For Twilight Zone fans trying to guess the ending, it could have gone a number of ways. Dr. Loren (John Hoyt) and his wife (Irene Tedrow) might have turned out to be robots, or maybe it would be daughter Jayna. Then again, the robot staff could have turned on the Hoyt's to everyone's consternation, making them the servants. Interesting idea there.
In hindsight though, the story provides a couple of glaring plot holes that viewers of the era were probably willing enough to dismiss, since The Twilight Zone was something of a rarity for network TV back in the early Sixties. For starters, it wasn't until near the end of the story that Jayna (Inger Stevens) mentions there were no pictures of her growing up in the family photo album. Curiously, that wasn't on her mind when she challenged back stroker Nelda (Mary Gregory) in an early scene for never growing old. Later, in that impassioned speech at the top of the stairs, she proclaims that she found it impossible to feel love, but she obviously wasn't constrained to be upset with her parents, or angry at the idea of not having the freedom to enjoy normal activities outside the home. Can't have it both ways you see. If you don't have emotion, you can't manufacture it to suit the needs of the script.
But that's all OK, because the Twilight Zone episodes usually went on to make a point, although this one was a tough call. For all of Dr. Loren's posturing about the love for his daughter, it didn't take long for the decision to reprogram her for less fuss, no muss. If you're not expecting it, the closing scene is a shocker, but when you stop and think about it, there wasn't anything else the Loren's would have done. A matter of practicality actually, for a couple of jaded folks who really only thought of themselves.
In hindsight though, the story provides a couple of glaring plot holes that viewers of the era were probably willing enough to dismiss, since The Twilight Zone was something of a rarity for network TV back in the early Sixties. For starters, it wasn't until near the end of the story that Jayna (Inger Stevens) mentions there were no pictures of her growing up in the family photo album. Curiously, that wasn't on her mind when she challenged back stroker Nelda (Mary Gregory) in an early scene for never growing old. Later, in that impassioned speech at the top of the stairs, she proclaims that she found it impossible to feel love, but she obviously wasn't constrained to be upset with her parents, or angry at the idea of not having the freedom to enjoy normal activities outside the home. Can't have it both ways you see. If you don't have emotion, you can't manufacture it to suit the needs of the script.
But that's all OK, because the Twilight Zone episodes usually went on to make a point, although this one was a tough call. For all of Dr. Loren's posturing about the love for his daughter, it didn't take long for the decision to reprogram her for less fuss, no muss. If you're not expecting it, the closing scene is a shocker, but when you stop and think about it, there wasn't anything else the Loren's would have done. A matter of practicality actually, for a couple of jaded folks who really only thought of themselves.