Customer Reviews

The Outer Limits (The New Series) - Season One (1995)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Thanks MGM for finally releasing The Outer Limits on DVD in seasons - starting with season one, instead of only offering collections by various themes. I was not alone in holding out for DVD by seasons, and refusing to start collecting by the theme collections they are offering.

This is a must have for any serious collector of The Outer Limits! Many of the episodes from season one I had not seen in quite awhile, and a couple I can't remember at all.

Although there is nothing really spectacular in the format of the DVD menus, or in the special features, I did find the special features informative. The episodes themselves are what make the collection a good one.

When I used to watch these on TV, I got used to hearing the words "Please Stand By" at the end of the opening where it says "...You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the deepest inner mind to the Outer Limits - Please Stand By." - Somehow I still expect to hear that "Please Stand By", but it is a small thing, and obviously Standing By is not necessary for very long when watching on DVD :)

It was great to see some of the actors and actresses that played in some of the episodes, such as Leonard Nimoy in I, Robot - And Robert Patrick in Quality of Mercy. Fans of the Dead Zone, will also recognize Nicole DeBor (Sarah Bannerman on the Dead Zone) from the same episode. Fans of La Femme Nikita, will recognize Alberta Watson (Madeline) from the episode, "If these Walls could Talk"

If you are only interested in time travel or in aliens or another single theme, you may be best off getting just that theme, but if you are a fan of The Outer Limits in general, I recommend getting season one of the New Series on DVD.

Following in the footsteps of Tales of Tomorrow, the original The Outer Limits was a landmark show. Many years later a creative team decided to resurrect the feel of the show and this is the result. As pointed out in one of the many extras, this is not The Twilight Zone. That show relied heavily on fantasy while this one would be grounded in science.

Aliens are a favorite in this season as is man's need to tinker with the universe. We even get a robot. Some of the stories are based on classic science fiction like Sandkings (George R.R. Martin) and I, Robot (Eando Binder). Others are fresh and new. I was a big fan of the original series and have fully enjoyed this new one. At its heart, this is the same series.

There are several superficial differences between the old series and the new. The new series is in color. The new series includes harsher language. The new series even include nudity up to full-frontal. The new series can take advantage of slicker special effects. But all of these things are minor. Both series use quality actors and writers. It is the intelligent stories that make the series and not the window dressing. A great series that should be seen by all science fiction fans.

This season includes the following episodes:
Sandkings
Valerie 23
Blood Brothers
The Second Soul
White Light Fever
The Choice
Virtual Future
Living Hell
Corner of the Eye
Under the Bed
Dark Matters
The Conversion
Quality of Mercy
Caught in the Act
The Voyage Home
The New Breed
The Message
I, Robot
If These Walls Could Talk
Birthright
The Voice of Reason (the only first-season flashback show)

Now that I have season one, plus the box set that is themed (which I got before season one was released, but it filled a void and still does), I'm looking forward to the rest of the seasons (and releasing one a year is NOT acceptable). When the show originally aired on Showtime, only people who received the pay-cable channel could see this great series--uncut and unsanitized. The SciFi Channel took over co-production with MGM in 2001, after the series was cancelled by Showtime in season 7, and the series finally ended in 2002 (for good reason). And if you think the production values and special effects were bad on Showtime, well, the SciFi channel's were even worse (lower quality episodes and more clip shows). They apparently geared their budget to the Stargate franchise.

But compared to most TV shows, pay channel or not, it's somewhat to be expected. The great stories, plots, philosophical questions poised, and vast cadre of stars (who later went on to be even bigger stars), makes you overlook the aluminum dryer ducts on many of the spaceships. Especially when the show was on Showtime.

The great thing about the DVDs is that you get the Showtime version, not the sanitized, syndicated version that most people have seen. Many of the cable-only shows were rated TV-MA for swearing, nudity, violence and stylized gore. A perfect example, "Flower Child", can be seen uncut on the DVD "Sex and Science Fiction" collection.

This is one of the best TV show remakes in history, so if you feel like treating yourself, or someone else, this is the gift to get. You can literally watch a whole day of episodes and not get bored. Might even remind you to go do your laundry. :)

"The complete first season of THE OUTER LIMITS, the critically acclaimed and most original science fiction series, is finally available on DVD! like the classic 1960's series of the same name, this modern adaptation is an imaginative exploration of humanity's greatest hopes and darkest fears and includes special guest apperances by Alyssa Milano, Ryan Reynolds, Rue Dawn Chong, Beua Bridges and Robert Patrick. Winner of the cable Ace Award for best Dramatic series, this Emmy-nominated show deals with the consequences of such contraversal and thought provoking topics as genetic manipulation, alien visitation and life after death." (back cover)


01 "SANDKINGS", PART 1 & 2 5 STARS

02 "VALERIE 23" 3 STARS

03 "BLOOD BROTHERS" 5 STARS

04 "THE SECOND SOUL" 4 STARS

05 "WHITE LIGHT FEVER" 4 STARS

06 "THE CHOICE" 4 STARS

07 "VIRTUAL FUTURE" 4 STARS

08 "LIVING HELL" 3 STARS

09 "CORNER OF THE EYE" 5 STARS

10 "UNDER THE BED" 5 STARS

11 "DARK MATTERS" N/A

12 "THE CONVERSION" 4 STARS

13 "QUALITY OF MERCY" 4 STARS

14 "CAUGHT IN THE ACT" 4 STARS

15 "THE VOYAGE HOME" 4 STARS

16 "THE NEW BREED" 5 STARS

17 "THE MESSAGE" N/A

18 "I. ROBOT" 5 STARS

19 "IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK" 5 STARS

20 "BIRTHRIGHT" 4 STARS

21 "THE VOICE OF REASON" 5 STARS

I personally think this was one of the 3 best series that was out in the late 1990s and one of the BEST sci-fi series ever. I had bought 2 of the "themed discs" when I heard that the seasonal box sets were finally going to be released. I bought Season One the day it was released but.....like many others...have been left hanging by the completely clueless pencil necks that control this stuff!!! At first I thought maybe Season One didn't sell well enough for the greedy bastigians to release the rest but, judging from this and other websites, there is PLENTY of interest out there. And considering some of the crap they ARE releasing on DVD...?!?!?!?
It is very unusual indeed when the greedy pencil necks in Hollywood pass up an opportunity to make some money!!

Bottom line: GREAT SHOW, one of my all time favorites and I would LOVE to be able to replace my recorded VHS tapes with DVDs but doesn't look like that will be possible unless MGM pulls their heads out!!!

An edit: I finally gave up on any subsequent releases and bought used copies of the rest of the "themed" DVDs. Glad I did, one of them actually had an episode I'd never seen!!! Though I wish they were in 5.1 like the season One box!!

Okay, the picture is beautiful, sound is great. As I've said in other reviews, I don't have surround sound or a plasma TV / large screen, but I'm sure the picture quality will be fine there too. I was quite happy with it.

The season is complete, more than complete actually. It has good bonus features.

HOWEVER! PARENTAL WARNING:

NOT MENTIONED READILY IN THE ITEM DESCRIPTION OR ON THE BOX (OR OTHER AMAZON REVIEWS) IS THE FACT THAT THIS WAS ORIGINALLY RELEASED ON SHOWTIME, AND THIS IS THE "FULL VERSION" INCLUDING THE OCCASIONAL (IN SOME CASES FULL-FRONTAL) NUDITY AND LOVE/SEX SCENES AS ORIGINALLY AIRED ON SHOWTIME.

So, if you only saw this one WB, Fox, UPN or other "broadcast" network, be aware that the cable version was slightly more risque. There are several episodes with "Showtime Moments" of semi-gratuitous nudity. Fine for adults, but you may wish to keep a couple of the episodes away from the kids, or else definitely "parentally supervise" viewing. Definitely pre-view all episodes before allowing minors access, if unsure.

Just figured I'd throw that out there. I'm an adult, and not opposed to nudity or sexual situations. It just took me by surprise, since I'd only seen the "broadcast" version, and the unapologetic nudity was a slighty shock (there really wasn't much if any warning on the package aside from an "unrated" stamp in the fine print on the lower corner of the back of the box). Though it was generally tastefully done... There were at least a few scenes that were a bit on the borderline "graphic" side.

That said, it was truly a great series, both for sci-fi enthusiasts and for pushing some social and technical/film-making boundaries, and I look forward to the rest of the "season" compilations being released (as opposed to the thematic compilations).

Truly a must have for anyone who love the series or good sci-fi. With the above parental warning in mind... ;o]

Finally a complete season of this excellent anthology series...but where is the rest?

If MGM is going to release the entire series, then get on with it. I for one will jump at buying every excellent season. I am not interested at all in the 'themed' sets. One of the best anthology SF series in recent years.

MGM, please release more of this series!!!

Though I had my doubts (as my previous reviews of dicey releases of this series indicate) I am more than pleased the first season of this show has been released. I got it for Christmas and have been thrilled. The stories are strong, the acting and directing phenomenal and the production values acceptable. The list of stars is nearly endless, so chances are you'll see a few you know and like.

I was afraid the release would come with no extras, but I was wrong. A few documentaries make it even better. Realizing that opinions of such short pieces are highly subjective, suffice it to say I enjoyed them.

I like this season in particular because there was a story arc. Nearly every episode's threads were tied up in the season finale. It's no Babylon 5, but at least thinking individuals can appreciate the intricacy they poured into the arc.

All in all, this is one fantastic ride. I don't think it will sell as well as subsequent series because many of these have found their way into previous releases. Also, I think people are reluctant to purchase a single season until a studio shows a commitment to releasing them all. Especially something with as cult a following as The Outer Limits. But take heart and know this: you won't regret buying this. More than that, for those with children too young to have seen the original airings, one day, when they're old enough to watch, they will thank you.

I would be remiss not to give MGM kudos for listening to the show's fan base and releasing the full season. We thank you whole-heartedly and hope you'll continue until the final season is on the shelf.


UPDATE: Okay, it's been nearly two years since this was released. While my sentiment for it remains, my attitude towards those in charge of subsequent releases is markedly different. The concept of releasing seasons is something a five year old can grasp and appreciate. The injustice of being shown seven things and only ever given one is something a three year old can see. Are people in the entertainment industry so out of touch with America and so entrenched in a west coast fantasy world that they cannot grasp these simple ideas? Perhaps the generalization is unfair to some working in entertainment who are grounded in reality. If so, those few who don't fit this characterization, please get a job at MGM in the DVD releases division and show the common sense of a three year old.


UPDATE: Since we're nearing the five year anniversary of this release and it now seems to be sold out, I thought I'd weigh in with another update. Three years since my last update and my statements above stand strong as a pinnacle of wisdom compared to that of those producing (or more rightly, not producing) these DVDs. I'm assuming that, armed only with the aforementioned intelligence, that those at the helm of DVD releases have now been fired for their incompetency. If so, to you new bloods out there, how about a Season Two release? I mean, Fear Itself - a one season flop that I happen to love - came out on DVD. Shows that were canceled after only a few episodes have wondered into the market. Does it not stand to reason that a show produced for seven seasons would have a fan base that you could tap into? Hint: It does stand to reason. If those in charge have not been fired for incompetency, then I suppose they fit into the masses of bankers, insurance company executives, and Ponzi scheme loving politicians that we employ. Oh, well. Perhaps they've not grown wise through the years. I, on the other hand, have. I now only purchase DVD seasons from companies that are willing to finish what they start with their season releases. It looks like Tales from the Darkside will be next on my list. That show is a good ten years older than The Outer Limits and they'll be completely in DVD before the end of the year. Watch and learn, guys. No one's asking you to build rockets.

Where is Season 2 and the rest of the series? This excellent series does not deserve to languish!
The studio's need to heed consumer interest. Please add to these ratings as the studio's do take them in to account.
Standing by.....as usual.

Outstanding! Every bit as good as we remember it. My husband had been eagerly awaiting for this series to be released on DVD; can't wait for additional seasons!