A couple OK episodes. In one, Paul Sand (who seemed to play people from the music world) plays a successful songwriter/pianist who has died. His non corporeal self talks to Gene Barry, one of Satan's minions, who strikes a deal with him to perform in Hell from time to time in order to get a few perks and maybe end up on the upper side. He is given a chance to do something he never did and chooses to make love to a pretty girl he knew as a teenager. Well, in the process, things go differently. It's a gentle offering and not as harsh as eternal damnation. "Voices in the Earth" concerns a post apocalyptic Earth, visited by the descendants of those who escaped before the end came. It's a little too supernatural for my taste. I guess ghosts are ghosts. Martin Balsam, one of my favorite actors, meets up with figures on what should be a totally dead planet. He risks his reputation to try to talk his fellow travelers into leaving Earth to a new future. It's interesting but left me somewhat less than impressed.
The Twilight Zone (TV Series)
Time and Teresa Golowitz/Voices in the Earth (1987)
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Twilight Zone - Voices in the Earth
Scarecrow-8822 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
In Voices in the Earth some familiar faces among the cast of four: old pro Martin Balsam (as the "old academic" getting to visit Earth and see what is left of it after man left it in a methane-gassed, uninhabitable fashion), Jenny Agutter (the beauty from American Werewolf in London, Walkabout, & Logan's Run as the mission commander in charge of leading salvage operations on dead planets), with Dennis Haskins (the principal on Saved by the Bell), and Tim Russ (the busy actor most remembered as Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager) as officers on the bridge of their salvage space traveling vessel.
Balsam's Professor Knowles was allowed to join the crew at Agutter's Jacinda's request because of his extensive knowledge of Earth. Once he puts protective boots to the ground, Knowles is greeted by phantoms (I guess, although they call themselves souls who mourned the planetary exit of the human race "for the stars") who urge him to return humans to the planet so they can have "future generations and children of the human race back where they belong". In one abandoned building, the phantoms are actually able to change the methane, poisonous toxic atmosphere into breathable oxygen. When the leader of the phantoms "commandeers" Knowles' body, attempting to use him to destroy the controls of the ship to keep them there (instead of have others return to loot and rape the planet of what resources and minerals are left), the old academic will confront them about "hitching a ride" inside him (which could endanger his life) and instead using their own power to change the Earth on an evolutionary scale themselves. If the phantoms can provoke atmospheric change that creates life and makes the world inhabitable, perhaps it will be of significant worth in the nearby future. Good to see Balsam in the lead, authoring respect and honor as he surveys a planet that once thrived, truly leaving him melancholic, with the phantoms coming to him for help. His opinion carries weight, even with a skeptical Jacinda who never sees them wondering if his proclamation about the phantoms is manufactured from a mind imprinted by the planet's pitiable state. Studio set of the bridge on the ship is rather 50s stylized, seemingly a throwback, quite dated and kitsch. The desolate, deserted city, yellowish and brown, is quite a depressing site. Odd mix of sci-fi and paranormal activity. Directed by Curtis Harrington (Queen of Blood & Night Tide). Agutter doesn't get a lot to do in the episode, which is a bit of a waste.
Balsam's Professor Knowles was allowed to join the crew at Agutter's Jacinda's request because of his extensive knowledge of Earth. Once he puts protective boots to the ground, Knowles is greeted by phantoms (I guess, although they call themselves souls who mourned the planetary exit of the human race "for the stars") who urge him to return humans to the planet so they can have "future generations and children of the human race back where they belong". In one abandoned building, the phantoms are actually able to change the methane, poisonous toxic atmosphere into breathable oxygen. When the leader of the phantoms "commandeers" Knowles' body, attempting to use him to destroy the controls of the ship to keep them there (instead of have others return to loot and rape the planet of what resources and minerals are left), the old academic will confront them about "hitching a ride" inside him (which could endanger his life) and instead using their own power to change the Earth on an evolutionary scale themselves. If the phantoms can provoke atmospheric change that creates life and makes the world inhabitable, perhaps it will be of significant worth in the nearby future. Good to see Balsam in the lead, authoring respect and honor as he surveys a planet that once thrived, truly leaving him melancholic, with the phantoms coming to him for help. His opinion carries weight, even with a skeptical Jacinda who never sees them wondering if his proclamation about the phantoms is manufactured from a mind imprinted by the planet's pitiable state. Studio set of the bridge on the ship is rather 50s stylized, seemingly a throwback, quite dated and kitsch. The desolate, deserted city, yellowish and brown, is quite a depressing site. Odd mix of sci-fi and paranormal activity. Directed by Curtis Harrington (Queen of Blood & Night Tide). Agutter doesn't get a lot to do in the episode, which is a bit of a waste.
Make a deal with the devil go back in time to get it right!
blanbrn10 October 2011
This "TZ" episode titled "Time and Teresa Golowitz" is one that's different and interesting involving travel by going back into the time of one's life. And it's memorable because it features a guest appearance from Gina Gershon(well before her days as a cult film and series favorite). The tale involves Paul Sand a New York city piano player he's got talent yet his life is lonely with work. So when a tragic turn hits him in the form of an unexpected heart attack enter darkness "The Price of Darkness"(Gene Barry)appears making him a deal that will let Paul live again. This deal involves Paul returning to his teen years to woo the dream girl that got away from him. And enter the pretty and attractive Laura(the sexy Gina Gershon)who plays as a guide for young Paul. Overall not a great tale it proves that people miss a lot in their past and it's always nice to return to it and make adjustments. And mostly this episode is memorable for the fact that it was one of Gina Gershon's early appearances.
Time and Teresa Golowitz
safenoe21 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I remember seeing Time and Teresa Golowitz ages ago, and it was quite touching for sure. The idea of going back in time and helping out the one who is always ignored, yet talented definitely with a big future in front of them.
Poignant story with a great cast
Leofwine_draca1 June 2015
TIME AND TERESA GOLOWITZ, as a story, I found hard to sit through. It's a twee, reflective, and rather sentimental piece about a guy who's given a chance to go back and live part of his life over again, but when the subject matter is purely romantic it doesn't give me a lot of inspiration. The best thing about this is a nice role for old-timer Gene Barry, and there's a minor part for a pre-stardom Gina Gershon too.
VOICES IN THE EARTH is an intriguing and moving story, a tale which is much better than you'd expect given the usual calibre of this series. It tells the unexpectedly affecting story of a group of scientists who travel back to a long-abandoned Earth to communicate with the remnants of human society there.
What transpires is a surprise to all, not least the viewer, and there's a nice moral dilemma that keeps the narrative moving forward at all times. This episode also features a fantastic cast: Hollywood great Martin Balsam leads the way, supported by Jenny Agutter and future STAR TREK actor Tim Russ. VOICES IN THE EARTH is no great shakes but it's still pretty good and more watchable than most.
VOICES IN THE EARTH is an intriguing and moving story, a tale which is much better than you'd expect given the usual calibre of this series. It tells the unexpectedly affecting story of a group of scientists who travel back to a long-abandoned Earth to communicate with the remnants of human society there.
What transpires is a surprise to all, not least the viewer, and there's a nice moral dilemma that keeps the narrative moving forward at all times. This episode also features a fantastic cast: Hollywood great Martin Balsam leads the way, supported by Jenny Agutter and future STAR TREK actor Tim Russ. VOICES IN THE EARTH is no great shakes but it's still pretty good and more watchable than most.
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