Ep 16. The Burning Girl

One Step Beyond was a television series that aired from 1959 to 1961, and it was known for its supernatural and paranormal themes. Each episode featured a different story, and the show was often compared to The Twilight Zone. In season 1, episode 16, titled "The Burning Girl," viewers were introduced to a story of a young girl named Dodo Conway who has a unique ability to start fires with her mind.

The episode begins with Dodo, a young girl with fiery red hair and a mischievous grin, causing chaos in a local carnival when she accidentally ignites a truck full of fireworks. Her father, a recovering alcoholic and former firefighter, is called to the scene to put out the flames. Dodo is visibly upset by the accident, and it becomes clear that she didn't mean to cause any harm. However, her strange ability to start fires with her mind has caused problems in the past, and her father fears that it will continue to do so in the future.

As the episode unfolds, we learn more about Dodo's history and the struggles she faces as a result of her unique ability. Her parents have tried everything to help her control her powers, including taking her to see doctors and psychiatrists. But nothing has worked, and Dodo continues to live in fear of causing harm to those around her.

Despite her fears, Dodo's power attracts the attention of a scientist named Dr. Denham, who believes that she may hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the human mind. Denham is convinced that Dodo's power is not supernatural, but rather a product of her own mind. He offers to take her under his wing and help her learn to control her powers.

Dodo is hesitant at first, but she eventually agrees to work with Denham. As she delves deeper into the world of science and psychology, she begins to develop a better understanding of her powers. With Denham's help, she learns to channel her energy in a positive way, using her powers to help others rather than to cause harm.

However, as Dodo becomes more confident in her abilities, she also begins to attract the attention of others who would use her powers for their own gain. When a group of criminals discover Dodo's abilities, they kidnap her and force her to use her powers to commit a series of robberies.

Through it all, Dodo remains resilient, using her powers to outsmart her captors and save herself and those around her. In the end, she emerges stronger and more confident than ever before.

Overall, "The Burning Girl" is a gripping and suspenseful episode that explores the themes of power, control, and the human mind. Through Dodo's journey, viewers are reminded of the importance of self-acceptance and learning to control the things that make us unique.