Outer Limits Season 1 Episode 29 A Feasibility Study

The show Outer Limits has been a classic since its first season back in 1963. Each episode explored the unknown and delved into the untested theories and experiments of the scientific world. One such episode, Season 1 Episode 29, "A Feasibility Study," was no exception.

In the episode, an alien race known as the Luminarians has made contact with Earth. They are a highly advanced race seeking to establish a trading partnership with mankind. However, before any deals can be made, they require a feasibility study to determine whether humans are worthy of their technology and resources. A team of human scientists is sent to the Luminarians' planet to conduct these tests.

The group of Earthlings is led by a man named Dr. Ralph Halvorsen, played by David White. The team also includes physicist Dr. Martha Hiller (played by Sally Kellerman) and astronaut Colonel Harry Ross (played by William O'Connell). Upon arriving on the Luminarians' planet, the scientists are impressed by the advanced technology and the vast knowledge possessed by the alien race.

The feasibility study is divided into several tests, each one designed to evaluate the abilities and competence of the human race. The first test is a physical test, which consists of performing a series of tasks that require physical strength, agility, and coordination. The human team successfully performs the tasks, impressing the Luminarians with their physical abilities.

The second test is a technical test, in which the human team is tasked with repairing a damaged Luminarian device. The team quickly discovers that the device requires a component that they are unable to manufacture. Sensing that failure is imminent, Dr. Hiller devises a plan to trick the Luminarians into thinking that the device has been repaired and functioning normally. The ruse works, allowing the team to progress to the next stage of the feasibility study.

The final test is a moral test, in which the Luminarians require the human team to demonstrate that they possess a sense of right and wrong. The test is conducted by putting the human team in a simulated environment where they are presented with an ethical dilemma. The team must choose between saving the life of one of their own team members or saving the lives of an entire Luminarian colony. The human team ultimately makes the moral choice, impressing the Luminarians with their sense of morality and ethics.

Throughout the episode, the character of Dr. Halvorsen is portrayed as a rational and logical scientist who is determined to ensure the success of the feasibility study. However, his character undergoes a transformation as the episode progresses. His trust in the Luminarians and their advanced technology becomes more and more extreme, to the point that he is willing to sacrifice the lives of his own team members in order to save the alien race.

In the end, the Luminarians are satisfied with the results of the feasibility study. They offer to share their advanced technology with Earth, but the human team declines, realizing that they are not yet ready to handle such advanced technology and that the Luminarians' values and goals do not align with those of Earth. The episode ends with the human team leaving the Luminarians' planet, with Dr. Halvorsen's extreme views now questioned by his fellow team members.

"A Feasibility Study" is a classic Outer Limits episode that explores the themes of morality, ethics, and the potential consequences of over-reliance on advanced technology. The episode is a great example of the series' ability to explore complex and thought-provoking concepts through engaging storytelling and vivid imagery. Fans of science fiction and classic television will surely appreciate this episode and its contribution to the legacy of Outer Limits.