|
Air Date: Saturday, January 21, 1995 Storyteller: Frank (Jason Alisharan)  Frame: The Midnight Society gathers, awaiting Frank's arrival, as he's up for storytelling that night. The waiting, however, gets under an unnecessarily impatient Sam's (Joanna Garcia) skin, so when she reaches her wit's end, she decides to leave. Just as she's heading out, however, she's stopped in her tracks by a bright light and the sound of a train, which turns out to be Frank, carrying a boombox, emitting train sounds, which provides a segue into his story, which isn't only about trains, but also about how the deep desire for something can lead to disaster.
Story: Tim Williamson (Gregory Smith) is obsessed with trains and wants to follow in his late father's footsteps and grow up to be a conductor. One night, while on a stroll with his brother, Hank (Jesse Moss), the two get separated, and Tim bumps into a strange conductor (Colin Fox) who gifts him a model passenger car for his train layout and promises to make him a conductor. It turns out this passenger car is a replica of one that once crashed near the Williamsons' home, and it serves as a sort of vessel for the deceased passengers. The mysterious conductor wants to pass his position on to Tim, allowing him to be free. Review: While there are some questionable aspects to this episode, it came across better than I expected. I grew up with a Dad who had a passionate model train hobby. Though I had respect for his skills and talent, I didn't follow in his footsteps, so I typically don't relate to the whole "fun with trains" thing. However, I enjoy the storytelling here, and the episode features an "uncle" type character to Tim named Cap (Ray Aranha), who ranks among the most likable in the series. Even though this isn't something that would have typically been up my alley, it's really not bad in the long run. Final Rating: Spooked
0 Comments
Air Date: October 29, 1994 Storytellers: Gary (Ross Hull) / Frank (Jason Alisharan)  Frame: When we last left the Midnight Society, Frank and Gary had teamed up to deliver their best story, using their individual strengths; their strengths going as far as their individually created characters of Frank's Dr. Vink (Aron Tager) and Gary's Sardo (Richard Dumont). Just as the story was getting good, the group had to be left hanging due to rain, but they have returned, eagerly awaiting the rest of the story. Frank and Gary provide a brief recap of what happened in 'Part 1,' and the story picks up right where it left off.
Recap: The previous chapter told the story of two brothers, Rush (Dominic Zamprogna), a typical teenager interested in a girl named Sandy (Emily Hampshire), and Max (Andrew Sardella), who wants to hang out with his big brother. To keep Max out of his hair, Rush buys him a magic set from Sardo's shop, but while there, opens a strange chest that no one is supposed to be able to open and finds a busted old spy glass inside that he gives to Max, which appears to be a gateway for pirate ghosts to be able to come to the land of the living and eventually kidnap Max, leaving Rush with a mission to save him. Story: The pirate ghosts, led by Cutter (Charles S. Dutton), kidnap Max, as Cutter mistakes Rush for being an old nemesis, and he's trying to force him into a final duel, using Max as the bait. Upon the kidnapping, Rush goes to Sardo's shop to confront him about the spy glass, and Sardo points him in the direction of Dr. Vink, who is better suited to answer his questions. Here, we find out that Rush was able to open the chest in Sardo's shop, thanks to being part of the bloodline of one Ian Keegan (Chip Chuipka), who was the only man to try to take on Cutter in the days of piracy. Rush doesn't just have a rescue mission now, but a destiny to fulfill. Review: This may be a somewhat obvious statement, but 'Part 2' is where all the good stuff is. I appreciate that there are real stakes to this story, and it plays out almost like a movie in some ways, considering aspects like fulfilling one's destiny as a sort of "chosen one." Vink is featured more here as well, and I always liked him a little more than Sardo, but the guy who really makes this episode is Dutton. He's a lot of fun to watch as a ruthless pirate, and you can tell he's having a lot of fun with the role. I wouldn't call it "scary," myself, but it does make for a fun adventure, nonetheless. Final Rating: Scared Air Date: October 22, 1994 Storytellers: Gary (Ross Hull) / Frank (Jason Alisharan)  Frame: Gary stands in the middle of the Midnight Society clearing, announcing that while the usual routine of the gang gathering to tell their individual stories, that night would be special, as he and Frank would be joining forces that night to tell a story they made up together, which would require the best of both of them. Being that they are the only two members of the group who have created recurring characters with Gary's Sardo (Richard Dumont) and Frank's Dr. Vink (Aron Tager), any fan of the show is sure to be in for a treat.
Story: Rush (Dominic Zamprogna) and his little brother, Max (Andrew Sardella), are left alone when their parents go on a trip, tricking their babysitter by faking measles. Wanting to hang out with his uninterested older brother, Max's alternative is to have Rush buy him a magic kit to keep him quiet. In Sardo's magic shop, Rush gets the kit, but also manages to unlock a mysterious chest that no one else can seem to open, containing a mysterious spyglass that appears to have some ability to bring the past to life, putting Rush and Max up against a gang of old pirates whose leader, Cutter (Charles S. Dutton), mistakes Rush for an old nemesis. Review: A lot of this "part 1" is about the sibling rivalry between the brothers, as Max is constantly interrupting Rush's desire to make out with a girl named Sandy (Emily Hampshire), which, as a little brother, I found kinda humorous. Thus far, any "scares" are little more than something likely seen in 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' and altogether, things are a little lackluster. Still, I appreciate things like the idea of Sardo and Vink teaming up in some way, and pirates are a classic route to go with Halloween specials, so far, not too bad. Final Rating: Spooked Air Date: Saturday, April 16, 1994 Storyteller: Frank (Jason Alisharan)  Frame: In one of my favourite intros, Frank goes around the Midnight Society circle, having everyone fess up to their worst fears, ending on Tucker (Daniel DeSanto), who tries to say he's not afraid of anything. Frank then shares his fear of the dark, admitting to it fully, and how we're all fearful of something irrational. Despite knowing it won't or can't hurt us, there's still something about whatever it is that scares us that makes us nervous. He concludes his introduction by stating that his story is about fear, which lends itself beautifully to the title of this show.
Story: A fancy restaurant known as "The Wild Boar" is a place people flock to from all around for their signature soup, which, despite looking somewhat unappetizing, turns out to be a taste sensation. One day, a young man named Reed (Greg Haberny) applies for a job. He gets interviewed by Nonnie Walker (Neve Campbell), who is assisting the restaurant's owner, the one and only Dr. Vink (Aron Tager), after a slew of workers quit for unknown reasons. Before long, Vink gives Reed and Nonnie the nightmarish explanation that links the flavour of his famous soup to the reason his employees keep quitting. Review: At this point, Campbell was a little-known entity, save for her parallel appearance in 'Party of Five', which aired the same year as this episode. But as cool as it always is to see a known celebrity in their beginnings with this show, her appearance is a little extra special to me, as she would then go on to become a scream queen as Sidney Prescott in the 'Scream' films. Otherwise, I enjoy the episode's intro a lot, and I always like Vink as a "nut bag" character. However, the scares are pretty basic, and even repeat in one case with a snake. It's perfectly passable, but the writers could have added a little more fuel to this fire. Final Rating: Spooked Air Date: Saturday, August 21, 1993 Storyteller: Frank (Jason Alisharan)  Frame: This episode takes place on the anniversary of Frank's first story, 'Phantom Cab,' which the Midnight Society remembers fondly. According to Gary (Ross Hull), it is tradition that, on the anniversary of one of them joining, it's their turn to tell a scary story. Frank enthusiastically tells them he's got the perfect one for that night, as there is yet another full moon in the sky, despite just having done a full moon episode with 'Whispering Walls.' Nonetheless, what follows is another personal favourite, even if it's on the level of guilty pleasure.
Story: Jed Harris (Dominic Zamprogna) and Hughie Downs (Jesse Lavendel) are a couple of aspiring young pet detectives who specialize in finding local missing pets, Jed using their small business to save for a dog. While searching for a missing cat, Jed follows a trail of kitty collars to his neighbour, Mr. Ankers' (Peter Colvey) house, where he first notices some suspicious activity involving a fridge full of raw meat. Realizing that something unnatural is going on next door, Jed does some spy work, and before long, he notices that there's something much more terrifying at play; he's living next door to a werewolf. Review: Not only is this episode spooky in the classic monster movie way, but it gives nods to titles like 'Fright Night,' 'Rear Window,' and even a sprinkle of 'Monster Squad'. But as I said before, it's more on the level of guilty pleasure with how silly it gets with things, even suggesting the over-the-top notion that this werewolf is definitely eating these missing cats that keep Jed and Hughie in work. I love cats, and it's twisted, but realizing it was once part of a kids' show is pretty amusing. However, don't worry, folks- no cats were harmed during the filming of this episode. Final Rating: Scared Air Date: Saturday, June 26, 1993 Storyteller: Frank (Jason Alisharan)  Intro: As the Midnight Society gathers, Kiki (Jodie Resther) and David (Nathaniel Moreau) run in, excited about having passes for that night's "Fright Night" at their local theatre, showing three monster movies in a row. Frank then shares his experience there and explains why he will never go back. After a bit of teasing, recalling Frank's fear of the dark (as established in 'Dark Music'), Frank uses his explanation to creepily foreshadow the tale he's about to tell, which ends up getting everyone intrigued.
Story: An old-fashioned movie theatre called "The Rialto" is about ready to sell its last movie ticket, unable to keep up with the times. Here, Pete (Eddie Robinson), a devoted supporter of the theatre, works with his friend, Katie (Melanie Wiesenthal), and does his best to save the theatre from closing. When their luck runs out, Dr. Vink (Aron Tager) returns to Frank's storytelling, offering to save the theatre in exchange for allowing him to show his movies once a week. Ultimately, it works, but the catch is that these movies can take on a life of their own, turning the on-screen fantasy into a creepy reality. Review: This is definitely one of my all-time favourite episodes of the series. Its creepiness notwithstanding, it also introduced me to the likes of the Nosferatu-style vampire (Christopher Heyerdahl), takes place at a movie theatre, features a character who likes movies as much as I do, and it's all topped off with the return of Dr. Vink, who was always a bit of a favourite character of mine through the series. This story is far better than 'Phantom Cab' though, complete with a fun twist ending. As it usually goes with this show, things get nonsensical, but this will forever be a personal favourite. Final Rating: Afraid Air Date: Saturday, August 15, 1992 Storyteller: Frank (Jason Alisharan)  Frame: We get introduced to the "Midnight Society," a group of kids who gather once a week in the woods by a roaring campfire to share their scary stories, as they are all united by a love of the dark. In this opening episode, Frank is introduced to the rest of the group when David (Nathaniel Moreau) brings him in, blindfolded, until he can prove himself to the rest of the group with his take on a scary story. By the end, spoiler alert, he's allowed into the group and would go on to become one of the show's mainstays.
Story: Buzz (Sean Vertigo) and his older brother, Denny (Jason Tremblay), get lost in the woods one night while exploring in an effort for Buzz to prove himself to Denny, who, in turn, thinks his little brother is kinda worthless. A stranger named Flynn (Brian Dooley) finds them and takes them to an eccentric man named Dr. Vink (Aron Tager), who lives in the woods. Vink informs them that he will help them find their way home if they solve one of his riddles. However, if they don't, they'll be left to take their chances and wait for a mysterious cab and its destination. Review: Although it's not without a mildly creepy moment or two, the frustrating banter between the two brothers gets on the nerves, especially from Denny, who is quite the bully. Dr. Vink, on the other hand, would eventually become a beloved recurring character throughout the show, and he is definitely one of the few things carrying this episode. The show has many better and more memorable episodes to come. That said, this was still finding its footing, as technically the second episode ('Tale of the Twisted Claw', originally airing on Halloween night, 1990), so some of this can be excused. It proves to be a very middle-ground episode. Final Rating: Nervous |
RSS Feed