Ep 13. Once Upon a Time

In season 3 episode 13 of The Twilight Zone titled "Once Upon a Time," we see a man named Woodrow Mulligan living in the year 1890. He is a humble janitor who accidentally stumbles upon a time machine built by a scientist who has long since passed away. Curiosity gets the better of him, and he ends up activating the machine, transporting himself over 80 years into the future.

Once he arrives, he is greeted by a strange and unfamiliar world. The once peaceful countryside is now replaced by a hectic and bustling cityscape. Everywhere he looks, there are cars honking and people rushing to and fro. He soon realizes that the machine has brought him all the way into the year 1961, and he is now completely lost.

Alone and frightened, Woodrow attempts to navigate his way through this strange new world. He is almost immediately met with mistrust and confusion by the people he encounters. Dressed in his old-fashioned clothes and speaking in an antiquated manner, he unintentionally causes quite a stir.

Despite his initial struggles, Woodrow comes across another scientist who is intrigued by his presence. This man, Dr. Benjamin Ramsey, takes Woodrow under his wing and helps him to adjust. He introduces Woodrow to the ways of modern life and even teaches him how to drive a car.

As time goes by, Woodrow becomes more and more comfortable in this new era. He starts to develop a friendship with Dr. Ramsey, and even falls in love with his secretary, a kind woman named Jenny. He begins to feel as though he has found a new home in this world.

However, despite his growing affection for his new life, Woodrow cannot forget his old one. He longs to return to his own time, to his family and his old way of living. He begins to work on a plan to go back, knowing that it will be difficult, if not impossible. He sets to work building a time machine of his own, using the knowledge he has gained during his stay in 1961.

In the end, Woodrow's determination and ingenuity pay off. He manages to successfully travel back in time to his old life. However, he quickly realizes that he has made a grave mistake. The world he has returned to is no longer familiar, and he has lost touch with the people and places he once knew so well. He finds himself longing for his new life, the new friends and experiences he left behind.

"Once Upon a Time" is a tale about the human desire for change and exploration. It explores what happens when we leave behind what is familiar in search of a new adventure. It is ultimately a cautionary tale, warning us of the dangers of giving up what we already have in our pursuit of something better.