Valerie 23
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Outer Limits episode | |
|---|---|
| “Valerie 23” | |
 |
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| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 3 |
| Guest star(s) | William Sadler, Sofia Shinas, Nancy Allen, Tom Butler |
| Writer(s) | Jonathan Glassner |
| Director | Timothy Bond |
| Production no. | 3 |
| Original airdate | 31 March 1995 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| “The Sandkings” | “Blood Brothers” |
"Valerie 23" is an episode of The Outer Limits television show. It first aired on 31 March 1995, during the first season.
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Frank Hellner, a researcher at a robotics company (Innobotics Corporation), is left paraplegic after an automobile accident. His friend and boss Charlie Rogers arranges for Frank to test Innobotics' latest robotic innovation — the "perfect woman". Reluctantly, Frank agrees.
[edit] Opening Narration
- "Poets argue that you are truly alive if you possess the ability to feel and love. Scientists, on the other hand, choose to define life in terms of proteins and carbon building blocks. But what happens when these two beliefs come crashing together?"
[edit] Plot synopsis
Valerie 23 is the latest development from the Innobotics Corporation. She is designed to be attractive, helpful and a perfect companion for a disabled man. Although he is the ideal test candidate, due to his condition and qualifications, Frank is extremely reluctant to take part and wants nothing to do with Valerie. Nevertheless he eventually agrees to a one-week test period.
Valerie proves to be an excellent caregiver, and more. Over the course of the test, Valerie becomes increasingly affectionate and Frank eventually gives in. After the sexual encounter, Frank explains to Valerie that he thinks it was a mistake.
Frank begins to grow closer to his physiotherapist Rachel, and she invites him to a bar. Valerie responds by displaying more human traits such as anger and envy. After following Frank and Rachel on a rock climbing outing, Valerie attempts to dispose of her rival Rachel and is shut down before being returned to Innobotics.
Frank decides that he must speak to Valerie before she is dismantled and asks for her to be reactivated. While restrained at Innobotics, Valerie tries to explain her feelings for Frank and rekindle the relationship, but to no avail.
Valerie escapes, follows Frank and again tries to kill Rachel. Frank is forced to destroy Valerie with an electric shock. As she lies dying, she tells him that she is afraid to die. Earlier Frank had been told by Rachel that anything that fears its death is alive.
[edit] Closing Narration
- "The pursuit of technology exists to make human life easier and more pleasurable. But once such forces intrude upon the most intimate parts of our lives, will we then forfeit our very soul?"
[edit] Cast
- William Sadler as Frank Hellner
- Sofia Shinas as Valerie
- Tom Butler as Charlie Rogers
- Nancy Allen as Rachel Rose
- Paula Shaw as Executive
- Bruce Harwood as Technician
[edit] Trivia
- The season 4 episode "Mary 25", is a semi-sequel to this episode, and Sophia Shinas again plays the robot.
- The Innobotics Corporation lasts through a multi-episode arc. In chronological order, the episodes are "Valerie 23", "Mary 25", "In Our Own Image" and "Resurrection" (although the episodes were not shown in that same order). There are other android-themed episodes in the series, which may or may not be part of the arc.
