A lot of people will call this a bad episode but its actually good because it dives deep into the human subconscious. A place that many people keep locked up in their minds and don't want to explore because it contains many painful emotional memories. Love is the one emotion that can strip us of our strength, of our logic, of our intelligence. Many people will do or say anything to have the smallest glimpse or taste of what true love is that we will abandon everything to have it. I liked this episode because I can relate, shamefully more than once.
22 Reviews
Boring and Predictable
michellewalton-5000627 June 2020
"... we have an alien in our basement."
classicsoncall5 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
What I couldn't get past right from the opening was why the married couple didn't immediately leave the house and seek out authorities that could deal with an alien presence in their home. That would have been anyone's reasonable reaction. Instead, they hung around, and luckily, weren't killed by the creature, which turned out to be a self-described 'Biological Pacification Drone'. It had shapeshifting abilities that turned it into a replica of Robert (Christopher Meloni) and Barbara's (Jenna Elfman) daughter who recently passed away, while also absorbing the teenage girl's memories. How it could do that wasn't explained, but after all, this was The Twilight Zone. Bizarrely, the couple was eventually convinced by the entity that even while admitting to be part of an alien invading force, they succumbed to its eerie persuasion to go along with the subterfuge. Given the premise of the story, I had to wonder about that closing scene in which the couple with their alien 'daughter' left the house while dozens of additional families were leaving their homes, presumably under the spell of a lost relative of their own. Statistically impossible that they all had kids that had passed away as youngsters.
Humans! They're Always Humaning
satanenterprises7 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This is like watching two characters wake up in the night to find their house burning down, and then burned to death while arguing if someone left a candle lit instead of getting out of the house.
Just, not remotely what any person on earth would do in this situation. Kind of weirdly like how you might behave in a dream when you have no cognitive ability. That would be fine, however people behave fairly rationally in the rest of the series. Are they the aliens?
Just, not remotely what any person on earth would do in this situation. Kind of weirdly like how you might behave in a dream when you have no cognitive ability. That would be fine, however people behave fairly rationally in the rest of the series. Are they the aliens?
Worst episode so far!
dizzymediainc27 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Every other episode has been awesome but then we come to this one, which was by far the most annoying and horrible episode out of the series and probably of all time, out of all the shows i've watched.
Barbara constantly says "Robert... Robert" throughout the entire episode, like we forgot his name and she has to remind us every 2 seconds. Nobody talks like that, she had no good reason to constantly repeat his name every time her mouth opened, was just incredibly annoying.
Not only that but Barbara's emotional response to the alien was baffling, she didn't even hesitate a little, from the first encounter, until the end. Then simply says "then they win" at the end, like she gets to decide for the human race.
Robert however decided that a basic stick would be efficient enough as a weapon, one that could kill an alien that can transform, move through walls, become transparent oh and use energy force fields. Yup a stick was the right call.
All in all, i'm not sure what they were thinking with this episode but i know for sure i'll never watch it again.
Barbara constantly says "Robert... Robert" throughout the entire episode, like we forgot his name and she has to remind us every 2 seconds. Nobody talks like that, she had no good reason to constantly repeat his name every time her mouth opened, was just incredibly annoying.
Not only that but Barbara's emotional response to the alien was baffling, she didn't even hesitate a little, from the first encounter, until the end. Then simply says "then they win" at the end, like she gets to decide for the human race.
Robert however decided that a basic stick would be efficient enough as a weapon, one that could kill an alien that can transform, move through walls, become transparent oh and use energy force fields. Yup a stick was the right call.
All in all, i'm not sure what they were thinking with this episode but i know for sure i'll never watch it again.
Head scratching Script
lestatbesa30 June 2020
What even?
bqgnitqa29 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
30 minutes of a hyper intelligent alien being let loose in a house talking nonsense about dimensions, learning human behaviour and being emotionally manipulative, one actual smart character saying all the right things, turning the dumb character trope of this type of 'invasion of the body snatchers' story on its head, all ruined by a dumb cow who gets her way because she says "iT's oUr DaUgHtEr" a lot, all to come to a non-"twist" at the end where it seems like the aliens win. But given the 5D game of chess even one of them was playing in this short time I'm not surprised they take over if that's what the writer & director were going for.
Like a traditional TZ episode. The writers are getting it right.
b_trought27 June 2020
The best TZ episodes for me were always large sci-fi concepts seen from a smaller personal angle. They analysed what it meant to be flawed and human and how we respond to unusual situations. Set-wise the cast and setting were relatively small, so they felt like a 20-25 min stage play.
This episode is all of the above and I enjoyed it.
This episode is all of the above and I enjoyed it.
Alien Resurrection
southdavid28 January 2021
So much for the 'good alternate episode' theory that I expounded in the last review - as this was another terrible addition to the show.
As a grieving couple is preparing to move to a new house and sever another connection with their late daughter, they discover a form of extra-terrestrial life form in the basement. Though scared, Barbara (Jenna Elfman) says she sees some of her daughter in the strange creature which is baffling to Robert (Christopher Meloni) who patently does not. As the creature begins to further adopt the look of their daughter (Tavi Gevinson) Barbara becomes more and more convinced that they should interact with her, but Robert remains sceptical.
Another episode where the failings are all in the writing which desperately confuses a serious subject matter, for profundity about the situation. I accept there's a tiny granule of a discussion about rejecting reality for less pain in here, but the exploration and execution are terrible. Writer Alex Rubens has provided funny episodes of TV in the past, but this is his third "Twilight Zone" of this run and only his first "The Comedian" has been anything like acceptable. In this one, almost nothing happens except an endless circular conversation between the central pair; "that's not our daughter", "but what if it is", "But it's not", "but what if it is". Mercifully, the episode is strikingly short, clocking in at just over 30 minutes - but again, it's the first act - dragged out as if it's the complete story. Is the alien benevolent or evil? Is there one in every home? What does all the people walking outside at the end mean? All these questions remain unanswered.
The effect is quite good for the original alien form and the transformation into Maggie, and the performances from the central pair are OK (nice to see Jenna Elfman again) but those are slim pickings from another terrible episode.
As a grieving couple is preparing to move to a new house and sever another connection with their late daughter, they discover a form of extra-terrestrial life form in the basement. Though scared, Barbara (Jenna Elfman) says she sees some of her daughter in the strange creature which is baffling to Robert (Christopher Meloni) who patently does not. As the creature begins to further adopt the look of their daughter (Tavi Gevinson) Barbara becomes more and more convinced that they should interact with her, but Robert remains sceptical.
Another episode where the failings are all in the writing which desperately confuses a serious subject matter, for profundity about the situation. I accept there's a tiny granule of a discussion about rejecting reality for less pain in here, but the exploration and execution are terrible. Writer Alex Rubens has provided funny episodes of TV in the past, but this is his third "Twilight Zone" of this run and only his first "The Comedian" has been anything like acceptable. In this one, almost nothing happens except an endless circular conversation between the central pair; "that's not our daughter", "but what if it is", "But it's not", "but what if it is". Mercifully, the episode is strikingly short, clocking in at just over 30 minutes - but again, it's the first act - dragged out as if it's the complete story. Is the alien benevolent or evil? Is there one in every home? What does all the people walking outside at the end mean? All these questions remain unanswered.
The effect is quite good for the original alien form and the transformation into Maggie, and the performances from the central pair are OK (nice to see Jenna Elfman again) but those are slim pickings from another terrible episode.
Boring
marcelonslm30 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Some kid die and an alien brought her back from the dead to give them closure.
Why did they took that thing in? Seriously, take a gun and shoot it.
She started to give all their exposition of their specie and I want to shoot her even before she said her goal is to conquer the planet.
Show not tell...
Turned it off
grlym-468491 July 2020
The aliens will talk us all to death
imdb-2021221 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Yawn... apparently all the aliens need to do to take over our planet is show up and give us endless exposition about how they'll take over. No fighting or sci fi explosions, just yammering away and people get so bored they give up.
I didn't buy the whole thing where anybody is going to see this weird alien (that looked like a water bear at first) is really their dead daughter. I get she's grieving and all that, but when you see it's real form, I mean... c'mon. And then when it patiently (and excruciatingly) details their plan at world domination, and you just shrug your shoulders and say "I'm skeptical, but you look like my dead daughter even though I know you're not, but maybe... so, yeah, take us over"
Bleagh. So stupid.
I didn't buy the whole thing where anybody is going to see this weird alien (that looked like a water bear at first) is really their dead daughter. I get she's grieving and all that, but when you see it's real form, I mean... c'mon. And then when it patiently (and excruciatingly) details their plan at world domination, and you just shrug your shoulders and say "I'm skeptical, but you look like my dead daughter even though I know you're not, but maybe... so, yeah, take us over"
Bleagh. So stupid.
A visit from a past daughter in the form of an alien!?
blanbrn2 July 2020
This "TZ" episode called "A Human Face" deals with the themes of loss, grief, and tragedy yet it opens and take a look at the afterlife and life in the form of an alien. It involves a hurt and grieving married couple Robert(Chris Meloni) and Barbara("Dharma and Greg's" Jenna Elfman) who have apparently lost a daughter and they clearly feel the guilt and pain as she's not around. Only upon a move they notice something downstairs in a basement like room at first it's a very different form it's like something strange from another planet, only slowly but surely the shape and form takes on a new body and a new face! Overall interesting and touching as this is an episode that stays true to science fiction form taking a viewer away from reality and the norm as the central characters are touched with a past loved one in strange and other world like ways.
Hang on hang on defo not the worst episode of the season
gareth-7544228 June 2020
Definitely not the best or the worst, not exactly boring but not exciting either, just silly really, but it does ask or at least offers up a very interesting question; could you fight an enemy in the form of a loved one?.
Again, interesting but silly.
this episode works more as a comedy rather than a serious episode
raulsandoval-781252 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Invasion of the Face Snatchers.
dcdete9 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Fairly boring episode, but one thing they got right. In this age of PC multiculturalism and anti racism, what form would you think an invading conquering alien civilization would take to disguise as human? True to form of old 1950's sci fi movies such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers or Day the Earth Stood Still, the invading aliens were foiled again by meeting up with blue eyed blonde American families! Well, at least this time they hired a host who is African American.
One Good Thing in its Garbage Pandemonium
noah-tps3 July 2020
Re-make Twilight Zone was a sad failure that didn't get anywhere and not worth to even think about. But this episode stands out alone amidst the dead fish tank full of time, thoughts, and efforts.
A Human Face would not be seen much on the first inadequate look. But it has its certain depth of intellectual to be a thought provoking one felt with feelings, and it is honest, interesting enough to its own telling of a story about loss and grief, and aliens.
A Human Face would not be seen much on the first inadequate look. But it has its certain depth of intellectual to be a thought provoking one felt with feelings, and it is honest, interesting enough to its own telling of a story about loss and grief, and aliens.
Casting really ruined it
filmmakersis17 August 2020
Unfortunately Tavi Gevinson still has a lot of development she needs as far as acting skills go and I am not sure why she was cast alongside two other actors who did so remarkably well in their roles. Sometimes casting can make or break a show and in this case, casting her was a poor choice. This is a well written episode and I feel like it probably reads well on the page. The ending is interesting as well. But there are better episodes in this second season of The Twilight Zone.
Insults the intelligence of viewers
hello-416797 December 2023
The problem with this episode is yet again it relies on stereotypes. For example, the man is the rational practical one. The wife is emotional and illogical. Now I think stereotypes are fine if done well. But the wife was ready to accept the alien immediately, even after knowing it had questionable intentions. Are women that irrational? Not most. Which makes the episode totally unbelievable. The wife was also annoying because when she wasn't behaving in a non-sensical way, she was constantly nagging and criticizing her husband. Overall not sure what the moral of the story was, love overcomes all? Not done well.
Quite interesting take, an enjoyable episode!
perrycs-4915230 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
There are a few twists and turns in this episode. If I had to pick out the bad... the dialog between husband and wife in the first 10 min is like nails on a chalkboard.
Once we get past that poor writing the episode take a nice turn upwards.
It starts asking complex questions, answering some of them as "it becomes" more knowledgeable.
I really liked where this episode went.
Was it really going to invade, or did we invade it?
A decent episode. Seems season 2 has removed most of the complaints of season 1. A shame they didn't learn their lesson in season 1 because season 2 is quite decent so far!
Who really thinks misandry is good in a show? A show that mostly males would tend to flock to? Who would ever think attacking your core audience is justified?
Thankfully season 2 is done quite well. It's like night and day.
S1 gave us a mixture.
S2 removed the misandry, etc and focused on giving us what we wanted. Decent escapism, nice sci fi, and enjoyable TV. TV that makes you think....
Isn't that what we all want?
:)
Once we get past that poor writing the episode take a nice turn upwards.
It starts asking complex questions, answering some of them as "it becomes" more knowledgeable.
I really liked where this episode went.
Was it really going to invade, or did we invade it?
A decent episode. Seems season 2 has removed most of the complaints of season 1. A shame they didn't learn their lesson in season 1 because season 2 is quite decent so far!
Who really thinks misandry is good in a show? A show that mostly males would tend to flock to? Who would ever think attacking your core audience is justified?
Thankfully season 2 is done quite well. It's like night and day.
S1 gave us a mixture.
S2 removed the misandry, etc and focused on giving us what we wanted. Decent escapism, nice sci fi, and enjoyable TV. TV that makes you think....
Isn't that what we all want?
:)
If you hated this episode, read my review. You need help.
GenXer13 February 2022
Let me cut to the chase. The alien was not meant to be taken literally. It's a metaphor. If you didn't catch that, you are exactly what this story is referring to.
We live on a planet of 7M people with scarce resources and fragile social and political structures. The only way to keep a semblance of order is to identify the fastest and most reliable route to manipulating and controlling large populations. That is through discouragement of critical thinking and naked appeal to people's raw and unresolved emotions and personal issues.
One name for this is mass marketing.
Another is social brainwashing.
Another is patriotism.
Another is religion.
Another is superstition.
This episode is trying to show you how anyone (yes, including an alien) can get you to do what they want you to do by learning and pushing your buttons. And more importantly, that this isn't just a theoretical concept. It has been done and improved throughout history.
In the old world, the signs were political movements and major religions.
The new worldwide connectivity is taking this concept to new levels. Today's sharp divisions demonstrate the power of these new platforms.
"The phone is on the internet".
Try reacting less and thinking more.
We live on a planet of 7M people with scarce resources and fragile social and political structures. The only way to keep a semblance of order is to identify the fastest and most reliable route to manipulating and controlling large populations. That is through discouragement of critical thinking and naked appeal to people's raw and unresolved emotions and personal issues.
One name for this is mass marketing.
Another is social brainwashing.
Another is patriotism.
Another is religion.
Another is superstition.
This episode is trying to show you how anyone (yes, including an alien) can get you to do what they want you to do by learning and pushing your buttons. And more importantly, that this isn't just a theoretical concept. It has been done and improved throughout history.
In the old world, the signs were political movements and major religions.
The new worldwide connectivity is taking this concept to new levels. Today's sharp divisions demonstrate the power of these new platforms.
"The phone is on the internet".
Try reacting less and thinking more.
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