The Human Factor (2002 The Outer Limits)

"The Human Factor" is an episode of the television show The Outer Limits. It first aired January 11 2002, in the show's seventh season.

Opening Narration

"We believe ourselves to be an essentially noble race. But would that same assessment be made from a truly objective view?"

Plot

Jupiter's moon Ganymede is now the only hope for the human race in 2059 as overpopulation and constant warring has left much of earth uninhabitable. Space Commander Ellis Grover (Robert Duncan McNeill) must convince android assistant Link (Zack Ward) that humanity is worthy of existence over a game of chess. As Link activates the station's self-destruct sequence, Grover's officers attempt to reach the manual override at the same time as trying to get over bitter distrust. Link tries to convince Grover that the world's governments do not care about peace but only want to extend power. In the end, after shutting down Link and the countdown, Grover is informed by the United States President that the Middle Eastern governments started a nuclear war during the episode, killing the entire human race (including Grover's wife and daughter). His spaceship, with the few remaining people, will arrive in several months. At this point Grover, having lost faith in life and his humanity, reactivates both Link and the self-destruct sequence and starts his last game of chess. Link asks how the compound was shut down to which Grover replies: "Just a human factor."

Closing Narration

"We have the capacity for great, good or evil. The path of our future is ours to decide."