He's Alive

Description: Season 4, Episode 4

Air Date: January 24, 1963

Plot Summary: The leader of a group of neo-Nazis finds himself assisted by a mysterious benefactor.

Review: This is definitely one of the best episodes from season 4 and a powerful episode in its own right. We have a group of wannabe Nazis trying to hype up a crowd with the usual nonsense you'd expect. The leader, named Peter, is played amazingly by a young Dennis Hopper; Mr. Hopper has always excelled at playing interesting villains. After getting food thrown at them, beaten up, and pissing off the cops, Peter and his flunkies retreat home. Oddly enough, Peter's only friend is an old Jewish man. This wasn't executed properly as it makes no sense why Peter would identify with Nazi ideals if his only friend is a Jewish father figure. Regardless, Peter tries to rationalize his hatred and explain the situation to this friend, named Ernst. Later that night, Peter finds himself drawn to the window as a shadowy figure calls out to him. They employ a lighting effect I have always greatly enjoyed (and have touched on before) where a character's face is perfectly obscured in darkness despite the impossibility of the situation. This shadowy figure says he wants to help Peter by teaching him how to properly manipulate a crowd and accentuate their fears and hate.

Through the tutelage of this shadowy figure, Peter uses his charisma to gain a stronger following. One of the best tactics he employs is making a crowd feel a sense of belonging and that anyone who speaks out against them is surely the enemy. With each step in a scheme, the shadowy figure guides Peter as they even kill one of their own allies to create a martyr for their cause. I liked how Peter is not outright evil and slowly becomes more and more heartless. Seeing the evil that is brewing, Ernst tries to nip this nonsense in the bud by humiliating Peter in front of his crowd. Feeling defeated, Peter lashes out against the shadowy figure who reveals he is Hitler himself--now taking the form of an omnipresent, malevolent force. This ghostly Hitler tells Peter to kill Ernst which Peter obliges through great reluctance. Feeling empowered by Hitler, Peter believes himself to be immortal as he tries to kill police who confront him regarding Ernst's murder. Being shot to death, Peter cannot understand what went wrong. Lurking as a dark shadow on the walls, the episode ends with Hitler moving about looking for a new protege to continue spreading hate. Mr. Serling wraps the episode up appropriately as he explains that, as long as such evils exist, this spirit will be there to prey upon the people. That he's alive because people allow him to be. A good introspection to be had there.

If such a notion were true, I would say this evil spirit is alive and well today that's for sure. The Nazis have come and gone--despite pockets of wannabes--but there are always groups that attempt to spread endless hate and fear to gain control over the weak-minded. The ironic part is that, nowaday, the groups pretending to help are the ones pushing these ideals. Just listen to the manipulative tactics from Hitler and you will see public figures employing those very tricks. Even now, it's always fear this or that, give us control, and we will make it all go away at a terrible price. Same song and dance. On top of that, you have all these tools who think that through censorship and PC bullshit that the world will be better. Yes, controlling what humans are "allowed" to think and feel will work out, right? Truly, if hate powers such an evil force, it is stronger now than it has ever been.