Black Box
Nitcentral's Bulletin Brash Reflections:
Outer Limits:
Season Four:
Black Box
Injured and shell-shocked in an ill-fated mission, Lt. Col. Brandon Grace returns to civilian life only to face a new set of battles. Estranged from his daughter, overwhelmed by his work, Brandon is haunted by horrifying flashbacks of his final mission--images that bleed over into his current reality, leaving him paralyzed with fear. He believes he is being stalked by a mysterious Commando from his former tactical assault squad--the Ares Group, a secret branch of the military brought together for special assignments. Jennifer, a potential new client, always seems to be present during the assaults by the Commando, first as a silent and hidden observer then as a confidant. But, when the anonymous Commando kills his ex-wife, Grace's paranoid hallucinations become his terrifying reality, and he becomes certain that he is next. Jennifer pushes Brandon to dig into his memory, to find the reasons for the traumatic visions and the identity of the mysterious soldier. But, Brandon is more interested in gaining his daughter's forgiveness--before it's too late.
The protagonist is in fact inside a virtual simulation so that proper military authorities may determine who was the traitor responsible for the protagonist’s gunshot wound and missing crucial information. The culprit’s identity was viewed firsthand by the protagonist after the culprit had shot him. However, the protagonist’s primary concern when inside the virtual simulation is to apologize to his daughter for not being there for her and to be forgiven by her. After numerous flashbacks, the culprit is recognized as being the protagonist’s best friend and most understanding co-worker. Furthermore, the protagonist is visited by his legitimate daughter via a cerebral connection with the daughter, during which time the two make amends. Ultimately, the protagonist dies in peace with everyone in and everything of his life rectified.
By D. Stuart, The Outer Limits moderator on Sunday, July 04, 1999 - 12:08 pm: I am indefinite as to whether or not the episode "Black Box" is the last episode of season four, considering it was not included anywhere on Kyjada's list. In the meantime, please feel free to share your observations, opinions, etc., regarding this episode.
By D. Stuart, The Outer Limits moderator on Tuesday, November 02, 1999 - 2:58 pm:My nitpicks are as numerically proceeds:
1) The protagonist is frequently up and down from his chair during the initial hallucination he experiences in his office.
2) The hallucination involving a soldier chucking a grenade into the protagonist’s house has the soldier’s grenade shattering the glass. However, back in "reality" the glass is not shattered. Perhaps I have already answered my question.
By Tim McCree (Tim_m) on Sunday, February 11, 2024 - 5:17 am:If it happened only in his mind, all nits are nullified, IMO.