Family Values (The Outer Limits)

Infobox Television episode
Title = Family Values
Series = The Outer Limits


Caption =
Season = 7
Episode = 1
Airdate = 16 March, 2001
Production = 133
Writer = James Crocker
Director = Mike Rohl
Photographer =
Guests = Tom Arnold as Jerry Miller, Catherine Mary Stewart as Brooke, Giacomo Baessato as Russ Miller, Kimberley Warnat as Candace, Gerard Plunkett as Gideon
Episode list = List of "The Outer Limits" episodes
Prev = Final Appeal
Next = Patient Zero

"Family Values" is an episode of "The Outer Limits" television series. It first aired 16 March, 2001, during the seventh season.

Introduction

Jerry Miller purchases Gideon, a new all-purpose household robot — believing it will restore happiness and order to his bickering family.

Opening narration

In a society where devotion to one's family is frequently sacrificed on the altar of one's ambition, can the things we sacrifice ever be regained ?

Plot

Jerry Miller is the stereotypical American father who is forced to spend more time at work than home. As head of the household, he is looked to as a source of stability in an effort to unite the family and provide stability for their hectic lives. Unfortunately, Jerry is fighting a losing battle. While up late one night watching TV, Jerry sees an infomercial for a robot that could be the solution to his family's woes. Designed to obey every human command and available as a thirty day free trial, Jerry phones the company that produces the unit immediately.

The next day, Gideon arrives and a surprised family grudgingly accepts the artificial life form. Though Gideon is initially ignored, the family quickly becomes attached to it. Gideon performs better than Jerry could ever hope for, so well that Jerry's role as head of the household is removed in favor of an artificial replacement. Jerry grows increasingly hostile towards Gideon but despite his change of heart, Gideon's hold of the family has become too strong.

Though Jerry's newest electronic device was once the envy of every male neighbor, they are all finding that this jealousy was hastily misplaced as their family roles are respectively being replaced by other units.

Closing narration

Before allowing a machine to take over a part of your life, make sure that you know the true price you will be paying.

External links

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