Top 10 Most Underrated Twilight Zone Episodes

With so many classic and legendary Twilight Zone episodes to sift through, a few, fantastic stories are bound to fall through the cracks. Whether the stories were not appreciated in their own era, or have simply succumb to the passage of time, these are the underrated episodes that deserve a second look. It's important to note the distinction that these episodes are good--sometimes incredible--but they are not necessarily among the absolute best in the series. Of course, if you are curious about any particular episode, feel free to check out my full review for each. Finally, these are my personal opinions, and, if you have a problem with that, you can complain about it to the Ministry of Truth on Twitter. Now, without further ado, I present the most underrated episodes of The Twilight Zone!

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):

A Passage for Trumpet (Season 1, Episode 32) - Some great ideas here, and I love the implications throughout, but it's not quite remarkable enough.

Judgement Night (Season 1, Episode 10) - A man stuck in a hellish loop due to his own misdeeds in WWII. It's great all around, but this episode does receive fair recognition.

Showdown with Rance McGrew (Season 3, Episode 20) - This is an exceptionally funny story, but, if you don't have the cultural context to understand the jokes, it falls flat.

Probe 7, Over and Out (Season 5, Episode 9) - A novel twist for the time, but it's hindered by the sheer implausibility of the scenario's setup.

You Drive (Season 5, Episode 14) - Could have been one of the scariest episodes in the series, however, they decided to tone it down with borderline comedic moments.

Stopover in a Quiet Town (Season 5, Episode 30) - An all around intriguing plot that keeps you guessing to the end; unfortunately it's not quite memorable enough for the list.

Once Upon a Time (Season 3, Episode 13) - As for this last contender...I really wanted this episode on the list due to the unique episode format and the humor, but, alas, it falls shy of the tenth position.

10: And When the Sky Was Opened (Season 1, Episode 11)

There are few things in fiction to compare this episode to. Hell, I still can't tell you what exactly was happening. What I can tell you is that the story gets you thinking. Few episodes can match the intrigue present here as you try to figure out what's happening to the characters. Is it supernatural? Is time and space warping around them? Are they dead? It's tough to say, but there's nothing quite like it.

9: I Shot an Arrow into the Air (Season 1, Episode 15)

I can't believe this episode is so rarely mentioned by fans and critics. You have a somewhat cliched story of betrayal and survival, but the revelation that everything has been for naught is awesome. In particular, the irony is that harshness other episodes receive credit for. Why not here?

8: Perchance to Dream (Season 1, Episode 9)

This episode is simply "Inception" before there was "Inception." Sure, the execution isn't quite where it needed to be, but it deserves significantly more acknowledgement. I love the notion that the entire episode's events pass by within a minute and, of course, that attempt at a titty squeeze. Plus, that title is always amazing--you have to admit that.

7: A Penny for Your Thoughts (Season 2, Episode 16)

I want to say this episode has fallen under the radar due to the comic elements. Most of TZ's regarded classics are serious and offer some critique of humanity. This episode doesn't tackle any major themes, but it does offer an entertaining premise that incorporates the supernatural aspects perfectly. Besides, you can't go wrong with Dick York.

6: Twenty Two (Season 2, Episode 17)

There are a lot of original ideas going on in this episode. And, let's be honest, this outright inspired the creation of "Final Destination." The tone and atmosphere are captured near perfectly with excellent lighting tricks. The only noticeable drawback is the shit quality of the footage. Considering how ballsy the ending was, I can't believe this episode rarely receives praise.

5: A World of Difference (Season 1, Episode 23)

Imagine finding out your life is nothing more than a movie, and you're only an actor. I love that premise, and the episode pulls it off admirably. There are a ton of implications to be drawn and ways to look at the story meaningfully. While I don't like TZ deciding for the viewer which is the true reality, you cannot deny the creativity employed here. The lack of recognition for this episode baffles me.

4: A Stop at Willoughby (Season 1, Episode 30)

This is an episode far, far ahead of its time. Long before the midlife crisis was understood, there was this episode and it's insightful look at married life coupled with wage slave hell. I adore the introspection of this story, and the realization that you have lived a life everyone else told you to live. The ending also leaves things just ambiguous enough that you can draw whatever conclusion suits you as the viewer. For me, I have to give credit to a youtuber who wrote (I'm paraphrasing), "Every man should find his own Willoughby." You're damn right, my friend.

3: The New Exhibit (Season 4, Episode 13)

What really holds this episode down is being one of the hour long episodes. Naturally, season 4 episodes do not receive the same kind of airing frequency as the others due to this time change. Because of this, a lot of people are missing out on one of the creepiest and most disturbing episodes. The references to "Psycho" and the actual psychological terror work well. The ending is somewhat predictable, but it's still marvelously put together.

2: A World of His Own (Season 1, Episode 36)

This is easily one of the best episodes in the entire series despite its unforgivable lack of acknowledgement. Again, the comedic aspects probably hurt this tale's legacy, but the overall ideas are imaginative. Besides, this is the one and only episode with the distinction of having Rod Serling as an actual character. What a perfect ending and it doubled as a season finale to boot. How can you not love this episode?


And the most underrated episode in the entire series is...(Drumroll!)


1: Walking Distance (Season 1, Episode 5)

I don't think this pick should come as a shock to anyone who has followed my reviews; I mention this episode frequently. That whimsical tone, introspection, nostalgia, and serendipitous longing...ahh...these are the kind of themes the TZ writers excelled at examining. Sure, there is no mind-blowing twist yet I feel this story captures the aura of TZ better than most. More so, this episode demonstrates that TZ can tell wonderfully heartfelt stories without relying on a twist to pull it together--the story alone speaks for itself. I'd highly recommend revisiting this episode with fresh eyes.

Top 10 Most Overrated Twilight Zone Episodes

With a show like The Twilight Zone, full of numerous classic stories, there are a few episodes I feel receive far more credit than they deserve. I want to stress that these episodes are NOT necessarily bad--they simply aren't as good as critics and fans make them out to be. You can check out my full review for each episode if you feel so inclined. Also, I think it goes without saying, but this list is my personal opinion. If you don't agree, well, feel free to cry about it on Tumblr. Now, without further ado, I present the most overrated episodes of The Twilight Zone!

Honorable Mention: Deaths-Head Revisted (Season 3, Episode 9) - A poignant episode that has had its greatness greatly exaggerated. It just narrowly misses the list.

10: Long Distance Call (Season 2, Episode 22)

This episode simply wasted its potential. The entire premise is surprisingly scary, but they chose not to capitalize on it--either because they were holding back or didn't want to go in that direction. Other parts of the story are bizarre and cliched so there's that too. I will add the caveat that, this and one other episode, I debated their "classic" status. In the end, I figure this episode is aired frequently enough and appears to be essential TZ viewing. Better episodes could easily fill those marathon positions though.

9: The After Hours (Season 1, Episode 34)

Again, this was another episode that was seemingly built up to be creepy but falls to pieces by the end. What was going on here?! Nothing is ever explained, and the twist is so nonsensical it needs elaboration. The idea of living mannequins is a cool concept in theory, as well as the hidden floor, but no character notices this...why? This is certainly an episode where the twist was written first and the story created around it.

8: Nothing in the Dark (Season 3, Episode 16)

This is the other episode I debated how classic it truly would be considered; due to this ambiguity, it's lower on the list. Anyway, this just isn't a good episode in general. The use of Death and the weird implications about the old lady do not help anything. I kind of understand what they were going for, but it doesn't work.

7: Kick the Can (Season 3, Episode 21)

Okay, now we're getting into the meat of this list! I actually think this episode is great, but the story was retreading material TZ already covered. The overrated aspect comes into play especially when this is the episode remembered over the better ones like "Walking Distance." I do blame the TZ movie for cementing this story line into the public's consciousness, but that doesn't mean it gets a pass.

6: Third from the Sun (Season 1, Episode 14)

In a word: shenanigans. The basis for this story is pure shenanigans. We are shown an exact replica of American life on Earth in 1960 yet the twist is that they are aliens coming to Earth? Yeaaahhh...no. They were even sipping lemonade for fuck's sake! The message and themes are fine, but the presentation is utterly preposterous.

5: The Midnight Sun (Season 3, Episode 10)

This is probably my favorite episode on this list, but it is overrated nonetheless. Sure, the imagery is great and the themes tackled are interesting, but the story somehow fails to deliver. You have this apocalyptic situation yet the scope of the story never matches those epic proportions. Top 25 worthy? Sure. Top 10 or 5 worthy? Not even close.

4: The Silence (Season 2, Episode 25)

Did I miss the point when this became a classic? I remember reading critic reviews saying how freaky this was. Freaky?! Are you retarded? There are respectable ideas presented here, but, overall, it's nothing special and the twist is weak. I don't know what else to add since this is merely a mediocre tale--completely forgettable.

3: The Odyssey of Flight 33 (Season 2, Episode 18)

Ehhh, some plane is lost in time...what is there to lose your shit over? I think what really rubs me the wrong way is the nonchalant reactions from the characters. If I was time traveling, you'd get quite the reaction out of me to say the least. The ending is also dumb since they end up in 1939, and aren't willing to settle. That would have only been, what, 20 years earlier? Just live that life!

2: The Invaders (Season 2, Episode 15)

Let's be real, this episode receives its recognition for not having dialogue. A novel idea, but the story itself is nonsensically stupid. A giant, 1800s-looking alien woman is tormented by little human astronauts? Uhh...no thanks. Why would humans even pick this fight to begin with? Come on, TZ has so much more to offer than the likes of this episode.


And the most overrated episode in the entire series is...(Drumroll!)


1: Time Enough at Last (Season 1, Episode 8)

Multiple sources have cited this as the best episode ever. Amusing. Don't get me wrong, this story deserves its legendary status, but it's not worthy of being called the best--an extremely bold claim. The story doesn't even have a deeper message or insight compared to other classics. Am I biased? You betcha. There are a ton of underrated episodes that have flown under the radar for decades while this episode is endlessly praised. That doesn't sit right with me so I'm calling this one out.