Upgrade (The Twilight Zone)
Encyclopedia
"Upgrade" is the fourteenth episode of the science fiction
television series 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone
. The episode aired October 30, 2002 on UPN
.
Upon seeing their dog urinating on the floor, Annie expresses her wish for the "perfect" family. Her husband comforts her and Annie calms down, until she notices a strange poodle in the house. When she wonders where their own dog went, her husband is confused and tells her that the poodle is their dog. Only Annie however appears aware of the change.
The next day, Annie's son changes, going from being a sloppy annoying boy to being much more respectful, well behaved, and better looking. Again, Annie is the only one who notices the change and becomes convinced that the new son is a stranger. She tries to find her old son, but in the process falls down the steps and suffers a mild concussion. Shortly after, her teenage daughter changes from a sullen girl to being much sweeter and prettier. Finally, her husband changes into a younger, handsomer man. None of the family notices these changes and believe that Annie is crazy when she tries to point it out to them.
Annie notices that the family portrait changes to reflect the changes in the family, however this does not convince them either, as they don't notice the changes in the portrait. Frightened and having overheard the family discussing having her sent to a hospital for her "delusions", Annie tries to escape from the house. Whenever she tries to leave however, she finds herself in a strange darkness that leads back to a different part of the house. Finally, Annie finds herself back in the living room. To her horror, she finds that her own part of the portrait has changed. She suddenly turns into a younger, better looking woman who has no memory of her former self. When her husband finds her, she tells him that she feels lucky to have such a wonderful family.
At this point, it is revealed that the entire series of events that have taken place were nothing more than the events of a computer game that a young girl was playing - a game in which the player must "upgrade" a family. The girl saves the game and leaves for dinner.
After Forest Whitaker gives the closing, a "save and quit" icon appears and it is revealed that he too is a part of a computer game. Shortly after, the screen goes blank as the game is shut off.
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 October 30, 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...
.
Opening narration
Plot
Annie is a mom who wished for the perfect family. She, her husband, two unruly teenage children, and untrained dog move into a large house with plans to start their lives over. As they unpack, she hangs a large portrait of the family in the living room.Upon seeing their dog urinating on the floor, Annie expresses her wish for the "perfect" family. Her husband comforts her and Annie calms down, until she notices a strange poodle in the house. When she wonders where their own dog went, her husband is confused and tells her that the poodle is their dog. Only Annie however appears aware of the change.
The next day, Annie's son changes, going from being a sloppy annoying boy to being much more respectful, well behaved, and better looking. Again, Annie is the only one who notices the change and becomes convinced that the new son is a stranger. She tries to find her old son, but in the process falls down the steps and suffers a mild concussion. Shortly after, her teenage daughter changes from a sullen girl to being much sweeter and prettier. Finally, her husband changes into a younger, handsomer man. None of the family notices these changes and believe that Annie is crazy when she tries to point it out to them.
Annie notices that the family portrait changes to reflect the changes in the family, however this does not convince them either, as they don't notice the changes in the portrait. Frightened and having overheard the family discussing having her sent to a hospital for her "delusions", Annie tries to escape from the house. Whenever she tries to leave however, she finds herself in a strange darkness that leads back to a different part of the house. Finally, Annie finds herself back in the living room. To her horror, she finds that her own part of the portrait has changed. She suddenly turns into a younger, better looking woman who has no memory of her former self. When her husband finds her, she tells him that she feels lucky to have such a wonderful family.
At this point, it is revealed that the entire series of events that have taken place were nothing more than the events of a computer game that a young girl was playing - a game in which the player must "upgrade" a family. The girl saves the game and leaves for dinner.
After Forest Whitaker gives the closing, a "save and quit" icon appears and it is revealed that he too is a part of a computer game. Shortly after, the screen goes blank as the game is shut off.