Azoth the Avenger Is a Friend of Mine

"Azoth the Avenger Is a Friend of Mine"
The Twilight Zone (2nd revival) episode
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 10
Directed by	Brad Turner
Written by	Brent V. Friedman
Production code	112
Original air date	October 16, 2002 (2002-10-16)
Guest actors
Rory Culkin as Craig Hansen Patrick Warburton as Azoth the Avenger Peter LaCroix as Darrell Hansen Suzy Joachim as Lorraine Hansen

"Azoth the Avenger Is a Friend of Mine" is the tenth episode of the science fiction television series 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone. The episode was first broadcast on October 16, 2002, on UPN.

Opening narration

Craig Hansen's only refuge from his abusive father is a fantasy realm, home to that heroic protector of the weak, Azoth the Avenger. But Craig is about to discover what happens when fantasy becomes reality in the Zone.

Plot summary

Twelve-year-old Craig Hansen is reading a comic book about Azoth the Avenger, a barbarian hero and Craig's idol. As his night security guard father Darrell yells at his mother Lorraine, Craig paints his Azoth figurine and notices mystic runes on the base. Darrell comes in and asks if Craig has been practicing basketball at the nearby street corner. Craig tells him that three bullies beat him up and an angry Darrell tells him to man up. Darrell leaves and Craig translates the runes using a code in his comic books. A glowing light surrounds the Azoth figure and it disappears… and the real Azoth appears in Craig's room. Azoth asks how he came to be there and Craig explains, and then has the hero hide as his mother comes in. She apologizes for Darrell, saying he has a tough life, and leaves. Azoth drops down from the ceiling and notices Craig's black eye from the bullies. He declares that Craig must be avenged. They go to the basketball court together and the bullies start to attack Craig. Azoth sheathes his sword in the sidewalk and casually tosses one bully through a fence, killing him instantly: the others run in mortal terror.

Craig takes some food from his refrigerator and then leads Azoth to the laundry in the basement. As they eat, Craig shows him the figure's base and Azoth talks about how when he was young, he fled from a pack of demons that slaughtered his family. He still regrets the one battle that he never fought.

The next day, Craig asks Azoth to take him with him when he goes back to his fantasy land and Azoth agrees. Craig hears his dad yelling at Lorraine about the missing food and goes to confront his battle. He explains that he took the food but Darrell does not believe him. Azoth comes in, raises his sword and decides that Darrell is the evil he is destined to fight. However, Darrell, a veteran night security guard, effortlessly disarms him, savagely beats Azoth with his nightstick, takes his sword, handcuffs his wrists and ankles, tapes his mouth and kicks him out of the house. Darrell insists he is not a bad guy, and he was just protecting his family against a long-haired freak. Craig finally gives in and lies, saying that Azoth is some sex-offender adult who dresses in an Azoth costume for conventions. Darrell and Lorraine both insist he stay away from the "nut".

Craig goes down to the basement where a battered, cowering, handcuffed and helpless Azoth is recovering from his wounds. Craig is emotionally shattered, seeing this is the first time Azoth has been defeated in battle so quickly, easily and completely. Azoth admits that Craig's father is a mighty warrior, greater than any man, monster or sorcerer he has ever faced in his realm. Lorraine follows him and binds Azoth's wounds, and he says that Darrell is not worthy of her. Azoth tells Craig that he has more power and strength that he knows: power that comes from within. He cowardly tells Craig that he must fight his own battles. Lorraine re-tapes his mouth, slaps his face and afterwards the boy sends Azoth back to where he came from in disgrace, using a magical incantation. Craig goes upstairs and gets the sword as Darrell abuses Lorraine verbally because she took the bandages. He confronts his father who knocks away the sword. Lorraine tries to stop him, but Darrell tosses her to the ground. He prepares to beat Craig and the boy recites the magic words. Lorraine and Craig look on as Darrell disappears in a flash of light with the sword. Craig goes to the bedroom of his now peaceful house and has a new figure: his heroic father, battering a gagged and shackled Azoth senseless with his nightstick, while holding Azoth's sword in his other hand in triumph as he begins his conquest of Azoth's realm. As Lorraine watches Craig work on the two action figures, Forest Whitaker appears in the room narrating that Craig has become his own hero.

Closing narration

Sometimes we pray for a hero to deliver us from evil. Armed with nothing more than his new-found courage and a powerful imagination, Craig Hansen discovered that hero was none other than himself. Chalk one up for the good guys in the Twilight Zone.

External links

• "Azoth the Avenger Is a Friend of Mine" at TV.com
• "Azoth the Avenger Is a Friend of Mine" at IMDb