"The Observer Effect "

Episode 316
(aired the week of 2/27/1999)
Case # 22-2989

Log line: Things take a disturbingly personal turn when the O.S.I.R. investigates a UFO sighting.

Synopsis: The OSIR investigates after a UFO is sighted in the woods near the private community of Poplar Glen. In fact, two of the residents, Andi Douglas and Todd Pennebaker, not only claim to have seen a strange, bright light in the night sky but tell the OSIR that they were actually abducted by the extraterrestrial visitors.

Interviewed separately by Donner and Hendricks, Andi and Todd present remarkably similar stories: They were taken by the bright light to the aliens' craft, where they were examined by small, sinister, human-like beings. Since their abduction, they have had recurring headaches and, even more disturbing, strange telepathic powers. In an interview with Donner, Todd suddenly begins talking about Donner's relationship with her boyfriend, Marc. Similarly, Andi talks to Hendricks about his relationship with his wife, Katherine. Both Donner and Hendricks are shaken by Andi and Todd's inexplicable knowledge of their personal lives.

Praeger visits with Gavin Richter, the president of Poplar Glen's community association, and asks whether Andi and Todd had exhibited any psychic abilities prior to their abduction. Gavin laughs at the very idea, taking a perverse delight in the fact that the OSIR members have found themselves personally involved in the case they are investigating. He reminds Praeger that, in archeological terminology, they are experiencing something called "the observer effect." Gavin then leaves Praeger to attend a meeting of Poplar Glen's residents who have quickly grown tired of the OSIR's investigation and ask Gavin to evict Praeger and his team from the community. One of the residents, Grifter, speaks up in defense of the OSIR, however. During a heated debate, he manages to convince the others to let the investigators do their job.

The next day, Praeger and Axon notice a vintage sports car in the driveway of one of the residents, Randall Clarke. Although the vehicle is over 30 years old, the odometer reads zero. Opening the hood of the car, Praeger finds the engine in pristine condition, as if new. Puzzled, Axon checks the odometer on a nearby van. It also reads zero. Clarke suddenly appears, extremely angry that Praeger and Axon have trespassed. In a fit of rage, he admonishes Axon, telling the scientist that he'll never amount to anything more than a name on a gravestone on Bell Island, Axon's hometown. Like Donner and Hendricks, Axon is shocked that a stranger would know about his personal life.

Still upset by Todd's knowledge of her relationship with Marc, Donner visits Todd at his home. He tells her only that there is a part of Marc she doesn't want to see, then asks her to leave. As she closes the door behind her, she hears a gunshot inside the house. She rushes back in and finds Todd dead. He has killed himself.

When Davison conducts an autopsy, she is shocked to find that Todd's organs are like those of a newborn. Davison leaves the lab with Praeger. They come across Poplar Glen resident Jane Geist sitting on the steps of her house, sobbing. She tells them that she too had been abducted and is worried that she might meet the same fate as Todd. They take her back to the OSIR lab, where Donner and Hendricks interview her. Like Andi and Todd, Jane is able to discuss personal matters with them?? goes one step further. She can "see" the car accident in which Donner will die, an accident in which Marc has a chance to save her life, but doesn't. Donner desperately asks Jane when this will happen. Jane can't - or won't - tell her.

Praeger and Axon find the community's power transformer but it is inoperative. Still, Poplar Glen is getting power somehow. Axon goes in search of the mysterious power source and ends up on the property of Randall Clarke. Furious, Randall strikes out with an electrical charge that shoots from his fingertips. Axon is knocked unconscious. When he awakens at the OSIR lab, he has completely lost his memory.

A frustrated Praeger visits Gavin, demanding answers. As Randall enters the room, Gavin confesses that the whole thing has been a test, that the OSIR investigators were being studied to see how they would react to emotional stress. Randall then tells Praeger that the OSIR team will be leaving with them! Praeger stares in disbelief as Randall's eyes become milky white. Randall and the other residents are the aliens!

Praeger is taken into the woods by Randall and the community's security officers while Donner and Hendricks are escorted to the area by other Poplar Glen residents. To their relief, Gavin is able to convince Randall to let the OSIR members go. He argues that it wasn't their fault that they had been chosen for testing or that they had exceeded the expectations of the aliens. As the bright light appears in the sky, Gavin and the others gather to await transport. Desperate, Donner asks Gavin if Jane's premonitions would come true. He smiles, then replies, "You'll see."

The bright light takes the group away. A similar light infiltrates the OSIR lab, bringing Todd back to life and taking him away too. Davison and Axon watch in bewilderment. As Todd disappears, Axon's memory suddenly returns.

Starring:
Matt Frewer - Case Manager Matt Praeger
Barclay Hope - Peter Axon
Nancy Anne Sakovich - Lindsay Donner
Colin Fox - Dr. Anton Hendricks
Dan Aykroyd - Host

Guest Stars:
Harlan Ellison - Grifter
Alison MacLeod - Andi Douglas
Matt Cooke - Todd Pennebaker
Jonathan Welsh - Gavin Richter
Damir Andrei - Randall Clarke
Heather Hodgson - Jane Geist

Written by: Damian Kindler
Directed by: Giles Walker