The Twilight Zone’s most iconic creature design comes to life in a new piece of fan art. First airing in 1959,The Twilight Zoneis a horror anthology show created by Rod Serling. A number of the show’s episodes have stood the test of time, including 1962’s “Eye of the Beholder.” This episode follows a woman who undergoes surgery in order to correct what is suggested to be a major disfigurement, butit’s eventually revealed that she actually looks “normal” by human standards, with the doctors and nurses possessing monstrous appearances.
ArtistChet Zarnow recreates the look of one of the nurses fromThe Twilight Zone’s “Eye of the Beholder” episode in an impressive new painting.The art gives the nurse character a pig-like nose and the unique lip design featured in the show, in addition to capturing more subtle elements like the dark, sunken eyes. Check out the art below:
What The Nurse Design In Eye Of The Beholder Means For The Twilight Zone
Eye Of The Beholder’s Real Meaning Explained
The Twilight Zonewas a popular show because it was often scary or chilling in some way, but it also frequently turned a mirror to society, commenting on aspects of the human condition. “Eye of the Beholder” does just that, subverting audience expectations by making the protagonist in the story a traditionally attractive woman, by normal human standards, who feels hideous because she doesn’t look like everyone else.
Why One Controversial The Twilight Zone Episode Was Banned For 52 Years
One episode of the famous sci-fi/horror series The Twilight Zone was so controversial that it was banned from syndication for 52 years.
The episode as a whole explores and challenges the idea of what “normal” is, and how these ideas ultimately shape human interactions and feelings. Themes like prejudice and alienation are prevalent here, but it’s revealed that the episode also takes place within a dictatorial state where non-conformity is essentially an act of treason.The episode, then, could also be seen as a commentary on politics and the dangers of mindless conformity, but it could also be interpreted as a commentary on race. The multiple layers toTwilight Zoneepisodeslike this one are why the show was so popular.
The show experienced several different iterations and revivals, including the 1980s, early 2000s, and most recently in 2019. There was also aTwilight Zonemoviereleased in 1983.
Our Take On The Twilight Zone’s Eye Of The Beholder Episode
The Anthology Series Is Still Worth Watching Today
ThoughThe Twilight Zone’s age and black-and-white presentation may turn some younger viewers off of watching it,many episodes do hold up as especially thoughtful and/ or prescient. “The Eye of the Beholder” is one such episode, and, in many ways, it’s timeless; the message is just as strong today as it was more than 60 years ago.
Those looking for a more modern show likeThe Twilight Zoneshould check outNetflix’sBlack Mirror.
The actual practical effects used to achieve the face designs in the episode still largely hold up, and the black-and-white presentation actually works in the show’s favor in this respect. ThoughThe Twilight Zoneis now getting up there in age, the fact that creatures from the show are still cropping up in pieces of fan art speaks to the show’s lasting appeal and the power of certain episodes.
