Ep 13. From Within

From Within is the thirteenth episode of season 2 of the science-fiction TV series Outer Limits. The episode was first aired on January 28, 1996, and it was directed by Brad Turner and written by Steven Barnes.

The story takes place in the not-too-distant future where a group of astronauts are on a mission to explore a distant planet. The team consists of four members, each of whom is highly skilled and trained for the mission. The captain of the team is Lieutenant Commander Dexter, who is known for his calm and thoughtful demeanor, and his ability to make quick decisions under pressure. The other members of the team include Petty Officer Van Buskirk, who is responsible for the ship's navigation systems, aerospace engineer Dr. Geno Duran, and Dr. Nora Hunter, a specialist in exobiology.

The mission starts out normally enough, with the team landing on the planet and setting up a base camp. However, things start to go wrong when Dr. Hunter discovers strange, glowing crystals on the planet's surface. As she investigates further, she begins to notice that the crystals seem to be affecting the team's behavior, causing them to behave oddly and experience strange, vivid dreams.

At first, Dr. Hunter tries to convince the rest of the team that something is wrong, but they dismiss her concerns and attribute her behavior to stress and fatigue. However, as time goes on, it becomes increasingly clear that something sinister is happening to them. Petty Officer Van Buskirk begins to experience hallucinations, and Dr. Duran becomes increasingly paranoid and defensive.

As the situation intensifies, the team realizes that they are dealing with something much more dangerous than they initially thought. The crystals are not only affecting their behavior, but they are also tapping into their innermost fears and desires, creating vivid, immersive hallucinations that feel all too real. However, when the team tries to leave the planet, they discover that they are unable to move or communicate with the outside world.

From Within is a gripping story that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The tension builds slowly as the team struggles to understand what is happening to them and how to fight back against the forces that are controlling them. The acting is solid across the board, with each of the actors delivering compelling performances that help to draw the viewer into the story.

The visuals in From Within are also impressive, with the planet's surface and the team's base camp looking suitably alien and otherworldly. The effects used to depict the team's hallucinations are also handled well, with the use of vivid colors and surreal imagery really helping to sell the idea that the crystals are affecting the team's minds.

Overall, From Within is an excellent episode of Outer Limits that combines action, suspense, and sci-fi thrills into a compelling and engaging story. Fans of the show are sure to enjoy it, and even those who are new to the series will find much to appreciate in this intelligent, well-crafted tale of danger and survival.