George Macready stars as Dr. Marshall, head of the BroadbBridge nuclear facility that one day has a tragic accident occur, as a fresh infusion of irradiated subatomic particles in a cyclotron comes into contact with an isotope that somehow causes an inter-dimensional crack to open, enabling an unknown but inimical form of super energy to emerge, taking over every worker it comes into contact with, leaving the protective suit empty of a man, but instead housing the energy. How can Dr. Marshall stop this emergency from escaping into the wider world, and having the crack turn into a door? Leonard Nimoy costars in a small role. Aptly titled episode may not make much scientific sense(though that is cleverly set up in the story) but remains fascinating viewing. Deserves credit for sheer ambition and narrative audacity.
The Outer Limits (TV Series)
Production and Decay of Strange Particles (1964)
User Reviews
Review this title14 Reviews
"I split a crack in time and space!"
classicsoncall2 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I recognized a lot of the stock footage from government documentaries and shorts describing atomic weaponry and the destructive power of nuclear energy. The science behind the story seemed a little sketchy although the dialog between Dr. Marshall (George Macready) and his associate Dr. Paul Pollard (Robert Fortier) made it seem somewhat credible. What I couldn't fathom was why so many of the scientists involved disregarded the hazards of their runaway experiment to expose themselves to the intense radiation. I can understand trying to save a co-worker, but at a certain point when you cross the line against the laws of physics, disaster is inevitable. Dr. Marshall's solution involved reversing the fission process and in so doing, reversing the effects of space and time as well. In that regard, the conclusion was similar to the one for the Outer Limits episode 'Fun and Games' where everything was put back to an original starting point after one of the principals had already died on an alternate world. I just find it hard to wrap my mind around that concept because it doesn't make sense. However, the story does seem to suggest that future scientific endeavors proceed with inspiration, integrity and courage for the betterment of humanity, if only men and women with those qualities would rise to the occasion.
A really mixed bag. That's why I'm giving it a "5."
PolishBear11 April 2013
I used to watch The Outer Limits with my dad when I was a small child back in the early 1960s. Most of the time it scared the hell out of me. And this particular episode, "Production and Decay of Strange Particles" was no exception. Two things about this episode always stood out for me: (1) The scientists in radiation suits who were suddenly taken over by glowing electric-arc beings, which I found extremely creepy, and (2) the nuclear explosion (and implosion) at the end.
In recent years I learned that this episode is considered by many Outer Limits aficionados to be one of the weakest in the series, if not the worst ... and I found this puzzling, since the episode stuck out so strongly in my memories of childhood. So when this particular episode was broadcast recently on our local "My-Z" channel, I decided to watch it with a more mature and critical eye.
First of all, some context: "Production and Decay of Strange Particles" was made at a time when physicists were really starting to peer beyond the Newtonian world and into the realm of subatomic particles and quantum theory. The episode makes mention of "quasi-stellar" objects, which had only been discovered a scant few years earlier. Scientists were beginning to confront the fact that the Universe was a far stranger place than hitherto imagined, that there might be other realities beyond our own ... so naturally the producers of The Outer Limits decided to speculate about what might happen if high-energy particle physicists cracked that doorway between such realities just a bit too wide.
Watching this episode reminded me of how people have raised nightmare scenarios about the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and how it might create a miniature black hole that would suck up the Earth. I was also reminded of a fascinating hard sci-fi novel by John Cramer called "Einstein's Bridge" in which an experiment at such a facility allows a hive-like civilization from another Universe to invade our own world. These fears are, in a way, prefigured in this old episode of The Outer Limits, and it is the hard physics here that makes the episode a refreshing change from the usual weird creatures and spaceships.
Unfortunately, this episode is SEVERELY hampered by melodrama, enough nonsensical techno-jargon to choke a horse, a slender plot and script that have to be padded quite a lot to expand the episode to 50 minutes, and worst of all, some shameless scenery-chewing by George Macready as the tormented Dr. Marshall.
In recent years I learned that this episode is considered by many Outer Limits aficionados to be one of the weakest in the series, if not the worst ... and I found this puzzling, since the episode stuck out so strongly in my memories of childhood. So when this particular episode was broadcast recently on our local "My-Z" channel, I decided to watch it with a more mature and critical eye.
First of all, some context: "Production and Decay of Strange Particles" was made at a time when physicists were really starting to peer beyond the Newtonian world and into the realm of subatomic particles and quantum theory. The episode makes mention of "quasi-stellar" objects, which had only been discovered a scant few years earlier. Scientists were beginning to confront the fact that the Universe was a far stranger place than hitherto imagined, that there might be other realities beyond our own ... so naturally the producers of The Outer Limits decided to speculate about what might happen if high-energy particle physicists cracked that doorway between such realities just a bit too wide.
Watching this episode reminded me of how people have raised nightmare scenarios about the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and how it might create a miniature black hole that would suck up the Earth. I was also reminded of a fascinating hard sci-fi novel by John Cramer called "Einstein's Bridge" in which an experiment at such a facility allows a hive-like civilization from another Universe to invade our own world. These fears are, in a way, prefigured in this old episode of The Outer Limits, and it is the hard physics here that makes the episode a refreshing change from the usual weird creatures and spaceships.
Unfortunately, this episode is SEVERELY hampered by melodrama, enough nonsensical techno-jargon to choke a horse, a slender plot and script that have to be padded quite a lot to expand the episode to 50 minutes, and worst of all, some shameless scenery-chewing by George Macready as the tormented Dr. Marshall.
Particles gone.
Sleepin_Dragon27 August 2023
Aliens break through a dimensional gap after an accident at a Nuclear research facility, the mild mannered head of The Centre has to put on a brave act, and fight back.
I have to admit, I didn't care a great deal for this episode, despite its wonderfully original title, for me this one was a little repetitive, a little dull, and for once the acting felt a little questionable.
It put me in mind of the very first episode, which wealth with a similar topic, only that was way more memorable.
There was definitely a creepy vibe, those suit wearing figures cut a fairly menacing presence, and I'd say there were some pretty good special effects for the time, I just don't think they went for enough, they could really have gone to town with the horror here.
A mixed bag, very watchable, but somehow it all just feels way too familiar.
6/10.
I have to admit, I didn't care a great deal for this episode, despite its wonderfully original title, for me this one was a little repetitive, a little dull, and for once the acting felt a little questionable.
It put me in mind of the very first episode, which wealth with a similar topic, only that was way more memorable.
There was definitely a creepy vibe, those suit wearing figures cut a fairly menacing presence, and I'd say there were some pretty good special effects for the time, I just don't think they went for enough, they could really have gone to town with the horror here.
A mixed bag, very watchable, but somehow it all just feels way too familiar.
6/10.
Deja vu all over again!
planktonrules6 March 2012
During the first season of "The Outer Limits", at least four different episodes had to do with power! This makes this fourth show of its type a bit dull--though I suspect this is still a pretty weak episode regardless.
The show begins at some sort of nuclear power research station. They are experimenting with some weird material that fell from space--which, as we all know, is NOT a good idea. Soon, the material begins to go out of control--releasing tons of dangerous radiation and actually turning workers into electrical-nuclear zombies! Can the boss (George Macready) stop this all from consuming the planet? Aside from seeing Leonard Nimoy in a small part, there isn't a lot to distinguish this one. Not a bad episode but also too familiar and not especially effective.
The show begins at some sort of nuclear power research station. They are experimenting with some weird material that fell from space--which, as we all know, is NOT a good idea. Soon, the material begins to go out of control--releasing tons of dangerous radiation and actually turning workers into electrical-nuclear zombies! Can the boss (George Macready) stop this all from consuming the planet? Aside from seeing Leonard Nimoy in a small part, there isn't a lot to distinguish this one. Not a bad episode but also too familiar and not especially effective.
"Quantum physics?! I want scary MONSTERS!"
fedor812 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Don't let the TOL fanatics fool you: this one's among the best 5 episodes.
The title of this episode alone must annoy so many sci-fi fans. What, not "Monsters From Galaxy Z-X"? That's the kind of title which is a LOT more appealing to them.
There are good (financial) reasons why so few sci-fi stories tackle the fascinating subject of quantum physics: the shallowness, cluelessness and lack of imagination of most sci-fi fans. The cliche belief that sci-fi fans are science geeks of above-average intelligence who have a big interest in scientific concepts is a fallacy. Most of them are just as daft as almost any other fan-base. That this unique episode is rated so poorly here is just additional proof of this. Quantum physics offers a plethora of potential plots, but because goofy aliens aren't part of the quantum equation sci-fans don't want them. This is as sci-fi as you can get, for TV at least, yet it seems that sci-fi is of little interest to sci-fi fans. Just one of many absurdities, contradictions and paradoxes in this moronic world.
The direction and especially photography are very good; there are several scenes that are unlike anything we've had in sci-fi before or even since. One of the most original and thought-provoking episodes that go SWOOSH above the heads of people who are sorely disappointed whenever green aliens aren't frolicking inside Area 51, whenever pudding-shaped blobs or chicken-faced monsters aren't the main antagonists in a story. The enemy is invisible and therein lies the swooshiness of the swooshy problem here.
The drawbacks are the sometimes dodgy dialogue, the overwrought acting of some of the cast, and the inability of these characters to stay away from radiation: over and over the scientists and their wives are volunteering/insisting on going INTO the danger zone as opposed to going in the OPPOSITE direction, that is to say to run AWAY from danger.
Which part of "the radiation levels are extremely high" do they not understand? Nimoy defies orders and barges inside the room, stupidly claiming that so-and-so "seems to be doing fine" despite the absurdly high radiation levels that colleague had already been exposed to. Then another group goes in there, then the guy who played the moronic astrodummie in "The Invisible Enemy" actually goes back inside the death chamber (for unknown reasons), and then even the non-scientist wife of an already dead researcher goes in there too!
The way these knuckleheads were disregarding the dangers of radiation, I figured very soon we'd have a thousand people turned to quantum zombies in no time! That'd be the only truly glaring silliness in an otherwise interesting story.
The title of this episode alone must annoy so many sci-fi fans. What, not "Monsters From Galaxy Z-X"? That's the kind of title which is a LOT more appealing to them.
There are good (financial) reasons why so few sci-fi stories tackle the fascinating subject of quantum physics: the shallowness, cluelessness and lack of imagination of most sci-fi fans. The cliche belief that sci-fi fans are science geeks of above-average intelligence who have a big interest in scientific concepts is a fallacy. Most of them are just as daft as almost any other fan-base. That this unique episode is rated so poorly here is just additional proof of this. Quantum physics offers a plethora of potential plots, but because goofy aliens aren't part of the quantum equation sci-fans don't want them. This is as sci-fi as you can get, for TV at least, yet it seems that sci-fi is of little interest to sci-fi fans. Just one of many absurdities, contradictions and paradoxes in this moronic world.
The direction and especially photography are very good; there are several scenes that are unlike anything we've had in sci-fi before or even since. One of the most original and thought-provoking episodes that go SWOOSH above the heads of people who are sorely disappointed whenever green aliens aren't frolicking inside Area 51, whenever pudding-shaped blobs or chicken-faced monsters aren't the main antagonists in a story. The enemy is invisible and therein lies the swooshiness of the swooshy problem here.
The drawbacks are the sometimes dodgy dialogue, the overwrought acting of some of the cast, and the inability of these characters to stay away from radiation: over and over the scientists and their wives are volunteering/insisting on going INTO the danger zone as opposed to going in the OPPOSITE direction, that is to say to run AWAY from danger.
Which part of "the radiation levels are extremely high" do they not understand? Nimoy defies orders and barges inside the room, stupidly claiming that so-and-so "seems to be doing fine" despite the absurdly high radiation levels that colleague had already been exposed to. Then another group goes in there, then the guy who played the moronic astrodummie in "The Invisible Enemy" actually goes back inside the death chamber (for unknown reasons), and then even the non-scientist wife of an already dead researcher goes in there too!
The way these knuckleheads were disregarding the dangers of radiation, I figured very soon we'd have a thousand people turned to quantum zombies in no time! That'd be the only truly glaring silliness in an otherwise interesting story.
Science fiction episode upload of harder technical terms spoiling the whole thing!!
elo-equipamentos2 May 2023
Usually The Outer Limits often offers a science fiction subject, always in a easy language that allowed to the audience a total understanding what it refers, instead "Production and Decay of Strange Particle" the writers developed a hard tech-jargon that puzzle over the viewers in such unusual lines, including isotope, plasma, anti-matter, subatomic, quantum physics and so on, looks like a scientist exposing his master's degree with those mid-blogging language.
All start at high advanced complex of nuclear reactor that allows all kind of experiments on nuclear field spearheaded by nuclear physics Dr. Marshall (George Macready) where he got a skilled scientist staff in research, the plot is fuzzy about the source of the material on nuclear fission inside the reactor, it somehow starts a chain reaction if it reaches at high heat could be explode all complex, even such reactor having bars to equalize the temperature.
Turn out that the scientists even using radiation suit with mechanical hands dealing with the matter inside the reactor becomes them into a energy bodies, meanwhile Dr. Marshall tries out find a way to overturn the growing process aiming for to save the complex about to explode where will affect the place nearby at least within a mile radius.
This episode somewhat didn't gets fire properly, even with a fine casting especially Leonard Nimoy on small role, they had to use a massive stock footage to fill out some sequences, overrall an average presentation.
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2023 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.
All start at high advanced complex of nuclear reactor that allows all kind of experiments on nuclear field spearheaded by nuclear physics Dr. Marshall (George Macready) where he got a skilled scientist staff in research, the plot is fuzzy about the source of the material on nuclear fission inside the reactor, it somehow starts a chain reaction if it reaches at high heat could be explode all complex, even such reactor having bars to equalize the temperature.
Turn out that the scientists even using radiation suit with mechanical hands dealing with the matter inside the reactor becomes them into a energy bodies, meanwhile Dr. Marshall tries out find a way to overturn the growing process aiming for to save the complex about to explode where will affect the place nearby at least within a mile radius.
This episode somewhat didn't gets fire properly, even with a fine casting especially Leonard Nimoy on small role, they had to use a massive stock footage to fill out some sequences, overrall an average presentation.
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 2023 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.
Some of the Most Overly Dramatic Acting Ever
Hitchcoc15 January 2015
I will admit my ignorance of what was going on here. I know that as the principles are dealing with materials from space, things go haywire. Eventually, the stuff morphs into a sentient being. Now we have a series of emotional displays that ultimately lead to a final display of courage from the man who set up the whole thing. There are endless scene of sparks flying an men walking back and forth in radiation gear. There is a blonde woman who feels she needs to get to the core and rescue her husband. What a mess this whole thing is. It's practically impossible to describe the physics at work. Is there any validity to this? Would any of this work? I don't know. Did they? This plot probably would work in a Star Trek episode. They don't explain anything there either. Just a misfire for the series as there are bound to be.
The most science fiction-y of them all!
pdmanske18 February 2012
This post is less a review and more of a discourse of why I thought this ep was so...awesome...
"The Production and Decay of Strange Particles" borrowed heavily from physics and lent the idea that life or at least consciousnesses could come from atomic particles. Man, that's awesome! The ep really introduced infinity and the possibilities that infinity could provide.
The lead was played George Macready and Mr. Macready was easily the most dignified actor on the American screen. If you needed a diplomat, scientist, pope or executive, Macready always delivered.
The plot was weak; a new life form arrived somehow, possessed humans and caused a big explosion. Macready had to understand and counter act the the events and with inspiration from his wife he ...."used his brain!".
There was plenty of stock footage used and in fact went over the line into classic stock but I forgave all of that just to hear all of the chemical compound names and even more.... chemical compound names plus isotopes! The over the top nerdiness was much more rewarding than the morality lectures of the Bellero Shield et all. Even a nuke explosion and then a another nuke explosion to put everything back! Dude!
TOS was scary because the intro parroted civil defense drills, every Outer Limits episode was a nuclear attack warning and this ep took you right to the fission.
I'm more experienced in life now and more critical but this ep's thrill is not gone. I don't visit the quality of the ep any longer, I visit the quality of the experience.
"The Production and Decay of Strange Particles" borrowed heavily from physics and lent the idea that life or at least consciousnesses could come from atomic particles. Man, that's awesome! The ep really introduced infinity and the possibilities that infinity could provide.
The lead was played George Macready and Mr. Macready was easily the most dignified actor on the American screen. If you needed a diplomat, scientist, pope or executive, Macready always delivered.
The plot was weak; a new life form arrived somehow, possessed humans and caused a big explosion. Macready had to understand and counter act the the events and with inspiration from his wife he ...."used his brain!".
There was plenty of stock footage used and in fact went over the line into classic stock but I forgave all of that just to hear all of the chemical compound names and even more.... chemical compound names plus isotopes! The over the top nerdiness was much more rewarding than the morality lectures of the Bellero Shield et all. Even a nuke explosion and then a another nuke explosion to put everything back! Dude!
TOS was scary because the intro parroted civil defense drills, every Outer Limits episode was a nuclear attack warning and this ep took you right to the fission.
I'm more experienced in life now and more critical but this ep's thrill is not gone. I don't visit the quality of the ep any longer, I visit the quality of the experience.
5 Seconds of Nimoy, 59 minutes of ???
kyyankee12 May 2020
I first saw this episode when it aired in the original run and it made very little sense. I thought that seeing it with a more seasoned eye might add to my comprehension and that the presence of Leonard Nimoy in the cast would make it watchable.
Well, our Star Trek buddy has about 3 lines before sticking his arms into some unexplained thing and turning into another unexplained thing. The rest of the time George Macready and Signed Hasso wander around looking very concerned, while being confused as we are by the whole deal.
Subpar for the series.
Well, our Star Trek buddy has about 3 lines before sticking his arms into some unexplained thing and turning into another unexplained thing. The rest of the time George Macready and Signed Hasso wander around looking very concerned, while being confused as we are by the whole deal.
Subpar for the series.
Uncanny feeling all through the episode!
robertcubinelli22 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this episode something like 4 decades+ after it aired! Well, you can't follow every single episode, show, etc. On TV when you're in high school and have to study your backside off, can you ?
Anyway, I saw it from the box set I got for my birthday some time ago. I had always thought the eeriest episode was The Zanti Misfits, but I have to say that this one now comes 2nd. Apart from a cool Leonard Nimoy in it, the general feeling you get from watching the scenes is fascinating and very scary..this is the essence of most of the OL storywriters. Here we not only see atoms/isotopes decaying, but also the very soul and mind of the people dealing with this nuclear accident. The horror of what was happening to the two men in the isotope room shows not only in the face of Nimoy when he sees his friend "nuclearized" in his smart suit, but also on the face of one of the men in the console room when he realized the horror that was taking shape. I don't understand why many fans do not consider this great episode as much as they do the others.
Anyway, I saw it from the box set I got for my birthday some time ago. I had always thought the eeriest episode was The Zanti Misfits, but I have to say that this one now comes 2nd. Apart from a cool Leonard Nimoy in it, the general feeling you get from watching the scenes is fascinating and very scary..this is the essence of most of the OL storywriters. Here we not only see atoms/isotopes decaying, but also the very soul and mind of the people dealing with this nuclear accident. The horror of what was happening to the two men in the isotope room shows not only in the face of Nimoy when he sees his friend "nuclearized" in his smart suit, but also on the face of one of the men in the console room when he realized the horror that was taking shape. I don't understand why many fans do not consider this great episode as much as they do the others.
Very Macready-worthy
ellenirishellen-6296230 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Have to admit,I watched because the main star was George Macready.He was great in this episode,better than his appearance in The Invisibles.Too many times his acting is trashed but here he's terrific to me because of his scenes with Mrs Marshall,but was TOL really the best show on TV?Here,he and Signe Hasso are a husband/wife team of scientists trying to stop a nuclear disaster at a facility that's just processed particles from a cyclotron that threatens the Earth with invasion from TOL.Worthy of watching just for the relationship between the Marshalls,maybe not good enough reason to view for many,but George is shown as all too human,and for this,I love this episode.He seems very tender to his wife,and she to him,never mind the techno-jargon and zombie-like characters taken over by the Strange Particles.But Ardis,she stinks and almost gets everyone killed for stupidity!
Incomprehensible But May Grow on You!
babyfir775 August 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I've watched this episodes a few times now. Something about having zombie-like characters taking over a scientific plant and indoctrinating others to be like themselves. No dialog between the electrified zombies but they are creepy.
The story isn't too great, nor are the leads. But I still find it watchable, unlike, say the horrible Children of Spider County or ZZZZZ (though count me in as a Joanna Frank fan!). As we're watching it today, my wife's trying to explain some parts of this episode and my kids look at her and laugh. Like the episode, she didn't make sense!!! Here's my next project: the next time I watch this show, oh, way in the future, I will count the number of times Mrs. Pollard mentions her husband Paul's name and the multiple number of times Laurel calls "Marshall." It got to be quite humorous!
******** Okay, I just rewatched it again many months from this original review...and I have given it a ten. Not the best, but right up there.
The story isn't too great, nor are the leads. But I still find it watchable, unlike, say the horrible Children of Spider County or ZZZZZ (though count me in as a Joanna Frank fan!). As we're watching it today, my wife's trying to explain some parts of this episode and my kids look at her and laugh. Like the episode, she didn't make sense!!! Here's my next project: the next time I watch this show, oh, way in the future, I will count the number of times Mrs. Pollard mentions her husband Paul's name and the multiple number of times Laurel calls "Marshall." It got to be quite humorous!
******** Okay, I just rewatched it again many months from this original review...and I have given it a ten. Not the best, but right up there.
One Of The Six Stinkers In The Series
StuOz11 July 2014
This is about the production and decay of strange particles.
Stay clear of this boring hour that might have been rather clever in 1964 but will put you to sleep today.
The story is boring, the script is boring, the actors are boring. There is some nice effects photography in the later stages of the hour but that is about the only good thing I can say about this episode!!!!!!!!
However, only six stinkers in a 49 episode TV series is actually a very good track record. Most 49 episode TV shows would have more stinkers than that. This is just the nature of television. So Limits still stands as a great TV series despite this "decay" at the end of season one.
Stay clear of this boring hour that might have been rather clever in 1964 but will put you to sleep today.
The story is boring, the script is boring, the actors are boring. There is some nice effects photography in the later stages of the hour but that is about the only good thing I can say about this episode!!!!!!!!
However, only six stinkers in a 49 episode TV series is actually a very good track record. Most 49 episode TV shows would have more stinkers than that. This is just the nature of television. So Limits still stands as a great TV series despite this "decay" at the end of season one.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
