Ep 5. Usher II
- August 17, 1990
- 23 min
-
7.1 (143)
In the fourth season of The Ray Bradbury Theater, episode five is titled Usher II. This episode is based on the short story, The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe, and takes place in the year 2055 on Mars.
In this episode, a group of people gathers on Mars to witness the opening of a new home that was inspired by the house in Poe's short story. The owner of the house, William Stendahl, is a wealthy man who has a passion for the classics and has built this house as a tribute to his favorite author. The house is also an exact replica of the one from the original short story.
As the guests begin to explore the house, they notice that Stendahl has gone to great lengths to make it as authentic as possible. There are hidden traps, secret passages, and a full staff dressed in period clothing to greet them. However, the guests soon realize that the house has a more sinister purpose as they begin to witness strange occurrences that are too similar to the events in Poe's story.
As tensions rise and the guests become increasingly uncomfortable, Stendahl reveals that his true intention is not just to recreate the house from The Fall of the House of Usher but to destroy all forms of censorship and tyranny. He has created a machine that can change reality and plans to use it to rid the world of censorship and oppression once and for all.
With the help of a rebellious young woman named Melanie, one of the guests, the group sets out to stop Stendahl and prevent him from executing his dangerous plan. As the tension builds to a climax, the group must face their fears and confront the true power of the mysterious house.
Usher II is a suspenseful episode that showcases Ray Bradbury's love for classic literature and science fiction. It presents a gripping narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as they watch the characters navigate through a world that is both familiar yet entirely new. Ultimately, the episode serves as a commentary on the dangers of censorship and the importance of individuality and free expression.
