In a near-future fascist state, librarian Romney Wordsworth is declared obsolete and allowed to pick the method of his own execution.
Recap
By Gadfly on Oct 1, 2018
A librarian, Romney Wordsworth, is called to a State tribunal where the Chancellor supervises the hearing. Wordsworth has been declared "obsolete" and identifies himself to the tribunal as a librarian. The Chancellor declares that there are no longer any books, and therefore no need for a librarian. He denounces the existence of God, noting the State has disproved His existence. Wordsworth insists that he has value but the Chancellor orders him back where they give the unanimous verdict t…
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Harry Fleer
as Guard
Jane Romeyn
as WomanCast Appearances
Rod Serling
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If it wasn't so religious, this would've been one of my favorite TZ episodes. But a few things made it a tad disappointing. I'd have liked to see Wordsworth go out reading Shakespeare or Darwin or something, showing the importance of knowledge or the beauty of great fiction. His reading prayers before letting all his books blow up was less effective, in my opinion. Even the end was sadder than it needed to be. It just showed the worst consequence, not what could have been inspiring. Also the ending didn't work, the person wasn't given the same choices Wordsworth was.
One of my favorite episodes of the original Twilight Zone.