Memories (The Twilight Zone)

"Memories" is the forty-first episode and the sixth episode of the third season (1988–89) of the television series The Twilight Zone.

Opening narration[]

Mary McNeal, dealer in dreams and memories to whom the uncovering of past lives is the greatest good she can render to a forgetful humanity. 8:57 P.M. and Mary McNeal makes another attempt to discover a previous life. However, the journey she is about to take is to a different place; a land whose borders are defined by the region we call...the Twilight Zone.

Plot[]

Two women are sitting in a room. Mary McNeal is in a chair and another woman named Mrs. Gustin is laying on a couch. Mary is putting her under hypnosis to find a significant past life. Mrs. Gustin finds herself working in a dress shop during the American Revolutionary war and she discovers this is why she is fearful of men in uniform. When Mrs. Gustin asks if Mary has been able to find a past life, she claims that she has been unable to remember. After Mrs. Gustin leaves, Mary once again tries to hypnotize herself and discover a past life. She awakens the next day on her couch with no new information about any past lives—or so she thinks.

Mary arrives at what she thinks is her next appointment and is late. She knocks and discovers that the woman already knows about her past lives and is abruptly shown out. Confused, Mary goes to what she thought was her office only to find it is now an employment counselling center. She tries to find help since she has no idea why everything is different. Jim Sinclair, the man at the employment center, attempts to help her believing she is another unemployed person. She is curious when he asks why she didn't put information about her past lives. When she is unable to recall she panics and leaves. Sinclair calls someone and talks to them about Mary saying that "she could be the one."

Later, Sinclair and another man discuss Mary again and talk about how she might have to be killed. Meanwhile, Mary finds a homeless woman who wants to die and when Mary asks why, the woman tells her that she had a pretty good life in her past life but she hates her current life. Mary tries to make her believe that she is needed here and now by Mary herself because she doesn't have anyone or anything. Mary runs to get help but runs into Sinclair and the other man. They drug and kidnap her and when she awakens in an empty warehouse, Mary discovers that because she can't recall her past lives she is deemed worthy by the man and Sinclair. They put her under and she starts talking about herself but still no information about her past lives. When they discover she is telling the truth they want her to help them forget their past lives.

In this alternate reality everyone remembers all their past lives; being able to remember past grudges, stressful times, and everyday problems from each life. To remember so much can drive someone insane. One can become lethargic and just kill themselves so they can go on to another life. They want her to help them and others quit trying to avenge or yearn for joys from the past and make this life—the present life—much more desirable. They know she has a drive to help others, but most of all she has a gift: the ability to make one forget past lives and all the baggage that comes with them. Soon, Mary is working with Sinclair to help people forget about their past lives through hypnotism and lead happier lives.

Closing narration[]

Mary McNeal, who set out on a voyage of discovery that brought her home again by a most curious route. Now, appointed guardian of doors best kept sealed, in the mirror, mirror world...of the Twilight Zone.

External links[]

• "Memories" at IMDb