Rod Serling: Infantry Platoon, U.S. Army, Philippine Islands, 1945. These are the faces of the young men who fight, as if some omniscient painter had mixed a tube of oils that were at one time earth brown, dust gray, blood red, beard black, and fear yellow-white, and these men were the models. For this is the province of combat, and these are the faces of war.
Air date: Feb. 12, 1960
William "Fitz" Fitzgerald (William Reynolds) is a Lieutenant in the U.S Army serving in the Philippines during World War II. After an attack in which four of his men are killed, "Fitz" is particularly disturbed. His solicitous Commanding Officer Capt. Riker (Dick York) asks what's the matter. It turns out that Fitzgerald has written down the names of the four men who were going to die— in advance. This is because he has mysteriously gained the ability to see when his comrades are about to die, in the form of a shining light on their faces.
The Purple Tropes:
- Blessed with Suck: Seeing those who are about to die is not the greatest power in the world, as Fitz becomes increasingly stressed over his "gift". The official episode book aptly describes Fitzgerald as "living in his own private hell".
- The Chains of Commanding: Being a squad leader watching your men die in combat is bad enough, but when you know who will die in advance...
- Chromosome Casting: Given its military theme, this episode has an all-male cast.
- Cruel Twist Ending: Before William is sent away from from the camp for some much needed rest, he sees the light on his own face in the mirror, and then on the driver of the jeep sent to pick him up. After he leaves, the jeep hits a land mine and is destroyed.
- Downer Ending: On his way to heading to division, Fitzgerald sees the light on his own face, before he and Dougherty are killed by a landmine.
- Fatal Family Photo: Poor Captain Riker has already been told he's going to die by Fitz, which is why he takes the photos of his wife and children out of his pocket and leaves them behind in the tent.
- Foreshadowing: The sergeant warns Dougherty that the road back hasn't been swept for land mines.
- Heroic BSoD: Once he sees the light on his own face in the mirror, Fitzgerald becomes resigned and distant, knowing that his time is coming.
- Impairment Shot: Fitz, before and after he faints in the hospital, after seeing the light on the face of a wounded man and realizing the man won't make it.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: Sensing Fitzgerald's distress after combat, Riker offers him some liquor. This is when Fitzgerald confesses his gift.
- It's Probably Nothing: In the final scene, sometime after Fitzgerald left camp, the sergeant and some soldiers are lounging around when they hear an explosion in the distance...Sergeant: Did you hear that?Soldier: Thunder?Sergeant: I don't think so, it sounded like an explosion. Maybe it was thunder, yeah... yeah, that's what it was, probably thunder...
- Killed Offscreen: Captain Riker, and later on, Fitzgerald himself.
- Light Is Not Good: A mysterious light appears over the faces of those who will die.
- Rage Against the Reflection: Fitzgerald, after seeing the light on his own face, shatters the mirror.
- This Is Gonna Suck: After seeing the light on his face, Fitzgerald sees the light on Dougherty's face as well.Dougherty: Lieutenant, you may as well get comfortable. I guess we got about a four hour ride ahead of us.Fitzgerald: (seeing the light on his face) Dougherty... I doubt it...
- Tuckerization: One of the members of Fitzgerald's company is named Denault, after assistant director Edward Denault.
- War Is Hell: The Colonel utters this after Fitzgerald's friend Riker dies, leaving his wife and sons behind.Colonel: So much for Mrs. Riker's lovely wedding... seven happy years... two fine sons... man, war stinks.
- Wedding Ring Removal: Captain Riker leaves behind his wedding ring along with his Fatal Family Photos after Fitzgerald predicts his death in the impending attack.
- Wham Shot: Upon entering a jeep prior to leaving the camp, Fitzgerakd glances into a side mirror. No points for guessing what he sees.
- You Are Already Dead: When that light appears over your face, make sure to notify your next of kin.
- You Can't Fight Fate: There's no avoiding death once you've seen the light.
Rod Serling: From William Shakespeare, Richard III,note a small excerpt. The line reads, 'He has come to open the purple testament of bleeding war.' And for Lieutenant William Fitzgerald, A Company, First Platoon, the testament is closed. Lieutenant Fitzgerald has found the Twilight Zone.
