In eleven or twelve years of writing, Mike, I can lay claim to at least this: I have never written beneath myself. I have never written anything that I didn't want my name attached to. I have probed deeper in some scripts and I've been more successful in some than others. But all of them that have been on, you know, I'll take my lick. They're mine and that's the way I wanted them.

New York Times critic Jack Gould called the show "one of the high points in the TV medium's evolution" and said "[f]or Rod Serlinger power of narrative forcefulness of characterization and brilliant climax Mr. [clarification needed] Serling later told friends three other men had been killed before he made the test. For a variety of reasons Serling was transferred to the 511th's demolition platoon (nicknamed "The Death Squad" for its high casualty rate).

He was known as the "angry young man" of Hollywood clashing with television executives and sponsors over a wide range of issues including censorship racism and war. Serling was active in politics both on and off the screen and helped form television industry standards.