The Outer Limits: The Other Side

Work Title: The Outer Limits: The Other Side
Medium: TV Episode
Episode Title: The Other Side
Year: 1999
Writer(s): Bruce Lacey
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

A research physician creates a neural network technology, which unites comatose people in another place. Through this technology, people n a coma either wake up - or die.

  • Self-Written?: 1
  • Source Name:
  • Source URL:
Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Present Day 1999.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: nisa
  • Description of the technology: A technology that a comatose person wears on his or her head, like a headband. Somehow it wakens a part of his or her mind, creating a network of people using the technology. Their physical bodies are in hosptial beds, but thier personalities exist in another place. The place is a replica of each users favotire place, creating a friendly, happy environment. It seems real, but better. A man in a wheelchair in real life does not need it here.
  • Nature of task or activity: They people exist in a limited area, but interact normally. Two people fall in love, one man who is a chef cooks, a dancer dances, etc. Everyone does their favorite past time.
  • Performance of the Technology: It works well, saving most of the coma patients. One man with a heart defect dies. Ironically, after saving the people, the creator falls into a coma and does not wake up.
  • Description of creator(s): The creator is a young handsome doctor, played by Ralph Macchio. His mother had been in a coma previously. He is a rebel, breaking the lab's rules, and needs more funding.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): To save coma victims.
  • Description of users of technology: A young pretty woman in her 20's, a handsome man in his 20's, a nice older man in his 50's, and a 'bad guy' who likes to fight and is rude to the others.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: both
  • Description of presence experience: It is generally pleasent. they are happy to be awake and in a nice place, able to interact with each other. One man is rude - he wants to be inthe real world.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: they are aware they are somewhat awake and not in their hosptial beds, but they don't know why or how.
  • Valence of experience: generally pleasant.
  • Specific responses: They are physically perfect - the way they envision themselves. A paralyzed man can walk. They enjoy reminiscing.
Long-term consequences:

Well, the people wake from thier comas, which is good. But, the creator falls into a coma in the process. a bittersweet ending.

Other:

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