Trial by Fire (The Outer Limits)
| "Trial by Fire" | |
|---|---|
| The Outer Limits episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 9 |
| Directed by | Jonathan Glassner |
| Written by | Brad Wright |
| Production code | 31 |
| Original air date | 1 March 1996 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
|
Robert Foxworth as Charles Halsey, |
|
Robert Foxworth as Charles Halsey,
Diana Scarwid as Elizabeth Halsey,
Teryl Rothery as Janet Brevson
"Trial by Fire" is an episode of The Outer Limits television series. It first aired on 3 March 1996, during the second season.
The newly inaugurated President of the United States is diverted to an emergency underground bunker while on his way to his Inauguration Ball. He is told that an object is rapidly approaching the Earth.
En route to his Inauguration Ball, newly sworn President Charles Halsey, his campaign slogan "Let me be your friend", is diverted to a nuclear bunker and is greeted by his predecessor's staff including Junior Science Advisor Janet Brevson; National Security Advisor Tarquin; and General Covington, commander of the U.S. space program. They inform the president that an object traveling at half the speed of light will impact Earth in thirty minutes with the potential to wipe out most life on Earth. Halsey is advised to mobilize the military and provide some security for the survivors of the impact. Other nations across the world do likewise, and tensions between nations rise as worldwide military systems are put on alert. However, the object misses Earth and crashes into the far side of the moon in an immense fireball.
Celebrations are short-lived, however. Astronomers identify a group of objects traveling behind the original, and inform Halsey that the group is in fact a fleet of alien spaceships. Halsey decides to conceal this information from the rest of the world, triggering arguments between the bunker's military and civilian personnel. Theories on the original object begin to surface - the military argues that it was a display of force designed to scare the Earth into surrendering, whilst the scientists argue it was done as part of a maneuver to slow down. As the arguments continue, a teleprinter comes through from Moscow, revealing that the Russians are aware of the approaching fleet and are determined to protect their country at all costs.
...
Wikipedia