The Twilight Zone (2019) Season 2: A Human Face

Remember a couple of episodes ago when I said this season of The Twilight Zone 2019 was like a roller coaster? Well these last four episodes have certainly proven that to be the case. “Ovation” was awful, “Among the Untrodden was good, “8” was one of the dumbest Twilight Zone episode I'd ever seen and now we have “A Human Face” which is actually a pretty decent episode. This season goes up and down more times than an elevator. But I shouldn't complain because we actually have something decent to talk about today. So let's get the ball rolling shall. Warning, spoilers ahead.

Our story this time concerns Barbara and Robert, a couple still grieving over the death of their daughter Maggie. A cosmic flare hits the earth and the couple discover an alien in their basement. While looking monstrous, Barbara is convinced that it's their daughter returned to them based on the eyes. Her theory begins to hold more weight when the alien shapeshifts into the form of their daughter and soon starts copying her voice, mannerisms and, later on, her memories. Just what is this thing?

A lot of the episode is spent on the couple debating on what the alien actually is and what to do with it. Robert is sceptical of it and thinks it's pulling a trick so it can kill the two of them, comparing it to an angler fish which does something similar. Barbara, on the other hand, is convinced that this actually is their daughter. She is the most emotionally broken over Maggie's death so she is more willing to believe that. It might sound boring that most of the episode is spent on a middle aged couple arguing but the episode makes it work. A lot of that is due to how believable both characters are. They act like I would imagine any couple going through this would do.

Eventually it's revealed that Maggie's death was suicide by drug overdose. At one point “Maggie” confronts her “parents” about their behaviour and how they treat her in the past. Robert was emotionally distant and never acted like a real father and while Barbara doted on her daughter constantly, she never took the time to get to know her daughter and blamed her death on Maggie being absent minded. It's easier for her to accept the death was an accident rather than a suicide she could have prevented. What I like about this episode is that neither Barbara or Robert are portrayed as bad people, just human. I was worried this episode would make Robert into the bad guy but no, he's more controlling yes but it's portrayed more as a character flaw and he agrees to get better and open up more at the end. Barbara could have just been portrayed as an overly loving mother but it's much more complicated than that, with her just wanting her daughter to love her without wanting to deal with the dark stuff she was going through. Reminds me a little of the rabbit episode in Pet Shop of Horrors only not as tragic. Both of them are just flawed human beings trying to cope with loss.

“Maggie” soon reveals what exactly she is. Turns out she's a Biological Pacification Drone, a tool designed to integrate into a species and then conquer them. I actually really like how this scene is done. Last time when I reviewed “8” I complained about how the episode devolved into exposition and “A Human Face“ kind of does too but it's handled a lot better. This is because of how it's written and delivered. “Maggie” talks in a very precise, almost robotic, manner which gives the exchange a better sense of character and also makes sense because, well, she's an alien weapon. It is exposition but it doesn't feel like exposition, it feels like a conversation where the characters act like they should. I also have to give credit to the acting here. Everyone does a good job but the standout for me was Tavi Gevinson as “Maggie”. She did a great job coming across as both human and alien and she was able to shift between the two facets of her character very well.

Anyway, back to the plot. “Maggie” reveals that she was sent as a weapon of conquest but after experiencing the memories and emotions of the real Maggie, particularly the love for her parents, that it has now grown distasteful of conquest and shut down it's core directive. All it wants now is to be their daughter and live with them in peace. Barbara is perfectly willing to accept this though Robert is still sceptical, thinking the drone is still trying to conquer them even if it doesn't want to. He claims that it's using their love for their daughter as a means to get them to trust it going so far as to say it's our biggest weakness. But he soon comes around that the drone is peaceful through a simple hug and accepts it as their daughter. Ok so it's a little corny but so was a lot of the original Twilight Zone so, eh, I'll let it get away with it.

“A Human Face” is a pretty good episode overall. Characters are believable, the acting is great and the story and theme is interesting. I think the theme of this episode is that people are willing to accept a comfortable lie even if logic and their own better judgement dictates otherwise. I like that there's no big twist in the episode too, it's just a nice stright forward story. The episode does end with the implication that there are more drones that have come to earth but it's never explicity stated. I do think it's a little ridiclous that everyone would accept these things which is why it was smart of the episode not to focus on it. It keeps it's focus on the main couple and leaves the ending open to interpretation. I also like the idea that the aliens were ultimately conquered by human emotions. Reminds me a little of War of the Worlds where the aliens are defeated by something as small as bacteria, only cheesier.

But this episode does have it's issues. Most of which are problems that are prevalent throughout the series and I have discussed before. I won't bore you with a repeat of them, I can only say this series looks dull so many times before it gets old, but I can forgive these because they're faults with the season overall and not exclusive to this episode. In terms of issues with the episode itself, the only one I can think of is the opening. When the alien drone first shows up it takes a monstrous form which just felt weird and unnecessary. The effects weren't that great for it either and the whole segment tried to build tension when it wasn't needed. At the end the drone takes on a more etherial appearance which would have worked a lot better I feel. Some people have claimed that this version of The Twilight Zone has to have episode be a certain length which isn't true given the varying length of each episode but this episode has convinced me that these episodes do have to be 30 minutes at a bare minimum. The whole opening felt like padding not helped that the opening narration felt like it was in the wrong place.

But that's my only real complaint. “A Human Face” was a pleasant surprise. Just a nice, simple little sci-fi story that doesn't try to be anything more than what it is. In any other series that would make it forgettable fluff but in Twilight Zone 2019 it's a breath of fresh air. With so many episodes trying so hard to have deep themes and clever twists but failing to do either at every turn, “A Human Face” just does what it needs to do and that's perfectly fine with me. It's not a deep episode and it may not live up to it's foreberers, but for what it is it's alright. Which means that, based on past experience, the next episode is going to be a disaster. I'm prepared for you this time though. So go ahead Twilight Zone 2019, disappoint me! Until next time, remember to stay safe and have fun.