Ep 9. Probe 7 - Over and Out

In the episode "Probe 7 - Over and Out" from season 5 of The Twilight Zone, we follow the story of two astronauts who crash-land on a distant, seemingly deserted planet. Adam Cook (played by Richard Basehart) and Ross (played by Antoinette Bower) quickly realize they are the only survivors of their mission and must attempt to survive in a completely unknown environment.

As they explore the planet, they begin to discover strange artifacts and evidence of a civilization that once thrived there. The two astronauts uncover clues that suggest the planet's former inhabitants were remarkably similar to humans, with similar physical features and emotional capacities. However, they also discover that these people faced a dark fate - the entire population was wiped out by an unknown force.

As Adam and Ross continue their search for answers, they come across a woman named Lyra (played by Nan Martin), who claims to be the last surviving member of the planet's civilization. Lyra tells them a story of how the planet was once a thriving community, but it was destroyed by a conflict between two factions - one that desired peaceful coexistence and another that advocated for war.

Lyra reveals that the destructive force that killed the rest of her people was a result of the war faction's attempts to achieve space travel. They had sent out a series of probes, which ultimately led to the destruction of not only their own civilization but also other planets in the galaxy. The probes were programmed to seek out new life forms to conquer and exploit.

As Adam and Ross come to terms with the tragic history of the planet, they realize they are facing a difficult choice. They can either attempt to repair their spacecraft and leave the planet, eventually returning to Earth to warn them of the dangers of the probes and the destructive consequences of war - or they can stay and help Lyra rebuild her civilization.

The episode explores themes of war and its consequences, as well as humanity's search for connection and community. Like many episodes of The Twilight Zone, "Probe 7 - Over and Out" presents a cautionary tale - a warning of the dangers of unchecked technological progress and the importance of peaceful coexistence.