George Takei Starred In The Only Twilight Zone Episode That Was Banned From Syndication

George Takei, a renowned Asian-American actor, starred in the only episode of The Twilight Zone that was banned from syndication. Titled "The Encounter," this Season 5 episode aired in 1964 and featured Takei as Arthur Takamori, a Japanese-American gardener. The plot involves a white American World War II veteran, Fenton, played by Neville Brand, who had taken a samurai sword from a Japanese soldier during the war.

The episode's controversial nature stemmed from its fantasy sequence, where Takamori's father signals Japanese bombers attacking Pearl Harbor, an event that never actually took place. This plot twist angered audiences, leading some Asian-American civil liberties groups to speak out against the show. Due to the controversy, "The Encounter" was removed from reruns and subsequent syndication for decades.

However, it eventually aired on the Syfy channel in 2016 and is now available on various streaming platforms. Takei praised the episode, calling it one of the best acting performances in The Twilight Zone's history, and expressed his gratitude to director Robert Butler for choosing him for the role, as he didn't have to audition.