‘The Twilight Zone’ (2019) Recap: ‘8’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

During our brief time on this beautiful blue planet that we call home, mankind has indeed accomplished some serious wonders. For not only have we crafted massive cities that we can traverse in a matter of minutes, we can travel the globe in a matter of hours by soaring through the skies, and we’ve beaten some of the illnesses that plagued us in our past and we’ve even figured out how to compile the compendium of human knowledge and make it available to anyone, anywhere on a moment’s notice. Plus, we even have human beings living in space and we’ve been to the moon, and that’s precisely why mankind tends to believe that we are the absolute masters of our domain, and that nothing can ever topple us from that particular perch. 
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But let’s be honest. Planet Earth itself is the true master here, and it has no problem reminding us of that fact from time to time by way of a natural disaster or the current pandemic that is raging the globe. Yet while Mother Nature is quick to humble us whenever she deems it necessary, we do still remain as the strongest species on the planet. Leaving one to wonder, if by chance, there is a species out there in an unexplored region of our world that can rival the mental fortitude of man, and if such a being did exist, how would our first encounter go? Since eventually we would have to cross paths. And it just so happens, that the next episode of The Twilight Zone takes the time to explore this idea in utterly chilling fashion. 

For ‘8’ takes us to the frigid fringes of Antarctica. Wherein a science team is looking to learn more about the impact of climate change on the various species that thrive in this subzero environment and that has led to some fascinating discoveries. Specifically, new species of aquatic life that mankind has never seen before and that is both a blessing and a curse. For deep in these icy waters is a species of octopus that is unlike any other, for it is as intelligent and cunning and as ruthless as man can be and it is about to cross paths with these researchers and well, that’s all we are going to go into plot wise today. Because there are some delightful storytelling elements that we really need to discuss in greater detail. Such as the fact that this episode is a brilliant hybrid of science fiction and horror, thanks in large part to the arrival of this feisty and scheming cephalopod.

Because its arrival inside the facility, makes this story feel like a love letter to Alien and John Carpenter’s The Thing, with a modern twist of course. And this little monster’s ability to blend in is what sends shivers down your spine because you haven’t a clue where the gooey little bugger is hiding until it is too late, and that leads to some genuinely unsettling scares. The kind that completely and utterly make you squirm in your seat, thanks to the shock factor and thanks to some unexpectedly welcome and satisfying gore for the horror fan in all of us. But while those scares are quality indeed and have you hooting and hollering for the next wild moment, none of them compare to the sheer horror of the ending. Because how that plays out, and how this octopus plays into it, creates a genuine sense of doom and dread, the kind that stays with you long after this episode has come to an end since it is so incredibly dreary.

Plus, it’s also quite fascinating to find some genuine commentary in this tale as well. Because this story does take the time to ponder upon mankind’s impact on the environment, and how our desire to see everything as a resource over anything else can cause us great harm. And that maybe, just maybe, if we took the time to do the opposite, our world and our society would be in a vastly different place. Either way, this was just a great episode. One filled to the brim with everything you want and more from a Twilight Zone story. Because this one had tension, a sense of adventure and sci-fi and horror all rolled into a tight, 31-minute package. Which means we need to tip our cap to directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, along with writer Glen Morgan, for ensuring that this whip smart script came together in seamless fashion, with quality performances no less. In the end however, this episode just serves as a fine reminder, that season two of this magnificent series is going to offer up something special during every single episode, and it should be interesting to see what kind of incredible tales await us as we inch toward the season two finale. Until next time.  

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