Ron G

I'm teaching an Honors English course this semester, and our theme is exile and alienation.

On November 7th, I need to go to a wedding, and I'd like to not have to cancel class. Unfortunately, the novel we're reading for that day is something none of my colleagues have ever read.

So what I'd like to do is get a 45-50 minute episode of a quality TV show that deals with either or both themes.

It needs to be available on DVD, and it needs to be relatively self-contained.

Any suggestions?

Jadzia

How about the Star Trek: TNG episode "Darmok"?

2 captains separated by an untranslated language are exiled on a planet and must find a way to learn how to communicate with other to defeat a common foe.

I have always thought this would be a great episode to show in an English class.

Ron G

I used to show this as an illustration of communication through story and metaphor, but come to think of it, it might work here, too.

And, an added plus, I own that season of TNG.

gfoots

Pretty much any episode of Wonderfalls or Dead Like Me might do it.

What is the novel you would be covering that day?

Ron G

I don't know either of those two shows, but I can always Netflix a few episodes.

We're scheduled to read the second half of John Fante's Ask the Dust. I know a film version of this came out a few years ago, but it was almost unanimously panned.

I know it because I did my undergrad degree in L.A., and Fante was an L.A. writer.

CKMorpheus

First thing that pops into mind is any David Fisher centered episode of Six Feet Under.

Anubis2005X

Something from Angel...

starman9000

The pilot episode of Farscape would work very well. It might be a little out there for a class not filled with sci-fi people though. (Crichton for alienation and Aeryn for exile and alienation) Actually, there are a number of Farscape episodes that would work well.

Kevin M. Dean

Heck.... any episode of "Alien Nation"

Groucho

Any Shane-centric episode of The Shield.

Chew

Keeping with a Star Trek theme: "All Our Yesterdays" from TOS.

DRG

Torchwood "A Day in the Death"

Deals with a character alienating oneself from friends and society...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Day_in_the_Death

MrE

Assuming the show doesn't have to be fictional, you can also look at "reality" TV: Big Brother, Survivor et al

celmendo

My So-Called Life. Episodes 15 & 16. Deals with a character being kicked out/running away from his abusive home around Christmas and another having his family leave him alone on Christmas and a homeless girl. That''s episode 15 and it's relatively stand alone even though it's dealing with stuff that's been building up over several episodes.

It's a high school type of show. So, of course, that's a running theme anyway. Awesome show to check out. Even if it doesn't fit exactly what you are looking for you'll probably find something that'll work for another time.

critterdvd

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - "Earshot"

saoirse

I can't remember the episode, but there is a perfect episode in OZ that sums up what you are looking for. It's the one where the basketball star is alienated by the other prisoners. Sorry for the lack of detail, hopefully someone else can chime in with the details.

clckworang

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Elpresidentepez

While "Earshot" is a way better choice, I think the school shooting stuff could get you in trouble. Season 1's "Out of Mind, Out of Sight" is deals with similar themes, but is a little more tame.

Shannon Nutt

That's the first thing that popped into my head as well.

Josh-da-man

Really pretty much every episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" deals with these themes to one degree or another.

SPRBD

You're teaching an honors English class and you want to show a TV show rather than cancel a class? I can guess what the parents of your students will suggest.

wmansir

Do a Twilight Zone/Burgess Meredith double feature with "Time Enough at Last" and "The Obsolete Man". The fist deals with self imposed exile and alienation, and loneliness. The second with alienation from society, authoritarianism and persecution."Time Enough" is a classic and I also like "The Obsolete Man" because it combines both religious persecution and anti-intellectualism, which are portrayed more often as opposing forces.

They are both out on DVD. You can also watch them online here and
here

Ron G

These are all some very good suggestions.

As for the concerns of parents, this is university, so it's my call. And I have absolutely no problem with using film or television in an English class--they are, after all, the forms of narrative most familiar to the students in my courses. It's all in how they are used. I don't want something that simply acts as babysitter. All of the SF suggestions will work well, because I have a colleague who specializes in SF and will be able to lead a short discussion after the episode.

And I'd thought of "Time Enough at Last" before I started this thread. I hadn't thought of "The Obsolete Man," which I've not seen as many times.

Of course, their reaction to the end of "Time Enough at Last" will be to complain that it rips off Family Guy . . .

digidoh

There was an episode from the mid-80's revival of The Twilight Zone that might fit the bill. "To See the Invisible Man", based on a short story by Robert Silverberg, in which a man is charged with the crime of coldness and forced to be a social outcast for one year. Here's Wikipedia's synopsis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_See_..._Twilight_Zone)

It's part of the first season, which is available on DVD.

Ron G

That sounds interesting. I know I've read some Silverberg in the past and liked it, though I've read so many SF books, unless I've read them multiple times, I don't always remember what they were about.

All of these suggestions is making me think I should do some sort of after hours TV/Film series to go along with the course.