Ep 30. Stopover in a Quiet Town
- TV-PG
- April 24, 1964
- 25 min
-
8.1 (2,573)
A couple named Bob and Millie Frazier wake up with a terrible hangover, and they realize they are in an unfamiliar town. They have no memory of the previous night, but they assume they got drunk and wandered off. As they explore the town, they notice that everything seems a bit off - the birds aren't moving, there are no people around, and all of the clocks are stuck at the same time. They eventually find a house with an open door and a table set for breakfast, and they help themselves. However, they soon realize that the coffee and food are tasteless, and they become increasingly unnerved.
As they continue to explore the town, they find a playground with a large, child-sized doll that seems to be watching them. Suddenly, they hear a child's laughter, and they assume that they've finally found someone. However, the laughter stops abruptly, and they can't find the child. They eventually stumble upon a house with a broken window, and they hear a telephone ringing inside. They answer the phone, and a voice tells them that they're being watched and that they need to leave town immediately.
Bob and Millie try to leave, but they find that every road leads back to the town. They eventually come across a sign that reads "Quiet Please – Hospital Zone", and they soon realize that the entire town is located inside a miniature model. They also find a broken whiskey bottle and a matchbook with the name "Dan Hollis" on it, which leads them to the realization that they are inside a display model of an alien race.
Bob and Millie eventually discover the controls that operate the model town, and they are able to move it. They create an earthquake that destroys the model, and they are suddenly transported back to their real lives. They wake up in a park, and they see a spaceship take off into the sky. They realize that they were abducted by aliens and placed inside the model town as a form of entertainment.
"Stopover in a Quiet Town" is a classic episode of "The Twilight Zone" that explores the theme of reality versus illusion. The episode keeps viewers guessing as to what is really happening, and it offers a unique and eerie twist ending. The performances by Barry Nelson and Nancy Malone are strong, and they help to sell the surreal and unsettling atmosphere of the episode. The episode highlights the strong writing and direction of "The Twilight Zone", and it remains a favorite among fans of the series.