"The Playhouse" is a bit of an odd duck. Presumably because it involves children, nobody dies. Mainly because the only victims are the children that the Carlson kids lure into the antique playhouse. Which is a shame: Sylvia deserves to die based on what we overhear of her at the beginning beating Mike and Janine.
On the other hand, the lack of death makes the episode more chilling. Watching the childrens' faces through the rubbery walls is a lot more horrifying than, say, watching a woman stung to death by bees after someone has covered her with honey. (Hi, "Cupid's Quiver"! It's the gift that keeps on giving!) Having the sweet-faced Mike wearing black robes and yelling "I hate you!" is also more effective horror than just killing people in grotesque way. As anyone who has seen 'Children of the Damned' can tell you, evil children can be more horrifying than some guy in a hockey mask.
The playhouse illustrates the corrupting influence of Lewis and Satan. Janine is clearly not onboard with the whole "sacrificing other children" scheme, although Mike seems to be into the whole thing. Sylvia is an all-around horrible mom, and Wayne Best as Brad isn't much better. He coldcocks Jack in one scene, and boo hiss.
Remember the "missing kids" of the 80s'? Whatever happened to that, anyway? Anyhoo, the episode plays up on the missing kids but never really makes anything of it, including a milk carton at the end. All the ones here are abducted by a cursed playhouse and... that's it. The episode (and writer Tom McLoughlin) seems to be trying to say something about child abuse and missing children. But it's never clear what.
There are demonic circus performers, and the cinematography of the whole playhouse/playroom is pretty good. There are stairways that go nowhere, toys that appear and disappear, and doorways and fireplaces leading into space. Fred Mollan's music is kind of schmaltzy, as it often is when he's doing sad/tragic. But it's effective, nonetheless.
What's really schmaltzy is the end, where the playhouse is defeated by the power of wuv. Ryan and Micki sit around and do nothing as is often the case. Chris Wiggins manages to sell the whole "You have to love to be loved" message. Thank god for Wiggins! Although it's the shame the other antiques can't just be defeated by the power of love. Maybe the trio should recruit Huey Lewis and the News?
So the episode is good because of the cinematography, the whole evil children thing, and the fact it isn't something the show has done before and never tries to do again. The schmaltzy ending, and the vague message ("Child abuse is bad! Missing children are bad!" Duh.) tend to make it less than a true classic.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
On the other hand, the lack of death makes the episode more chilling. Watching the childrens' faces through the rubbery walls is a lot more horrifying than, say, watching a woman stung to death by bees after someone has covered her with honey. (Hi, "Cupid's Quiver"! It's the gift that keeps on giving!) Having the sweet-faced Mike wearing black robes and yelling "I hate you!" is also more effective horror than just killing people in grotesque way. As anyone who has seen 'Children of the Damned' can tell you, evil children can be more horrifying than some guy in a hockey mask.
The playhouse illustrates the corrupting influence of Lewis and Satan. Janine is clearly not onboard with the whole "sacrificing other children" scheme, although Mike seems to be into the whole thing. Sylvia is an all-around horrible mom, and Wayne Best as Brad isn't much better. He coldcocks Jack in one scene, and boo hiss.
Remember the "missing kids" of the 80s'? Whatever happened to that, anyway? Anyhoo, the episode plays up on the missing kids but never really makes anything of it, including a milk carton at the end. All the ones here are abducted by a cursed playhouse and... that's it. The episode (and writer Tom McLoughlin) seems to be trying to say something about child abuse and missing children. But it's never clear what.
There are demonic circus performers, and the cinematography of the whole playhouse/playroom is pretty good. There are stairways that go nowhere, toys that appear and disappear, and doorways and fireplaces leading into space. Fred Mollan's music is kind of schmaltzy, as it often is when he's doing sad/tragic. But it's effective, nonetheless.
What's really schmaltzy is the end, where the playhouse is defeated by the power of wuv. Ryan and Micki sit around and do nothing as is often the case. Chris Wiggins manages to sell the whole "You have to love to be loved" message. Thank god for Wiggins! Although it's the shame the other antiques can't just be defeated by the power of love. Maybe the trio should recruit Huey Lewis and the News?
So the episode is good because of the cinematography, the whole evil children thing, and the fact it isn't something the show has done before and never tries to do again. The schmaltzy ending, and the vague message ("Child abuse is bad! Missing children are bad!" Duh.) tend to make it less than a true classic.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
