Abduction (The Outer Limits)

Infobox Television episode
Title = Abduction
Series = The Outer Limits


Caption =
Season = 7
Episode = 16
Airdate = 18 August, 2001
Production = 148
Writer = James Crocker
Director = Mario Azzopardi
Photographer =
Guests = Jesse Cadotte as Cody Phillips, Jesse Moss as Jason Stewart, Meghan Ory as Danielle Hobson, Zachery Ty Bryan as Ray Kruger, Kandyse McClure as Brianna Lake, Eric Schneider as The Alien
Episode list = List of "The Outer Limits" episodes
Prev = Time to Time
Next = Rule of Law

"Abduction" is an episode of "The Outer Limits" television series. It first aired on 18 August, 2001, during the seventh season.

Introduction

An alien kidnaps five high school students, and tells them that one must be killed. They must decide which of them it will be.

Opening narration

"When a heart has been turned cold by anger and grief, can patterns of destructive behavior be averted or are they predestined?"

Plot

The five students are: Ray, a typical jock, Danielle, the hottest girl in school, Jason, a stereotypical geek, Brianna, a devout religious girl, and Cody, a social outcast. Once the alien leaves, the students find that they are in a part of their school which has been cut off from the outside world. When their escapes attempts fail, the students begin trying to decide which of them will die. Being the most faithful, Brianna tries to lead the group. Although none of them are comfortable with the situation, Cody seems to be the biggest stick-in-the-mud.

The alien returns. He reminds them that if none of them choose, they will all die. No one wants to vote, so it seems all of them will die. Then, Cody votes to kill Brianna. The others are shocked and try to change his vote. Before they can, the alien zaps Brianna with his staff weapon and kills her. Then he disappears.

The others come after Cody for letting Brianna get killed. When Ray attacks him, he finds a gun in Cody's pocket. Jason and Danielle find yearbook pages in Cody's backpack, with each of their pictures circled. As it turns out, Cody was jealous of all of them. He said that Ray was good at sports, Jason was good at science, Danielle had her popularity and good looks, and Brianna was just so faithful. Cody lacks talent, popularity and faith, and therefore feels inadequate. Unable to deal with his inadequacies, Cody had planned to come to school and shoot them all.

Then, the others are sent back, and Cody is left alone with the alien. He reveals that he wanted Cody to think about the consequences of killing everyone in sight. He asks Cody if he wants to take back his decision. Cody says yes. He is sent back to the time that he and the others were abducted. The others give him meaningful glances, acknowledging what had just happened. Just then, Brianna, alive, walks down the hall towards them. Excited and relieved, the others run to her. Cody smiles, but has other things on his mind. Going to the principal's office, he turns his gun over to the principal and takes a seat at his desk, to await the consequences.

Closing narration

"In an ever more complex and dangerous world, vigilance and guidance is needed for those most vulnerable to its cruelties... our children."

External links

*Tv.com episode|id=112750|title=Abduction (The Outer Limits)