George R.R. Martin "Owes His TV Career" to The Twilight Zone

George R.R. Martin is best known for his novels, though he spent much of his writing career working in television. His TV work includes episodes of Beauty and the Beast, The Hitchhiker and five standalone scripts for the first revival of The Twilight Zone: "The Last Defender of Camelot," "Lost and Found," "The Once and Future King," "The Toys of Caliban," and "The Road Less Traveled." Those five episodes vary in quality.

"Lost and Found" is described as the least successful, its promising premise — a college student whose possessions are stolen by time travelers because she will become an iconic world leader — given less than 10 minutes of development. "The Last Defender of Camelot," about an elderly Sir Lancelot facing a reawakened Merlin, is also called underwhelming.

Other entries fare better. "The Once and Future King," about a famous Elvis meeting his pre-fame self, is singled out as a favorite for its characterization and tone.

martin, twilight zone, television, novels, the hitchhiker, camelot, merlin, elvis, time travelers, characterization