Concept a group of scientists tries to unite humanity by giving it a common enemy.
In practice, this sounds like a good idea; especially if the enemy is a hostile extraterrestrial being.
However, the reality is much darker.
Image via ABC
But the source of the audiences horror was never meant to be the Thetan’s appearance.
That doesn’t mean the episode isn’t terrifying.
It is, and was but not for the reason ABC executives worried about.
Image via ABC
And what better enemy than an extraterrestrial invader?
Yvette doesnt know anything about the plan, and will be told that her husband is dead.
Even early on in the episode, its clear that what the scientists are doing is wrong.
Image via ABC
It helps that the concept of surgically transforming a man into an alien is deeply repulsive.
The good of the many outweighs that of the one.
The ends, if exalted enough, justify the means.
World peace is a pretty exalted end.
And Allen Leighton is, after all, consenting to go through with the surgeries.
Completely apart from the utilitarian angle is the hubris of the scientists story.
And who gave them this power?
The 20th century was defined by dictatorships built on such promises for a better future.
It is still something many people fear even from elected governing bodies.
The scientists inThe Architects of Fearare not world leaders.
However, their presumption still reflects the attitude of many politicians towards their constituents.
Of course, the plan at the center of the episode goes terribly wrong.
Once Allen is transformed, hes launched into space.
His re-entry path is supposed to land him in front of the United Nations.
However, a navigational error lands him in the woods near the laboratory.
There, he is discovered by a group of hunters who, terrified at his appearance, shoot him.
With the last of his strength, he returns to the lab.
Yvette, who never believed he was dead, is visiting the lab as well.
He runs into her, as well as a group of other scientists.
Though unable to speak, he makes a sign to Yvette that only the two of them would recognize.
She realizes that the alien is Allen but its too late.
He dies, leaving Yvette weeping over his deformed body.
The Architects of Fearis not anti-science.
Science is increasingly in the hands of the most powerful people on the planet.
Looking at their story, and that of the scientists, we see how much we have to lose.
Its that Allen sacrificed himself for a fundamentally broken ideal.
That his sacrifice ultimately came to nothing.
And what if it had worked?
Would science still be justified in doing something like this to a man?
