The Twilight Zone
WhileThe Twilight Zonestill enjoys popularity today , one controversial sequence was cast out from syndication for 52 years . blend in science fiction and revulsion , The Twilight Zoneis often hailed as a staple of these genres . Each ofThe Twilight Zone’sfive seasonsexplores powerful themes and fascinating ideas for antagonists . Several episodes , such as " The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street " and " Time Enough At Last " , play with perception while channel messages that still ring true today , with various properties pay homage to these stories .
That being said , whileThe Twilight Zoneplays with genresand themes well , many of its original episode show their age , dull some of the unassailable content other episodes control . The serial publication ' initial running game was from 1959 to 1964 , so many of its episodes ' independent idea stop delineation and themes that are hurtful and inaccurate today . One major example is the 151st installment ofTheTwilight Zone’soriginal run , title " The Encounter " .
What The Twilight Zone Episode “The Encounter” Is About
“The Encounter” Aired On May 1, 1964
The Twilight Zoneepisode " The Encounter " sharpen on two men whose hurt bear on to World War 2 leads to a deadly conclusion . “The Encounter " nerve center on a World War 2 veteran list Fenton ( Neville Brand ) who strikes up a conversation with a Japanese - American world name Arthur Takamori ( George Takei ) who issue forth to Fenton to find work . As the conversation goes on , Fenton grows more and more uncongenial and intolerant towards Takamori as the two recount their experience during the war , lead the two into an explosive combat .
While the episode did allow Takei to join the list of famousTwilight Zoneactors , the content of the episode caused it to be removed from syndication shortly after airing .
A large factor of the story is the front of a katana Fenton has inside of his garret , where most of the story takes stead . Fenton take in the katana off of a Nipponese soldier he killed during the war , with the story implying that the original possessor ’s malice towards Fenton infect the weapon , leading to the two ’s fight as it fight them towards violence . While the instalment did allow Takei to link up the listing offamousTwilight Zoneactors , the content of the installment make it to be remove from syndication curtly after airing .
“The Encounter” Was Pulled From Syndication Until 2016 Due To Problematic Content
The Episode’s Depiction Of Its Japanese-American Character Caused It To Be Pulled
Due to its treatment of its Japanese American fibre as well as the timing of the episode , The Twilight Zone ’s " The Encounter " was pull from syndication . Though many ofThe Twilight Zone’sepisodesstill come across , the series was no unknown to controversy . In the shell of " The Encounter " , many within the Japanese American community rightfully vocalise their scandalization over the chronicle ’s othering of Takamori . The installment also imply that some Japanese Americans attend in Pearl Harbor ’s bombardment , a statement that was not only hurtful but inaccurate as there was no grounds of this occurring .
" The Encounter " was the only original episode ofThe Twilight Zoneto be pulled from syndication .
The timing of the installment also factored into its forbidding . The instalment was released as the U.S. prepared to enter the Vietnam War , compounding its problematic theme and resulting in the episode being pulled . However , it was still usable on dwelling TV accumulation of the serial publication . The ban remained in spot until 2016 , when SyFy showed the sequence during its New Year ’s Day marathon ofThe Twilight Zone , with " The Encounter " rejoining the show ’s card on Paramount+ .
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
Other Classic Shows With Episodes Banned In Syndication
Classic Sitcoms Like The Simpsons And Seinfeld Have Pulled Episodes
In the era of streaming , there have been plenty of boundary - promote series likeIt ’s Always gay in Philadelphiathat have had some of their episode hit from streaming platforms due to certain storylines and content . However , it is interesting to see those classic serial that still have rerun on television that have had to draw episodes to never be seen by fan again . As it turns out , The Twilight Zoneis far from the only Graeco-Roman serial publication in which this is an occurrent .
sitcom can often be the most frequent types of show to have episodes censor from syndication , as some borderline bodily fluid at the time can be look at as more sickening in subsequent days . However , Seinfeld ’s banish episode " The Puerto Rican Day"drew literary criticism almost forthwith . The episode feature the four principal fictitious character nonplus in traffic during the Puerto Rican Day parade in New York City , leading the zany antics , include Kramer accidentally burning a Puerto Rican signal flag . The sequence was banned from syndication curtly after airing but returned in 2002 .
