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The humanoid Martians are an unnamed human-like species who reside on a strikingly Earth-like Mars.
Biology[]
The humanoid Martians appear completely indiscernible from Humans, at least in physical appearance. The only known difference in physiology from Humans is that the humanoid Martians are able to read minds, presumably able to extract language and memories, and appear to have a far more complex brain in order to achieve this feat. The Martian environment is ultimately exactly like Earth, albeit almost entirely like a desert, and thus, the humanoid Martians are fully accustomed to Earth-like atmosphere and gravity.
Culture and society[]
The humanoid Martians are known to commonly wear clothing reminiscent of ancient Greece or Rome, such as togas and tunics. Despite their extreme similarities to Humans, they appear to see Humans as lesser beings, treating them like primitive animals to be encaged and displayed to the public. However, they are not imperialists, and seem to have little to no intention of invading Earth, or any known interest concerning space travel in general, although they appear to have observed Earth's surface and population before. While they offered to bury a dead Human, it is unknown if burial is a part of Martian culture, or merely something they gained from reading a Human mind. Some dissent is known to exist among the Martian population concerning the view of Humans as animals, but this does not appear widespread. The Martians are known to not use force against Humans, but rather, trick them into entering cages disguised as Earth residences.
Technology[]
The humanoid Martians are known to have fairly advanced technology, capable of building cities and erecting a fully furnished living area overnight, fully stocked with all needed amenities for survival, and built in a manner that prevents the occupant from escaping.
History[]
Humanoid Martians observing Conrad in the zoo
The humanoid Martians first met Humans when two Human astronauts, Warren Marcusson and Samuel A. Conrad, crash land on Mars. Marcusson, a positive thinker who believes that all species are alike in a good way, dies from his injuries during the crash, but Conrad does not exit the craft. However, some Martians go over to his ship and knock on the hull, and Conrad is delighted to see that the Martians look just like Humans. They are able to speak English, and invite him to their city, while also going to bury Marcusson. Within the Martian city, Conrad is welcomed and reassured of his safety by a Martian woman named Teenya. However, the Martians planned to capture Conrad and display him as an animal, and to achieve this, they construct a habitat for him modeled after a typical 1960s American living space, and secretly informed the Martian public of the exhibit that would soon open. Teenya, who was aware of the true intentions of the other Martians, was hesitant to lead Conrad into the habitat, and did not answer when she is asked if she will see him again, although another Martian assures Conrad that she will. However, after the Martians leave, Conrad discovers that the room is actually a cell, and a crowd of Martians had gathered outside the cell, with a plaque placed outside a wall that lifts open reading "Earth Creature in his native habitat." Teenya, feeling guilty about not telling Conrad the truth, tearfully leaves.
Appearances[]
- "Brothers Beyond the Void", by Paul W. Fairman (1952)
- The Twilight Zone, s01e25, "People Are Alike All Over" (1960)
Notes[]
- They are the one of three types of Martians to appear in The Twilight Zone, the other two being a two-headed species and a three-armed species. They are also the only Martian species in The Twilight Zone to not have relations with Venusians.
- Mars, as presented in the episode, has a breathable atmosphere and Earth-like gravity.
- As with every narrative in the original The Twilight Zone, the story of Samual A. Conrad and the Humanoid Martians aims to provide a moral lesson or societal awareness of an injustice. The practice of Human zoos, while having its origin in the mid-19th century, was still being practiced at the time of Paul W. Fairman's short story and Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone. Most notably the display of an entire Cogolese village during Brussels' 1958 Worlds Fair which featured a total of 183 families (around 598 people). Both the story and the episode were meant to build awareness of the practice in opposition to it.