Evergreen (The Twilight Zone)
Encyclopedia
"Evergreen" is the first episode of the science fiction
television series 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone
. The episode aired September 18, 2002 on UPN
. This episode deals with the dangers of mass psychology, a common theme in classic Twilight Zone episodes.
After having arrived at Evergreen Estates, Jenna and her family begin unpacking their belongings. As Jenna is carrying some her CDs from their car, her mother gives her a drink. After drinking the liquid, Jenna begins to feel dizzy, and her mother says, "It's for your own good." as she faints on her bed. When she awakes, her nose ring is gone, her tattoos are removed, and her hair isn't colorful anymore. Her clothes and CDs were also taken, as were her sister Julie's earrings. After complaining to her parents, she meets a man, named Cliff Brooks. He explains how much their family sacrificed to bring them into the gated community of Evergreen Estates.
She later talks to a boy in the woods, named Logan. He tells her that he was stripped of all his things when he first came there too. They make a date to meet during the family picnic. When he does not arrive Jenna becomes suspicious. She heads over to his house, and sees Logan getting taken away in a van titled "ARCADIA".
Mr. Brooks talks to Jenna and asks many questions about Logan. He tells her that Logan stabbed and viciously beat up a guard. She puts up a front and tries to make it seem as if she is going to abide by their laws. However Jenna is actually having serious doubts about "Arcadia Military School" (a place extremely rebellious teenagers are taken) and about the community. She begins to research Arcadia and tells her sister her suspicions.
One night, Jenna sees Logan's trial and watches Logan being taken away in a van. She pursues the van, yelling about a sign. She gets spotted and attempts to run away. Before leaving, Jenna tells her sister to tell their parents that she is down at the ravine, but to meet her down at the park so that they can escape. At the park, Julie shows up—with the police and their parents. As Jenna is taken away, Julie tearfully explains to her sister that she "would ruin everything" just like she had done "before." The episode reveals what the sign says as she gets put in the van, "Arcadia Fertilizer Company. 'Waste Recycling Specialists' "—as Jenna realizes that children sent to Arcadia are euthanized and made into fertilizer.
The next day her family is planting a tree in front of their yard, using a red fertilizer, just like every other family had done when their child was sent to Arcadia. It is explained that the fertilized tree "is a reminder that there is some good in each of us." As the entire family smiles at each other, proud of their horrifying deed, the camera pans back to Forrest Whittaker.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone (2002 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is a 2002 revival of Rod Serling's acclaimed 1950/60s television series, The Twilight Zone. It aired for one season on the UPN network, with actor Forest Whitaker assuming Serling's role as narrator and on-screen host....
. The episode aired September 18, 2002 on UPN
UPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
. This episode deals with the dangers of mass psychology, a common theme in classic Twilight Zone episodes.
Opening narration
Plot
Jenna is a rebellious teenager. In a bid to control their daughter, Jenna's family decides to move to an exclusive gated community, Evergreen Estates, which her parents believe will help change her for the better.After having arrived at Evergreen Estates, Jenna and her family begin unpacking their belongings. As Jenna is carrying some her CDs from their car, her mother gives her a drink. After drinking the liquid, Jenna begins to feel dizzy, and her mother says, "It's for your own good." as she faints on her bed. When she awakes, her nose ring is gone, her tattoos are removed, and her hair isn't colorful anymore. Her clothes and CDs were also taken, as were her sister Julie's earrings. After complaining to her parents, she meets a man, named Cliff Brooks. He explains how much their family sacrificed to bring them into the gated community of Evergreen Estates.
She later talks to a boy in the woods, named Logan. He tells her that he was stripped of all his things when he first came there too. They make a date to meet during the family picnic. When he does not arrive Jenna becomes suspicious. She heads over to his house, and sees Logan getting taken away in a van titled "ARCADIA".
Mr. Brooks talks to Jenna and asks many questions about Logan. He tells her that Logan stabbed and viciously beat up a guard. She puts up a front and tries to make it seem as if she is going to abide by their laws. However Jenna is actually having serious doubts about "Arcadia Military School" (a place extremely rebellious teenagers are taken) and about the community. She begins to research Arcadia and tells her sister her suspicions.
One night, Jenna sees Logan's trial and watches Logan being taken away in a van. She pursues the van, yelling about a sign. She gets spotted and attempts to run away. Before leaving, Jenna tells her sister to tell their parents that she is down at the ravine, but to meet her down at the park so that they can escape. At the park, Julie shows up—with the police and their parents. As Jenna is taken away, Julie tearfully explains to her sister that she "would ruin everything" just like she had done "before." The episode reveals what the sign says as she gets put in the van, "Arcadia Fertilizer Company. 'Waste Recycling Specialists' "—as Jenna realizes that children sent to Arcadia are euthanized and made into fertilizer.
The next day her family is planting a tree in front of their yard, using a red fertilizer, just like every other family had done when their child was sent to Arcadia. It is explained that the fertilized tree "is a reminder that there is some good in each of us." As the entire family smiles at each other, proud of their horrifying deed, the camera pans back to Forrest Whittaker.