Ep 18. The Image of Death

In One Step Beyond season 1 episode 18, entitled "The Image of Death," viewers are taken on a thrilling journey through the mind of a man named Harley Forbes. Forbes is a powerful and wealthy businessman who seems to have it all, including a beautiful wife and two loving children. However, despite his seemingly perfect life, Forbes is plagued by a recurring nightmare that features a mysterious man in a red robe. This man carries an hourglass and a scythe, and appears to be the embodiment of death itself.

Forbes becomes increasingly obsessed with this image of death, and begins to feel as though it is following him everywhere he goes. He starts to see the robed figure in his waking life, and begins to fear that his dreams are becoming a reality. Desperate for answers, Forbes seeks out the help of a psychiatrist named Dr. Whitman. However, even Whitman is unable to explain why Forbes is experiencing these disturbing hallucinations.

As Forbes' obsession with death grows stronger, he becomes increasingly estranged from his family and business associates. He begins to neglect his responsibilities and spends hours locked in his study, poring over books on ancient religions and superstitions. Eventually, he starts to believe that he is being punished for his wealth and success, and becomes convinced that he must make amends in order to avoid meeting his own grim fate.

Despite the efforts of his family and friends to convince him otherwise, Forbes becomes convinced that he must confront the image of death head-on. He arranges a meeting with the mysterious figure, and travels to an abandoned monastery to make his stand. However, things go terribly wrong, and Forbes finds himself trapped in a nightmarish world where reality and fantasy are blurred.

One Step Beyond season 1 episode 18 is a gripping and intense exploration of fear, obsession, and mortality. Through the character of Harley Forbes, viewers are forced to confront their own fears of death and contemplate the meaning of life. The episode is fast-paced and suspenseful, with many twists and turns that keep viewers guessing until the very end. The performances by the cast are excellent, and the direction is top-notch. Overall, "The Image of Death" is a classic episode of One Step Beyond that is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.