Re-generation (The Outer Limits)
| "Re-generation" | |
|---|---|
| The Outer Limits episode | |
| Episode no. |
Season 3 Episode 3 |
| Directed by | Brenton Spencer |
| Written by | Tom J. Astle |
| Production code | 47 |
| Original air date | 24 January 1997 |
| Guest actors | |
|
Daniel Benzali as Graham Highfield, | |
"Re-generation" is an episode of The Outer Limits television show. It first aired on 24 January 1997, during the third season.
Introduction
After their four-year-old son dies, a couple take part in an experiment to clone a new embryo from their dead son's brain and nerve cells, and implant it as a new pregnancy.
Opening narration
| “ | Humans appear to be the only animals aware of their own mortality. When death comes, we console ourselves with its inevitability. But when the unthinkable happens, and a child dies before a parent, the natural order is turned upside down... as are the lives left behind. | ” |
Plot
A high-profile and powerful public figure, Graham's position allows him to offer the opportunity to clone their deceased son. Rebecca is at first horrified and repulsed, but eventually agrees to undergo the procedure.
After six months strange things happen. Rebecca begins seeing things through her son's eyes. She meets with Dr. Cole and tells her of the episodes; they both conclude that the child she is carrying is not just a clone, but has the memories of her dead son, Justin. She also realizes that her baby reacts strangely whenever she is around her husband Graham.
And soon, as she sees through the baby's eyes, she can see the moment of Justin's death, and it does not line up with what she had been told. Although Justin did die in an accident, Rebecca's husband, busy with some project, lost patience when the boy wanted attention, and brutally pulled a toy from Justin's hands, accidentally knocking him down; the boy fell and struck his head, and died in the hospital later.
She decides to leave, since her husband lied, but Graham tries to convince her to give him a second chance. Images communicated from Justin make her fear that Graham will attempt to kill her and make it look like an accident rather than allow her to leave him knowing his secret (a high-profile divorce, especially if she reveals the truth about what happened to their son, could ruin him), so she hides in the attic. She finds a shotgun up there, and when Graham approaches her, she shoots him (it is left ambiguous as to whether he truly intended to harm her).
After three months, Rebecca has brought her newborn son in for a checkup. (There is no explanation as to what occurred after Graham's death or what legal ramifications, if any, Rebecca faced for killing her husband.)
When she leaves on the elevator, we see Dr. Cole around a corner avoiding Rebecca. She is now very pregnant, and — responding to a kick — she calms the unborn child, calling his name: Graham.
Closing narration
| “ | The will to live is part of our biology. It exists in every cell, in our very DNA. Of course, sheer will can't keep us alive forever. But sometimes, it can give us... a second chance. | ” |