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• Plot Synopses

General Tau.................Henry Silva
Dr. Shinera.................Malachi Throne
Captain Williams............Robert Sampson
Richardson..................Tom Skerritt
O'Brien.....................Derrik Lewis
Helmsman....................Robert Lipton
Sonar Man...................Pat Culliton

Something about that island gives me gooseflesh--it's like its covered with slime.--Harriman Nelson

The Angler is running submerged. In its control room, the captain and first officer discuss their course, and whether it should be set to 275 or 295. The captain, Williams, taps his pencil on the table in irritation; he points out to the first officer, Richardson, that he failed to compensate for drift again. Richardson thinks about it, realizes that Williams is correct, and apologizes. Angrily, Williams asks if he is apologizing for his insolence or his stupidity. "I made a mistake, Jim," replies Richardson. "Captain, Mr. Richardson," says Williams, and tells him to try again. Richardson asks what the problem is, saying that Williams has been on his back since they left "that island." Williams, enraged, attacks Richardson, and the crewmen pull them apart; Williams draws a gun and starts shooting, and in the confusion and the submarine runs into an undersea mountain and is destroyed.

On the Seaview, in the missile room, Crane and Nelson are testing water samples for salinity. Morton enters with a report; Crane takes it, looks at it, and is suddenly serious. Nelson asks what has happened, and Crane tells him that the Angler went down about 200 miles away. Nelson asks about survivors, but there were none, and no one knows what happened. Morton says he doesn't know what to say--he knows how close Nelson and Crane were to Williams and Richardson. The Seaview is under orders to investigate the accident, and they set sail.

The Seaview reaches the site of the accident and stops over the wrecked Angler. Crane wonders if anyone could still be alive in any of the compartments, but when Nelson turns on the camera it's obvious that no one could have survived. Crane says that they must have hit the mountain at full speed, but how could such a thing happen? Nelson orders a diving party sent out to retrieve ships logs, tapes, and any other possible sources of information.

Soon the diving party returns and Crane and Nelson go to the observation nose to listen to tapes recorded in the Angler's control room. They hear Williams and Richardson argue until the tape ends with the Angler's destruction. Nelson says that they now know what happened, but not why. Crane says "They were friends, Admiral. As close as...." "Yeah, I know," replies Nelson. Morton calls to let them know that the demolition unit is ready to open Williams' safe. They go to the missile room and watch as the safe is blasted open.

Nelson reads Williams' logs; there was no hint of trouble until after the noon watch. The Angler had found an uncharted island, and Williams and Richardson had gone ashore and found it uninhabited; an hour and a half later, Williams had written highly critical comments about Richardson in his log. Nelson says that something must have happened on the island, and they owe it to Williams and Richardson to find out what.

The Seaview approaches the island, and Crane suggests taking a raft ashore; Nelson says they'll use the minisub instead, in case Williams and Richardson were wrong about the island being uninhabited. They put on wetsuits and launch the small craft.

On the island, Crane and Nelson pull the minisub ashore and remove their wetsuits. They both find the fog unsettling. Nelson calls the Seaview to let them know they've arrived and are starting to explore the island. As they begin, a camera--concealed in the branches of a tree--follows them.

Not far away, they find two dead jungle cats, a male and a female. Nelson notes in disbelief that they killed each other--ordinarily nothing could make one of those cats kill its mate. Crane says that obviously something did, and they move on, still watched by the cameras.

They enter a clearing, Crane with his gun ready, and discover a cave. They go in, guns drawn, and see a camera. Nelson points it out to Crane, saying that he hopes whoever is watching them is also listening. He takes out his radio and calls the Seaview, saying that the island is inhabited after all and that they are returning, and if they aren't back in an hour, tear the island apart. Morton says he will, and signs off. Nelson tells Crane that that should guarantee that they get off the island. Just then, a door opens; Nelson and Crane approach it and enter a room. As they look around, the door closes behind them, locked. From a door on the other side of the room, a uniformed man enters--a giant! He invites them in, introduces himself as General Tau, and steps across the room, revealing himself to be a man of normal height. The room is designed to give the illusion that objects on one side are much larger than those on the other, a psychological toy devised by Tau's scientists. He asks what brings Crane and Nelson to the island; Nelson replies that they were charting coral reefs, and had no idea that the island was inhabited. Tau says that the island is a territorial possession of his government, a top secret research facility, and Crane and Nelson are intruders; in that case, says Nelson, he and Crane will leave immediately. Tau mentions that a few days ago two of their countrymen were there, and he made sure then that the island appeared uninhabited. In that case, wonders Nelson, why reveal themselves to him and Crane? Because, says Tau, he doesn't believe that this second visit is a coincedence; he asks Nelson again why they are there. Nelson says that the two officers who were there earlier had an accident after leaving the island. Tau, curious, asks what kind of accident, but Nelson says he can't answer that question. Tau, now obviously interested, asks if the accident was fatal; Nelson says that's none of his business and he and Crane turn to leave, but are met by armed guards. Tau says that it is his business, and the guards take their guns. Crane pushes a guard, and Nelson tells him to take it easy. Tau smiles, and tells them to save their strength--they may need it.

Morton and two crewmen arrive in a raft on the island. They are greeted by Tau and many armed men who warn them against coming ashore. Morton says that two of their men are on the island; Tau tells him that they left an hour ago. Morton replies that they never returned, and requests permission to come ashore and search; Tau says that he can't permit that, but they have his word. Kowalski moves as if to leave the raft, and the guards shoot at the sand in front of the raft, one shot hitting Kowalski in the arm. Tau tells Morton to control his men; Morton is furious, but he and the others have little choice but to leave.

In a bare cell with two cots, Nelson and Crane sit and wait. Crane wonders where Morton is, saying that he should be looking for them by now--once it's dark, they'll never find them.

In the laboratory, Dr. Shinera is eating. Tau says that he thinks they will be able to leave the island soon, but the doctor disagrees, saying that he has many more experiments to do before then. Tau is impatient--Shinera has been experimenting on animals for months, and he wants to know what the drug will do to humans. Shinera says that the drug already permeates every plant and animal on the island, and the preliminary results are most encouraging, but they must do many more tests before they have proof. Tau says that a single experiment is all he asks, and the subjects are here--turn Nelson and Crane against each other. Shinera considers the possibilities.

On the Seaview, Morton discusses the situation with O'Brien. They have orders from Washington to continue searching, but not to return to the island without clearance. O'Brien points out that Nelson and Crane are being held there; Morton says that they don't know that for certain, and Washington wants to be sure that they have exhausted every possibility, but they will get them off of that island! Just then, sonar reports a metal contact in the crevices of the reef. It could be the minisub, but if it is, they're dead--it's at 2000 feet, far below the minisub's crush depth.

On the island, in the lab, Tau paces while the doctor looks into his microsceope. They argue briefly about the relative importance of research and weaponry; the doctor says that before he can continue his experiments, he must determine whether Nelson and Crane are truly friends, saying that only the strongest of friendships can survive isolation, suspicion, and stress. He says that Nelson and Crane are undergoing the first step of the experiment--they have been separated and are being kept in separate cells. Tao says that brave men can't be scared like that, but Shinera is not trying to frighten them, saying that "I only want to strip away a single later of that veneer of civilization that covers the animal in each of us.

On the Seaview, a diver goes out in a bulky deep diving suit.

On the island, the second phase of Shinera's experiment is about to begin. The light goes on in Nelson's cell. He looks around, finding himself in a comfortable room with a soft bed, pictures on the wall, and a bowl of fruit and pitcher of water on a table. Tao assumes that the food and water are contaminated by the drug, but Shinera says that they have come from their own stock. Still, notes Tao, Nelson is afraid to eat or drink. Shinera says that Nelson is uncertain and uneasy, a state of mind they could not have produced simply be denying him food. They turn on the light in Crane's cell, where he sees bare walls and a narrow cloth cot.

On the Seaview, the deep diver returns. The object was in fact the minisub, and although its occupants were pinned so that he couldn't get them out, he did manage to take a ring--Crane's--and a watch--Nelson's.

On the island, Shinera and Tao continue to watch Crane and Nelson in their cells. Shinera says that each appears to have adjusted, but they are inwardly suspicious and hostile--now, to direct those emotions. He turns on a television in Crane's cell so that he can see Nelson, and asks Tao how Crane will feel when he sees Nelson in relative luxury. Tao finally understands the point of all this--Crane will feel resentment toward Nelson. Only for a moment, says Shinera--he is trying to convince himself that he is glad Nelson isn't suffering like he is. As Crane watches Nelson, Nelson also sees Crane. Shinera tells Tao that Nelson feels guilt because of his more comfortable living conditions; Tao thinks that Nelson only pretends to feel guilt, but Shinera says that Nelson does in fact feel that way, but is trying to convince himself that he has no reason to feel guilty. Each man searches their past relationship to find reasons to support their feelings of envy and guilt, says Shinera. Nelson picks up a banana, peels it, and is about to eat it, when Shinera turns off the camera in Crane's cell, saying that he must not see what Nelson does next, or the built-up resentment will disappear. Sure enough, Nelson throws down the banana and knocks the fruit and lamp off of the table. Shinera says that they are now ready to be tested.

Crane is thrown forcefully into the optical illusion room. He goes to the door on the "small" side of the room, sees a gun on a table, and takes it. Nelson enters through the "big" door, holding a gun. Crane hears, and turns with gun drawn. For a moment the two stand with guns aimed at each other. Nelson asks Crane if he is all right. Crane doesn't lower the gun immediately, but relaxes as Nelson approaches. Watching, the doctor says that the hostility was gone immediately--they are truly friends, perfect for the experiment. Well then, says Tao, turn them against each other. First, says Shinera, they must be set free. Tao doesn't like this, but Shinera says that it's necessary for them to unite in a struggle for survival. Now Tao understands--like the people of a nation at war. And they will consume the drug in food and water, says Shinera.

The door opens and Nelson and Crane leave. Looking forward to what is to come, Tao says, "Doctor, I am beginning to appreciate the scientific method."

Nelson and Crane get to an open area, cameras following their progress. They see a camera and run in the opposite direction, but of course they are followed. Tao, displeased, says that he can't hear them; Shinera says that they must be whispering, but it won't matter.

Nelson and Crane move through the jungle. Nelson guesses that Tao must be doing research here, and they are the guinea pigs. Idly, Crane picks and eats some berries as Nelson talks. Nelson says that he doesn't know how, but they are obviously trying to pit them against each other.

Back at the lab, Shinera sees this and tells Tao that in that one bite Crane had taken in only a small dose of the drug, but in half and hour he will begin to hate Nelson.

Crane, realizing, says that that's what the conditioning must have been for. No, says Nelson, that was some sort of test. Crane asks what they did to Williams, and Nelson says that the same thing came to his mind, but Tau had no contact with Williams and Richardson. But, says Crane, after a few hours they did turn against each other. Nelson considers this, saying that the only thing he can think of is that they were somehow drugged...by doing exactly what Crane is doing now! It's the only explanation, he says--the food must be contaminated. Crane throws down the fruit he was eating, and asks what's bothering Nelson; Nelson is wondering how much drug was in the fruit Crane just ate. Possibly none, says Crane--how could they have contaminated all the food on the island? By contaminating the water supply, says Nelson; the staff must have a separate source of water. Now worried, Crane asks what they'll do if the fruit was drugged. Nelson says they'll worry about that later--now they have to get off the island. Crane wonders how they will do that with the cameras watching them, and Nelson says they'll knock them out of commission.

In the lab, Tao is concerned about the cameras, but Shinera says that Crane and Nelson can't possibly destroy them all.

Nelson examines a camera and has Crane bring him another one. He aims the cameras at each other.

In the lab, a puff of smoke rises from the control panel and Shinera and Tao pull back. Shinera says that they still have manual control of the cameras and can follow Crane and Nelson that way; the drug will start to show its effects in five minutes.

Nelson and Crane head for shore. Nelson looks at the horizon--the Seaview isn't there. Crane angrily asks where Morton is--he should be there! Nelson tells him to take it easy. "He disobeyed orders," says Crane, "I'm going to break him!" Nelson looks concerned. He shoots his gun in the air. Crane says that Morton won't answer his signal--he's a coward! Nelson says to give him a chance, and shoots again, emptying his gun. He turns to Crane and asks him for his weapon. Crane starts to hand it over, then, suddenly mistrustful, pulls back. He looks at Nelson with narrowed eyes--why? To signal Morton, of course, says Nelson. "No," says Crane, "You want to get it away from me because you know how I feel about you." "Of course I know," says Nelson, "We're friends." Crane denies it--"We're not friends...I don't have any use for you!" As Crane looks away, Nelson grabs for his gun and they struggle. Crane falls, still holding his gun, and shouts that he's going to kill Nelson, shooting twice in his direction. Nelson runs; Crane shoots again, screams once more that he will kill him, and follows.

In the lab, Tao congratulates Shinera, who calls the experiment's results "as predictable as our ultimate victory."

Nelson runs through the jungle, finally hiding himself. Crane follows, gun at the ready, and as he passes, Nelson hits him with a stick and runs off. Crane recovers quickly, shoots a fourth bullet, and follows; he falls, gets up, and limps after him. Nelson sees water running down a rock to a spring--it's Tau's source of uncontaminated water. He takes the hose and drags it to a pool of drugged water, dropping it in.

In the lab, Tau and Shinera are no longer able to use the cameras to follow Crane and Nelson's movements. Angrily, Tao takes a gun and goes out to find them himself.

Just then, Morton comes ashore with a landing party in a raft.

Nelson exits the jungle, reaching the shore just in time for Crane to attack him. They struggle, Nelson trying to get through to Crane with no success, and Nelson rolls into a pool of quicksand. Meanwhile, Tao is nearing them--but Nelson has the gun. Crane is beating the ground with a stick, so far gone that he can't even come close to hitting Nelson, barely coherently shouting "Kill you! Kill you!" Tao comes up behind Crane, Nelson shoots him, and he falls into the quicksand and sinks beneath the surface. Morton and the men arrive, hold and subdue Crane, and pull Nelson out.

Later, on the Seaview, Crane is in bed in his quarters. Nelson knocks and enters, asking how he's doing. He wishes they could have blown the island out of the water, but that would have jeopardized their relations with a friendly nation. However, when they find out that Nelson moved their pump from the reservoir to a contaminated lake, there may be some protests. "If anyone is left alive to protest," says Crane.