I always took this episode as an allegory for the most basic question of or own existence,who (what?) are we, where did we come from, where are we going? The BIG universal mysteries that religion, phiosophy and imagination seek to answer.The identities are the roles we invent as we relate to each other seeking purpose in life though they do not ultimatley seem to bring us any closer to answering the ultimate questions.
Right, this is instantly what I thought and was the intent of the writers I think as it is based on Jean Paul-Sartre's "No Exit", a 1944 French existential play where 3 characters wake up in a mysterious room. To have an essay that ignores these deeper ontological and existential themes is to only skim the surface of this beautifully written and directed episode. That said, I do like the OP's interpretation of how without memory we have no ego and we need others to survive and have comfort in this cold lonely impermanent existence. My take FWIW: awaking in that place, the Major is just like every other human, in that no one has ever asked to be born, we just exist one day (Martin Hediegger in "Being and Time" calls this Throwness - as we are “thrown into the world at birth”). We now suddenly exist and may have a vague recollection of what our "true" selves/soul is, perhaps from a past life or from our genetic structure, but we are mostly a blank slate/tabula rasa. Hence the existential questions of are we born knowing our true ego and identity, does existence precede essence? This episode confronts the fact that as humans we are not meant to know, it is beyond our comprehension at this point. The difference between happiness/contentment (the other 4 stranger) and pure existential angst (the Major) is being able to radically accept that 1. as imperfect humans we may never know the answers to life's true mysteries and questions; and 2. we will all die just as we are all born and it is completely out of our control, just like these dolls cannot control who plays with them or where they end up.
I really don't get that from this episode. Also, those questions have already been answered. God came down in human form and gave us all the evidence we need and a book to give us all the details
This is probably my favorite episode of the Twilight Zone. Partly, because I love how it can be interpreted in so many different ways, and makes you question existence itself, and if these characters deserve empathy, and love even though they don't exist. They are all kind of like actors without a show, they are like people without love, without someone to give them purpose trapped together. I also like the optimistic narration that hopefully they will find good homes, and have purpose.
Art the Clown was created by filmmaker Damian Leone, and his unsettling monochromatic design was inspired by a clown seen in The Twilight Zone episode "Five Characters In Search Of An Exit."
I kinda doubt it, as the trope of toys coming to life was done several times in between, and even before taking the old Raggedy Anne stories and cartoons into account.
@@TalkHorror are we truly in control of our own lives or are we just players in someones game? Keep the reviews coming, I need more existential crisis! lol
Ah, but is this actually a _horror_ episode? Although it goes in that direction for much of its run time, Rod's outro suggests otherwise. Dark fantasy, perhaps? Thanks for the analysis--liked and subscribed.
I always took this episode as an allegory for the most basic question of or own existence,who (what?) are we, where did we come from, where are we going? The BIG universal mysteries that religion, phiosophy and imagination seek to answer.The identities are the roles we invent as we relate to each other seeking purpose in life though they do not ultimatley seem to bring us any closer to answering the ultimate questions.
Now that’s a great analysis!
Right, this is instantly what I thought and was the intent of the writers I think as it is based on Jean Paul-Sartre's "No Exit", a 1944 French existential play where 3 characters wake up in a mysterious room. To have an essay that ignores these deeper ontological and existential themes is to only skim the surface of this beautifully written and directed episode. That said, I do like the OP's interpretation of how without memory we have no ego and we need others to survive and have comfort in this cold lonely impermanent existence.
My take FWIW: awaking in that place, the Major is just like every other human, in that no one has ever asked to be born, we just exist one day (Martin Hediegger in "Being and Time" calls this Throwness - as we are “thrown into the world at birth”). We now suddenly exist and may have a vague recollection of what our "true" selves/soul is, perhaps from a past life or from our genetic structure, but we are mostly a blank slate/tabula rasa. Hence the existential questions of are we born knowing our true ego and identity, does existence precede essence? This episode confronts the fact that as humans we are not meant to know, it is beyond our comprehension at this point. The difference between happiness/contentment (the other 4 stranger) and pure existential angst (the Major) is being able to radically accept that 1. as imperfect humans we may never know the answers to life's true mysteries and questions; and 2. we will all die just as we are all born and it is completely out of our control, just like these dolls cannot control who plays with them or where they end up.
I really don't get that from this episode. Also, those questions have already been answered. God came down in human form and gave us all the evidence we need and a book to give us all the details
This is probably my favorite episode of the Twilight Zone. Partly, because I love how it can be interpreted in so many different ways, and makes you question existence itself, and if these characters deserve empathy, and love even though they don't exist.
They are all kind of like actors without a show, they are like people without love, without someone to give them purpose trapped together.
I also like the optimistic narration that hopefully they will find good homes, and have purpose.
Nice breakdown my friend. I love this episode, too! ❤️ me some 'Zone.
I recently showed this one at Christmas time for my Daughter. This has always been a personql favorite of mine!
It’s such an amazing episode. What did she think?
Art the Clown was created by filmmaker Damian Leone, and his unsettling monochromatic design was inspired by a clown seen in The Twilight Zone episode "Five Characters In Search Of An Exit."
The light-source that is above them against the darker area makes it look like a big eyeball.
One of the best episodes! Thank you for your insights!
"We're here because, we're here because..." 🎶
Great video, terrifying episode. It was good to see it being remembered.
Toy story for adults
Thank you kindly!
This episode is so good yet so sad
I have to agree with you. They try so hard, going through so much-mentally and physically-and then we get that heartbreaking twist ending.
I'll bet this was the inspiration for Toy Story. Funny thing is not ONE character from this episode was later re imagined in Toy Story. Ironic, eh?
I kinda doubt it, as the trope of toys coming to life was done several times in between, and even before taking the old Raggedy Anne stories and cartoons into account.
The triangle-retreads are so far beyond screwed, that it’s gonna take the light from screwed a gazillion years to reach the earth😂😭💜❤️⚡️⚡️
The ballerina was beautiful. So many women in the Twilight Zone were
Another great episode, this one always made me question my own existence as a kid, even now just watching this review I still get a little uneasy! :D
I could definitely see why, my friend. It’s an episode that brings up a lot of questions.
@@TalkHorror are we truly in control of our own lives or are we just players in someones game? Keep the reviews coming, I need more existential crisis! lol
Ah, but is this actually a _horror_ episode? Although it goes in that direction for much of its run time, Rod's outro suggests otherwise. Dark fantasy, perhaps? Thanks for the analysis--liked and subscribed.
The monochromatic clown inspired Damien Leone's Art The Clown 🤡
What? Really? I never knew that.
What if this is it. We're just toys. Our life is only amusement for.. something.
It's the basis for Toy Story :)
I think I need to play with my dolls
The question is. they were just toys or they was turned into toys????
Original toy story
🤣
You Are A Toyyyyy!
🤣
😂🤣 classic/iconic toy story line.
Were they sh!tting in the corner or something?
Doesn't need explanation.