Season Three was the longest season, with 37 episodes running from September 15th 1961 - June 1st 1962. As referenced on the introduction page, the essays making up these season overviews were written three long years ago when this site was originally planned… and were perhaps a little mean to Rod. But regardless, it transpires that I didn’t actually write one for season three at the time, other than recording the best/worst episodes from the season. Quite why is beyond me, as it’s a cracking return to form, with just four below-par efforts and eleven excellent episodes, including my all-time favourite. Maybe it’s possible I didn’t write a summary at the time because I couldn’t find enough superlatives? Classic Episode: Nothing in the Dark Original Air Date: 5/1/1962 Writer: George Clayton Johnson Director: Lamont Johnson Synopsis: A superlative and genuinely touching episode that is the ultimate extension of the (virtual) two character plays that the series loved. An unusual story for sentiment, in that it features an elderly woman who embraces her own death, this is excellently played and sweet throughout. While writer George Clayton Johnson would see his work evaporate into sentimentality only five weeks later with the sickly sweet Kick The Can, Lamont Johnsons’s subtle yet exceptional direction makes this a first-rate episode. Just look at how Gladys Cooper is trapped behind the bars of her bedstead, its bars symbolising the prison she has made for herself. And seeing her walk arm in arm with Death (a wonderful Robert Redford) is, in a bizarre way, heartwarming. Rating: * * * * * Not-So-Classic Episode: The Fugitive Original Air-Date: 3/9/1962 Writer: Charles Beaumont Director: Richard L Bare Synopsis: A rare instance of a below-par episode from my favourite season. The old adage about working with children and animals must have been originated for TZ, which had the habit of hiring the worst child actors in TV history to adorn its episodes. What really disturbs beyond the inept tweeness of this one is watching it in a modern context. Back in those days the worst thing that the titular fugitive is suspected of being is a “Communist”. Nowadays the story of a tactile elderly man who makes a young girl lie down on a bed while he waves a phallic device over her body is more than a little uncomfortable to watch. Add to this the fact that he’s really a man in his twenties and he’s waiting for the girl (a young-looking 12) to grow up so he can legally marry her on his alien planet and this is a seriously dodgy territory for the Zone. Said to be a favourite with Gary Glitter. Rating: * *