The Obsolete Man
| "The Obsolete Man" | |
|---|---|
| The Twilight Zone episode | |
Burgess Meredith as Romney Wordsworth in The Obsolete Man
|
|
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 29 |
| Directed by | Elliot Silverstein |
| Written by | Rod Serling |
| Featured music | Stock |
| Production code | 173-3661 |
| Original air date | June 2, 1961 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
|
|
"The Obsolete Man" is episode 65 of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. It originally aired on June 2, 1961 on CBS. The story was later adapted for The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas starring Jason Alexander.
In a future totalitarian state, Romney Wordsworth is put on trial for being obsolete. His professed occupation as a librarian, which proves his guilt in this matter as the State has eliminated books. He believes in God, a crime [[Capital punishment|to broadcast his final hour live to the nation. He summons the Chancellor, who arrives at 11:16 p.m., wanting to prove the State's strength and Wordsworth's insignificance. Their discussion reveals that Wordsworth was a carpenter prior to retiring, explaining why he was not tried for obsolescence earlier in life. As they begin to be televised live, the Chancellor gloats how the State broadcast mass executions, leading Wordsworth to say "History teaches you nothing". The Chancellor contradicts this, saying that Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin were predecessors for the State who lost their power from not using it more greatly, specifically on "undesirables". When the Chancellor mocks Wordsworth and attempts to leave, Wordsworth reveals that his chosen method of execution is a bomb set to go off in the room at midnight. He says that the reaction to imminent execution that will interest the public is not his own but the Chancellor's, as the door is locked. He points out that, as the events are being broadcast live, the State would risk losing its status in the eyes of the people by rescuing the Chancellor. Wordsworth proceeds to read from his illegal, long-hidden copy of the Bible (in particular, Psalm 23 and Psalm 59). Wordsworth's calm acceptance of death stands in sharp contrast with the Chancellor's increasing panic.
...
Wikipedia