In the seventh season, we can see that this series was starting to grind to a halt. It's rather unimaginative in light of previous efforts. Once again, a person with delusions of grandeur hooks up with the evil age of computer dominance. The story begins with a tech guy realizing he is in over his head, confronted by a flaming red entity, which grabs him by the throat and basically hangs him. Just before this happens, he makes a phone call to another guy from the company, telling him that they need to find a way to shut down what they are working on. After his "mysterious" disappearance, things go on as before at the office, but something horribly wrong. As with so many "Outer Limits" episodes, the power of the antagonist is so great that it makes confronting it really hopeless. There is the usual conspiracy thing going on and nobody knows what is up. As for the conclusion, we see it coming a mile away.
4 Reviews
One of the best
mbritton177617 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
My favorite hacker movie to this day is Wargames, so far before smartphones and AI. I loved this episode until the end...why did Zack have to completely do a 180 and have the girl killed. I really have enjoyed this Outer Limits reboot but boy are they dark and cynical a lot. Yes, I get this is entertainment with a message but we would have still gotten the message if Zack had inserted the virus. Why did they have to end like that, boo! I was watching it like a movie, very invested, then to watch it end like that just bummed me out. I know that's where we're heading with AI but isn't there a sliver of hope? Anywhere? Anyway, I thought the actor playing Zack was believable as an ex hacker but Evan chewed the scenery a bit.
With a better ending, 10 for sure. But as is, 7.
With a better ending, 10 for sure. But as is, 7.
Prophetic as Hell
caf-1910 November 2021
Most Sci-Fi fans are aware that science fiction can be uncomfortably prophetic for future life events. For example, the little hand-held, flip-open transponder gadgets that Kirk & Spock communicated with back in the 1960's? These became prototypes for the first downsized flip phones in the 90's - Which later became these life enhancing(?) things known as "smart"phones that we all are now addicted to today
You get the point; Having just enjoyed a vintage rerun of an episode of the Outer Limits, titled, Tipping Point, in late 2021, I found the story and script to be eerily dead-on correct in its assessment of where computer technology, and the megalomaniac's who own it, are heading.
Even the villain in this story seems very, very similar to most of those who dominate Big Tech and, sadly, control with a chokehold our everyday media in the 21st Century.
Don't get me wrong, this episode isn't an edge of the seater. Not at all. The acting is acceptable, but nothing more. Although our hero/anti-hero does manage to dominate the scenes. It's the antsy, disquieting FEELING this episode gives in relation to current events that I believe earns this minor little television Sci-Fi episode a definite look; also a grade of 9 out of 10, for insight about human nature. For those of you who like to think about the how's and why's of our modern world, it could prove enjoyable. Stream it or catch it on a rerun on the Comet channel. Tipping Point, originally aired in 2001, has something to say worth listening to.
You get the point; Having just enjoyed a vintage rerun of an episode of the Outer Limits, titled, Tipping Point, in late 2021, I found the story and script to be eerily dead-on correct in its assessment of where computer technology, and the megalomaniac's who own it, are heading.
Even the villain in this story seems very, very similar to most of those who dominate Big Tech and, sadly, control with a chokehold our everyday media in the 21st Century.
Don't get me wrong, this episode isn't an edge of the seater. Not at all. The acting is acceptable, but nothing more. Although our hero/anti-hero does manage to dominate the scenes. It's the antsy, disquieting FEELING this episode gives in relation to current events that I believe earns this minor little television Sci-Fi episode a definite look; also a grade of 9 out of 10, for insight about human nature. For those of you who like to think about the how's and why's of our modern world, it could prove enjoyable. Stream it or catch it on a rerun on the Comet channel. Tipping Point, originally aired in 2001, has something to say worth listening to.
Idiot Plot and Reverse Engineered
petewood-599515 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The writers wanted the bad guys to win. So, they came up with the ending and then tried to make the story work.
1. Law enforcement act like morons and do a cursory investigation of the murder. Check.
2. Computer program can't be stopped, because it is all knowing and can access every surveilance camera on the planet. Check. Never mind that many cameras aren't online and many cameras only record to a tape and cameras don't cover everything.
3. The good guy has to let the bad guy win. So, let's make him into a bad guy for the shock ending and let's let him betray his friend so she can be killed by the computer. Check. There is zero reason for his character's change. Zero.
Horrible writing.
1. Law enforcement act like morons and do a cursory investigation of the murder. Check.
2. Computer program can't be stopped, because it is all knowing and can access every surveilance camera on the planet. Check. Never mind that many cameras aren't online and many cameras only record to a tape and cameras don't cover everything.
3. The good guy has to let the bad guy win. So, let's make him into a bad guy for the shock ending and let's let him betray his friend so she can be killed by the computer. Check. There is zero reason for his character's change. Zero.
Horrible writing.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
