Lithia, Episode 17 of the fourth season of the 1995 remake of The Outer Limits,

features a man who was cryogenically frozen and awakens in a world populated only by women. Men died due to a war and a subsequent virus that affected males. They reproduce by artificial insemination using frozen sperm left over from the time when there were men

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The last man on Earth wakes up from his cryostasis pod to find a world full of women eager to help. He starts making enemies but also lovers. Tensions arise among the women until The Enclave has to make a life-altering decision, revealing the real reason why there are no men left on Earth.

In a peaceful little commune, a young woman named Ariel tells a classroom of girls a morbid tale of death and destruction. She recalls a war where men laid waste to all that was good in the world. Many men died in the war, with the survivors meeting their fate shortly after due to nuclear fallout. Ariel mentions that this event was dubbed the Great War and goes on to tell the girls that even after the war, men continued to fight and hate each other. This hate led to what Ariel refers to as the "goddess," who created the scourge, a global pandemic that killed every man on Earth.

While Ariel tells the girls of the paradise the world has become without men, a beeping metal pod with a man in it becomes visible. The man inside stirs as a computer interface seems to malfunction. Suddenly, before Ariel can finish her lesson with a prayer to the goddess, the man stumbles into the classroom like a zombie. The woman and her students back away, shocked at the sight before them. The shaking man speaks, asking for help before passing out, scaring the girls so much that they all scream.

We see the man being tended to by a group of beautiful women. He's in front of a fire, wrapped in a blanket, and eating a hot meal. As an older woman joins them, she looks at the man in awe before introducing herself as Hera, the Elder. Hera comments on how the man has already met her granddaughter, the teacher Ariel, and Sarah the Healer. Hera asks the man his name, but he can't answer. He doesn't remember his name or anything about himself, despite feeling better than when he first woke up. As they speak, the man slowly begins to piece back his memories. He remembers he was a volunteer for an experimental cryostasis pod.

Suddenly, the man asks the date, and Ariel tells him the year is 2055. The man can't believe it. He comments that he's been asleep for 40 years when it was supposed to only be 6 months. Hera asks if he remembers the Great War, to which the man nods, saying he remembers how it first began. This sparks something inside him, and he remembers he fought in the war and was a major in the U.S. Army. He asks if they won the war, but Hera tells him that nobody won.

Major Mercer asks about the casualties, and Hera reveals that 99% of the population didn't survive. This information causes Mercer to break down in disbelief. Sarah adds that this is before taking into account the radiation poisoning, lack of food, and the scourge. Noticing the major beginning to tear up, Ariel ushers the children watching outside to give him some privacy.

Major Mercer questions where they are, and Hera tells him they're in Lithia, a small enclave among the destruction. Major Mercer notes only seeing beautiful women inside and not seeing any men outside, so he asks where they are. Hera says all the men who lived in Lithia were buried in the fields. Mercer asks if there was another war, but Hera explains that the scourge was a mutated virus that only affected men. It's because of the scourge that all men in Lithia and the world are no longer alive. Ariel adds that men started the war and paid the price for it.

Mercer asks how they have such young children if men have been extinct for 40 years and learns that the women use frozen sperm to reproduce. The women also inform the major that even the male-born children don't last more than a few weeks before succumbing to the scourge. Major Mercer jokes that he must be in a nightmare, but Hera assures him it isn't. He's the last man on Earth.

In a town hall, a group of women meet to discuss what should be done with Major Mercer. One woman, Pelle, declares his arrival is a bad omen and a sign that the goddess is angry with them. Hera suggests that his sudden appearance can only be the goddess testing their faith. A woman named Miranda speculates the major is a blessing and cautions against acting rashly. Ariel stands up and proclaims that if the major were a woman, they wouldn't turn him away, causing Hera to agree and remind the women of their duty to be generous. Pelle objects but is interrupted by a televised message from the council.

To intercept the message, a woman keeps turning a mechanism on a TV-like contraption. A woman in black robes appears on the screen and informs the women of Lithia that because of the weather, there won't be enough harvestable crops for everyone. This news shakes the women, but Hera accepts it and says they'll make do. Some of the women warn Hera for not telling the council about Major Mercer, to which Hera says they must find a way to deal with their own issues without outside assistance.

Major Mercer is awoken from his rest in a shack in the middle of a field by a girl who tells him it's time to work. Dressed in his army clothing, Major Mercer enters a mill where many women use their bodies to grind grain. He relieves one of the women from her duty and takes her place in a communal shower. Miranda and P discuss politics. P believes Hera is no longer fit to be the Elder, while Miranda disagrees, stating that Hera is the wisest of them all. To take Pelle's mind off of things, Miranda offers to wash her back seductively.

Major Mercer finishes his shift at the mill and walks in on Miranda and P having a steamy moment. He apologizes, embarrassed, but Miranda makes a flirtatious joke insinuating the major should join them. This upsets P, and she storms off in a fuss. In a dining hall, Hera explains that they haven't been able to process as much grain since the water dried up. Because of this, most of the grain harvested each season is left to rot. The major asks the cause of their river drying up and learns it dried up after another enclave repaired a dam in an attempt to repower an old hydroelectric power plant. The major asks why Lithia allowed that, and Ariel explains that this other enclave has poor soil and can't produce food on their own. Another woman comments on their ability to use physical labor to produce flour, even without the river.

The women's mentality and selflessness shock Major Mercer, who states the other enclave's survival shouldn't be at Lithia's expense. They shouldn't be responsible for the whole world's troubles. This leads to Hera mocking him, stating beliefs like that are what started the war in the first place. After some thought, Major asks if their paddle wheel has a backup power system. The major finds out theirs did, but it's been broken for ages, and even if it worked, they lack the electricity to power it. When he asks about the power lines he saw outside, Hera tells Major Mercer that they are nothing more than ancient relics.

Suddenly, the major notices Miranda eyeing him suggestively from across the room. In a field, the major and Ariel talk while harvesting crops. Major Mercer asks if she's left Lithia, but she only questions why she would ever need to. Ariel decides to question the major a little. She asks him about life before being frozen. He begins telling Ariel about the politics, but she interrupts, wanting to hear more about the relationship between men and women. This makes Major Mercer chuckle. He tells Ariel of the war between the sexes, rather than the Great War, commenting on women obviously being the victors, given men's extinction. Ariel presses further, stating it couldn't have all been bad, to which the major agrees with a smile. He reminisces on fond memories, noticing his sudden shift in mood. Ariel asks if he had someone special before being put in cryo sleep. The major tells Ariel he did have someone, but he never got around to marrying her.

Ariel mentions it must not have been easy for the major to leave whoever his special someone was behind. However, thinking she brought up bad memories, when he doesn't respond, Ariel quickly apologizes. The major smiles at Ariel and tells her the memories could never upset him; they're all he has left. The major turns the question around flirtatiously, asking Ariel if she has anybody, to which she replies that she doesn't.

We see the major struggling with some tools while trying to fix the backup, like he said he would, when Miranda joins him. The major recounts Ariel mentioning Miranda being in charge of trade affairs with other enclaves. Curious, he asks her how long it'll be until the enclave that built the dam is ready to barter their electricity. Miranda states they're barely generating any noteworthy level of electricity. She goes on to mention the controversy and the council's unwillingness to permit electricity bartering. The major can't help but mock their new culture, making Miranda feel like she has to emphasize how well they've gotten along so far. The major nods in agreement before getting back to his work. Miranda approaches him from behind and makes a move on Major Mercer, but he doesn't catch on. Miranda tries again, being more obvious, and Major Mercer understands. They touch lips and begin a passionate encounter, only to be interrupted by a voice calling for Miranda.

In a sleeping cabin, a group of young girls beg Hera for a bedtime story.
They want to hear about the days before the Great War and ask Hera if she's ever fallen in love with a man. Hera shows hesitation but reveals that her love's name was Jason, and they were going to get married, but he was forced to join the war efforts and never came back. When asked if she misses Jason, Hera nods but tells the girls she remembers him by the locket around her neck, which Jason gave her before going off to war.

Another girl asks Hera if she misses the way things were before, but Hera only laughs and states that she doesn't think of such things. The girl is then scolded after joking that Ariel is falling in love with Major Mercer in his dark shack. The major is awakened by Miranda in the middle of the night. She reveals the Major's body and says she's intent on finding out what she's been missing. Major Mercer doesn't shy away, and the two begin a passionate and physical moment.

Outside, we see P watching in horror and disgust as the Major and Miranda are intimate. Pelle sheds a tear and reaches for a knife in his waistband. The next morning, Hera argues the value of simplicity with the major and Miranda. The two try to explain their plan to trade and barter electricity with the other enclave to power their mill and increase their productivity. Hera is insistent on keeping things in Lithia the way they are, stating that such complexity will only lead to greed. This is what happened to the men before the Great War and the scourge, and they can't make the same mistakes. However, the Major and Miranda continue to plead their case, only planning on using enough electricity to improve things. Ultimately, this convinces Hera.

The Major and Miranda waste no time meeting with the Elder of the other Enclave to pitch their proposal. Their Elder is still in disbelief of seeing a living man, despite admitting to hearing rumors of men frozen in suspended animation. After exchanging pleasantries, the Major and Miranda pull things back on topic, but the Elder is unsure. She lets them know that even in her Enclave, generating electricity is a very touchy subject, and she doubts the council will allow anything beyond simply testing their ability to generate electricity.

The Major reminds the Elder of the difficulty Lithia deals with because of her Enclave and deems this a necessary form of reparations. Miranda adds that all Lithia needs is a few kilowatts of power a season, but the Elder interrupts Miranda, refusing to make any promises. She says if they're permitted to trade electricity, Lithia will receive first priority. The Major demands to know how long it will take the council to decide and is shocked to hear a year at the soonest. The Major points out that the Elder's Enclave is clearly producing power already and doesn't see a reason not to share. This upsets the Elder, and she patronizes Major Mercer, telling him of their principles. Flustered, Major Mercer mocks their principles, calling it hypocrisy before storming off, as Miranda follows.

The Elder orders members of her Enclave to patrol their border, not trusting the Major after she notices he has a weapon. Back in Lithia, Hera receives some bad news from the council: they will be taking 20% of their food stocks, leaving Lithia with even less food. The Major reveals his plan to secretly steal power by hijacking a nearby transformer. Major Mercer continues, stating the dam has more than enough power for two Enclaves, so it's a victimless crime, but Hera berates the Major, calling him a child driven by ego. He can't stand not being the best, and it's only ever going to lead to conflict like with the war. Ariel storms off, and Major Mercer asks Hera to consider his plan before he chases after Ariel.

Miranda stops Major Mercer outside and tells him she'll help him with his plan. She knows of some cabling he can use and tells him she has the key to the shed it's held in. They plan to meet by the shed that night. As planned, Major Mercer and Miranda enact their plan to steal power, and it goes without a hitch. They run back before their scene and share a celebratory kiss before splitting up.

Major Mercer makes his way back to bed but is stopped by P, who threatens him at knife point. P warns the Major not to go near Miranda again or she'll end him. The next morning, Major Mercer tests his handiwork by turning the newly powered pedal wheel on, and it works. He and Miranda hop around and cheer. Miranda rushes outside as other women begin noticing the powered mill. Hera and a group of women approach. Miranda's cheery disposition is quickly swept away by Hera, who yells at her. Major Mercer joins them, and an argument ensues. He shares his belief that the council is intentionally over-taxing smaller Enclaves in hopes they starve so there's more resources to go around. Hera ridicules the Major, accusing him of thinking he knows what's best after less than a week of knowing them all. Other women agree, and Hera comments on how all men are truly the same, greedy oppressors telling women what to do. Hera goes on to say it was good that men disappeared.

Back in the mill, Ariel catches Major Mercer teaching a girl how to shoot using his laser pistol. After sending the girls away, Ariel questions where he found such a weapon. The Major only replies that it was in his cryopod. At first, Ariel is furious that he'd hide such a thing, but Major Mercer distracts her with a kiss. Ariel kisses him back, and they quickly move to an intimate encounter on the floor. Once finished, Ariel points out that the motor stopped, and Major Mercer deduces the power must have been cut off back where they stole the power the night before.

Major Mercer and Miranda investigate what happened. Major Mercer climbs a power line while Miranda holds his weapon. Suddenly, a group of patrol women catch the Major and Miranda in the act. After being ordered to stop by a woman aiming a bow and arrow, Miranda is compelled to open fire by Major Mercer. Regret and fear set in as Miranda shoots the innocent woman. She rushes to her aid, guilt weighing heavy. Another patrol woman hits the Major with a blow dart, causing him to fall to the ground unconscious. Miranda tries to help him, but she's taken captive.

Back in Lithia, Major Mercer explains what happened with some minor alteration. He claims he and Miranda were attacked first and only acted in self-defense, which everyone believes. Still, Hera feels Major Mercer is to blame for an unnecessary loss of life. To make up for his mistakes, Major Mercer proposes he undertake a mission to free Miranda, stating that she doesn't deserve to pay for his mistakes. Hera attempts to deny him, but Ariel and P volunteer to go with him, and Hera caves in.

In the other Enclave, Major Mercer boldly struts up to the Elder in a factory. She comments on his unyielding bravery, and the Major says he isn't leaving until Miranda is released. The Elder informs him that the punishment for murder is labor, and Miranda is serving her time. Major Mercer simply states he's to blame and he's willing to take Miranda's place. After the Elder jokes that a man could never take a woman's place, Major Mercer reveals his Plan B. Ariel and P bring out a member of the Elder's Enclave, whom Major Mercer declares his hostage. He points his weapon at the woman and demands Miranda be released.

The Elder brings Miranda out, and both factions have a tense standoff. When another member of the Elder's Enclave startles Major Mercer from behind, the hostage makes a break for it. In a moment of confusion, both sides fire their weapons aimlessly. Major Mercer ends up killing the hostage and Miranda, while the other Enclave fires an arrow through Ariel's heart. The Major holds Ariel, and P runs to Miranda's side as the Elder screams for a ceasefire. Lithia holds a small funeral in memory of Ariel and Miranda, with Major Mercer only watching from the mill where it all started.

Hera gives a eulogy on the poisonous old way—man's way—and declares to never follow in men's way again, making them as destroyers. Later, Major Mercer tells everyone that he's leaving Lithia in hopes of a fresh start. Hera reveals that she told the council about his presence, but they shockingly already knew. She goes on to say the council discovered 11 other men in cryostasis and placed them near Enclaves as one big social experiment in an attempt to see the effects of man in the new world. The council released each man one by one, and each time the experiment brought disaster.

Before Major Mercer can react, Pelle grabs his weapon and aims it at him. Hera simply says that men have run out of second chances. Major Mercer pleads his case as he's carried through a long corridor. He insists his mistakes were meant in good faith and his instincts were only to help and provide because he's a man, but his words fall on deaf ears as the women place him back in the cryopod.

Major Mercer insists they're alike, he was just misguided and rash. He begs for his life, but Hera tearfully says goodbye, calling him Jason. He asks how she knew his first name. Hera reveals that Major Mercer was the Jason she fell in love with all those years ago, showing a locket in her hand that displays a photo of him. He was her fiancé all those many years ago. She clutches the locket he gave her as the pod shuts, sealing Major Mercer inside.

The Story of Litha P: A Question Society Has Asked Since Humanity Began

Are men and women fundamentally different? It seems so, at least in this case. Man has a biological inclination toward greed, death, and destruction, which can be seen as a plague on the world, embodied in the figure of Major Jason Mercer. While this may be one possibility, the true lesson of Litha is that, no matter the circumstances, the key to coexistence lies in respect, understanding, and communication—regardless of gender.

But what do you think about the "war of the sexes"? What would you have done differently if you suddenly woke up in a world full of beautiful women?