In the near future, the hunting of animals has been banned by environmentalists and black market hunting of obsolete androids takes its place.
Opening narration
| "Humankind has proven to be unique among lifeforms, distinguished not only by its lofty intelligence, morality and self-awareness, but also by a baser side...it is the only creature that kills for sport." |
Plot
Bowhunters George Nichols, his son Eric, older brother Clute and their guide Pete engage in a ritual hunt of a group of obsolete androids. The prey - mining android Kel, a doctor and two others - attempt to escape from the hunters during the beginning of the hunt. Clute, eager to provide his brother and nephew with an exciting hunt, secretly plants information allowing the androids to remove their inhibitor chips so that they may fight back instead of merely running away.
However, the doctor is killed, leading to the kidnapping of Eric and Pete. The androids (two at that point, including Kel) release Eric, as he had refused to hunt with the other hunters. Pete, however, is revealed to be another android and is kept captive, though he almost seems to prefer going with his fellow androids rather than staying with the hunters. In the meantime, George accidentally kills his own son, having mistaken the boy for one of the androids.
Clute then pursues the androids, killing another one of them. Enraged, Kel (who had up until then refused to have his inhibitor removed) kills Clute. Eventually, Kel and Pete make it to the limits of the forest, meeting a ranger. The ranger explains to the androids that, since they survived an illegal hunt, they are allowed to live freely among humans, something Kel had frequently dreamed of. However, Kel is disgusted and weary from his experience, so he refuses this freedom and reveals how he killed Clute.
As a result, Kel is reprogrammed and turned into a guide for another android hunt.
Closing narration
| "As machines grow more human, we must be wary that we do not become...less so." |
Notes
- After "Valerie 23" and "Resurrection", this is the third episode in the Innobotics Corporation story arc. It was later followed by "Mary 25" and "In Our Own Image".
- The android exoskeleton prop is reused from "The Camp".
- This episode is included on The Outer Limits: Fantastic Androids & Robots Collection DVD set.
Cast
- Doug Savant as Kel
- Ron White as George Nichols
- Sarah Strange as Tara
- David McNally as Pete
- Don Thompson as Doc
- Tobias Mehler as Eric Nichols
- Bob Gunton as Clute Nichols
- Robert Moloney as Veeter
- D. Harlan Cutshall as Guard
- Russell Ferrier as Game Warden
- Kevin Conway as the Control Voice (voice)
| Innobotics Corporation | "Valerie 23" • "Resurrection" • "The Hunt" • "Mary 25" • "In Our Own Image" | |
| Major John Skokes | "Quality of Mercy" • "The Light Brigade" | |
| Alien Infiltration | "Birthright" • "The Voice of Reason" | |
| Strong Brothers Investigate Conspiracies | "The Voice of Reason" • "A Special Edition" | |
| Dr. Theresa Givens' Time Machine | "A Stitch in Time" • "Better Luck Next Time" • "Final Appeal" | |
| Genetic Rejection Syndrome | "Unnatural Selection" • "Criminal Nature" | |
| The New Masters | "The Camp" • "Promised Land" | |
| Dr. Martin Nodel | "Double Helix" • "The Origin of Species" | |
| USAS | "The Joining" • "The Vessel" • "In the Blood" | |
| Earth Coalition-Free Alliance Conflict | "Phobos Rising" • "The Human Factor" • "Human Trials" | |
| Jack the Ripper | "Ripper" • "Better Luck Next Time" | |
| Nicholas Prentice | "Tribunal" • "Gettysburg" • "Time to Time" | |