Ep 10. The 7th is Made Up of Phantoms

In the episode "The 7th is Made Up of Phantoms" from the fifth season of The Twilight Zone, three National Guardsmen from the present day are sent on a routine mission to check the fences and markers along a quiet part of the Wyoming-Montana border. However, upon arrival, they discover that the markers are missing and the land is uncharted. As the trio travels deeper into the wilderness, they notice that the scenery around them changes drastically, and they are transported back in time to the year 1876, just two days before the Custer Massacre at Little Bighorn.

The guardsmen soon realize that they have become part of the 7th Cavalry regiment that is on its way to the infamous battle. As the soldiers prepare for war, the three modern-day men are faced with knowing the outcome of the battle and whether or not they are able to intervene in history. Additionally, they must determine if they are in fact physical entities in this backwards time loop, or simply phantoms reliving a tragic past.

Throughout the episode, the audience is presented with themes of time travel, military history, and the manipulation of fate. The guardsmen confront their own anxieties regarding the possibility of altering the course of history, and they are forced to grapple with the idea that they may be unable to change the past even if they try. The episode also suggests that human beings are powerless to alter past events despite our best intentions and whether or not we remember them as they actually happened.

"The 7th is Made Up of Phantoms" has become a fan favorite for its stark depiction of battlefield life and the eerie twist of being given an opportunity to change the course of history. It also features a standout performance by the late actor Ron Foster, who plays the disillusioned Captain Phillip William Dale, a character who is still holding onto the racist ideals of his time even in the midst of an unwinnable battle. This memorable character has long been a topic of conversation among fans of the show, and has been praised for its layered and nuanced approach to portrayal of a complex, deeply flawed character.

Overall, "The 7th is Made Up of Phantoms" represents the best of The Twilight Zone's narrative capabilities, with its compelling themes, a well-constructed plot, and memorable characters. It is a classic example of the power of storytelling, and continues to resonate with viewers decades after its initial airing.