The Bellero Shield

Infobox Television episode
Title = The Bellero Shield
Series = The Outer Limits


Caption =
Season = 1
Episode = 20
Airdate = February 10, 1964
Production = 23
Writer = Joseph Stefano (teleplay & story)
Lou Morheim (story)
Director = John Brahm
Photographer = Conrad Hall
Guests = Martin Landau
Sally Kellerman
Chita Rivera
Episode list = List of "The Outer Limits" episodes
Prev = The Invisibles
Next = The Children of Spider County

"The Bellero Shield" is an episode of the original "The Outer Limits" television show. It first aired on 10 February, 1964, during the first season.

Opening narration

"There is a passion in the human heart that is called aspiration. It flares with the noble flame, and by its light Man has traveled from the caves of darkness to the darkness of outer space. But when this passion becomes lust, when its flame is fanned by greed and private hunger, then aspiration becomes ambition-by which sin the angels fell."

Plot

A scientist (Landau) builds a powerful laser weapon. One night a benevolent alien from a light world on the top of our galaxy rides the laser down to earth. The scientist's wife (Kellerman) tries to shoot him with a laser gun but he raises a powerful shield. The scientist and the alien share knowledge with one another. When the scientist leaves the wife shoots the alien in order to get his shield technology. During a demonstration she raises the shield but is unable to take it down, thus trapping her. The alien, believed dead, comes to her rescue and lowers the shield before dying. The woman, left insane with guilt at killing an alien that only thought to help her, believes herself to still be trapped within the shield as the episode ends.

Closing narration

When this passion called aspiration becomes lust, then aspiration degenerates, becomes vulgar ambition, by which sin the angels fell.

Trivia

* There are several similarities in the story's theme, plot, and structure to Shakespeare's "Macbeth", and many critics agree it was the series' take on that play. [ [http://www.davidjschow.com/limits/ol_episodes6.html#bellero "The Bellero Shield" review] ]

Cast

* Martin Landau – as Richard Bellero
* Sally Kellerman – as Judith Bellero
* Chita Rivera – as Mrs. Dame
* John Hoyt – as Bifrost Alien
* Neil Hamilton – as Richard Bellero, Sr.

References

External links

*
* [http://membres.lycos.fr/tmcr/daystar/tol_s1/tol_eps20.shtml Detailed episode guide] by 'Monsieur Vincent'