The Sandkings

"The Sandkings"
The Outer Limits episode
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 1
Directed by Stuart Gillard
Written by Melinda M. Snodgrass (Based on the work by George R. R. Martin)
Production code 1
Original air date 26 March 1995
Guest stars

Beau Bridges as Dr. Simon Kress
Helen Shaver as Cathy Kress
Dylan Bridges as Josh Kress
Kim Coates as Dave Stockley
Lloyd Bridges as Colonel Kress
Patricia Harras as Debbie

Episode chronology
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"Valerie 23"
List of The Outer Limits episodes

The Sandkings is the first episode of the revived 1960s science-fiction television series The Outer Limits, based on the short story Sandkings by George R. R. Martin. first published in Omni Magazine August, 1979. The episode premiered on 26 March 1995 on Showtime and features three generations of the Bridges family, which was used to promote the new series.

Contents

Introduction

A scientist steals some specimens of Martian life from his workplace laboratory to continue his research at home.

Opening narration

Some of man's greatest achievements have been motivated by a driving need for love and acceptance. What happens when that need for recognition, becomes a desire to be revered, and then worshipped...like a god?

Plot

Dr. Simon Kress' (Beau Bridges) research for the government on Martian life is aborted because one of his specimens almost escapes into the natural environment. However, Kress doesn't agree with the abandonment of the project and decides to continue his experiments in his barn. He steals some sand containing Martian eggs from his lab and creates a make-shift incubator to hatch more of the Martian lifeforms.

In the meantime, Kress deals with growing discord with his wife (Helen Shaver) over financial troubles, his obsession with work, and the stress of concealing the stolen Martian lifeforms from his former supervisors at the government lab. Kress comes to believe that he is a god to his sandkings when they build sand structures that resemble his face (the face is looking across, unlike the Face on Mars, which is looking up). He begins to mistreat them, and eventually the sandkings turn on Kress. In the end, Kress attempts to destroy all the sandkings but fails. In the ending of the episode, a colony of sandkings is shown surviving in the wilderness.

Closing narration

Increasingly, modern science pursues powers traditionally reserved for the Almighty. But those who encroach upon the province of the gods realize too late that the price for entrance...is destruction.

Differences from the original story

Trivia

Awards and nominations

External links

Season 1 of The Outer Limits (1995-2002)

The Sandkings — Part 1 • The Sandkings — Part 2 • Valerie 23Blood BrothersSecond SoulWhite Light FeverThe ChoiceVirtual FutureLiving HellCorner of the EyeUnder the BedDark MattersThe ConversionQuality of MercyThe New BreedThe Voyage HomeCaught in the ActThe MessageI, RobotIf These Walls Could TalkBirthrightThe Voice of Reason

List of The Outer Limits episodes: Original Series (1963-1965)The New Series (1995-2002)