Episode 9: Corpus Earthling

Being the ninth episode in the series, "Corpus Earthling" is one of the strangest, creepiest episodes of The Outer Limits that will make you think twice about inanimate objects.

Geologist Dr. Jonas Temple (played by Barry Atwater) and his assistant Laurie Cameron (played by Salome Jens) are examining a pair of strange rocks that are unlike any other. Enter Dr. Paul Cameron (played by Robert Culp), Laurie's husband, who has a steel plate in his head. While no one is around, Paul hears two voices talking about taking over Earth by using human bodies as their hosts. Paul cannot place where the voices are coming from, and realizes that he is in grave danger when the rocks start controlling him. At first Dr. Temple and Laurie do not believe him. However, the rocks are determined to kill Paul for overhearing their plans, even if it means going after his wife and friend to establish a host to do it. Will Paul survive and be able to save his wife as well?

The main reason I loved this episode was because it provided a `rocky' ride with a unique storyline, interesting characters, along with love, suspense, horror, drama, and a shocking end, all rolled into one. Even the special effects of the rocks wobbling while they speak were really exceptional. Of course, the amazing acting of Robert Culp, Salome Jens and Barry Atwater (especially Culp) provided a solid base for this wonderful episode.

To quote Vic Perrin (The Control Voice): "Two black crystalline rocks, unclassifiable; objects on the border between the living and the non-living are the reminder of the thin line that separates the animate from the inanimate; something to ponder on; something to stay the hand when it reaches out innocently for the whitened pebble, the grey stone, the dead unmoving rocks of our planet."

Corpus Earthling = 2 stars out of 5

Not much going on in this episode, it's been 4 days since I watched it and I almost forgot it. The story of 2 rocks conspiring to enter hosts so that they can begin an "alien invasion?" is just dumb. The whole episode deals with Robert Culp running from the nasty rocks!?! The plot holes, among other annoying things make this episode one to miss. The only saving grace of the 50 minutes was the atmosphere.

thank you for your time, David