The Twilight Zone: The Lateness of the Hour

Work Title: The Twilight Zone: The Lateness of the Hour
Medium: TV Episode
Episode Title: The Lateness of the Hour
Year: 1960
Writer(s): Rod Serling
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

from imdb.com by The Void The plot idea behind this episode has been used many times since, and it follows the idea of perfection. We are acquainted with a family; mother, father, daughter and servants. However, the daughter has become bored with their existence. The family lives in the perfect environment, with no contact with the outside world; and she craves more. More than what her parents and the servants can give her…

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

Present day 1960.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Robots
  • Description of the technology: The servants in the household of Loren family are all robots, as is thier 'daughter'. The robots appear human and are mobile. The family interacts with the robots as if they are human servants. They are generally docile, although they do appear to learn a little, as one acts a little superior than the family, being insolent. Apparently they've had the robots for over 20 years.
  • Nature of task or activity: Daily activities around the house; one massages Mrs. Loren.
  • Performance of the Technology: functions well.
  • Description of creator(s): Dr. Loren created the robots - he is a white man, in his 50s or 60s.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): To serve the family, be companions, and insulate the family form the outside world.
  • Description of users of technology: Dr. and Mrs. Loren, a white, middle aged, affluent couple. They are waited on by the robots, and have a robot as a daughter.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: Generally, very pleasant. The robots are submissive servants. The daughter robot is unhappy, however, she wants to experience the outside world, and is unpleasantly angry.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: Dr. and Mrs Loren are aware - the daughter, Jana, discovers she is a robot at the end of the program.
  • Valence of experience: yes, they enjoy it. they are waited on hand and foot and have companionship.
  • Specific responses: enjoyment, intense parasocial relationships, pleasure.
Long-term consequences:

The daughter discovers she is a robot and cannot accept it - Dr. and Mrs. Loren reprogram her and turn her into a servant robot. An interesting ending.

Other:

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