Ep 8. Thing from Inner Space

The episode "Thing from Inner Space" is the 8th episode of the third season of the show Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Opening with a panicked phone call from Nelson to Crane, the episode follows the Seaview as it races to reach the USS Neptune, a research vessel which has gone missing in an area of ocean referred to as the 'Devil's Triangle'.

As they arrive on location, the Seaview picks up a strange reading on their sonar system and witness a strange ball of light. Initially given up as some kind of reflection or natural phenomenon, it soon becomes clear that there is something alive within the ocean - a previously undiscovered organism which has emerged from deep within the Earth's crust.

The alien creature, which is essentially a floating ball of light, is able to communicate telepathically with the Seaview crew, making threats and demands with regards to their intentions - it wants to be returned to its place of origin. As the crew work to understand the alien's behaviour, the creature begins to manipulate the ship in order to get its way, causing magnetic interference and playing with the crew's minds. The Seaview becomes stuck in the Triangle as the creature shows itself to be incredibly powerful and dangerous.

As the episode progresses, the crew try to figure out a way to disarm the alien, with various methods and plans made and subsequently failed. The alien's power becomes stronger and it starts to make things more difficult for the crew, causing a fire and temporary loss of power. Meanwhile, Quinn is convinced that the alien can be reasoned with and tries to appeal to its sense of humanity, by describing Earth's history and humanity's incremental progress over the years.

With the situation growing more dire by the hour, the Seaview's crew launch a risky plan to try to neutralize the alien's power and return it safely to its place of origin. Will they succeed or will the alien prove to be too powerful for the Sub and its crew to handle?

"Thing from Inner Space" is a dramatic and captivating episode which showcases the strengths of the cast and the production team behind the show. It combines elements of sci-fi with a tense, action-packed storyline, and explores themes of trust, power, and our place in the wider universe. It is a testament to the ongoing popularity of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and its place in the annals of classic science fiction television.