Ep 11. The Veldt
- November 10, 1989
- 23 min
-
6.4 (144)
The episode titled "The Veldt" is the eleventh episode of the third season of The Ray Bradbury Theater. It is based on Bradbury's short story of the same name, which was first published in The Saturday Evening Post in 1950.
The episode follows a family of four–George and Lydia Hadley and their children Peter and Wendy–who live in a futuristic, high-tech "Happylife Home." The house is fully automated and can anticipate and fulfill the family's every need and desire. The children's favorite feature of the house is the nursery, a virtual reality room that can simulate any environment. The children are particularly fond of a simulation of an African veldt, complete with lions and other dangerous animals.
As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that all is not well in the Happylife Home. The children seem increasingly fixated on the nursery, and George and Lydia become concerned about the violent and disturbing imagery that appears in the simulation. They also notice that the children seem to be plotting something, and that they are more interested in the nursery than they are in spending time with their parents.
Despite their concerns, George and Lydia are unable to disconnect the nursery or the rest of the automated systems. They also struggle with the guilt and shame of having relied so heavily on technology to raise their children.
As the episode builds towards its climax, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense and unsettling. The family's fears are realized when they find themselves transported into the simulation of the veldt, surrounded by the very real and very dangerous animals. The episode ends on a chilling note, leaving viewers to contemplate the dangers of becoming too reliant on technology and the potential consequences of neglecting our human connections.
Overall, "The Veldt" is a thought-provoking and haunting episode that explores some of the most pressing questions of our time. With its engaging story and powerful performances, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences.
