The Invaders (TV Series) The Trial (1967) User Reviews

They Invaded the Courtroom

[hrkepler · 8/10 · 29 May 2018]

'The Trial' is totally different episode from what the fans of the show are used. Like the title of the episode allows to assume, the story is taking place in courtroom. Charlie Gilman (Don Gordon) kills a man who he suspects of being an alien in self defence. The case reaches the court and this time the Invaders are trying to obstruct the justice.

I was pleasently surprised with such well written courtroom drama in 'The Invaders' universe. Actually, I was surprised to see courtroom drama in general, but it was well written and psychologically thrilling chapter. Not much action or fantastic location settings, but still interesting episode, and like usually in the case of this show the twists are surprising as always.

Some twists you do not see coming

[cpotato1010 · 8/10 · 6 October 2019]

Twist #1

After Janet testifies that she and Charlie (the defendant) were in a relationship, they take a recess from the courtroom.

Talking with David and his defense attorney, Charlie says that Janet moved to the current city, married Fred (the invader Charlie killed) AND HAD A CHILD.

(Interestingly, David does not react to this statement)

Then when Charlie is on the stand afterwards, the DA also says that Fred was a father.

Then oddly, during the following testimony by Janet, she says Fred never touched her?

Twist #2

It turns out the child was Charlie's, conceived before Janet married Fred. So the aliens aren't cross-breeding. Whew!

Twist #3

Fred Wilk Sr and his wife show up, with "proof" Fred was their child, and therefore human.

Of course, they are aliens. It was a little strange, though, they were so blase about committing suicide. Truly alien creatures.

Twist #4

David finds out who the additional invader is, and shows this in the judge's chambers. This invader is then killed, and its destruction witnessed by the others. I am not going into more detail for this one, watch the episode.

Aside from the interesting drama, this starred some of my favorite actors of the time, Don Gordon, Russell Johnson, and Lynda Day (George).

btw, I did not find Russell Johnson distracting. I had seen him in shows before Gilligan's Island, that show, and other shows after this one. Sometimes they wanted him to be a character like 'The Professor', but most times they were different characters, like in this show.

Plus it is so weird seeing Harold Gould without his mustache. Is having a mustache type-casting?

Not bad.

[mm-39 · 8/10 · 29 April 2009]

Not a bad show. Vicent tried to save a friend who killed an Invader. The trial goes on. Who is the invader. The Invaders try everything to stop the case from telling the truth. The only way Vicent figures out what happens is the defense attorney is the Invader. Cuts the Invader's face in the back room with the judge. No blood for the defense attorney which is proof he is an Invaders. However as always the Invader is kills and vanishes and their goes David Vicents proof. The judge and prosecutor drop the charges for David's friend. Good show, with a strong build up and great acting. I give the show an eight out of ten. Better than average for the series.

Good But Too Unlike Other Episodes

[StuOz · 23 August 2016]

A human kills an "invader" but the killing is confused as being something else, only Vincent knows the truth...so we have a trial.

Generally speaking, I don't turn to this series for indoor dramas like this. To me at least, The Invaders is a series on the move in the great outdoors, filled with wonderful location filming and classic Ford cars all over the place. I am not saying The Trial is poor, far from it, the ending is wonderful, but this is just a bit too unlike other episodes.

On top of that, having an ex-Gilligan's Island cast member in it, Russell Johnson, is a distraction.

Nice to see Lynda Day George in this, eleven years later she would get a role in Irwin Allen's The Return Of Captain Nemo (1978).

The Trial is good but not great.