The Outer Limits: Sunmit

Work Title: The Outer Limits: Sunmit
Medium: TV Episode
Episode Title: Sunmit
Year: 1999
Writer(s): Scott Peters
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

from the Comcast description: Doomsday is imminent when two trading factions representing Earth inhabitants and the genetically engineered humaniods on the planet Dregocia fail in thier efforts to negotiate a peace plan.

  • Self-Written?:
  • Source Name: Comcast
  • Source URL:
Era/Year of Portrayal: distant_future
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Several generations of genetically engineered "Dregs" or humaniod slaves have existed. Space travel among planets is common.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Dregs
  • Description of the technology: Dregs are genetically engineered slaves. They appear somewhat humanoid - their skin is green, their eyes are bright green with pinpoint pupils, and they have been breed for submissiveness. However, natural selection has created some leaders and some agressive qualities. They are aggressive, smart, and desire equality.
  • Nature of task or activity: Negotiating a peaceful accord between humans and dregs.
  • Performance of the Technology: Dregs were meant to be slaves, docile and submissive but instead, some are smart and desire autonomy.
  • Description of creator(s): unknown - but human.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): for slave labor.
  • Description of users of technology: Diplomatic and military officials, trying to negotiate a peace.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: Unpleasant. The humans and dregs hate each other.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: Yes.
  • Valence of experience: unpleasant. they all hate each other, and there is a lot of pressure to create a peace agreement.
  • Specific responses: more intense parasocial relationships, involvement
Long-term consequences:

Unfortunately, the diplomats all have die in order to prove their committment to the peace accord. However, peace is established between the dregs and the humans.

Other:

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University