Writer Joseph Stefano's variation on Invasion of the Body Snatchers has host organisms with the diabolical plan to take over the USA by infiltrating the powerful political and industrial figures that hold positions of supreme importance. Ugly parasitic lifeforms that crawl (they look similar to giant crabs), attaching best to the backs of human hosts (if not attached properly, humans suffer hideous physiological results; also, inoculations are given to those "antisocial rejects of the human race", agreeing to follow the lead of those selected powerful figures who serve as the host organisms), these evil beings need their hosts to carry out their dastardly plans. There's a special agent group called G-I-F, out of Virginia, with a spy named Spain (Don Gordon) successful in going through the Invisibles (name the aliens give themselves and their human followers) recruitment process, given the assignment as chauffeur to high level ranking military general in the Defense Dept of Washington, DC. When the general's effeminate assistant secretary, Oliver Fair (Family Feud host, Richard Dawson!) uncovers Spain's true identity, he'll blow his cover, and it is discovered that General Hilary Clarke (Neil Hamilton) has already "been turned". So Spain must communicate with his headquarters what has happened, but he's hit by a car driven by Mrs. Clarke (Dee Hartford, best known probably for her guest spots on Lost in Space as an android), with an ankle injury so severe it swells and is a pain to even drag must less walk on. Spain is up against it. While in recruitment/indoctrination classes, Spain befriended vulnerable, young, and weak-minded Genero Planetta (Tony Mordente), the two agreeing to find each other even though they're ordered never to by Governor Hillerman (George MacReady; one of the ringleaders of the Invisibles and a recruitment head at the rainy nondescript buildings where Spain was sent to spy). Planetta will factor into the finale in either Spain's downfall or rescue. These possible global/country alien takeover plots always entertain me, and "The Invisibles" has an underlying gulp-in-the-throat suspense that follows Spain all the way to the end as it appears an alien crawling towards him--as he pulls himself flat on his stomach away from it--might just catch up to him. Knowing he's an agent, the Invisibles could use him to infiltrate the G-I-F and dismantle the protective agency trying to stop the takeover from happening. Predating governmental alien conspiracy shows like The X Files, "The Invisibles" is a piece of its time but also still quite captivating even now almost 50 years later. Those involved in this episode wring as much tension out of Spain's injury angle as possible.
18 Reviews
A strong, creepy episode.
Sleepin_Dragon11 June 2023
A trio of men join a small unit of Alien invaders, who's mission is to infiltrate the top jobs in The Country and take over by stealth. One of the trio isn't all he makes out to be.
I had wondered what was meant by The term 'Invisibles,' I was half expecting to encounter a series of beings that physically couldn't be seen, I think it was more that those infected were hiding in plain sight.
This is yet another quality episode, I loved some of the ideas the had here, I really appreciated the strong horror vibe, and I liked the very strong characters. There were definitely vibes of Invasion of The Body snatchers about this one.
Some of the visuals are pretty grim, seeing Spain and Planetta pinned down and infected, that's pretty nasty stuff. The creatures themselves looked rather good, not too dissimilar to Doctor Who's cybermats.
Don Gordon did a great job as Spain, Tony Mordente was excellent also as Planetta, Neil Hamilton was terrific.
8/10.
I had wondered what was meant by The term 'Invisibles,' I was half expecting to encounter a series of beings that physically couldn't be seen, I think it was more that those infected were hiding in plain sight.
This is yet another quality episode, I loved some of the ideas the had here, I really appreciated the strong horror vibe, and I liked the very strong characters. There were definitely vibes of Invasion of The Body snatchers about this one.
Some of the visuals are pretty grim, seeing Spain and Planetta pinned down and infected, that's pretty nasty stuff. The creatures themselves looked rather good, not too dissimilar to Doctor Who's cybermats.
Don Gordon did a great job as Spain, Tony Mordente was excellent also as Planetta, Neil Hamilton was terrific.
8/10.
You do not know these men.
hitchcockthelegend27 June 2019
The Invisibles is directed by Gerd Oswald and written by Joseph Stefano. It stars Don Gordon, George Macready, Dee Hartford, Walter Burke and Tony Mordente. Music is by Dominic Frontiere and cinematography by Conrad L. Hall.
Season 1 - Episode 19
Luis Spain (Gordon) infiltrates a secret organisation known only as The Invisibles and what he discovers shakes him literally to the core. We are in the territory of alien possession for this atmospherically tight episode. The twists perk the narrative no end, ensuring dialogue must be followed closely, and it all builds towards a haunting conclusion that has made this a favourite of many a series fan. 7/10
Season 1 - Episode 19
Luis Spain (Gordon) infiltrates a secret organisation known only as The Invisibles and what he discovers shakes him literally to the core. We are in the territory of alien possession for this atmospherically tight episode. The twists perk the narrative no end, ensuring dialogue must be followed closely, and it all builds towards a haunting conclusion that has made this a favourite of many a series fan. 7/10
This is probably the best....
planktonrules23 July 2012
This is my vote for the best show of the entire series. In fact, it might have made a great pilot episode for its own series. I know that some spin off shows were made for "The Outer Limits" but none were picked up by the networks.
Don Gordon stars in this episode as a government agent who has infiltrated a secret organization of evil. It's purpose is to take over the world by inserting weird alien beings into the bodies of unsuspecting government officials. It's a lot like "Invasions of the Body Snatchers" as well as the "Star Trek the Next Generation" episode "Conspiracy"--so perhaps it isn't 100% original--but it is expertly, well-acted and compelling throughout. In addition, it's darn scary and didn't need great special effects or especially scary monsters, as the story itself was the star.
By the way, look for the particularly good performance by Neil Hamilton as well as a nice cameo by Richard Dawson. Both did great jobs (particularly Hamilton) and were in top form.
Don Gordon stars in this episode as a government agent who has infiltrated a secret organization of evil. It's purpose is to take over the world by inserting weird alien beings into the bodies of unsuspecting government officials. It's a lot like "Invasions of the Body Snatchers" as well as the "Star Trek the Next Generation" episode "Conspiracy"--so perhaps it isn't 100% original--but it is expertly, well-acted and compelling throughout. In addition, it's darn scary and didn't need great special effects or especially scary monsters, as the story itself was the star.
By the way, look for the particularly good performance by Neil Hamilton as well as a nice cameo by Richard Dawson. Both did great jobs (particularly Hamilton) and were in top form.
You Might Need A Sedative Afterward
ferbs542 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
As I have written elsewhere, for me, the ninth episode of "The Outer Limits," the one called "Corpus Earthling," was the single most frightening hour that this landmark program ever created, and apparently, series producer Joseph Stefano felt the same way. This truly horrifying hour of television has been my single favorite "OL" outing for quite some time now. But if I were ever asked which of the 49 "Outer Limits" episodes was the creepiest, I would without hesitation answer "The Invisibles," which has been my second favorite ep for many years. And last night's rererererewatch has only served to confirm that belief. "The Invisibles" was episode # 19 for the series, and first shown on ABC on the evening of 2/3/64. Not surprisingly, it was put together by what is my favorite quartet of "OL" talent behind the cameras: Joseph Stefano supplied the truly nerve-wracking script, Gerd Oswald directed in typically fine fashion (his use of low-angle and close-up shots here really are things of beauty), Conrad Hall supplied the noirish cinematography, and Dominic Frontiere embellished the proceedings with another appropriately moody soundtrack. This is the same quartet that had previously helmed such "OL" masterpieces as "It Crawled Out of the Woodwork" and "Don't Open Till Doomsday," and would go on to create the flabbergastingly awesome "The Forms of Things Unknown." In "The Invisibles," the team was creating at a very high level, indeed, and they had the fortune of being supplied with one of the series' all-time best casts. The result was one truly memorable hour of television for the ages.
In the episode, three social misfits are seen being indoctrinated into a secret society known as The Invisibles. The three are Spain (remarkably well portrayed by the late Don Gordon, who would go on to appear in "OL" episode # 23, "Second Chance"), Planetta (Tony Mordente, who had co-starred in "West Side Story" as Jets member Action a few years earlier) and Castle (Chris Warfield). It is explained to them that their mission will be to go to various cities and carry out their assignments; namely, the attachment of parasitic, crablike alien beings onto the spinal cords of various government, military and industrial bigwigs! The hideous-looking aliens (which had been formed by the "coming together of sick, nameless nuclei" in the depths of space, as their instructor, Governor Hillmond, tells them) will then control their host humans, with a view of conquering mankind! Fortunately for the human race, Spain turns out to be none other than Agent 0021 for the GIA, the Government Intelligence Agency. (This last is not really a spoiler, as it is revealed within the first 10 minutes of the episode's running time.) The three are given inoculations to protect themselves from the aliens' indiscriminate attacks, but the one in Castle doesn't take, the result being a humpbacked deformity, when his inoculation is tested with one of the creatures. Ultimately, Spain is given the task of placing an alien onto the spinal column of one General Clarke, but he finds that he has some nasty surprises in store for him, leading to one harrowing ordeal, indeed.
Many people before me have remarked on this episode's similarities to the great Robert A. Heinlein novel of 1951, "The Puppet Masters," in which parasitical aliens were also placed onto the backs of "hag-ridden" government bigwigs, but it has been so long since I've read that classic book that I really can't comment on what other similarities there might be, if any. What I'd like to emphasize here is what a truly harrowing experience "The Invisibles" is. Its creepy quality is engendered not only by the crablike aliens themselves (which roar like lions, most jarringly), but by the depressing, deserted barracks backdrop in which Spain and the others get their briefing, and the incessant, pouring rain outside. The scene in which the three are tested to see if their inoculations have taken is truly hard to watch, and the entire affair has a great aura of advancing dread. As for that cast previously mentioned, it really is a superb one. Besides the actors already mentioned, we have the always hissable George MacReady as the controlled governor/instructor, and Neil Hamilton (who, two years later, would go on to famously portray Comm. Gordon in TV's "Batman") as the general; these two actors, between them, had already appeared in over 270 roles by the time 1964 rolled around, and indeed, Hamilton had been appearing in motion pictures since 1918! They both get to overact deliciously here, especially when in the throes of their alien dominance. The diminutive actor Walter Burke (who'd made such a strong impression in 1949's "All the King's Men") also gets to give a wonderfully sinister performance as a humpbacked recruiter whose inoculation had also gone very wrong, and every one of his line readings is an exercise in outre horror. In lesser roles we have Dee Hartford (one-time wife of director Howard Hawks) as the general's wife, Richard Dawson (a year before going on to portray Newkirk in "Hogan's Heroes") as her aide, and Len Lesser (yes, "Seinfeld"'s Uncle Leo himself, although he'd been appearing in films as early as 1955) as another GIA man. This terrific cast does an outstanding job at delivering Stefano's taut script. Take that script, add one of "The Outer Limits"'s most memorable alien monstrosities, throw in some moody lighting and mix in some expert direction, and the result is one truly jangling episode of television; one that a first-time viewer might find hard to believe was ever shown on network TV back when. The episode ends on a hopeful, calming note, but the after effects of this hour do not fade away very quickly...even after a 10th watch. Trust me on this one....
In the episode, three social misfits are seen being indoctrinated into a secret society known as The Invisibles. The three are Spain (remarkably well portrayed by the late Don Gordon, who would go on to appear in "OL" episode # 23, "Second Chance"), Planetta (Tony Mordente, who had co-starred in "West Side Story" as Jets member Action a few years earlier) and Castle (Chris Warfield). It is explained to them that their mission will be to go to various cities and carry out their assignments; namely, the attachment of parasitic, crablike alien beings onto the spinal cords of various government, military and industrial bigwigs! The hideous-looking aliens (which had been formed by the "coming together of sick, nameless nuclei" in the depths of space, as their instructor, Governor Hillmond, tells them) will then control their host humans, with a view of conquering mankind! Fortunately for the human race, Spain turns out to be none other than Agent 0021 for the GIA, the Government Intelligence Agency. (This last is not really a spoiler, as it is revealed within the first 10 minutes of the episode's running time.) The three are given inoculations to protect themselves from the aliens' indiscriminate attacks, but the one in Castle doesn't take, the result being a humpbacked deformity, when his inoculation is tested with one of the creatures. Ultimately, Spain is given the task of placing an alien onto the spinal column of one General Clarke, but he finds that he has some nasty surprises in store for him, leading to one harrowing ordeal, indeed.
Many people before me have remarked on this episode's similarities to the great Robert A. Heinlein novel of 1951, "The Puppet Masters," in which parasitical aliens were also placed onto the backs of "hag-ridden" government bigwigs, but it has been so long since I've read that classic book that I really can't comment on what other similarities there might be, if any. What I'd like to emphasize here is what a truly harrowing experience "The Invisibles" is. Its creepy quality is engendered not only by the crablike aliens themselves (which roar like lions, most jarringly), but by the depressing, deserted barracks backdrop in which Spain and the others get their briefing, and the incessant, pouring rain outside. The scene in which the three are tested to see if their inoculations have taken is truly hard to watch, and the entire affair has a great aura of advancing dread. As for that cast previously mentioned, it really is a superb one. Besides the actors already mentioned, we have the always hissable George MacReady as the controlled governor/instructor, and Neil Hamilton (who, two years later, would go on to famously portray Comm. Gordon in TV's "Batman") as the general; these two actors, between them, had already appeared in over 270 roles by the time 1964 rolled around, and indeed, Hamilton had been appearing in motion pictures since 1918! They both get to overact deliciously here, especially when in the throes of their alien dominance. The diminutive actor Walter Burke (who'd made such a strong impression in 1949's "All the King's Men") also gets to give a wonderfully sinister performance as a humpbacked recruiter whose inoculation had also gone very wrong, and every one of his line readings is an exercise in outre horror. In lesser roles we have Dee Hartford (one-time wife of director Howard Hawks) as the general's wife, Richard Dawson (a year before going on to portray Newkirk in "Hogan's Heroes") as her aide, and Len Lesser (yes, "Seinfeld"'s Uncle Leo himself, although he'd been appearing in films as early as 1955) as another GIA man. This terrific cast does an outstanding job at delivering Stefano's taut script. Take that script, add one of "The Outer Limits"'s most memorable alien monstrosities, throw in some moody lighting and mix in some expert direction, and the result is one truly jangling episode of television; one that a first-time viewer might find hard to believe was ever shown on network TV back when. The episode ends on a hopeful, calming note, but the after effects of this hour do not fade away very quickly...even after a 10th watch. Trust me on this one....
Sinister Invasion
AaronCapenBanner12 March 2016
Don Gordon stars as Luis Spain, a seemingly friendless, disaffected man who, along with other men just like him, are recruited to join a secret organization called the Invisibles which turns out to be run by the state governor named Hillerman(played by George Macready) who has been taken over by ages-old, parasitic tick-like creatures from outer space that need human men as hosts so that they can be placed near high positions of government in order to take over the country's leaders. Spain must find a way to stop them, which wont be easy...Neil Hamilton and Richard Dawson costar as co-conspirators. Memorable looking and sounding creatures are the highlight of somewhat rambling plot, with overtones of both "The Manchurian Candidate" and "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers".
An All-Male Invasion Of The Body Snatchers
StuOz20 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Young men are being sent to a base and are told of evil things going on in the US government. These young men are sent to a private room with a fish-looking alien. That alien is placed on the shirtless back of these guys so it can join with them and change them for it's needs.
Another website has suggested that the above mentioned joining scene resembles a "homosexual rape", not all will agree, but I must admit that the young shirtless stud gets an unusual grin on his face after the joining....suggesting sexual satisfaction???
I love the act four scene of Don Gordon on the ground being "chased" by the monster. Also note the act four scene of the kid climbing the ladder, as the camera also moves up we see a camera shadow on the wall. Act four is helped by good location filming of run down buildings, don't ask me why, but this setting really helps the action.
The episode comes about 4th or 5th best in the series.
Another website has suggested that the above mentioned joining scene resembles a "homosexual rape", not all will agree, but I must admit that the young shirtless stud gets an unusual grin on his face after the joining....suggesting sexual satisfaction???
I love the act four scene of Don Gordon on the ground being "chased" by the monster. Also note the act four scene of the kid climbing the ladder, as the camera also moves up we see a camera shadow on the wall. Act four is helped by good location filming of run down buildings, don't ask me why, but this setting really helps the action.
The episode comes about 4th or 5th best in the series.
An early commentary on terrorist organizations.
IndridC0ld27 January 2020
As I watched this episode, I realized how much it had to say about terrorist organizations long before 9/11 ever happened. The unrealistic beliefs the "recruits" had about their rewards, as well as the dispersal of them across the country seemed prescient. Think about the way Al Quieda recruited disaffected men and the way they indoctrinated them to perform their "mission." As usual, TOL was way ahead of its times.
Everything But the Aliens
Hitchcoc10 January 2015
This is a pretty good episode with a kind of clichéd plot. As has happened many times in B sci fi movies, an alien becomes one with a citizen for the purpose of domination. In this case a group of "nobodies" is recruited to be impregnated (sort of) by things with legs (that don't actually propel the things). They are shaped like trilobites. One of the young men is an agent sent to infiltrate this operation. Eventually, he becomes the right hand man, working for the governor, chauffeuring his wife. It's all about being chased. At some point, the wife accidentally runs over the guy, breaking his leg and this leads to major complications. Apparently, these intergalactic forces have broad scope and are a substantial threat. One interesting thing was seeing Richard Dawson (Laugh In and Family Feud Richard Dawson) as the guy who keeps an eye on things for the governor. I have to say, however, that the little alien creatures were so silly and so slow, it's hard to imagine them being much of a threat.
Great Dawson
ellenirishellen-6296230 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Had to watch,couldn't resist another Macready appearance.This was a pretty good episode,although I love The Strange Particles episode much more.Macready is the leader of The Invisibles,a plot to take over high ranking positions in government and industry,which it's debatable if it is totally successful.Walter Burke as the Governor's assistant is creepy,almost appearing to have an Igor-like hunchback.That he,Macready,hamilton can play with straight faces shows what great actors they were,esp when Macready fetches the crab-like monster from safekeeping.Richard Dawson was awesome in this episode,maybe playing effeminate,something Macready has been accused of,though I don't know why,I think he was always anything but that,but everyone's free with the criticism,especially since the actors are gone and no one to speak up.Should've shown ole George's turn on the slab,shirtless,since he's never seen shirtless thru his career.
The stigmatized Don Gordon at his unusual role shines, the Invisibles would be the firing pin of the classic "The Invaders"???
elo-equipamentos18 April 2021
Sounds weird to see Don Gordon as hero, he was so stigmatized actor as often playing thug characters, as strange it may seems he proved be at once that deserves more best roles on his low profile career, Gordon is a prolific actor, sadly his menacing semblance led him to another steering, in the invisibles we got weirdo characters for a change, the odd hunchback Walter Burke is one of them, also the classy crook George Macready (Gilda), playing the leader of the Invisibles, the weak point we shall say that was the little freak alien monster.
The storyline lays out the same premise of the forthcoming classic series "The Invaders", which high positions on US government will be slowly occupied by the invisibles to take over the America an later the world, the screenplay seems at first glance a bit complex to simple insight, the inoculations fall down into freakish concept, letting the viewers a slight let down, worst when Don Gordon faces Neil Hamilton at oddity scene on phone call, Dee Hartford improves a bit as sexy female presence on the show, although it wasn't enough, the outcome leaves much to be desired, far below of the high pattern of the Outer Limits's trademark. Should be better.
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2021 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5.
The storyline lays out the same premise of the forthcoming classic series "The Invaders", which high positions on US government will be slowly occupied by the invisibles to take over the America an later the world, the screenplay seems at first glance a bit complex to simple insight, the inoculations fall down into freakish concept, letting the viewers a slight let down, worst when Don Gordon faces Neil Hamilton at oddity scene on phone call, Dee Hartford improves a bit as sexy female presence on the show, although it wasn't enough, the outcome leaves much to be desired, far below of the high pattern of the Outer Limits's trademark. Should be better.
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2021 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5.
Alien Parasites
mps-3506812 December 2019
"... but fools never become world conquerors."
classicsoncall17 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It strikes me how "The Outer Limits" was the precursor to such 'Monster of the Week' television series like "Star Trek", "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" and "The X-Files". But clearly, being a forerunner didn't imply that the monsters were in any way serious or menacing. The alien presence in this story was represented by a creature that looked like a multi-legged, furry, snapping turtle. Like the walking blob of Jello in 'The Mice', or the goofy ant-like creatures in 'The Zanti Misfits', the reaction it inspires is one of amusement rather than fear. If not for the ominous threat of an 'Invisible Society' scheming to place alien forces in the upper echelons of government and industry, the story might have gone nowhere. Reminiscent of the 1956 sci-fi classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", the story kind of drops the ball in its closing moments as government agent Luis Spain (Don Gordon) avoids 'attachment' by one of those goofy aliens as the police arrive to subdue the man he befriended (Tony Mordente) during their recruitment by the Invisible Society. It was all rather ineffectual with the group's leader Hillerman (George Macready) nowhere in sight and presumably left free to continue the nefarious scheme.
I think this series got worse and worse as time went on...
Sean_Biggins13 November 2023
The only reason I'm reviewing this is because I just watched this episode which I thought was quite bad, but then read all these good reviews so just wanted to save anyone like myself from wasting their time watching it.
I had only ever seen a few Outer Limits and had thought it was great, but I'm finding now as I'm getting deeper into the series that they seemed to be running out of ideas as it went on which is understandable.
The other day I saw the Zanti Misfits with the flying cardboard UFO sprayed with silver paint with 'slits' instead of windows and the angry-faced alien ant-like creatures, and that was the first sign this series was getting weak.
Now this one with the alien horseshoe crab things? This one is just ridiculous! A far better 'Cold War paranoia' one was the 2nd show they did called "The Hundred Days of the Dragon" which was really a neat idea and was well done even if implausible.
This one with these alien horseshoe crab things is quite bad. I can see how some kids may have been scared of this back in the 1960's, sitting in a basement watching a b&w TV, but this one was about as corny as the Vincent Price movie called The Tingler, but without the campy humor.
I had only ever seen a few Outer Limits and had thought it was great, but I'm finding now as I'm getting deeper into the series that they seemed to be running out of ideas as it went on which is understandable.
The other day I saw the Zanti Misfits with the flying cardboard UFO sprayed with silver paint with 'slits' instead of windows and the angry-faced alien ant-like creatures, and that was the first sign this series was getting weak.
Now this one with the alien horseshoe crab things? This one is just ridiculous! A far better 'Cold War paranoia' one was the 2nd show they did called "The Hundred Days of the Dragon" which was really a neat idea and was well done even if implausible.
This one with these alien horseshoe crab things is quite bad. I can see how some kids may have been scared of this back in the 1960's, sitting in a basement watching a b&w TV, but this one was about as corny as the Vincent Price movie called The Tingler, but without the campy humor.
Very Scary both in Tone and Concept - minor spoilers
ddrucker-424-40348211 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
There is almost a genre (or at the very least, a trope) of an intelligent alien species that is a parasite, that attaches itself to humans, and then controls them, infiltrating society. It is, in a sense an allegory regarding everything from terrorist cells to insurgencies. The ability for an insurgency to spread itself through countries (or from country to country) seems particularly threatening these days, with authoritarian ideas spreading like a virus throughout the world.
It's true, as others have noticed, that this trope has been explored through several classics and popular TV series, from 'The Invaders', 'Star Trek the Next Generation( in the 'Conspiracy' Episode), and movies ranging from 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' to 'The Puppetmasters'. A more benign version of this idea is the basis for 'Travellers', where the consciousnesses of volunteers from a dystopian future overwrite the consciousness of people who they know through historical records are about to die (so they are not murdering anyone), traveling back to try and alter the trajectory of our present to avoid the horrible future (only hinted at - we know they live in domes and eat barely edible synthetic food because nature has been all but destroyed).
However in this case, it's malevolent control, and very much like The Puppetmasters of Heinlein. I almost wonder if he, like Ellison, felt that this was a theft of his work, but there's no record that I know of involving any legal moves my the author regarding this episode.
It's the tone of this episode, more than anything, that strikes me as so creepy. The main characters are either compromised (controlled by the creatures), or those who might be infected, including young men, just like potential terrorist recruits. The creatures are scary enough, even if they are low-budget creations that look like a hairy trilobite and they make a noise not unlike the roaring of a lion crossed with wheezing. There is something particularly unsettling in something so alien yet familiar, the way that the Puppetmasters movie (which came out several decades later) created a sort of mashup of a rubbery squid with the ability to strike with a stinger arm. These are patterns from nature, so they make for me, at least, a believable alien creature.
There's little discussion of how the creatures arrived; only that they are spreading and quickly. It's this perniciousness that makes the whole concept ring true today. Having gotten to the tail end (we hope) of a worldwide pandemic, the swiftness that a contagion can spread is not lost on anybody. The conspiracy plots promoted by QAnon as well las some of the Republican Party seem like echoes of this episode. Indeed, we have come full circle and today's anxieties mirror those from the 1950s and 60s. This episode is still nightmarish today.
It's true, as others have noticed, that this trope has been explored through several classics and popular TV series, from 'The Invaders', 'Star Trek the Next Generation( in the 'Conspiracy' Episode), and movies ranging from 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' to 'The Puppetmasters'. A more benign version of this idea is the basis for 'Travellers', where the consciousnesses of volunteers from a dystopian future overwrite the consciousness of people who they know through historical records are about to die (so they are not murdering anyone), traveling back to try and alter the trajectory of our present to avoid the horrible future (only hinted at - we know they live in domes and eat barely edible synthetic food because nature has been all but destroyed).
However in this case, it's malevolent control, and very much like The Puppetmasters of Heinlein. I almost wonder if he, like Ellison, felt that this was a theft of his work, but there's no record that I know of involving any legal moves my the author regarding this episode.
It's the tone of this episode, more than anything, that strikes me as so creepy. The main characters are either compromised (controlled by the creatures), or those who might be infected, including young men, just like potential terrorist recruits. The creatures are scary enough, even if they are low-budget creations that look like a hairy trilobite and they make a noise not unlike the roaring of a lion crossed with wheezing. There is something particularly unsettling in something so alien yet familiar, the way that the Puppetmasters movie (which came out several decades later) created a sort of mashup of a rubbery squid with the ability to strike with a stinger arm. These are patterns from nature, so they make for me, at least, a believable alien creature.
There's little discussion of how the creatures arrived; only that they are spreading and quickly. It's this perniciousness that makes the whole concept ring true today. Having gotten to the tail end (we hope) of a worldwide pandemic, the swiftness that a contagion can spread is not lost on anybody. The conspiracy plots promoted by QAnon as well las some of the Republican Party seem like echoes of this episode. Indeed, we have come full circle and today's anxieties mirror those from the 1950s and 60s. This episode is still nightmarish today.
Shades of Half Life
nonaste7 May 2021
Good episode. Makes me wonder of the developers of the highly acclaimed video game, "Half Life" got their inspiration for their game from the alien crab monsters in this episode, which they nickname , "Head Lice" in the game. Same concept and application, control of human species.
The Invisibles
Prismark1022 July 2023
Spain, Plannetta, and Castle are the outcasts of society. However a secret society called the Invisibles has uses for them. As long as they pass the initiation test.
They will be innoculated and a parasitic alien will bite them and take over their mind. If the crab like creature is attached to their back, they fail the test as they will be deformed.
Their purpose is to take over key figures in government, politics, finance and business. Eventually take world control by infecting key people.
Only Spain (Don Gordon) is a government agent sent in to infiltrate the Invisibles. Only he is suspected of being a spy very early on.
The Invisibles is a very creepy episode, atmospherically made. It is very much inspired by the Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
The crab like monster is eerie with its little legs being moved by a motor. The slow movement lets it down.
Gordon is very good as the agent who knows they are on to him and fears that he has no one to trust. At times the story is let down by some unnecessary melodrama. Spain is badly injured but manages to get so far even though he is in great pain.
They will be innoculated and a parasitic alien will bite them and take over their mind. If the crab like creature is attached to their back, they fail the test as they will be deformed.
Their purpose is to take over key figures in government, politics, finance and business. Eventually take world control by infecting key people.
Only Spain (Don Gordon) is a government agent sent in to infiltrate the Invisibles. Only he is suspected of being a spy very early on.
The Invisibles is a very creepy episode, atmospherically made. It is very much inspired by the Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
The crab like monster is eerie with its little legs being moved by a motor. The slow movement lets it down.
Gordon is very good as the agent who knows they are on to him and fears that he has no one to trust. At times the story is let down by some unnecessary melodrama. Spain is badly injured but manages to get so far even though he is in great pain.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
