Evergreen (The Twilight Zone)

"Evergreen" is the first episode of the science fiction television series 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone, and one of only three episodes in this incarnation to feature no supernatural elements, the others being "Dream Lover" and "How Much Do You Love Your Kid?".The episode was first broadcast on September 18, 2002, on UPN. This episode deals with the dangers of mass psychology, a common theme in classic Twilight Zone episodes.

Opening narration

Plot

In a bid to control their rebellious teenage daughter, Jenna's family decides to move to an exclusive gated community called Evergreen Estates which her parents believe will help change her for the better.

After arriving at Evergreen Estates, Jenna and her family begin unpacking their belongings. As she is carrying some of her CDs from their car, her mother gives her a drink. After drinking it, she begins to feel dizzy, and her mother says "It's for your own good" as she faints on her bed. When she awakes, her nose ring is gone, her tattoos are removed, and her hair is natural brunette. Her personal clothes and CDs were also taken, as were her sister Julie's earrings. After complaining to her parents, she meets Cliff Brooks, the president of the Evergreen Estates homeowners association. He explains how much her parents sacrificed to bring Jenna into the gated community of Evergreen Estates.

She later talks to a boy in the woods, named Logan. He tells her that he was stripped of all his things when he first came there too. They make a date to meet during the family picnic. When he does not arrive Jenna becomes suspicious. She heads over to his house, and sees him being taken away in a van titled "ARCADIA".

Brooks talks to Jenna, who asks many questions about Logan. He tells her that Logan stabbed and viciously beat up a guard. She puts up a front and tries to make it seem as if she is going to abide by their laws, but is having serious doubts about "Arcadia Military School" - a place rebellious teenagers are taken - and about the community. She begins to research Arcadia and tells her sister her suspicions.

One night, Jenna sees Logan's trial and watches Logan being taken away in a van. She pursues the van, yelling about a sign. She gets spotted and attempts to run away. Before leaving, Jenna tells her sister to tell their parents that she is down at the ravine, but to meet her down at the park so that they can escape. At the park, Julie shows up — with the police and their parents. As Jenna is taken away, Julie tearfully explains to her sister that she "would ruin everything" just like she had done "before". It is then revealed what the sign says as she gets put into the van: "Arcadia Fertilizer Company. Waste Recycling Specialists" and Jenna realizes that children sent to Arcadia are murdered and made into fertilizer.

The next day her family is planting a tree in front of their yard, using a red fertilizer, just as every other family had done when their child was sent to Arcadia. Brooks explains that the fertilized tree "is a reminder that there is some good in each of us". As the family head into their house, the camera pans back to Forest Whitaker as he does his closing narration.

Closing narration

External links

• "Evergreen" at TV.com
• "Evergreen" at the Internet Movie Database