Few shows challenged their audiences intellectually, let alone made them want to leave a night light on.

That’s whereRod Serling comes into playas one of the most innovative writers in the history of television.

Serling was ahead of the game.

Beyond the Fifth Dimension, ‘The Twilight Zone’ Was Ahead of Its Time

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Rod Serling is one sneaky fellow.

Before he could begin working on his iconic series,Rod Serling would first attemptto bringEmmett Till’sstory to TV.

It’s a shame that the show falters at that moment.

Rod-Serling-Twilight-Zone

Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.

“Deaths-Head Revisited” Explores Xenophobia

The Twilight Zonewasn’t afraid to tackle xenophobia, either.

you’re able to really feel Serling’s passion in this one.

Mr. Schmidt (Oscar Beregi Jr.), or Captain Lutze, is absolutely despicable in this episode.

George Takei as Arthur, smiling and wearing a hat in The Twilight Zone episode, “The Encounter”

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This is easily one of thebestTwilight Zoneepisodes.

But of course, those that are in the sky aren’t the monsters we are.

This is also one of the greatest and most iconic andinfluential episodes ofThe Twilight Zone.

Joseph Schildkraut in The Twilight Zone episode, Deaths-Head Revisited

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“Time Enough at Last” is a grim episode, to say the least.

Perhaps one of the most famous episodes in the entire series is “Eye of the Beholder.”

“Number 12” might just have one of the most clever log lines in the entire series.

Neighbors gossip and stare at viewer in The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street in The Twilight Zone

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More shows need to be as daring asThe Twilight Zone.

The Twilight Zoneis available to watch on Pluto TV in the U.S.

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Burgess Meredith smiling and reading amongst a stack of books and debris in The Twilight Zone episode, Time Enough at Last

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The Twilight Zone