In Part 2 of "The Inheritors" ep of "The Outer Limits", government agent Adam Ballard (Robert Duvall) continues his pursuit of Lt. Phillip Minns (Steve Ihnat) and his three men-Sgt. James Conover (Ivan Dixon), Pfc. Francis Hadley (Dee Pollock), and Pvt. Robert Renaldo (James Frawley)-all of whom are in some alien mind control. And now Ballard finds out they're taking some handicapped children with them...Okay, let me say just now that while there's some suspicion among the men under Minns about their mission and why they're doing what they're doing on it, the explanation puts nearly everyone at ease when it's said in a calm and understanding manner especially concerning the kids. So on that note, both eps of "The Outer Limits" called "The Inheritors" are recommended. P.S. I didn't mention in my review of the previous installment that a couple of "Hogan's Heroes" future players were in that one: besides Dixon-who was Sgt. Kinchloe there, Leon Askin-known as General Burkhalter there-was his boss here though he had no scenes with Dixon. Also, one of the children was played by Suzanne Cupito who later changed her name to Morgan Brittany as an adult and played Katherine Wentworth on the original "Dallas". Incidentally, she also played a child of similar condition as here previously on a movie called Stage at Thunder Rock which I reviewed a few days ago.
10 Reviews
Six Children
AaronCapenBanner17 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Second of two part episode sees government agent Adam Ballard(Robert Duvall) along with his fellow agents continue their pursuit of the four men(played by Steve Inhat, Lee Pollack, James Frawley, and Ivan Dixon) all soldiers who have been chosen by an alien intelligence to complete an important project that they can't explain or stop themselves from completing. Things have taken a more definite turn as it is learned that six children, all afflicted with one physical malady or another, are being taken to a newly built spaceship for transport to an unknown alien planet, and the question is if it is for good or evil purposes... Excellent conclusion to this compelling story continues the fine performances, script, and direction, all leading to a truly poignant, beautifully realized ending.
OK, a bit sugary, but good, a goodness we need today...
RamblerRandy14 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The pieces of the puzzle come together. A story written for Christmas, of hope, for the children.
As the lieutenant rounds up the children, who have no hope, no friends, no family, the G-man confronts them, but cannot stop them.
The four men (my mistake on the part 1 episode review was to say 5) put their project together. The Lieutenant brings the children. The G-man says "don't do it" to the 4 men as he is cynical that there is evil behind it.
But we find out that it is very wise, very good 'aliens' behind the project. They set out in the galaxy their genetic instructions to be embedded in the minds of the 4 men to build a rocket.
And in the rocket is a simulation of the environment from the planet the children are destined to go to. It helps those helpless, hopeless children to have a life they would not have here on this "heartless" earth. We see the crutches removed. The blind can see, the deaf can hear.
A noble and wonderful gift.
I haven't cried such tears of joy in a long time. For, I too, am disabled like the children, I have Deafness, a spinal injury, and more.
I live in hopelessness. Yet I have hope. Thank you, everyone who put this episode together.
As the lieutenant rounds up the children, who have no hope, no friends, no family, the G-man confronts them, but cannot stop them.
The four men (my mistake on the part 1 episode review was to say 5) put their project together. The Lieutenant brings the children. The G-man says "don't do it" to the 4 men as he is cynical that there is evil behind it.
But we find out that it is very wise, very good 'aliens' behind the project. They set out in the galaxy their genetic instructions to be embedded in the minds of the 4 men to build a rocket.
And in the rocket is a simulation of the environment from the planet the children are destined to go to. It helps those helpless, hopeless children to have a life they would not have here on this "heartless" earth. We see the crutches removed. The blind can see, the deaf can hear.
A noble and wonderful gift.
I haven't cried such tears of joy in a long time. For, I too, am disabled like the children, I have Deafness, a spinal injury, and more.
I live in hopelessness. Yet I have hope. Thank you, everyone who put this episode together.
An amazing, thoughtful and beautiful episode--even if you only watch Part Two.
planktonrules10 January 2012
When I watched this two-part episode of "The Outer Limits", I had no idea that it was a two-parter. Instead, I accidentally watched the second episode--because the DVD had part one and part two on different sides of the disc. Oddly, however, part two alone made for one of the greatest episodes in the series! Episode one begins with a tiny recap of the first--hence I was able to understand what I missed very easily. It seems that a G-man is out to discover why four men are behaving the way they are. It seems the four were shot in the head and, oddly, they survived AND began exhibiting severe changes in their mood and TWO separate brain wave patterns---like some alien force is living within them and controlling them. The men all are compelled to work on what seems like a crazy project--and the G-man (Robert Duvall) seems destined to try to stop them.
This episode was so good in so many ways. Instead of the typical malevolent aliens, this episode is a sharp contrast--and offers a different sort of alien invasion scenario. Intelligent, very touching and DIFFERENT--and I really liked that. My one gripe, by the way, is not a serious one. Back in 1964, the expression 'deaf and dumb' was quite acceptable. As a father of a deaf daughter, I encourage you simply to use the word 'deaf'--it's much more accurate and not especially cruel. I also liked how the kids in the show were not all white kids--a nice subtle way of saying such things are unimportant to superior beings! black and white kids
This episode was so good in so many ways. Instead of the typical malevolent aliens, this episode is a sharp contrast--and offers a different sort of alien invasion scenario. Intelligent, very touching and DIFFERENT--and I really liked that. My one gripe, by the way, is not a serious one. Back in 1964, the expression 'deaf and dumb' was quite acceptable. As a father of a deaf daughter, I encourage you simply to use the word 'deaf'--it's much more accurate and not especially cruel. I also liked how the kids in the show were not all white kids--a nice subtle way of saying such things are unimportant to superior beings! black and white kids
Touching and uplifting
robert375021 March 2018
I pity those who are so cynical that they find this episode overly sentimental. It's beautifully written and acted, and the message is one of hope and love, something we could all use.
"The Inheritors are on their way. In a universe of billions of stars, there are places of love and happiness. On this earth, in this spot, magic settled for a moment, wonder touched a few lives, and a few odd pieces fell smoothly into the jigsaw of creation. "
"The Inheritors are on their way. In a universe of billions of stars, there are places of love and happiness. On this earth, in this spot, magic settled for a moment, wonder touched a few lives, and a few odd pieces fell smoothly into the jigsaw of creation. "
"Don't you understand? We can't stop ourselves."
classicsoncall18 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is what outstanding science fiction is all about. I compare this episode in quality to Star Trek's 'Amok Time' and The Twilight Zone's 'The Fugitive'. Part II of 'The Inheritors' includes a brief recap of Part I, so even if you missed that one, you'll still get the full context of the story with this installment. It reaches its emotional zenith when Assistant Secretary of Science Adam Ballard (Robert Duvall) is confronted with an almost impossible choice - does he save six disabled children from an alien 'kidnapping', or allow Lieutenant Philip Minns (Steve Ihnat) to follow through on his mission to bring them all to a better place, cured of their afflictions and placed in a loving and nurturing environment. I can't say I'd be comfortable with having to make that kind of decision, given the conflicting demands of conscience versus responsibility. In his role as Minns, Ihnat reminded me of Michael Rennie in 1951's "The Day The Earth Stood Still". Rennie's Klaatu and Lieutenant Minns both demonstrated a thoughtful, methodical understanding of their mission and were capable of explaining it in a confident, non-threatening way. And all the while, as you expect something sinister to develop by the intrusion of alien forces at work, the outcomes provide for the betterment of those affected if allowed to play out undisturbed. Though I tend to be dismissive of a number of the Outer Limits episodes for their goofy looking monsters and seemingly inconclusive endings, I thought this one to be the finest of the series and certainly my favorite, along with Part I. Exceptional story telling with fine acting make it a memorable experience and one that merits repeat viewing.
A beautiful ending
XweAponX22 August 2020
And totally unexpected.
We get a glimpse of this when "The Lieutenant" meets the child "Johnny" near the end of Part 1, and we wonder if the children themselves are the pullers of strings. No, but willing and eager participants.
The only question is "of what?"
In a contemporary retelling, this would have ended badly or bloody.
Odd that words were not trusted, but words, the right words, solve the entire conundrum.
We get a glimpse of this when "The Lieutenant" meets the child "Johnny" near the end of Part 1, and we wonder if the children themselves are the pullers of strings. No, but willing and eager participants.
The only question is "of what?"
In a contemporary retelling, this would have ended badly or bloody.
Odd that words were not trusted, but words, the right words, solve the entire conundrum.
Too Syrupy! Outer Limits Meets Little Orphan Annie!
Hitchcoc18 January 2015
I was really disappointed in this. What was designed to be some hard edged science fiction turns into some maudlin thing that you could see a mile away. After the mysterious building of some sort of space ship, we now have the gang, led by Robert Duvall, chasing the "bad" guys. The hard part is that they really had no power to do a thing. Everything is set up until the very end. A group of children are targeted. They have a plethora of disabilities. One is blind; one can't walk; etc. They are gathered up by the brains of the outfit as Duvall yells superlatives. It is so unrealistic that it is laughable. There are connections here at home that would have made this such a breach of simple decency. The writers never took into account the realities of the world, despite the relative unfairness of them. Sludge!
Part Two Is Better Than Part One
StuOz19 July 2014
Robert Duvall continues to deal with genius alien trouble makers.
As another poster noted, you can just watch Part Two, without seeing Part One, and follow the story very well. In fact The Inheritors actually feels like a more solid production if you just watch Part Two.
Don't get me wrong, Part One is fine, however Part Two is a really solid hour from beginning to end, while Part One slowly moves along at times.
So take your pick: watch all of it or just Part Two if you are rushed for time.
Note: the director of this hour would later direct Star Trek's outstanding Where No Man Has Gone Before.
As another poster noted, you can just watch Part Two, without seeing Part One, and follow the story very well. In fact The Inheritors actually feels like a more solid production if you just watch Part Two.
Don't get me wrong, Part One is fine, however Part Two is a really solid hour from beginning to end, while Part One slowly moves along at times.
So take your pick: watch all of it or just Part Two if you are rushed for time.
Note: the director of this hour would later direct Star Trek's outstanding Where No Man Has Gone Before.
Invasion of the mind snatchers!
S3pt3m63r29 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Brilliant example of the Outer Limits with an outstanding performance from Robert Duvall. Four humans are taken over by alien intelligences and Robert Duvalls character is trying to stop their invasion of the earth. The four don't know what their mission is but they have an attraction to children who they can communicate with telepathically.
One of the four is played by Steve Ihnat who played Garth of Izar in Star Trek Whom Gods Destroy.
The four can't stop themselves from building their ship and putting their plans into place even though they don't know how it's going to end. They are all masters of manipulation, bending the will of the humans to their will, even though they themselves don't want to do it as their own willpower is being controlled.
It's a great idea and story with a stellar cast well suited to the Outer Limits.
One of the four is played by Steve Ihnat who played Garth of Izar in Star Trek Whom Gods Destroy.
The four can't stop themselves from building their ship and putting their plans into place even though they don't know how it's going to end. They are all masters of manipulation, bending the will of the humans to their will, even though they themselves don't want to do it as their own willpower is being controlled.
It's a great idea and story with a stellar cast well suited to the Outer Limits.
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