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Most movies where an object is possessed and haunts an individual or family, that object is either a diary, a car, a ring, a VHS tape, or even a doll. In The Twilight Zone, it can be anything. In a previous episode of an older Twilight Zone, the object that was cursed happened to be a sword. This time around, a gun and bullet are possessed and are haunting Chris O’Dowd. While watching the commercial for this episode, I fully expected an episode about gun control in America, but instead I got an episode about a haunted gun.
The episodes for the Twilight Zone reboot are split down the middle. Either some are complex and well-thought out or some are simple and straight to the point. ‘The Blue Scorpion’ is a mixture of both, which I loved. At times this episode wanted to explore the history of this haunted weapon, but it also wanted the gun to start shooting randomly at people and things. In the beginning of the episode, Jeff (Chris O’Dowd) found his father dead after killing himself. Left by his side was a gun with a blue scorpion on the grip and a note that read ‘I loved him more than you.’ This sets up a mystery for Jeff, who is going through a divorce, to figure out who the message is referring to and what was the importance of the gun to his father.
As Jeff held onto the gun more, he noticed everyone that came into his life was named Jeff. He found it odd at first, but then started to blame it on the gun once he found that the gun is legend and only a few people have owned it and people are willing to pay top dollar for it. When Jeff came in possession of the gun, he also found a bullet with his name on it. By shooting the gun and using the bullet with his name on it, he would be able to get rid of all his problems, mostly people that are named Jeff. As the episode progressed, Jeff became more obsessed with the gun and ended up caring for it so he wouldn’t disturb it since many people believed it to have a life. When Jordan Peele appeared at the end of the episode, he explained that if people put objects over human life, they will be continue to be manufactured, just like guns.
The story was complex by adding rules to taking care of the gun and how it controlled Jeff’s life. I was surprised with how much backstory the episode was willing to give to the gun, but once Peele explained how people idolized certain objects, it made sense. At times this episode was complex, but it was also wildly simple. When it came down to it, it was just a haunted gun that didn’t want to be left alone in the dark. Jeff was also a teacher, and one of his students came to him and mentioned that objects around her house felt alive to her, similar to Jeff’s experience with the gun.
This latest episode of The Twilight Zone made me think both about how people give objects a life of their own, but it also entertained me as well. Chris O’Dowd was great in his role going as someone who has never experienced a gun to someone who felt controlled by it. I can’t believe it’s coming to an end and that next week’s episode will be the last one for Season 1. I am excited to see Seth Rogen in something that isn’t a comedy role. Should be interesting.
Editor’s Note: The number 1015 recurred again in this episode. Once as part of the Blue Scorpion’s serial number (1015-59, which I thought may have been the premiere date of the original series but it was about three weeks off), and the street address of Jeff’s soon-to-be ex’s lawyer’s office.
What did you think of this episode? Tell us in the comments below!
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