Nightmare at 20,000 Feet

Description: Season 5, Episode 3

Air Date: October 11, 1963

Plot Summary: Recovering from a nervous breakdown, a man believes he sees a creature tampering with the wing of his plane.

Review: Not only is this a classic episode, but I would say its easily among the most iconic in the entire series. I mean, you've got it all: William Shatner somehow not turning in a Shatner-esque performance, a nice little jump scare for the kiddies in '63, and even breaking the fourth wall. The production value for this particular episode looked very good too...well, except for the laughable design of the gremlin. Obviously I can't put my mindset into that of 1963, but, even as a kid, I thought the gremlin looked moronic. He looks like a big teddy bear, or a furry wearing footy pajamas, mixed with the freaks from the "Eye of the Beholder" episode. What the hell?!

The story follows Bob, along with his wife, on a flight shortly after he was released from a sanitarium. We don't get the full details of Bob's supposed nervous breakdown, but it is alluded to involve planes. Elevating his anxiety, the couple sits next to the auxiliary exit which will come into play at the end. Sometime into the stormy flight, a restless Bob stares out the window only to see the gremlin doing whatever it is that a gremlin does. Trying to get others to see the creature, the flight crew begins to think Bob is crazy. Bob's wife is also unnerved by this scenario as she fears Bob was not ready for this flight. They did miss an opportunity to toy with the audience's perception of whether or not it was all in Bob's head but oh well.

Through sheer shenanigans, no one ever sees the gremlin whom conveniently knows when to disappear from view at just the right time. Yeah, I'm calling bullshit. No one else was ever looking out the window except the one guy no one will believe?! Wake up one of the old geezers on the plane and make them stare out the window with you! When one member of the flight crew tries to patronize Bob, he realizes he's on his own to figure out what to do. Realizing that the gremlin will sabotage the plane if not stopped, Bob steals a gun from an air marshal or whatever he was supposed to be. Using the auxiliary exit, Bob is nearly sucked through the window, but he manages to shoot that pajama wearing freak to death. We cut to the flight landing somewhere, and Bob is being carried away to an ambulance. Bob looks to the audience and says that they will eventually realize the truth as the camera pans to the damaged wing.

Overall, this is a fantastic episode. The story is balanced in just the right way and is a return to form not seen since season 3. Likewise, it's very imaginative and original while still being somewhat relatable at the time; these are the kind of circumstances that make for the most memorable episodes. It may not be one of my favorites, but I appreciate and respect its impact. Many have parodied this episode in varying capacities which is yet another testament to TZ's legacy.