MovieChat Forums > The Twilight Zone (1959) Discussion > Who chose pattern #8 and why?

Who chose pattern #8 and why?

posted 7 years ago by Tristan_Booth (404)
4 replies | jump to latest

When Marilyn wakes up in the hospital, she is wearing a hospital gown and she already has a #8 pinned to it. We know she didn't choose this herself because she would not have chosen any number. Did the doctors consult her mother, or did they make the choice themselves? Early on, the mother says, "I think #12 might suit you better." Did she change her mind? Or did someone make the argument that a mother and daughter shouldn't have the same pattern? If so, this suggests support for differentiation between people.

Obviously, from a production standpoint, they had to make it #8 or #12 in order to avoid hiring another actor, but I'm asking the question from within the world depicted.

[–] AngularTurnip (3334) 7 years ago

Possibly the best episode of Season Five. Amazing stuff. What a note of pure horror this story concludes on when Marilyn breaks the fourth wall.

Good question. I'm not sure honestly. I think its purposefully left up to us to decide how "8" ended up on Marilyn's hospital gown, just like it's left up to us to decide whether Marilyn genuinely likes the procedure's results or if she's been brainwashed to like them. This episode, brilliantly, only presents the polite veneer of tyranny. It's only later, when you ponder all the details deliberately omitted, it hits you how nightmarish this scenario really is.

[–] Tristan_Booth (404) 7 years ago

it's left up to us to decide whether Marilyn genuinely likes the procedure's results or if she's been brainwashed to like them

I've always believed that she was, in fact, brainwashed. For one thing, she had been so adamantly against the transformation, it seems highly unlikely that she would make this kind of 180.

Second, Dr. Rex says, "We've improved methods since the old days." Marilyn's father had opposed the transformation, and committed suicide sometime after he had gone through it. I'm assuming that the "improved methods" are not so much about the physical body as about the mind.

[–] Tristan_Booth (404) 7 years ago

It's only later, when you ponder all the details deliberately omitted, it hits you how nightmarish this scenario really is.

I've put these kinds of questions to my students:

1) We only see three of the patterns, but we assume there are many to choose from. Since the three we see are all Caucasian, can we assume that this is the case for all patterns? After all, Dr. Friend tells Marilyn that the reason for creating the transformation was the fact that perceived unattractiveness was causing hatred. If this is the state's line of thinking, would they not also remove major racial differences?

2) Since everyone is free to select a pattern from the list, are people free to select patterns of a different sex and gendered appearance? At the beginning of the episode, Lana mentions the selection of patterns that "the bureau sent over." Is she only allowed to choose from those that were sent to her (assuming that others exist)?

[–] AngularTurnip (3334) 7 years ago

1. Racism being one of Serling's pet themes it's possible all the selections being Caucasian has deeper connotations. Then again, everyone in similar episodes like "The Obsolete Man" and "Eye of the Beholder" were all white as well ... so does that suggest a statement on race is being made in those cases as well?

I love the "Instant Smile" touch. Tyranny, contrary to what "Eye of the Beholder" and "The Obsolete Man" might suggest, is often not an unpleasant thing at all. A society drugged up and complacent, as their representatives run roughshod, is a more accurate depiction of tyranny than the Leader in "Eye" shouting behind his podium about the joys of conformity ever will be.