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Double Helix (The Outer Limits)

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Episode no.
  
Season 3 Episode 12

Written by
  
Jonathan Glassner

Original air date
  
28 March 1997

Directed by
  
Mario Azzopardi

Production code
  
56

"Double Helix" is an episode of The Outer Limits television show. It first aired on 28 March 1997, during the third season.

Contents

Introduction

A geneticist, Dr Martin Nodel, is a researcher looking into introns, mysterious sections of DNA that he believes hold the secret to future evolution. He develops a formula that he believes will activate them, and tests it on himself.

Plot

After developing the liquid that acts on the intron (genetic material in DNA that acts as spacers and does not code for protein) he tests it on fish, and found that the liquid transforms the fish to amphibia. Then he tests it on himself, and begins experiencing strange symptoms, including a sort of map that grows on his back and a pattern that grows on his hand.

Shortly after he begins looking for students that are suitable candidates. They have to have a high IQ, never had surgery, and are free from imperfections such as tattoos or glasses. They also have to be in a certain age, weight, and height range.

After finding the needed candidates, he reveals the map. The area is discovered to be a hidden military area not on any normal map and, along with Nodel's son and his girlfriend, the group travels to the area.

Inside that area is a spaceship-type device with symbols that match the ones on the Doctor's hands. It activates, and a message from an apparent alien race is played back. The Doctor and the students decide to enter the ship on a journey to the home planet. Despite his son and son's girlfriend not qualifying, the Doctor says that they'd need someone like the two of them.

The ship takes off, and the episode ends.

Note

Another episode released in season 4, "The Origin of Species", continues the story.

Cast

  • Ron Rifkin as Dr. Martin Nodel,
  • Ryan Reynolds as Paul Nodel
  • Tara Spencer-Nairn as Heather
  • Scott Swanson as Reverend Leblanc
  • Ken Pogue as Dean Hardwick
  • William de Vry as Ben
  • References

    Double Helix (The Outer Limits) Wikipedia