Genesis

The characters' motivations are unreal and Carol Rossen is particularly misused as a female scientist who lets every other character buffet her around the plot like a pinball with no will of her own. The idea of the police officer downwardly mobile in his career getting scared into a catatonic state at the sight of an unregenerated alien might have been a good one, but it is poorly acted and directed and probably originally poorly written.

This episode gives us another glimpse of the aliens in their true form (See also "The Spores" in the second year), but it is not much, just a trunk with short appendages. So when these aliens take human form, they must increase in size as well(?).

10 Stars.

I agree, this is creepy stuff, getting more weird and entertaining with each new episode, thanks to excellent writing. The opening scene with Philip Pine playing a cop, pulling over two alien drivers -- you know he's in for an attitude adjustment. Amazingly, instead of being vaporized on the spot for opening their trunk, his mind is fried and he's ready for a strait jacket. A gas for all us fans, and lots more to come.

David hooks up with cop John Larch, bent on investigating what exactly happened to one of his colleagues. The trunk mystery turns out to be a metallic disc and a bizarre creature, all connected to an underwater sea lab, this time in the Atlantic Ocean, close to Rhode Island. Often wonder if the underwater lab was inspired by VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, which had similar alien encounters. That series could have been a bridge to the INVADERS.

Much credit goes to the special effects techs and director Richard Benedict, who ran with action sequences, the opening scene was his trademark. Also two top dramatic actresses; Carol Rossen as Selene and Louise Latham as Joan. Latham either played ladies mixed up in trouble or sinister types behind the trouble. Special guest star is Frank Overton playing Dr. Grayson. All us war buffs remember him from 12 O'CLOCK HIGH. Tragically, he passed not too long after this episode.

John W. Bloch wrote the story, tossing in some nice little shocks every now and then. He leaned more to drama, however, writing many episodes for DR. KILDARE.

The crisp color is the real winner here. All us kids back in the day first saw it in black and white, not too bad, but color makes a tremendous difference with these alien escapades.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 4 remastered dvd box set. Collectors first season edition with some nice artwork. Shop around as these box sets sell quick.

When the episode begins, a police officer (Philip Pine) stops a car driven by two aliens. They are acting suspiciously so he demands they open the trunk of their car....and whatever was inside was glowy and made the cop lost his mind...putting him into a catatonic state.

Not surprisingly, David soon shows up and wants to see the guy, as he suspects aliens. His 'intervention' doesn't work...but the detective investigating the case (John Larch) is angry and intrigued...and follows David. A short time after this, David is attacked in a parking garage and the cop intervenes...shooting the attacker. Well, when the attacker does what all of these aliens do when they die (glowing red and then disappearing), the cop is about ready to poop himself! Now he believes SOMETHING otherworldly is happening....and the trail leads to a secret sea lab.

The scene where Larch's character shoots the alien is really cool...the best thing in the show. Otherwise, it's still quite nice...and well worth seeing.