This 'Twilight Zone' Episode Was Banned From Syndication for Over 50 Years

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By Adam Grinwald

Published Jul 30, 2023

A story of racial disharmony became one of the show's most controversial episodes.

Image via CBS

"The Encounter" episode of The Twilight Zone tackles themes of wartime trauma, racial disharmony, and racism, but fails to present a fair representation of the Asian-American character, Arthur.
While the episode effectively portrays the lasting effects of subtle racism, its mishandling of narrative choices adds to racist beliefs it meant to condemn, leading to its removal from syndication.
The episode could have been a powerful examination of social commentary, but its underdeveloped Asian-American character and harmful stereotypes undermine its potential impact. It falls short of delivering its intended message effectively.