Need to Know

"Need to Know" is the first segment of the twenty-first episode of the first season (1985-1986) of the American television series The Twilight Zone. It first aired March 21, 1986. Edward Sayers is a government scientist/agent sent to a small town to help investigate a bizarre outbreak of insanity which is spreading through the town. With the help of a local woman, Amanda Strickland, he methodically goes through the town trying to find an answer. ... more

"Need to Know" is the first segment of the twenty-first episode of the first season (1985-1986) of the American television series The Twilight Zone. It first aired March 21, 1986. Edward Sayers is a government scientist/agent sent to a small town to help investigate a bizarre outbreak of insanity which is spreading through the town. With the help of a local woman, Amanda Strickland, he methodically goes through the town trying to find an answer. Amanda's father just rambles about his dead wife, but gives them a clue in that he had just visited Mrs. Hotchkiss earlier that morning. When they go to see her, she appears normal at first but quickly grows hysterical and threatens them with a knife. Amanda suggests that it may be a disease, since it is spread from person to person. He eventually discovers that the source of the problem is not a physical disease, but an idea, a single short phrase, that is being passed from person to person by word of mouth. That horrible phrase is nothing... less