My five favorite OUTER LIMITS episodes differ substantially from those
I think best represent the series, hence, two lists of five:
The favourite episodes:
episode 01: "Nightmare" (Best written and acted; bleakest; overall my single favorite episode)
episode 02: "The Mutant" (Guilty pleasure)
episode 03: "The Guests" (Best example of how 'differing' shows can be presented within an anthology format)
episode 04: "The Bellero Shield" (Best arch-drama; most sympathetic monster, just edging out "The Chameleon")
episode 05: "Keeper of the Purple Twilight" (Monsters galore; one of the few second season shows I can watch over and over [despite the fact that it's basically pretty dumb], just edging out "The Duplicate Man")
The most representative episodes of the series:
In other words, a good guide on where to begin for those unfamiliar with the show.
episode 01: "The Galaxy Being" (You must start here. This lays out most of the tenets for the entire series)
episode 02: "The Architects of Fear" (Turning point show where the series finally locked down its 'identity')
episode 03: "The Man Who Was Never Born" (Probably the most popular and certainly one of the most well-known shows)
episode 04: "The Zanti Misfits" (Most memorable special effects, just edging out "The Sixth Finger"; both episodes provide the monsters for which most people remember the series)
episode 05: "Demon With a Glass Hand" (A not-unjustly famous second season episode with high recognition factor)
Second favourite series: Thriller