Because of Rod Serling
We who have been influenced and occasionally transformed by The Twilight Zone are legion.
In our home, Rod Serling was always a welcome virtual guest since my mom, dad, grandfather, sister and I were hooked on that show. Maybe it helped foster a deeper bond among us because we’d often discuss it, refer to it, and even joke about it. For example, my sister and I would run around the house screaming, “It’s a cookbook!!” (reference: “To Serve Man”).
It would have never occurred to my parents to prevent us kids from seeing all the TZ episodes--even the troubling ones. “Deaths-Head Revisited” and “He Lives”? Yes, we watched those because my parents felt it was important. My mom would often say, “It could happen again.”
Rod was a cross between a second father and favorite uncle, providing wisdom, guidance, and the occasional cautionary tale.
So, when Anne Serling (Rod’s Daughter) posted a quote on Facebook, it was so familiar, and yet I heard it anew:
“A sickness known as hate. Not a virus, not a microbe, not a germ — but a sickness nonetheless, highly contagious, deadly in its effects. Don’t look for it in The Twilight Zone — look for it in a mirror. Look for it before the light goes out altogether.”
~Rod Serling
Twilight Zone: “I Am the Night Color Me Black”
I’ve seen this disturbing episode often, and now, years later, I long to ask Mr. Serling how he foresaw these types of things. Having the gift of prophecy is not always a blessing.
And yet, he possessed an unwavering confidence in our capacity for both good and bad. He knew people could reject destructive paths and choose something better.
Few could match the intensity of Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone.
Despite everything, I always felt hopeful after every episode.
I’ve thought about that paradox for years, and here’s what I’ve come up with:
There’s something magical about how Rod Serling could inspire generations—not just through his work, but through the spirit he brought to it. He lights the path and says, “Come on, give it a shot! You can do it.”
Because of Rod Serling, I’ve found the inspiration and courage to get my creative work out there. It’s not about matching his caliber. Never! But it’s about embracing the invitation to create, to express, and to be part of the ever-evolving tapestry of art and ideas.
I’m grateful I “met” him via The Twilight Zone so long ago and that he was part of our family. He built bridges of inspiration instead of walls of intimidation. His work has always beckoned me to keep experimenting and creating. In my head, I sometimes hear his voice saying, “Don’t look at what I did—but look at what’s possible!”
Because of Rod Serling, I dove into that river of creativity long ago. It hasn’t been easy, but it is so worth it. Oh, and the river metaphor plays a significant role in my writing :)
Note: this piece was originally published on Medium.
Because of Rod Serling Mashup of Public Domain Images.
