Ep 3. Moment of Hate

One Step Beyond was a hit television series that aired from 1959 to 1961. It focused on stories of the supernatural and extraordinary, and many of its episodes were inspired by true events. Episode three of season five, "Moment of Hate," was a standout episode that explored the power of prejudice and group mentality.

The episode opens with a young couple, Mary and John, enjoying an evening stroll in their small town. As they walk, they hear the sound of a car approaching. They move to the side of the road to make way for the car, but suddenly it swerves towards them. The driver, a man named Tom, jumps out of the car and begins to berate them, accusing them of being "dirty Communists" and "un-American." Mary and John are confused but unharmed, and Tom drives off, leaving them shaken.

Soon after this incident, Mary and John notice that something strange is happening in their town. They hear rumors of people being fired from their jobs for suspected Communist sympathies, and they begin to see signs of a growing vigilante movement. One night, as they are walking home, they witness a group of people vandalizing the home of their neighbor, a Jewish man named Mr. Greenberg. They try to intervene, but the group turns on them, accusing them of being Communists as well.

Mary and John are perplexed. They have never been involved in any sort of political activity, and they certainly don't consider themselves to be Communists. But they soon realize that there are others in their town who are being accused of the same thing - anyone who speaks out against the vigilantes or questions their actions is immediately branded an enemy.

As the episode progresses, Mary and John become increasingly isolated and afraid. They feel like they are living in a different world, where logic and reason have been abandoned in favor of irrational hatred and violence. They desperately seek out someone who can help them, but it seems like everyone they turn to is either afraid or complicit in the madness. At one point, they even encounter Tom again, and he reveals that he is part of a secret organization that is determined to root out all "subversive elements" in the town.

The climax of the episode is a tense and disturbing confrontation between Mary and John and the vigilante group. Mary and John have been forced to hide out in their own home, as mobs roam the streets looking for "enemies." But suddenly the group comes to their door. They demand that Mary and John come outside and publicly denounce their supposed Communist beliefs. Mary and John try to reason with the group, to explain that they are just normal, law-abiding citizens. But the group is in no mood for reason. They begin to chant and jeer, and the situation quickly escalates.

"Moment of Hate" is a chilling episode that explores the consequences of irrational fear and hatred. It shows how easy it is for a small group of people to turn a community against itself, and how quickly rationality and decency can be discarded in favor of fear and anger. The performances of the actors are excellent, particularly those of the two leads, who convey a sense of growing helplessness and despair as the situation spirals out of control. The episode also features some fantastic cinematography, with clever camera angles and lighting that heighten the tension of the story.

Overall, "Moment of Hate" is a standout episode of One Step Beyond. It is a powerful reminder of the dangers of group mentality and the importance of reason and empathy in times of crisis. It is a testament to the enduring relevance of the show's themes and the talent of its creators and cast.