I, Robot (1964 The Outer Limits)

Infobox Television episode
Title = I, Robot
Series = The Outer Limits


Caption =
Season = 2
Episode = 9
Airdate = November 14, 1964
Production = 43
Writer = Robert C. Dennis (teleplay)
based on the story
I, Robot
by Eando Binder
Director = Leon Benson
Photographer = Kenneth Peach
Guests = Howard da Silva
Episode list = List of "The Outer Limits" episodes
Prev = Wolf 359
Next = The Inheritors

"I, Robot" is an episode of the original "The Outer Limits" television show. It first aired on 14 November, 1964, during the second season. It was remade under the same title in 1995.

Opening narration

:"God looked upon his world and called it good, but Man was not content. He looked for ways to make it better and built machines to do the work. But in vain we build the world, unless the builder also grows."

Plot

In this episode which plays like a courtroom drama, Adam Link is accused of murder. However, Adam Link is a robot, who maintains the victim's death was the result of an accident.

Placed on trial for the murder of Professor Link, his creator, Adam Link is defended by the professor's niece and the retired lawyer Mr. Cutler. Ultimately it turns out that the prosecution is not simply placing the robot on trial, but mankind itself as irresponsible and abusive of technology.

Closing narration

"Out of every disaster, a little progress is made. Man will build more robots, and learn how to make them better. And, given enough time, he may learn how to do the same for himself."

Trivia

The opening narration makes reference to the myth of Prometheus and therefore the creature of Dr. Frankenstein: the theme of Man defying the fire of the gods; and from the prologue, the reference to James Whale 's "Frankenstein" is obvious: see the little girl playing near a lake when Adam Link appears followed by lynching cops and fanatical local armed people who chase the metallic robot.

Cast

* Howard da Silva – as Thurman Cutler
* Ford Rainey – as D.A. Thomas Coyle
* Marianna Hill – as Nina Link
* Leonard Nimoy – as Judson Ellis
* John Hoyt – as Professor Hebbel
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0815171/ Robert Sorrells] – as Fred
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0761576/ Hugh Sanders] – as Sheriff Barclay
* Mary Jackson – as Mrs. McCrae
* Peter Brocco – as Professor "Doc" Link
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0236951/ Ken Drake] – as The Judge
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0558178/ Christine Matchett] – as Evie
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0604508/ Red Morgan] – as Adam Link (uncredited)
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0604508/ John Caper Jr.] – as Adam's Voice (uncredited)
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0399734/ John Hudkins] – as Truck Driver (uncredited)

External links

* [http://membres.lycos.fr/tmcr/daystar/tol_s2/tol_eps41.shtml Detailed episode guide] by 'Monsieur Vincent'
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