The Twilight Zone's Eye of the Beholder

     The Twilight Zone can be seen as a reflection of the times, especially as it relates relevant social issues of its time creatively through its stories.  Today we are examining the episode entitled "Eye of the Beholder" which originally  aired in 1960 as it eloquently displays that society itself determines what is acceptable based solely on appearance.  The episode is described by IMDb.com as follows

 A young woman lying in a hospital bed, her head wrapped in bandages, awaits the outcome of a surgical procedure performed by the State in a last-ditch attempt to make her look "normal".

     But what is "normal?"  Obviously, by the title, "normal" is determined by the "eye of the beholder," proving that the basis for segregation is outward appearance.  Unfortunately, this was true when the episode was created, and, to a certain extent, still rings true today.

     The “Eye of the Beholder” reveals that the quest for conformity at all costs has overrun the thought of society.  The young woman who was lying in the hospital bed is not even mentioned by name, but is referred to as “Patient 307” by the nurses through much of the show.  Although it is clear the patient has a name, "Janet Tyler," she is not addressed directly by name compounding Janet Tyler’s facelessness and further quashing her individuality.  Placed in context, this episode not only warns about the dangers of conformity, but also reveals the value that society has placed on image over substance.  The doctors and nurses stress the rules that are necessary to fit in society, including the person’s image, and these are in place to make everyone conform to what is considered to be normal.  Even Janet Tyler longs to be “normal” with her desire to belong to society.  This message is furthered by the obvious segregation of this fictional society by placing those that don’t conform into “ghettos for freaks” because they are not allowed to live among “normal people.”  In context, this issue of segregation was at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, proving again that the television medium, and especially The Twilight Zone, used the show to convey important messages to the viewing public.  In typical Twilight Zone fashion, it is revealed at the end of the episode that "normal" is "pig-faced" where Janet Tyler is a blonde, beautiful young woman by our standards.  Although it is shocking to us, the ending which revealed “normal” to be the pig people instead of the beautiful Janet Tyler, the message is clear that forced conformity based on image leads to segregation.