Ep 7. O.B.I.T.

In The Outer Limits season 1 episode 7, entitled "O.B.I.T.," a mysterious new device is implemented at a top-secret government facility. Dubbed the "Outer Band Individuated Teletracer," or O.B.I.T. for short, the technology is hailed as a revolutionary tool for tracking and monitoring suspected criminals or enemy spies. However, as the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that the O.B.I.T. is far more insidious and all-encompassing than anyone could have imagined.

The story centers on a group of employees at the facility who begin to suspect that the O.B.I.T. is being used to monitor and manipulate their every move. As they observe their own behavior being relayed back to them in real-time, they question whether the technology is truly as benign as it was initially presented. In particular, a young physicist named Leonard "Barney" Barnett becomes increasingly fixated on figuring out the true purpose behind the O.B.I.T., despite warnings from his colleagues to stop digging.

One of the most compelling aspects of "O.B.I.T." is the way it explores the psychological toll that constant surveillance and monitoring can take on individual autonomy and privacy. The characters are constantly second-guessing their own actions, wondering whether their thoughts and feelings are truly their own or if they're being manipulated by some unseen force. This tension builds throughout the episode, culminating in a tense and unsettling finale that leaves viewers questioning the nature of identity and free will.

In addition to its thematic richness, "O.B.I.T." also boasts a taut and well-crafted script that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. The dialogue is sharp and witty, with clever nods to classic sci-fi tropes and a healthy dose of political commentary. The pacing is expertly calibrated, slowly building tension and paranoia until it reaches a boiling point in the final act. And the performances are uniformly strong, with standout turns from Robert Drivas as the obsessive Barney and Peter Lind Hayes as the duplicitous head of the facility.

Overall, "O.B.I.T." is a standout episode of The Outer Limits that showcases the series' unique blend of sci-fi thrills and philosophical musings. It's a gripping cautionary tale about the dangers of surveillance and the importance of preserving individual agency in the face of technological advancement. Whether you're a fan of classic sci-fi or just enjoy a good suspenseful thriller, "O.B.I.T." is an episode that's sure to leave you thinking long after the credits roll.