Weird or What? Season 1 Episode 5 Human Popsicle
- May 19, 2010
- 43 min
In the fifth episode of Weird or What? season 1, titled "Human Popsicle," host William Shatner explores the story of a man who claims to have been cryogenically frozen and brought back to life.
The episode begins with a recreation of the freezing process, with a man lying on a bed while being covered in ice and packed in a container. The man, named John, tells his story of being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and being given the option to be cryogenically frozen in hopes of being revived in the future when a cure is found.
We learn that John was frozen in 1993 and remained frozen for over a decade before being thawed out in 2005. He claims to have been completely aware of his surroundings during the entire freezing process and even felt a sense of euphoria as he slipped into unconsciousness.
As the episode continues, Shatner explores the science behind cryogenics and interviews experts in the field. We learn that cryogenic freezing is a controversial and unproven method of preserving the human body, with some scientists arguing that the damage caused during the freezing process makes revival impossible.
The episode then delves into the story of another man, James Bedford, who was the first person ever to be cryogenically frozen. Bedford died in 1967 and was frozen soon after, with hopes of being revived in the future. To this day, Bedford remains frozen in a container in the hope that one day science will be able to revive him.
Throughout the episode, Shatner also investigates other strange and unusual stories, including a man who claims to have been abducted by aliens and implanted with a device in his head. We see interviews with both the man and doctors who examined him, with varying degrees of skepticism.
The episode concludes with a look at the future of cryogenic freezing, with some experts arguing that advancements in science may allow for revival in the future. However, others remain skeptical and argue that cryogenic freezing is simply a form of wishful thinking.
Overall, "Human Popsicle" is a fascinating and thought-provoking episode that raises many questions about the limits of science and the nature of death. The combination of expert interviews and strange stories keeps the viewer engaged throughout, and Shatner's presence as host adds a touch of humor and charm.