The Outer Limits: Corpus Earthling

This is the most oppressive tale of the whole series. As in "The Architects of Fear", the main character undergoes a mental breakdown (paranoia) and matrimonial back-lash. The claustrophobic idea of being possessed is a direct reference to Don Siegel's "Invasion of the body snatchers". The bed scene of the Cameron couple when Paul comes back to the hideaway cabin while running from danger refers to one climatic sequence from "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" when Dr. Miles Bennell kisses his fiancé Becky Driscoll in the cave and discovers she is no more a human being. The first draft by Joseph Stefano was about cats' invasion and was changed to rocks, owing to its realistic frightening appeal over the children audience. The gorgeous and pre-"Seconds" Salome Jens and Robert Culp, playing the overanxious Paul Cameron, are excellent. As in "O.B.I.T.", you can notice a sordid Film Noir hotel where Paul Cameron takes refuge; he wakes up in a cold sweat because the thin walls let enter the smothered voice of the next door neighbour: - Woman's nextdoor: "I found you. You thought you could get away from me.". This particular episode has a "Carnivals of soul/Night of the Living-Dead" flavor because of Barry Atwater's morbid character. The most horrible scene remains when zombie Dr. Temple holds Laurie and pushes her head towards the protoplasmic alien rock to be invaded; Laurie's screams are totally frightening! This is the second protagonist, after the one from "The Man With The Power", who is submitted to the x-rays in order to see an artificial implant inside his skull: here, a metal plate. Above all, this episode is loaded with mystical references: the last name of Dr. Jonas Temple is another obvious religious indication, meaning the good doctor represents the holy authority of the science's home, Dr. Temple quotes the Holy Script ("These should hold their peace, stones would suddenly cry out. That's from the bible; Luke, I think.") and the Mexican caretaker organizes a magic ritual with fire. Conrad Hall's dark cinematography is once again top-notch and camera operator William Fraker also put his hand and the character of Laurie Cameron testifies of his presence on the screen by this private joke: "It's Billy Fraker—he's been drinking again." Watch the anti-happy end out where Paul Cameron relunctantly sacrifies his own wife to save the world. In a certain way, this segment anticipates Jack Sholder's "The Hidden". Notes: Robert Johnson is the voice of the Rocks: "You listen to it Earthling! You heard us communicate. Listeners must be destroyed! (...) You will do as we say".