The Tale of the Midnight Ride

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Midnight Society

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Air Date: Saturday, January 8, 1994
Storyteller: Tucker (Daniel DeSanto)

Frame: The beginning of a new season sees Kristen (Rachel Blanchard) and David (Nathaniel Moreau) absent from the Midnight Society, due to their parents moving away. With two spots to fill, Gary (Ross Hull) brings in his little brother, Tucker, to fill one of the places. While the rest of the group complains that he's a little kid and not up to the task, Tucker insists that they give him a chance to prove himself. Gary further reveals that if Tucker can't come, he will no longer be able to attend meetings. Reluctantly, the group agrees to give him the chance.

Story: Ian Matthews (Tighe Swanson) has just moved to Sleepy Hollow, where the tale of the "Headless Horseman" comes from, and is trying to fit in and make friends. He befriends a girl named Katie (Rachel Wilson), much to the dismay of her ex, Brad (Patrick Gardner), who can't seem to let her go. Jealous, Brad attempts a prank on Ian, using the famous Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and its association with Halloween night to his advantage. However, some ghost stories might end up being more real than we all think, and soon they all find themselves face to face with what could be the real Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.

Review: This one's okay for a fun Halloween treat, primarily because it's one of only a few actual Halloween episodes in the series. However, Ian is almost immediately unlikable, Katie's just kinda there to be fought over, and Brad's a typical bully. While I appreciate the idea behind this story, it's another one in which its featured characters bring it down. Regardless, Tucker is accepted into the Midnight Society, effectively becoming a new Eric (Jacob Tierney), as the "little brat" of the group, whose spot was left open after the first season, despite the idea that he's supposedly replacing David (Nathaniel Moreau).

Final Rating: Spooked

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