Prepared by
HEURISTIX
Laurie Blass and Pam Elder
Instructional Designers


"Where Is Everybody?" - Synopsis

BACKGROUND

Writer: Rod Serling; Director: Robert Stevens; Cast: Earl Holliman, James Gregory, John Conwell, Paul Langton, James McCallion, Jay Overholts, Carter Mulavey, Jim Johnson, and Gary Walberg; Original air date: First season, 10/2/59. This was the premier program for the entire series.

Mike Ferris finds himself in a deserted town. He cannot remember how he got there, or even who he is. He thinks he's in a bad dream and will awaken from it, but he doesn't. In vain, he searches everywhere for signs of life. His desperation mounts and at last, he collapses and suffers a breakdown. The truth is, he has been confined in a five-foot-square box as part of a solo moon flight simulation for the Air Force. During his two and half week confinement, all his physical needs have been met, but he has had no human contact. His breakdown and hallucinations have resulted from this deprivation. As the commanding officer states, "The barrier of lonelinessÑthat's the one thing we haven't licked yet." In other words, it is impossible to satisfy a very basic need: man's hunger for companionship.


Focus: Using a gift for personal gain or for the benefit of others

Discussion

Before viewing "Where Is Everybody?", discuss the following questions in small groups:
1. What are the positive and negative aspects of being alone? Describe the difference between aloneness and loneliness.
2. What situations or settings make people feel most alone and vulnerable or alienated?
3. Who in your school or community might feel most lonely? Most alienated? Who helps them, and in what ways? Is this assistance adequate? If not, what are the signs?


ACTIVITIES

During Viewing:

As you watch "Where is Everybody?", think about the following:
1. What is Ferris searching for? What evidence does he find?
2. What leads him to the breakdown?
3. Would you react as he did? What might you have done differently?
4. What is the purpose of the Air Force experiment? What do they learn from the experiment? How might this apply to future space flights?

After Viewing:
1. This episode demonstrates the possible effects of loneliness and deprivation of human contact in a dramatic way. But there are many other lesser dramas unfolding all around us every day: at schools, in homes, in hospitals, and in fact, almost everywhere there are people in great need of companionship and support. In small groups, make a list of those who might have such a need. Then make another list of the resources (institutions, organizations, support groups, etc.) for helping them.
2. What can be done to reach out to people who are alone or withdrawn? Why do some people reject offers of friendship? In your groups, discuss the people you think might be most difficult to reach and suggest ways you and others might approach them.
3. In your groups, develop a list of school or community events you could help implement for these people to bring them together with others.

Journal

If you don't already have one, start a Twilight Zone theme journal and write an entry about the following topic:

When have you felt most lonely, alienated, and/or vulnerable? Describe the experience and your feelings.
Have you ever helped someone who was feeling lonely or desperate? What did you do? How did it make you feel to be able to help him or her?
Think about the people you know at school, in your neighborhood, and at home. Who could you help in some way? How would you do it?

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