The Outer Limits – “Soldier”

Original Air Date: September 19, 1964
Starring: Orangey
Directed by: Gerd Oswald

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: A soldier from the future named Quarlo Clobregnny (Michael Ansara) finds himself mysteriously transported to 20th century Earth.

Featured Feline: Quarlo is befriended by a language expert named Tom Kagen (Lloyd Nolan) who takes the soldier to his suburban home. Quarlo isn’t as interested in the wife and kids as he is the family’s house cat Macbeth. He talks to the cat who ignores him. Quarlo then explains how in the future cats are used as scouts to help fight the enemy, being tied together with the soldiers through thinkspeak.

The Outer Limits - Soldier - Qualo Michael Ansara talking to tabby cat Macbeth Orangey with Tom Kagen Lloyd Nolan and family
The Outer Limits - Soldier - Qualo Michael Ansara talking to tabby cat Macbeth Orangey with Tom Kagen Lloyd Nolan and family

The situation is strained with the family trying to understand their guest. The only one seemingly unfazed is Macbeth. Tom learns that the government wants to study Quarlo and tries to reason with him but Quarlo accuses him of being another enemy. Macbeth suddenly jumps off the couch and mews anxiously.

The Outer Limits - Soldier - Qualo Michael Ansara with back to tabby cat Macbeth Orangey on couch
The Outer Limits - Soldier - tabby cat Macbeth Orangey on couch

Quarlo kneels down next to Macbeth and asks, “See who?”

The Outer Limits - Soldier - Qualo Michael Ansara talking to tabby cat Macbeth Orangey on floor

Suddenly the enemy soldier who was also transferred through time burns down the wall of the family’s house. Macbeth screeches and distracts the enemy as he and Quarlo start to struggle.

The Outer Limits - Soldier - tabby cat Macbeth Orangey angry on rug

Macbeth sits calmly in the background as the men wrestle with each other, only hissing occasionally.

The Outer Limits - Soldier - Qualo Michael Ansara fighting with future enemy with tabby cat Macbeth Orangey in background
The Outer Limits - Soldier - tabby cat Macbeth Orangey angry on rug
The Outer Limits - Soldier - Qualo Michael Ansara fighting with future enemy with tabby cat Macbeth Orangey in background

Suddenly both men light up and evaporate, or are transported back to the future. Macbeth sniffs at the remaining ashes.

The Outer Limits - Soldier - tabby cat Macbeth Orangey sniffing at pile of ashes on rug
The Outer Limits - Soldier - tabby cat Macbeth Orangey sniffing at pile of ashes on rug as Kagen family looks on

Macbeth was played by prolific cat actor Orangey.

The Outer Limits - Soldier - tabby cat Macbeth Orangey

Final Mewsings: In the future we will finally start listening to cats!

Many thanks to Ted Davis for letting us know about the cat in this episode.

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