The 10 Best Episodes of the 1980s Twilight Zone TV Series

In the mid-1980s, CBS dug up and reanimated The Twilight Zone, hoping to recreate the magic of the iconic Rod Serling series from the ’50s and ’60s. For the most part they failed, as by and large the series is devoid of the inspiration and magic of the original series. It’s hard to pinpoint why this is. Maybe it’s the lack of the late Serling himself as showrunner, writer and onscreen narrator. He had a penchant for morality tales that explored humanity with equal doses of hope, cynicism, caution and humor. The ’80s show has a less consistent tone. Or maybe it is the lack of the black-and-white format of the first series, which did its part in creating a stark, eerie ambiance that seems even more distant and strange as the years go by. Whatever the case, it was not for lack of talent. Regular contributors to the revival included Wes Craven, Harlan Ellison, George R. R Martin (!!), Rockne S. O’Bannon (creator of Farscape) and J. Michael Straczynski. The second version of The Twilight Zone did have one major thing going for it – an opening sequence so creepy that it feels like the actual, videotaped recording of a nightmare, complete with a rendition of the classic Twilight Zone theme by The Grateful Dead. As for the episodes, there are some real gems among the many duds, even ones that can stand up with the originals as classics. Let this list serve as a guide as you step into a strange televised dimension beyond which is known to many men. Avoid wading through all the mediocrity as you journey into an area we call… the 1980s Twilight Zone. Here are what we feel are the 10 best episodes.

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