Description: Season 4, Episode 16
Air Date: May 2, 1963
Plot Summary: A human settlement on a distant planet must free themselves of their leader in order to return to Earth.
Review: This is certainly one of the episodes that would have felt less boring in the 30 minute format; there really wasn't enough material to stretch this story out. The opening premise is decent, with a small settlement of humans, on a planet far away, who tried to find a second Earth. The time is notably set far enough in the future (2020s) that I could accept this as a plausible scenario. Unfortunately for these people, the planet is an arid wasteland and their leader, Benteen, controls them like children. I would say there is a cult-like atmosphere to the people, but it is more the case of Benteen believing his role to be greater than it truly was. After decades of struggling to survive, a rescue ship finally comes to collect the settlement. Benteen, however, does not want the people to escape once he realizes they will abandon him. At first you can somewhat sympathize with Benteen, but he spirals into insanity quickly enough. There are moments of interesting dialogue strewn throughout, but that's about the only thing the episode has going for it. The situation is not relevant to viewers and the themes are self-explanatory. There should have been a final twist to bring things full circle, but the episode simply ends with everyone leaving and Benteen staying behind. Come to think of it, this could be worthy of the worst episode list.
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