The Obsolete Man

"The Obsolete Man" is an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.

Related Topics:
Television series - The Twilight Zone

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Episode number: 65

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Season: 2

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Original airdate: June 2, 1961

Related Topics:
June 2 - 1961

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Writer: Rod Serling

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Director: Elliot Silverstein

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Notable cast members: Burgess Meredith, Fritz Weaver

Related Topics:
Burgess Meredith - Fritz Weaver

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Episode summary:

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In a future totalitarian society, Romney Wordsworth (Meredith) is a man put on trial for the crime of being obsolete. Secretly, he is a librarian (punishable by death), and religious (also punishable by death). He is prosecuted by the chancellor (Weaver), who expresses in detail that he is not needed by society.

Related Topics:
Librarian - Chancellor

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Eventually, Wordsworth is sentenced to die, and is given the choice of method of dying. He secretly chooses his punishment, known only to him and his assassin, to be administered at midnight.

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Wordsworth puts it into a room that is videotaped and broadcast live to the nation, so they can see the condemned in his final hours. He summons the chancellor, who shows up at 11:15 PM. After some discussion, Wordsworth reveals that he has locked the door, and that his chosen method of death is by bomb. He intends to show the nation how a spiritual man faces death. He also points out that, as the events are being broadcast live, the State will not interfere to rescue a high-ranking chancellor. Wordsworth's calm acceptance of death may be directly compared with the chancellor's increasing panic.

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As the last few moments before the bomb explodes elapse, the chancellor begs the old man to let him go ("In the name of God, let me out!"), and the old man fulfills his wish and lets him go.

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The chancellor bursts out of the room and down the stairs just as the bomb explodes, killing Wordsworth.

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The final scene shows the chancellor, now stripped of his rank, being put on trial for being obsolete.

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Trivia:

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Back to: The Twilight Zone, Episode List, Season 2

Related Topics:
The Twilight Zone - Episode List - Season 2

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