Ep 12. Ninety Years Without Slumbering

In the fifth and final season of the classic science fiction television series The Twilight Zone, the twelfth episode is titled "Ninety Years Without Slumbering." This episode explores themes of aging and mortality as it tells the story of an elderly man named Sam Forstmann who becomes obsessed with the idea that he must keep a giant grandfather clock in his home running or else he will die.

As the episode begins, we see Forstmann sitting in his living room surrounded by clocks of all shapes and sizes. He is fixated on the ticking of the massive grandfather clock in the corner and seems to derive great comfort from its steady, rhythmic sound. However, when the clock suddenly stops working, Forstmann becomes panicked and convinced that he will die if he doesn't find a way to get it running again.

Forstmann's daughter and grandson are both worried about his mental and physical health, but Forstmann refuses to listen to them and becomes increasingly irrational as he tries to fix the clock himself. He spends all of his time and resources trying to get the clock running again, neglecting his loved ones and even his own health in the process.

As Forstmann's obsession with the clock intensifies, he begins to see strange visions and become convinced that there is a supernatural force at work. He becomes convinced that he is being haunted by the ghost of an ancestor who built the clock, and that the only way to appease this spirit is to keep the clock running at all costs.

The tension in the episode ramps up as Forstmann's health continues to deteriorate and his family becomes increasingly desperate to get him help. They try to reason with him and encourage him to let go of his obsession, but he remains stubborn. Finally, a group of repairmen arrive to fix the broken clock, but Forstmann becomes convinced that they are actually there to take the clock away from him.

As the episode reaches its climax, Forstmann is forced to confront the reality of his situation. He must decide whether to continue to cling to his obsession with the clock or recognize that it is time to let go. The final moments of the episode are striking and haunting, leaving viewers with a poignant meditation on the challenges of aging and the difficulties of confronting mortality.

Overall, "Ninety Years Without Slumbering" is a classic Twilight Zone episode that showcases the series' blend of science fiction, horror, and social commentary. It is an excellent example of the series at its best, weaving together complex themes and nuanced characterizations to create a gripping and thought-provoking story. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will find plenty to enjoy in this memorable episode.