The Twilight Zone (TV Series) Homecoming (2003) User Reviews

Never Say Die

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 13 July 2017]

This is an episode that features a man who never meant to betray his son, but the circumstances of his life and career choice have done just that. As it turns out, there are opportunities to right things. We find that in the past there were things that brought the two together, but the military asks for sacrifices from its people and the platoon is greater than a single man. It's a good story with some pretty believable implications.

"You're not supposed to be here, Sir. None of us are."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 31 March 2023]

This is a story about second chances, offered to a troubled teenage son who felt betrayed by a father whose military service came at the expense of the family. After being informed that her husband was missing in action in Iraq, Mrs. Rob Malone (Rebecca Jenkins) and son Trace (Penn Badgley) find themselves at odds over his possible death. Major Rob Malone's (Gil Bellows) wife had an understanding of her husband's duty that kept him away from home for long periods, while Trace bore an almost lifetime grudge for the missing element in his life that only a father could provide. When the Major suddenly shows up right after they had been informed of his MIA status, he begins to repair the relationship between his wife and son to ease the pain about to arrive in the form of the career soldier's combat platoon. With the chilling realization that Delta Force leaves no man behind, the story closes with a son's realization that his father was a good man who cared for his family, who just needed a momentary reprieve to make up for lost time in the far reaches of the Twilight Zone.

a unique twist

[talllwoood13 · 6/10 · 14 July 2023]

Not the greatest episode of this 2002 generations reboot but finally a relatable yet modern take on a classic 1950s episode from the original Rod Serling era twilight zone. There were a few that were so awful I'd be insulted but this is one of two that worked.

The son was poorly cast. He didn't seem like a bad kid. He just complained about everything to the point Malcolm In The Middle and or Bart Simpson would tell him to calm down. The ending song was unnecessary, yet better than Johnathan Davis whispering as eerie as he could that famous intro to some distorted guitars.

The dad I can see where he was coming from and it was a unique twist as the original from the 1950s was essentially just a parade. Some people this will hit harder than others towards.

This lady is having a really, really bad day! Is it about to get a lot better?

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 15 February 2022]

When the story begins, a young many was arrested by the police for 'borrowing' someone's car without permission. He also has been skipping school and making a mess of his life. To make it worse, his mother is alone raising this hellion because her husband is off fighting in the first Iraq War. Can it get any worse? Yup....as she is soon informed that her husband is missing in action!!! This woman, clearly, is having a very, very bad day!! But then it becomes really weird...only moments later, the husband shows up at the home! Are things suddenly going to get a lot better? Or, is it a weird trip through the Twilight Zone?

I appreciate this story because all too often war is glorified or sanitized on TV and in films. Rarely is the personal sacrifice and effects on a soldier's family the subjects...and it's nice to see this addressed in "Homecoming".

So is the show worth seeing overall? Yes. While some might not like all the sentimentality in the show, I thought it was quite touching and the show well worth seeing.