The Outer Limits (1963–1965): Season 1, Episode 8 - The Human Factor - full transcript

There is nothing wrong
with your television set.

Do not attempt
to adjust the picture.

We are controlling
transmission.

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the horizontal.

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the vertical.

We can change the focus
to a soft blur

or sharpen it
to crystal clarity.

For the next hour,
sit quietly

and we will control
all that you see and hear.

You are about to participate
in a great adventure.

You are about to experience
the awe and mystery



which reaches from
the inner mind to...

In
Northern Greenland,

the mountains stand
like a wall

along Victoria channel,
whose straight course

marks the line
of the Great Napin Fault.

Until recently,
not even the Eskimos

ventured into
this arctic waste.

But today, as in other
lonely places of the world,

the land is dominated

by those instruments
of detection

which stand
as a grim reminder

of man's fear of man.

This is Point Taboo,
a name given

this predominantly
underground base



by a young officer
who explained

that the letters in Taboo

stood for total abandonment
of better understanding.

Some 200 men
and a few women

make this
their permanent residence.

Their task is to maintain
a constant alert

against enemy attack,

and be prepared to respond
to it devastatingly.

It's completely
accident-proof, Colonel.

Yeah?

This lid's shielding
keeps the radiation

at a safe level.

Fissionable components
are separated

by graphite
neutron absorbers.

There can't possibly
be a detonation

unless the absorbers
are removed.

And how's that done?

By this bar.

When it goes down,
the absorbents are ejected.

The bomb explodes instantly.

Of course, the bar
is locked in place.

It won't be unlocked
until the bomb

is installed at the Isthmus.

And the keys
to the lock?

There's only one key.
I have it.

Then I must
have that key.

Major Brothers!

I am the project engineer!

The Hekla Isthmus
must be destroyed!

Now, hand over
that key, Major Giles!

We've wasted
enough time already!

But Major
Brothers...

The Isthmus
must be destroyed!

Attention,
all personnel.

Attention, all personnel.

The disturbance
you have just experienced

was a minor earthquake.

It's here.
It's finally here.

Our instruments have
detected that the epicenter

is near the Hekla Isthmus.

Other minor shocks
may be expected

during the next 24 hours.

It's coming to get us!
It's coming to get us!

Brothers!

Major!

If this machine works,
it will be possible

for 2 minds
to communicate directly,

to share the same thoughts
and emotions simultaneously.

Emotions?

The psychiatrist.

The intellect is a useful
but devious friend.

This machine
will let me know

what the subject
is really feeling

way down underneath
the intellect.

I'm not sure

I want to go through
with it.

Be a good girl.

Take a look
at the oscilloscope.

Why, you can't
tell too much

from that, can you?

Not too much,
but in a moment,

I may know what
you're really feeling.

Because I intend
to amplify those waves

and feed them back
through the machine

into a terminal instrument,

which is capable
of translating them back

into the thoughts
and emotions that produced them.

And that terminal instrument
is my own brain.

So, that during
the experiment,

our 2 minds will be joined.

To put it simply,

your thoughts
will be in my head.

And yours
will be in mine.

Right. Now, relax.

I'm bringing up the power.

I'm sorry,
Dr. Hamilton.

You got a shock,
didn't you?

Well, I...

I simply had no idea

that you... Thought
of me that way.

Well...

The experiment was
a total success.

I'll arrange for my
transfer in the morning.

Transfer? Why?

N- now wait
a minute, Ingrid.

Let's look at this
objectively.

You don't happen
to be a patient,

but when I do have
a patient, it's...

A big part of my job
is to... to help him

discover those
secret wishes

and fantasies
and bring them out

in the open, and
when that's done...

Human factor center.

Yes, Colonel, yes.

Oh, he's right here,
just a moment.

It's Colonel Campbell.

Yes, Colonel,
what can I do for you?

I hope you can
do something

for Major Brothers.

I'd hate to lose
my top engineer,

but right now I'd
call him a sick man.

When can
you see him?

Well, I can see him
right away.

Can you brief me?

Hang on a minute.

Hamilton's in.

Go have a talk
with him.

Talk won't drive it
away, Colonel.

Our only hope
is to find out

where it is hiding
and destroy it.

I want you to explain
that to Dr. Hamilton.

Might've been
the bump on the head

he got last night.

He insists
the base is invaded

by some kind of
alien being.

Well, uh, I call you

after I've talked
with him.

No,

it's Dr. Hamilton
I'm thinking of.

Uh, he needs someone
who's intelligent,

efficient,
and unemotional.

Yes, by morning.

Ingrid...
secret thoughts

have a... have a way

of losing
their effectiveness

when they aren't
secret anymore.

I'm not leaving
you, Dr. Hamilton,

because I'm embarrassed
or ashamed,

but I'm not...

But I'm not exactly
what you'd call

a masochist, either.

You see, while I was
experiencing

your thoughts
and emotions,

I felt your wisdom
and your courage,

your gentleness,
many lovely things,

but no love,
only curiosity

and dedication,
devotion...

And all for
your work.

You don't need
a woman or a wife.

Good afternoon,
Major Brothers.

Good morning, Major.

Colonel Campbell
told me

you were coming.

Colonel Campbell
ordered me to come.

Well, you're not
under arrest,

and if you don't
mind

losing your escort,
we can

be alone
in the laboratory.

Have a seat, Major.
Relax.

You know,
it seems to me

that someone
here on this base

wants me declared
mentally incompetent.

But you will soon learn

that I'm not.

Well, go ahead, doctor.

Throw some tests at me.
What is it?

Uh, calculus,
tensor analysis, huh?

Round the rugged rock

the ragged rascal ran.

Heh heh heh!

That used to be
a test for sanity.

You know,
people with dementia

could never say that.

Round the rugged rock

the ragged rascal ran.

Round the rugged rock
the ragged rascal ran.

Heh heh!

Fine. Then we can
cross that off.

Nothing wrong with
your speech centers.

Care for coffee?

I don't drink.

I've given up all
habits that may...

Affect my nerves
or weaken my mind

and my body.

These are, uh...

A lot healthier.

Sunflower seeds.

Heh. As the old
woman said

as she kissed
the cow,

each to our
own tastes.

Now, just why
do you think

that anyone on this base
wants you declared

mentally incompetent?

We live in a world
of cowards, Dr. Hamilton.

Every man is afraid
of his brother,

and most men try to hide
from that awful fact.

Even here,
the men are afraid

to see the evil that is
here on this base,

and they're
responsible for it!

Responsible
in what way?

If they had let me
finish my job in time,

this base would've
been safe now.

And your job
was to remove

the Hekla Isthmus?

Annihilate it!

Blow it out of existence
with atomic explosives.

Look, I'll show you.

Here.

This is
the Victoria Channel.

Over here is
the Baffin Strait.

This Ridge
separating the two

is the Hekla Isthmus,

a mountain about
a half a mile long.

And with
this mountain gone,

there would've been
a submarine channel

all the way through
west to Alaska,

and that was my job...

To get rid of that mountain
and the thing on it.

You, uh...
You said something

I didn't quite
understand.

You... you said
the mountain...

And the thing on it.

That's why
it's too late!

Because the thing
that should've been

destroyed along
with the Isthmus...

It's now here
on this base!

Thing? Can you
describe it?

Is it human? Alive?

Tell me, uh...

Tell me about
the accident

last night,
when you hurt

your head during
the earthquake.

That was no earthquake.

Of course it was
an earthquake.

After all, we're
only a few miles

from
the Baffin Fault.

We have these minor
shocks fairly often.

Oh, you think that
do you, huh?

Don't you realize
that all the preparatory

work on the Isthmus
has been destroyed?

All the shafts caved in

before we could plant
the atomic cartridges?

That's exactly
the same kind of damage

that an earthquake
would have.

But it wasn't!
It wasn't an earthquake!

It was the thing,

moving...
breaking out...

Splitting the crevasse,

coming out...

And it must...
It must be destroyed

before it destroys us.

To prevent it I'm
willing to stake my life.

I mean that.

Risk my life.

You don't believe me
do you, huh?

Yes.

Yes, I believe you.

You believe that I...

I saw it? The thing?

Major...

Self-sacrifice is
a rare thing.

You must've had
a very valid reason.

I want to know
that reason

and be able
to understand it.

Would you be
willing to

participate
in a rather

sophisticated
experiment?

It would help me
believe in you.

What is it? Some sort
of a lie detector test?

It's a little more
than that.

Are you afraid of it?

No.

No crime to be afraid.

It's a crime to run
away from fear.

When I was a kid,
I never did that.

Then you won't
do it now.

Are you, uh...

Right-handed?

Yes.

Why? What has that
got to do with it?

It's, uh...

It means that
your speech center,

where you do most of
your thinking,

will be a little
on the left side.

What's happening?

Nothing. I'm just
adjusting the controls.

Is thing gonna hurt?

No.

No, I'm...

I'm just raising
the amplification.

Dr. Hamilton?

Unh. Major Brothers?

I'm here, Dr. Hamilton.

Incredible.

I am Dr. Hamilton.

My mind, my memories.

But I have your body.

And your Major Brothers
with mine.

All right.

Come on, sit back
in the chair

and we'll try to...

We'll try
to undo it.

Guards!

What are you doing?

Take Major Brothers
to the hospital

and see that he's
locked in a safe room.

Now, wait a minute, men.

Now, I'm not
Major Brothers.

I am Dr. Hamilton.

I was exploring
Major Brothers' mind

when the earthquake
caused a, uh...

Power surge and it
reversed our minds.

Now just a minute,
I can prove everything I said.

Let me conduct
some tests.

Look, will you call
Colonel Campbell, please?

Now I can prove
that I am Dr. Hamilton.

Now just listen to me!

I was born
in Billings, Montana.

I went to the University
of Chicago.

I served my internship
at the Menenger clinic.

Now I can prove everything
I say. Listen...

This man
is trying to destroy

everyone on this base!

I'll call and order
a strong sedative.

I was born
in Billings, Montana...

And I went to
the University of Chicago.

And I'm going to destroy
everyone on this base.

Dr. Soldini...

I know you.

I know you!

I know both your
sons... Joe and Lou.

Dr. Soldini, we played
chess last week.

You trapped me
with a knight sacrifice

on the seventh move.

Now ask me anything
you want to know

about Dr. Hamilton
and I'll tell you.

He sure made a thorough
study of Dr. Hamilton.

Dr. Hamilton
was telling me

he had
a patient once

thought he was
Albert Einstein.

This man not only
knew every detail

of Einstein's
private life,

but he could talk
very lucidly

on the theory
of relativity.

Dr. Soldini,
I must stay awake.

Now someone has to
listen to me!

Unh. Look...

The man that you
think is Hamilton

is Major Brothers.

He's sick with guilt

and thinks that the base
should be punished.

He's out to destroy it!

He's out
to destroy us all!

Put him to bed.

He'll be out
for some time.

Dr. Hamilton's
here, Colonel.

Oh, come in, Jim.

Sit down. Sergeant,

get Dr. Hamilton
his coffee.

I came to talk about
Major Brothers.

Yes, how is he?

Not much hope.

I was afraid
of that.

Well, I'll have him
invalided home

on the next plane.

Before you'd do that
I'd like to investigate

a little further.

I understand
he struck his head

against an atomic
cartridge.

That's right. I was
right there and saw it.

It occurred to me that
he might've received

a strong dosage
of radiation

at the same time
in the brain.

We know that
ionizing radiation

can cause serious damage
to the other organs.

There's no reason why
the brain should be immune.

Might be.

Except that there was
very little radiation.

I had Giles check that
in particular.

In view of Major Brothers'
condition,

I'd like to see that
atomic cartridge myself.

If you think
it's necessary.

But you see, Jim,

now that I have reason
to think back on it,

I realize that Brothers

has been a sick man
for some time,

and getting sicker.

That's not true!

Jim, I'm not trying
to be the doctor.

Your coffee's
getting cold.

Eh?

I only mean
that I've worked

with the man a long time

and I've seen him
change.

Change? How?

Well, it all started
about 6 months ago.

They were out
on a small

surveying party
out on the Isthmus.

One of his men
didn't come back.

Private Gorden.

You must remember
the incident.

Yes. Yes, I remember.

Apparently, Gordon fell
into a crevasse,

and it was impossible
to get him out,

at least that's the way
Brothers reported it.

Well, it was true,
wasn't it?

Well, I wish I knew.

Brothers was quite upset

when he halted work
to investigate.

Called it
an unnecessary delay.

It served no purpose.

No, because by the time

the rescue party
got there

fresh snow had
covered everything,

so we had to take
Brothers' word.

But during
the investigation,

one of the men said
they wanted to

attempt a rescue,

but Brothers
wouldn't permit it.

The man in the crevasse
may have been dead.

An officer must think
of the welfare

of all of his men,

not risk their lives
on a possibility.

That's exactly
what Brothers said.

How did you know?

Well, I...
I heard it from him

when he was in
my office yesterday.

Oh, yes, of course.

I forgot that you fellas
can find out anything.

Anyway, Brothers left
Gordon there.

And, as an officer,
he may have done

exactly
the right thing,

but sometimes
it's more important

to be a man
than an officer.

And if I'd
have been there,

I'd have gone down
into that crevasse.

I don't care if they
broke me back to private.

I wouldn't leave
one of my men

down in that ice

if there was
a whispering chance

of getting him
out alive.

What's wrong Jim?
You look sick.

It's nothing.

You keep your
office too warm.

You usually complain
that I keep it too cold.

Anyway, it was
after that

that Brothers
began to change.

That's when
he started talking

about courage,
devotion to duty,

complaining
about delays.

It was almost
as though he wanted

to destroy the Isthmus

because that's where
Gordon's body lay.

That's why I don't think
bumping his head

on that atomic cartridge

had anything
to do with it.

But of course,
if you think otherwise,

you'd better
look into it.

Yes. I'd like
Major Brothers

to have every chance.

I'd like to see
that atomic cartridge

as soon as possible.

In that case,
I'll call Major Giles

and tell him you have
my permission.

I think he should be there
to explain things.

Heh heh. He'll
have to be there.

I slept on it.

And you were right
about secrets seeming

less effective when
they're out in the open.

Or maybe they're
more effective.

What is it?

What is it?

Get out! Go back
where you belong!

Stop accusing!

Go! It was
your fault, not mine!

There was
nothing I could do!

Dr. Hamilton!

Get out!

What are you doing here?

I don't understand.

Surely I must have
a pistol.

Thank you,
that's all.

Dr. Hamilton...

That's all!

Get me Major Giles.

Yes, Dr. Hamilton.

Major Giles...

Can you meet me in front
of the atomic storeroom?

About 10 minutes?

Good.

"Major Brothers arrived
at lab, 4:15.

"Behavior pattern
of deep guilt.

"Feelings of persecution

mixed with delusions
of grandeur."

"Every man is afraid
of his brother.

Does he mean every man
is afraid of Brothers?"

"Nervous habit of eating
sunflower seeds."

"But what is this thing
he sees?"

Should I link my mind
with his to find out?

"It worked with Ingrid."

Yes?

No, he isn't here
at the moment.

Oh, I'm glad to hear
that Major Brothers

is feeling better
this morning.

What?

He's stopped insisting
that he's Dr. Hamilton?

262? Yes, sir,
just a moment.

I'm sorry, miss Larkin,
Sgt. Peterson has to OK

all visits
with Major Brothers.

Well...

May I have Major
Brothers' chart, please?

Miss Larkin.

Uh, Dr. Hamilton asked...

Excuse me, please. Just
let me make these notes

before I forget
what he said.

I, uh, hear he was insisting
that he's Dr. Hamilton.

He stopped that.

Well, is he calm enough
for me to talk to him?

Well, Dr. Hamilton
asked me to.

Just give me a minute.

Stay at your post.

Major Giles and I
won't need you.

Regulations, doctor.
No one, not even myself,

is allowed
in the storeroom alone.

You won't be alone.
I'll be with you.

You men
remain outside.

Sorry, sir. Orders.

I told you
to remain out...

What difference does it make?
They won't be in the way.

It's simply that I see no
reason why more than 2 of us

should be exposed
to the dangers of radiation.

I know you're thinking about
the welfare of others, doctor,

but really, there's no need
to worry. No danger at all.

He's right in there.

You'll have to talk to him
through the grill.

Tell me who I am.

Ingrid.

Ingrid!

What did I tell you
yesterday?

You told me
that you loved me.

Look in my eyes.

Here.

Dr. Hamilton.

I'll tell them.

No, wait. Listen.

They won't believe you.

That's what I've been trying
to tell them myself,

and they wouldn't listen,

and now
there's so little time.

Major Brothers' mind
is in my body.

He means to destroy
the base.

Ingrid, you've got
to get me out of here.

How?

The keys.
You've got to get the keys.

Keys?

There.

You see?
Even in direct contact,

the radiation level
is quite low.

Of course, if a man
stayed here for several hours,

he might become
contaminated.

But this control bar,

suppose his head struck that
and jarred it enough to move

the neutron absorbers.
Couldn't that have caused

a temporary burst
of radiation?

No. It can't move.

The safety controls
are perfect.

No controls are perfect.

How is the bar released?

With a key.

How did you find him,
miss Larkin?

I think I'll have to talk
to Dr. Hamilton again.

Would you mind calling
his office for me?

Not at all.
What's his extension?

26...

Heh. Imagine forgetting
your own number.

Here, I'll look it up
for you.

Heh heh.

Oh, yes. Here it is.

It's 269.

Mind handing those
to me, miss?

Hand you what?

The keys.

Oh, yes, of course.

Thanks.

But if the key releases
this lever bar,

it can't be absolutely
motionless when locked.

There'd have to be
some play in it.

Maybe microscopic,
but when you're dealing

with radioactive
materials,

even a micron too much
can be deadly.

You don't seem
to understand very much

about safety devices,
doctor.

It's not they kind of a key
that you turn.

It's a magnetic key.

It fits into those
2 openings there,

and releases the controls
by magnetic force.

There's no movement
at all.

Well, what does
such a key look like?

Well, I can't see
what bearing that has

on the case
of Major Brothers, doctor,

but if you're interested,
I can show it to you.

First, I'll need the key
that unlocks the key.

Hey, what are you doing?!

Open it up!

Now, these 2 prongs,

actually
2 magnetic poles,

fit into these
2 openings

here on
the cartridge.

And if that were done,

then the cartridge would be
turned into a...

An atom bomb?

Well, not quite.

In order to show you
how perfect

these safety
devices are...

Now you still
can't move the bar.

Go ahead, try it.

I don't know.
He just ran out.

Call security.
Give the general alarm.

Tell them
the man is dangerous.

Hello, security?
Send out a general alarm.

So, you see?

The chances of the thing
going off accidentally

are nonexistent.

Well, then, how do you
release the controls?

Well, it's simply a matter
of adjusting this dial here

to release the safety.

Wait. I didn't see that.

Attention all personnel.

Colonel Campbell speaking.

Major Robert Brothers

has just escaped
from the hospital.

I repeat,
Major Roger Brothers.

He is dangerous.

I repeat, dangerous.

Anyone seeing him,
notify security immediately.

Dr. Hamilton,

return to your office
immediately.

The key.
Put it back.

You were showing me
how the dial works.

You heard
Colonel Campbell.

You're wanted
in your office at once.

No, he hasn't returned yet.

No, he didn't tell me
where he was going.

All I can do is let you know
when he comes in.

Where is he?

Watch out!

The electrodes!
Hurry!

Go ahead, kill me.

That's what everyone
wants to do. Kill me.

I'm not trying
to kill you.

I'm trying to save you.

Turn it on.

The gun!

Uhh. Help me.

Help me.

The electrodes.
Hurry.

Hurry.

Hurry.

Tell me what to do.

Amplifica...
Amplification.

Raise
the amplification.

Dr. Hamilton.

No.

No, Ingrid.
I'm here.

Yesterday, I found out
that you loved me.

I didn't place much value
on it, Ingrid.

I'm sorry.

I guess
I just never needed it.

Heh.

Too many people need it.

What this world needs

is more people
who want it.

How did you know

it was my mind
in Brothers' body?

I thought you knew.

It's your mind
that attracts me most.

I felt him die.

Did you find out
what death is?

No.

But I'm sure
for Major Brothers,

it's more pleasant
than life.

He's free now of the ghost
of private Gorden.

The ghost?

An hallucination.

A creation of his own
guilt-ridden mind.

When they ask you
how he died,

what'll you tell them?

Only the truth.

Major Brothers
shot himself.

A weapon?

No, only an instrument,

neither good nor evil
until men put it to use,

and then, like so many
of man's inventions,

it can be used either
to save lives

or destroy them,

to make men sane
or to drive them mad,

to increase
human understanding

or to betray it.

But it will be men
who make the choice.

By itself,
the instrument is nothing

until you add
the human factor.

We now return control
of your television set to you

until next week
at this same time,

when the control voice
will take you to...