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» » The Invaders The Experiment (1967–1968)

Short summary

The eminent astrophysicist, Professor Lindstrom, has proof that aliens have landed on Earth and are planning on taking it over. He also believes the aliens are plotting to kill him. The trouble is, neither his doctor nor his son take him seriously, not even after the plane he was supposed to be in blows up in mid-air. One man believes him: David Vincent. David meets with the professor, but only after a phony preacher and a fake chauffeur fail to prevent the meeting. Meanwhile, the son suffers from debilitating headaches that have no normal cause.

The black & white photos that David Vincent is looking through in Lloyd Lindstrom's NY apartment are all images from the previous episode "Beachhead."

The sound effect for the brain washing machine that the Invaders use on Lloyd Lindstrom and David Vincent is the same low pulsating sound effect used in The War of the Worlds (1953) .

Dabbs Greer would also play a minister in Little House on the Prairie.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Alien
    "The Invaders" premiered during what-was-then-billed as ABC's "Second Season," which was coined for shows that premiered in January. The premiere installment set the stage for the events of "The Experiment," happening some time after hero David Vincent's (Roy Thinnes) initial encounter with the aliens.

    A renown scientist (Laurence Naismith) has evidence that aliens have come to Earth with evil intentions. He is preparing to reveal that to a conference of respected peers. However, his son (Roddy McDowall) and personal physician (Harold Gould) have doubts about the old man's sanity, but accompany him anyway. Vincent enters the situation, after contacting the scientist and offering to help after attempts have been made on the scientist's life.

    Unfortunately, Vincent doesn't prevent the aliens' plans and the scientist meets an untimely death. It is later revealed that the son has been under the control of the aliens and used as their pawn in the elimination of his father and all the proof.

    A tense confrontation occurs between Vincent, the son, and aliens, under the command of a alien disguised as a priest (Dabbs Greer).

    As far as the performances go, Naismith is believable as the doomed researcher and McDowall, as usual, gives a fine go at the duped son.

    It's coincidental that Greer, who would later win fans with his role as "Reverend Alden" on the long-running "Little House on the Prairie," would assay another in a long string of "heavenly" roles.
  • comment
    • Author: Lucam
    The Experiment is about an astrophysicist having proof that aliens are invading the planet and because of it, his life is in danger.

    I was impressed with the start of this episode, the Professor being aware he was being watched, getting off the plane and it exploding. I don't think David did enough when he met the Professor to help as he was so important in his cause. The brainwash thingamajig looked a bit silly, swirling patterns and lights. Good acting by all parties. The aliens keep giving away that they're aliens, taking away possible mystery. I feel more should of happened.
  • comment
    • Author: Orevise
    Second episode, directed like the first one by the same Joseph Sargent (a great film director, which I always admired - he directed episodes of other great TV series like "Kojak", "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", "Bonanza", "The Fugitive", "Star Trek", "The Immortal", and a great feature film called "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three"(1974), with a fantastic cast, Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, great great film...) Same tension like in the first episode, great acting, special role by Roddy McDowall, Cornelius from "Planet of the Apes"(1968), Harold Gould, from "The Sting"(1973), and Laurence Naismith, from "Deadlier Than the Male"(1967), "Scrooge"(1970), "Diamonds Are Forever"(1971). No beautiful ladies this time, maybe in the next episode...
  • Episode cast overview:
    Roy Thinnes Roy Thinnes - David Vincent
    Roddy McDowall Roddy McDowall - Lloyd Lindstrom
    Laurence Naismith Laurence Naismith - Professor Lindstrom
    Harold Gould Harold Gould - Dr. Mailer
    Dabbs Greer Dabbs Greer - The Minister
    Lawrence Montaigne Lawrence Montaigne - First Man
    Willard Sage Willard Sage - Lieutenant James
    Stuart Lancaster Stuart Lancaster - Superintendent
    Jackie Kendall Jackie Kendall - Proprietress
    Roy N. Sickner Roy N. Sickner - Cab Driver (as Roy Sickner)
    Mel Gallagher Mel Gallagher - Male Nurse
    John Ward John Ward - Trooper
    Soon-Tek Oh Soon-Tek Oh - Houseboy (as Soon Taik Oh)
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