sylva, where two rival factions, the Technocrats and the Rebels, are fighting for control of the planet. The Technocrats are a group of scientists and engineers who have developed advanced technology that has given them the upper hand in the conflict. The Rebels, on the other hand, are a ragtag group of soldiers and civilians who are fighting for freedom and equality.
The episode centers around two characters from each side of the conflict; Aric, a Technocrat scientist and Kaelen, a Rebel fighter. The two are abducted by an alien race known as the Mennan and taken to their homeworld. There, they meet the Mennan leader, an immortal being known as Zanti.
Zanti explains to Aric and Kaelen that he has been observing their planet and has grown intrigued by the conflict between the Technocrats and the Rebels. He offers them an opportunity to settle their differences in a controlled environment known as the Arena.
Once inside the Arena, Aric and Kaelen are surprised to find themselves transported to an exact replica of their home planet. The catch, however, is that the replica is completely empty, and they are the only inhabitants. Furthermore, Zanti has given them god-like powers and has tasked them with creating the perfect society.
Aric and Kaelen soon realize that their newfound power is too much for them to handle. They begin to create their own versions of the perfect society, each vastly different from the other. Aric creates a world where technology is king, and he is the all-knowing leader. His society is efficient, but it is also oppressive and lacks true freedom.
Kaelen, on the other hand, creates a world where everyone is equal and has an equal say in how society is run. She values freedom and diversity but has a hard time maintaining order in her new world.
As the two continue to create their perfect worlds, they begin to grow distant from each other. They become so consumed with their own ideologies that they forget why they were brought to the Arena in the first place.
Eventually, their two worlds collide, and they are forced to confront each other. In doing so, they realize that neither of their ideal societies is perfect and that both must learn to compromise if they are to survive.
The episode ends with Aric, Kaelen, and Zanti returning to Sylva. Aric and Kaelen have gained a new understanding of each other, and they work together to end the conflict between the Technocrats and the Rebels. In doing so, they have created a better world for everyone.
Overall, Worlds Apart is a thought-provoking episode that explores themes of power, control, and compromise. It raises important questions about what it means to create a perfect society and whether such a thing is even possible. The episode's strong writing and excellent performances by the cast make it a standout episode in the second season of the Outer Limits.