The Twilight Zone might be a show that you have recently heard about, either through the Super Bowl Commercial or by actually seeing its new episodes. Many people today loved the original series that aired during 1959-1964 with it earning many awards, including the 5th place for top 60 shows of all time. The reboot certainly has competition against the original series with many concerns that it wouldn’t be able to have the unique essence that brought in so many fans or that the modern day setting would completely ruin it. Well does the reboot have what it takes to stand out? As you’ve already noticed, you are now in a different area, somewhere new, the Pow Wow Zone.

The original series was created and hosted by Rod Serling, a well-known writer who was frustrated that many programs and companies would censor things such as views of racism or political statements. This series does not fall victim to censorship with episodes “I am the night-color me black” which covers a controversial topic during the time, the Civil Rights Movement, and confronts it head on. The original was also known for its guitar intro along with the beginning narration “You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You’ve just crossed over into the Twilight Zone.” It gained a loyal fan base during its main run, despite that, CBS decided to pull the plug along with Rod Serling not objecting this, weary of the many years of writing nearly 60% of all the episodes.

One main reason that I think some people watch it today comes from the almost time capsule like qualities this show has. It gives the viewer insight into how life was like decades ago, while not feeling too old and boring to watch. Many people who watched were drawn in by the science fiction/paranormal element that still fascinates us. Episodes really only focus on one person, and the viewers know as much as he/she/it does. Often, there is a moral question that is asked or brought up such as, are we creatures of assumption or actual reasoning, which was present in the famous episode, “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street”. There were many reboots as many people didn’t feel that the reboots were as good as the original.

Today’s reboot, now hosted by Jordan Peele, has interesting and thought-provoking plots with the same elements of morals and human nature, along with paranormal events. “The Comedian” follows a stand-up comedian that realizes jokes he makes about certain things cause them to disappear, while the “Nightmare at 30,000 Feet” has one man who believes a podcast will predict the fate of a flight. Freshman Alec Tandoc, who is familiar with the series, said though that the “series itself still has its original roots with it adapting perfectly to the modern world it’s different and that can take some time to get used to.” Critics seem to enjoy the show for the most part, and some have said that Sterling and Peele have even switched place.

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