A creature from outside our galaxy (actually composed of a type of energy) come to earth. Martin Landau is a scientist who is sending laser beams into space, much to the chagrin of his overbearing, rich father. Landau's character, Bellero, Jr., wants so badly to get dad's approval. Dad is retiring soon and has decided that the younger man is not capable of surviving as his business heir, seeing him as a foolish practicer in unimportant things. Landau is married to Sally Kellerman, an ambitious, self centered virago who is after the empire as well, but she doe not see value in her husband's work either, wishing to get Dad's approval to line her pockets and increase her self importance. The creature is on a time limitation and could be trapped on earth if he waits too long. With the help of her housekeeper, who has a gun, Kellerman decides to shoot him to keep him there, even though she will have to rethink everything later. The creature has a button that, if pushed, puts a shield around it. The shield is impenetrable and would be a boon to the military. Kellerman steals the button device from the corpse of the alien, demonstrates its power to Dad, but finds herself caught inside the claustrophobic shield. The button doesn't work because the life blood has drained out of the alien. She becomes hysterical inside the shield. The conclusion is masterful and terrifying. One of the spookiest of "The Outer Limits" offerings.
