The Twilight Zone (TV Series)

The Long Morrow (1964)

George Macready: Dr. Bixler

Photos 

Quotes 

• Dr. Bixler : [Points to a photograph of a galaxy]  You recognize this, don't you?

  Commander Douglas Stansfield : Well, this is our solar system. This is the Sun. And here is the Earth, Jupiter, Venus, Pluto, Mars...

  Dr. Bixler : And what do we know about our neighbors, Commander? Mars is a vast, scrubby desert with an unbreathable atmosphere. Pluto is poisonous and extremely cold. The Moon is barren, Jupiter volcanic. In short, Commander, our neighbors offer us only one asset: They're accessible. They're within reach. Beyond that, they offer us nothing. Scientific, social, economic, anything. They're the Mount Everest of space. Once, they offered us challenges.

  Commander Douglas Stansfield : Where is the next Mount Everest, Doctor?

  Dr. Bixler : That's perhaps the most pertinent question you've ever asked.

• Commander Douglas Stansfield : [Indicating a new planetary system]  That's where I'm going. When?

  Dr. Bixler : In about six months. The ship's being built now. It's off the drawing board. The keel is being laid. But it'll take only one man, and that man should be right there watching every rivet, every bolt, every item of equipment going in there. You are that man, Commander. You will be the sole occupant, and you will be its pilot.

  Commander Douglas Stansfield : Doctor, I--I like this assignment very much.

  Dr. Bixler : That's precisely why you were chosen. Of course there will be the usual dangers, the usual unknowns. In the past, you've had meteor showers to contend with. You've had the usual calculated risk of mechanical difficulties, landing difficulties, ejection troubles and the rest of it. Well, you'll still have those. Compounded. We have another factor here. Another problem.

  Commander Douglas Stansfield : Distance.

  Dr. Bixler : Distance.