The Architects of Fear

Mankind seems on the brink of self-destruction. Distrust and hatred combined with thermonuclear technology is making the possibility of an Armageddon seem more and more likely. As a result, a small group of scientists meet in private to discuss what can be done to avert disaster. The solution is to somehow unify mankind--unify them all in a common cause. The cause? Fear. Their plan is to take one of their members and subject them to a long series of bizarre operations in order to create an 'alien'--and one that is seen as a threat to mankind! Robert Culp (a frequent guest on this show) is volunteered for this awful mission. It's awful not just because of the pain involved with the surgeries but horrible because he'll lose his wife and past in the process.

While the special effects for the creature are pretty archaic due to the show having a very, very low budget, the episode gets extremely high marks for originality as well as a great twist on Cold War paranoia. Exciting and well worth seeing--and it's among the best and most memorable shows in the series.