Ep 31. The Encounter

In the episode titled "The Encounter," the fifth season of The Twilight Zone follows a WWII veteran named Fenton (Neville Brand) who finds himself face-to-face with a Japanese soldier named Taro (Takeo Nagura) on the streets of a small California town. The two men engage in a deadly game of cat and mouse that reveals their shared wartime traumas and prejudices.

Fenton is a bitter and volatile man, haunted by his experiences in the Pacific theater. He is filled with rage towards the Japanese and refuses to let go of his hatred even after the war has ended. When he encounters Taro, who is lost and looking for directions, Fenton attacks him without hesitation. Taro, however, proves to be a skilled fighter and quickly gains the upper hand, forcing Fenton to retreat.

The encounter between Fenton and Taro sets the stage for a tense and unnerving showdown that reveals their shared humanity and the devastating toll of war. As the two men confront each other, they are forced to confront the demons that haunt them both. Fenton's hatred and bigotry are exposed as a result of his PTSD, while Taro's loyalty to his country and his own painful memories come to light.

The episode is a gripping exploration of the horrors of war, the trauma it inflicts on those who fight in it, and the social and cultural divisions that persist even after the conflict has ended. Fenton represents the worst of American nationalism and the racism that allowed Japanese internment during WWII. Meanwhile, Taro serves as a reminder of the humanity of the enemy during a time of war.

The tension between the two men prolongs throughout the episode as Fenton grows more unhinged and determined to kill Taro, while Taro attempts to reason with him and find a way to escape. The climax of the episode features a surprising twist that turns the audience's assumptions on their head and recontextualizes the entire encounter.

At its core, "The Encounter" is a powerful meditation on the effects of trauma and hatred on the human psyche. The episode is a masterclass of suspense and psychological drama, with outstanding performances from both Brand and Nagura. Through its harrowing depiction of war and its aftermath, this episode of The Twilight Zone remains relevant to this day, serving as a poignant reminder of the dangers of nationalism and the power of human connection.