Twilight Zone’s Time Enough at Last

Time Enough at Last (“All the Time”) is a hard-hitting episode of the Twilight Zone TV series. As an avid reader, I appreciate its criticism of the devaluation of reading and knowledge. As a constant user of modern technology, I’m struck with a realization of how tragic life would be like without technology and tools if we’re so dependent on them, like how Henry Bemis relied on his eyeglasses for vision. Overall, the episode is a big wakeup call about not taking things for granted, and standing up to the ignorant people who try to keep us from pursuing knowledge and our passions.

If I were to contextualize the story better to the 1950’s, I would criticize the impending addiction of people to television. 1950’s was a golden age of television; so many people bought television sets and spent their time hooked to watching TV programs that maybe they forgot the value of knowledge, hard work and real life connections. Likewise, if I were to make an adaptation of the story to the 21^st century, instead of an impending addiction to television, people would be addicted to computers, video games and cellphones. Thus, in my story update, everyone around Bemis would be video game fanatics and computer addicts, who ostracize him for not keeping up with the times and enjoying “outdated” literature. An apocalyptic event occurs due to an electrical problem, so there would be a worldwide permanent power outage. There are several survivors. Bemis is happy that people can’t use gadgets anymore, and now people can start going back to reading. However, everyone goes crazy because not only are there no more functioning gadgets, but there’s also no more electricity. Thus, forwarding to the future, no more books are published because there is no more electricity, and everyone must strive to produce light and heat by burning anything, even books. 

This update of the story makes the danger of dependence on technology more solid, appropriate and blatant, but it maintains the “be careful with what you wish for” lesson. Maintaining the horror and tragedy also keeps it in line with the Twilight Zone franchise’s image.

Darla Bautista
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