Twilight Zone, the new television science fiction/fantasy serial program, continues to be excellent. As a result, Friday night's activities now revolve around ensuring that the family can tune in.
Here's a quick recap:
Episode 2, One for the Angels features aged sidewalk peddler Lou Bookman, beloved by the neighborhood children. Unfortunately for all concerned, his hours are numbered; a certain Mr. Death has been dispatched to ensure that the salesman's departure occurs according to schedule. Of course, the huckster has other plans, but cheating Death has its own set of consequences…
There were no surprises in this episode, at least not to me, but I did enjoy the characterization of Mr. Death a great deal.
Episode 3, Mr. Denton on Doomsday, follows the eponymous Al Denton, a former gunfighter turned alcoholic both for his protection and that of those who would challenge him (and lose). An encounter with a new gun and a mysterious snake oil salesman named Dr. Fate sobers Denton up, but also appears to set him back on his old destructive path.
I did not see the twist coming in this episode, and it's a good one. And if you like oaters, you'll especially enjoy this outing.
My daughter summed up the last fortnight's viewing with this: "The great thing about this show is it takes all your deepest fears and sets them on their head." I think I may have her start writing my columns from now on.
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In other news, Luna 3 has finally returned a dozen vacation slides from its jaunt around the Moon. At first glance, it looks as if the back side is quite a bit different from the front. Significantly, there are far fewer of the gray splotches or "maria" (seas). The Soviet news source, T.A.S.S., has been typically tight-lipped regarding the primary question on everyone's lips: is the far side where the Moon keeps all the cheese?
Seriously, I have not read anything in the press regarding data from Lunik's other scientific instruments. These are the results I was really excited about. It is rumored that previous releases were incorrect and that Luna 3's only experiment was the camera. That's a shame, if true, though one cannot deny the moment of that lone experiment's success.
Next up: A Canticle for Leibowitz! See you soon.
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P.S. Galactic Journey is now a proud member of a constellation of interesting columns. While you're waiting for me to publish my next article, why not give one of them a read!
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