Mum's Monday: The Radio Talk Show Killer

‘The Doctor Jill show’ (Georgina Haig) I like the advice that Doctor Jill gives over the radio. It does all make sense. Sadly, unfortunately some of it is tragically misinterpreted. It shows/highlights that you have to be very careful what advice you do give out. This can be dangerous with a wide range of listeners of all different attitudes and ways/lives. The shock scenes are perfectly done/acted.

I understand why Doctor Jill is now off air. What I don’t like is that everyone seems to be putting money, ratings and not taking Jill’s emotions into consideration after what happened. Although What happened wasn’t necessarily Jill’s fault. I feel that a little respect as to how she is feeling wouldn’t go amiss.

‘Do a show you want’ that may work? It is also lovely to see someone Jill did help. It is also now nice to see her back. I hope she knows what she is doing?. Yes, she’s got it.

I don’t like Ron (Jonathan Dubsky). He has Jill back, against the odds, the show went well after the yes, unconfirmed tragedy but what ever happened the idea of it did hit Jill hard, and Ron still wants more. I don’t feel that he is one, in tune with Jill and two, in tune with the listeners of the show. I also don’t like all the focus on a ‘Catchphrase’. It sounds so trivial compared to people’s lives.

Ratings again. It is sad to see jobs on the line. Sadly, it seems in radio or any other business the cold truth of it is always there. Now there is a name/caller that causes a shock but the good news is the caller is ok. I hate ‘Prank’ callers. Although a ‘Recording’ is mentioned it could be dodgy? This is intriguing.

This has turned sinister and should anyone be opening a package they were not expecting just like that? Although for the nature of the film it had to happen that way. An autograph, they know how to build tension. It is annoying to see the police are unwilling to help. Some of it could be personal though. This highlights the risks involved in being in the public eye.

Jill is on the case but it could be too late. It is such a shock and why her? At least now the police are now doing their job. The music that is played over the police station scenes adds to the atmosphere of what is happening. It is so sad all that is happening, what is going on? I knew it. Wrong one.

Ron is being Ron. I really don’t like him now he is getting worse. Oh and my instinct about someone else. I did think there was something about him. I thought it was just me being cynical but he is up to something. What exactly is not so clear. I don’t like that there is so much distrust I am feeling watching these characters in this film.

The only person I trust is Jill and I like how she is dealing with all that is happening. Sadly, it is not nice that she is doing this on her own. Although the police have stepped up this is great to see as the truth should now come out, I hope. 

It is him, ‘Sorry’ really, that just isn't enough. It is sad to see that he gets off lightly as to what he did. Now someone else is in the mix. Him, not him. Now what/who? Oh! No it was the least expected person and ‘She’ was involved. I didn’t see that coming and it all fell into place. We also have to remember that people are someone's relative somewhere out there. Such a tragic shock so sad.

The Written Podcast: In Defence of Supernatural - The Finale

 It seems there is an unfortunate pattern when it comes to ending a popular TV show. It doesn’t go well. It can be difficult to get the tone of the finale correct, especially after so many years. For the most part, the worst finales are talked about more than the good ones, an understandable reaction considering loyal fans have been following the show since the beginning and would like to say goodbye to the characters in a meaningful way. Whilst I haven’t seen Dexter or Game of Thrones, I do know that the finales destroyed the show. Game of Thrones stood out above the rest simply because it was the most talked about and watched TV show year after year and then, after the 8th, is not even mentioned once. Not a single person who was once a fan of the show is recommending people to watch the first 7 seasons, but instead have completely turned their back on the entire show, a feat that’s remarkable in its own right, to be honest. And I haven’t seen many articles talking about Dexter anymore, but only mentioned on those top ten lists talking about the worst finales.

Supernatural could have easily gone down that route, but it thankfully hasn’t. Lasting for an outstanding 15 seasons, the long running ghost-hunting, demon-killing, God-fighting series came to an end a couple of weeks ago, and has generated a few debates. It split the fanbase down the middle - some are happy; some are mad; there is no in between. Looking at it simply, it did seem strange that for someone who, in the previous episode, defeated God himself after a lengthy battle be stopped by a rusty nail. It seemed strange that Dean, a human being, spent 15 seasons going up against the most powerful ghosts, demons, Gods, and everything else in between being stopped by a group of vampires. 

Looking at it in regards to the entire series as whole, it no longer becomes simple as there’s a lot to unpack. Since the very first episode, Sam (Jared Padelecki) has been wanting to lead a normal life, away from all the hunting. He only got dragged back in when his brother, Dean (Jensen Ackles) came knocking on his door stating their dad had gone missing on a “hunting trip”. At the end of the first episode, his then girlfriend was killed off by an entity who we now know to be the yellow-eyed demon and prince of hell, Azazel, who also took the life of their mother who had made a deal with him to spare their dad’s life, John some years prior to the first episode. Over the 15 seasons there has been so much lore explored about the world in which Sam and Dean live, but fundamentally, even though he had accepted the life of a hunter, Sam never forgot his one true desire of living a normal life. And Dean never forgot that deep down, he knew he was destined to go out as a hunter.

It was obvious that the show was planned to only be 5 seasons long, ending with the climactic battle between Lucifer and Micael, two archangels, which would have seen the end of the world. The Apocalypse was prevented by Sam and Dean, specifically with Sam’s sacrifice which landed him in hell, trapped in the cage with Lucifer. The end of the 5th season had Chuck (who we gradually learnt to be God himself) stating that no story is ever truly over before mysteriously vanishing into thin air.

Skipping ahead to the 19th episode of season 15, we see them defeating God by taking his power away from him, making him mortal. The last scene of the episode saw Sam and Dean sitting in their bunker making a toast to everyone they’ve lost along the way, stating that they’re finally free from God’s plan/story. Ultimately, God had been the one writing their story from the very beginning. Long before they were even born, God was writing their story, making sure specific things were in place to make for a good story. A few episodes, including the show’s 200th episode, heavily focused on the fact that they were a part of a story, and by taking away God’s power, they were finally free from that story, enabling them to go about their lives as they choose.

The finale episode of Supernatural saw Sam and Dean fight a nest of Vampires. They win, but Dean gets stabbed in the back by a rusty nail. He begged Sam to let him go, to not find another way and to keep his word once he’s gone; to live a normal life. Again, it did seem strange that the episode prior saw him go toe to toe with God himself, but as explained above, he was no longer a part of a story written by God. Jack, who had become the new God, stated clearly that he was not going to be as hands on as Chuck was, saying “that was his mistake,” before disappearing. Seeing Dean go out so simply does seem weird, but it does put into perspective of all the time he could have died before. How many times could Dean have died, and how many times has Dean actually died - each time he has survived and came back to life because it was a part of God’s story. Because God was no longer influencing events anymore, unfortunately, for Dean, he does go out relatively simply compared to all the complex situations he had survived through.

Sam and Dean are hunters, so though acknowledging that they’re finally free doesn’t stop them from hunting. Sam has been through so much that leaving the life they’ve lived for so long doesn’t seem like an option anymore. It’s only after Dean begged him to give up that life does he finally remember what he had always wanted. Dean’s story ended the way he always knew it would, and Sam’s story ended the way he always wanted it to; and ended they both knew since the very beginning, and for that reason I found the ending to be a poetic final bow before the credits rolled.

Of course, I would like to see more of Sam’s normal life, have him tell his son, Dean, of his uncle - and tell stories of what he used to do when he’s all grown up. Of course I would love to see Sam’s son’s story more so we can better understand who he is. Because I want more, and I know many more of us fans want more, shows just how strong Supernatural as a series is - we just have to accept that it’s over.

Watching the first episode, knowing what they’re going to be involved in and how their story is going to end puts a whole new perspective on the characters. The incredible amount of knowledge we know about everything, from their mother and father, to who’s pulling the strings behind the scenes. That level of dramatic irony doesn’t come often, and I believe it will make fans of the show rewatch it over and over again whilst inviting new people to watch alongside, because I know I will. Supernatural will not go the way of Game of Thrones, because it will be watched and recommended many times in the future, and if we talk about it a lot, maybe they’ll continue the story. Sam and Dean’s story ended in the way they knew it would since the beginning, but what they never knew was what was going to happen along the way.

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonHadNouns)

Film of the Week: The Lie (heavy spoilers)

Warning, Spoilers throughout

Created by Blumhouse Productions and distributed by Amazon Studios, this Amazon Original film, Lie is a psychological horror about Kayla Logan (Joey King) attempting to bring her family together by confessing to pushing her friend, Brittany (Devery Jacobs), over a bridge and into the water. The plan was meant to work both ways, allowing Brittany to go off and see her boyfriend uninterrupted by anyone for a few days. The plan works perfectly for Brittany, but for Kayla, things began to unravel very quickly and she soon realises she should have thought things through before agreeing to the plan.

What I wanted to talk about mainly in this article is the twist at the end, when we discover that Brittany is still alive. It does it's very best to showcase the twist as if it came out of nowhere, and for the characters, Brittany walking in is certainly an jaw-dropper moment, because they're struggling to believe that she could be there, especially after all that they've been through; but it doesn't give us, the audience, much to ponder about.

Like every other movie that has a twist at the end, there are subtle clues littered throughout that we usually spot during the second viewing, once the twist had been fully revealed and we know exactly what's going on. The entire viewing experience is then shrouded in a strong sense of dramatic irony, and it's the collective talent of the filmmakers to keep us entertained and hooked despite our knowledge of what's going to happen. A very good twist will change the way the film feels entirely, and you'll wish you could go back and watch it for the first time again. Lie didn't have that for me. It had the subtle clues, there's no doubt about that, but it had that strong sense that something was going to happen, and when it does, we don't necessarily feel shocked that Brittany is still alive.

OK, so, let me elaborate a little more. It is fair to say that the sense that something was going to happen is a far statement to make, considering we weren't given all the clues to figure out exactly what was going to happen, so when Brittany walks in through the door, the viewing experience during that scene isn't entirely fueled by shock, but intermingled with the sense of relieve that it finally happened. But, the film doesn't do enough overall whilst building up that scene to create the impact that scene deserved. The concept was definitely there, because it's easy to see what was intended, but unfortunately didn't convey enough to enlighten that scene to its full potential.

Mum's Monday: The Incredibles 2

This is a direct continuation of the first film and I love that the villain, a miner, is called ‘Underminer’ (John Ratzenberger). I can see why the Incredibles are in trouble but I can also see how they wanted to help. It is sad that it didn’t work out as well as it could have done.

There is an amazing attention to detail in the animation where Mr Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) picks up a piece of broccoli with his chopsticks and it falls back into the takeaway box. The conversation around the dinner table is clever and interesting to listen to. It is difficult deciding between the law, fairness and good parenting.

This film is strong in making you see that there are two sides to every story. Mr Incredible has to be careful, Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) versus the role of wife. There are some very in depth conversations in this film. I like the new house, it is homely. With a hint of fun.

This film sparked a few debates among fans with its take on a stay-at-home dad, not in the sense it shouldn't be depicted in a children's movie, but for the fact that it was shown with delicate care and attention to make it as accurate as possible whilst keeping it true to the superhero lives the family lead. Mr Incredible slowly growing tireder and tireder until he's at the point he asks for help says a lot, and is a valuable lesson to be taught, highlighting just how modern Pixar is. And yes why would they change maths?

Also I don’t like the idea of the forced, waiting, looking for crime or something bad to happen. Well that is a twist. Meanwhile at home, that poor raccoon but at least else where the train was saved.

It is all happening, from a returned car, a swimming pool and one almighty sneezing fit. The baby Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) has super powers. I like that the baby was given a ball of ice to lick/chew on.

I knew something was wrong, a disgruntled family member also it is, although not nice. Clever that Elastigirl’s flaw has been found, it turns out it is the cold. I don’t like how an innocent person has been sent to jail, even if the ‘Pizza’ was cold. 

What an ‘Incredible’ action packed and embarrassing ending. This is funny to watch play out right near the end 

The Pixar theory that is linked to this film is that the magic from ‘Brave’ transformed the family into superheroes in the first one and has carried on through this second film also.

Mum's Monday: The Incredibles

In the interviews at the start of this film they might have a point, I agree with what they said. This is worth listening to when you first put this film on. It's an interesting take on superhero-ing. They are being interviewed as if they were normal people, because although they have superpowers, they are just generally normal people - a trope that is portrayed thoughout the movie. Normal family, 

It seems crime fighting never ends and just what Mr Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) wants a hanger on ‘Fan’. The ejector seat was a surprise, but I realise I should have guessed. Shame that it only worked for the short term.

Pixar does what other animation studios are too afraid to do, and that's explore a few heavy topics. Mr Incredible saves someone who was attempting suicide, and as a result, is now being sued for causing him daily pain. It's never been portrayed before that someone of the general public didn't want to be saved, and whilst the scene is brief and the turn of events are told via narration, there's a lot to unpack from that one scene. Mr Incredible then was sued again after stopping a runaway train, because he injured people in the process. The public and politicans turn against him and all superhero kind, forcing them to live normal lives and keep their secret identity their only identity. This sets up the segue of seeing Bob Parr working in a cramped office space, battling it out with an pensioner on whether she was allowed an extension on her mortgage.

What is often not seen either when it comes to kids having superpowers, is them having fun using them. In most media, having superpowers at a young age is a great burden to have upon their shoulders, but Dash enjoys his powers and uses them with confidence that he will get away with what he's doing, even if what he is doing is pulling a prank - but what kid doesn't pull pranks. But with Bob Parr, who knows the value of keeping his powers a secret, can't always hide his strength, sometimes struggle. In a fit of rage he hurts in manager, something which causes his job and now has to relocate - and dreading that conversation with his wife, Helen, he gets annoyed with his car and picks up his car, presumably to smash it into pieces to let out some steam, but is caught by a child riding a tricycle. Normally, when a child says they've seen something as absurd as someone lifting a car, everyone would disbelive them instantly, but in a world full of people who are aware there are superpowered individuals walking around, makes you wonder what the child's parents would have thought when he told them what he saw.

Now things have just got ‘Super hero’ again, sorry all work conferences and the apparent ‘Middle age spread’ scenes are small but amusing to see. Is the robot defeated? Not quite. Now that's what I would call an ‘Inside job’. This is very clever.

You can safely say ‘No capes’ I can see why. They can be/are so dangerous. This is an eye opener as most superheroes wear capes.

I don’t agree with the secret being kept within a marriage although not for long with another new outfit(s). 

It is sad to see Mr Incredible’s past catch up with him, He went from wanting to work alone to needing someone there to help him and back him up, as Syndrome's plan was just too much for one superhero. This is an excellent way of potraying that life lesson.

It is interesting to see how you can, by being elastic you can be a parachute or a boat. It is like she is a ‘Shapeshifter’.

It is nice to hear that strength can come in many forms. Seeing Dash and Violet finding their powers and using them to escape the bad guys was action packed.

I want to say ‘Road trip’ but a jet plane is neither a car or on a road, for the whole family, I knew they were there somewhere, well not the baby, he is being looked after by someone who talks a lot.

This film is getting domesticated, the world is in trouble but the evening his wife has planned is more important and it seems that a woman can navigate afterall.

Yes, capes are dangerous, the baby has super powers and yes, I agree the ending is ‘Wicked’

This film is the first and has been recognised as having the best family of superheroes in it. The theory for this film is that the magic from the Pixar film ‘Brave’ has now evolved and given the family and the other characters in this film their special powers.

Mum's Monday: Us

Episode one, The concept of this series is brilliant. The reaction to the separation conversation is well done and realistic. The flashback scenes are not great and seem, at the moment, to me, unnecessary. The list is well thought out and so the holiday begins. The flashback scenes are becoming clearer as to why. I suppose when there is a possible split you sometimes have to go back and try and recapture why a couple got together, fell in love and got married. I would say at the moment it is a typical holiday well as typical as it can be with an organised money conscious Dad. The scooters are a fun touch. Now, awkward in so many more ways than one. I have just realised that Douglas (Tom Hollander) and Connie (Saskia Reeves) are like and remind me of the characters Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) from the American sitcom series The Big Bang Theory. I wouldn’t like to think of them splitting up but this series Us is like a glimpse into their future as Leonard and Penny were newly weds and about to be parents as Penny was pregnant at the end of the show's run. This may sound strange but the scenario works for me.

Episode two, I am not sure about the conversation once the family arrives in Belgium. I like the reference to having walked from Brussels and now the relationship between father and son is saved for now, until well, when in Amsterdam. It is nice to see Douglas beginning to embrace the party mood. It is now sad to see that Douglas goes against his son and now Connie is obviously not happy, I hope it isn’t too late.

Episode three, The quiz was awkward. These scenarios give depth to Douglas’s character and although not over the top, I hope it doesn’t go that way. The series isn’t going as I thought but I suppose in the nature of this program things have to get worse before, I hope they get better. So much more worse. Now what? Sienna and worse. This is turning out to be a dark episode. I want to say I am glad Douglas and Kat (Thaddea Graham) have made a connection but there is just too much of the wrong information in the script before/until you get to the useful knowledge needed. I like where Douglas is staying. It is very resourceful.

Episode four, ‘It’s a trap’ no, and no it is not ‘A Crime to care’. It is heart-warming to see father and son reconnect. I cannot believe that Douglas broke up younger Albie’s (Charlie Archer) dinosaur. It is good to see a son and talking to his mother. Also it is amusing to hear that older Albie (Tom Taylor) is treating the hotel room well ‘Like a hotel’. Yes, Dad should go, it is lovely to see Douglas having fun, he should loosen up a bit more though, yes. Well well I didn’t see that information coming. Although some of it is amusing to hear, Douglas ever stops moaning and complaining. Oh no poor Douglas and yes, Douglas needs to rethink. It is lovely to now see Connie has arrived in Spain. Now back home and sadly back to reality. Yes, and wait and see what happens next. The ending did make me smile, some things just weren't meant to be and someone was meant to be. I can see that now.

Film of the Week: Mulan

I have a confession to make, and it's one many would consider controversial. I hadn't seen the original animated version of Mulan before seeing this live-action remake. I knew of the story, and the message it was portraying; I believed I knew enough of the film that I felt like I had watched it via proxy. I know this will come across as a shock to many - it is a classic Disney animation, and I take full responsibility for letting that down by not watching it properly, and then going ahead with the live-action remake first. I have grown up with the original, so it's no excuse that I haven't taken the opportunity to take the time to enjoy it, and so I take full responsibility for offending that film by acknowledging I had the time but chose to watch the live-action remake instead.

There are two answers to the question: Why is Disney remaking their catalogue of animated films into live-action versions? Those answers are: Money; and to update and allow a new generation be entertained by Disney's properties. The counterarguments are: Disney doesn't need any more money as they have massive franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars which are making literally billions at the box office per movie; and the best way to introduce a new generation to Disney's catalogue is to let them watch the original animated versions, otherwise those will soon be lost in time.

Disney's decision to remake their animated films into live-action versions have been met with nearly universal confusion, mainly because the ones they have released haven't exactly lifted the bar any higher. Animation allows for wilder scenes and impossible moments whereas live-action has to adhere to physics. Although, CGI have come along way that with the amount of money Disney has in their back account, it does seem strange that they're not spending the necessary money to recreate those moments. I touched upon it in a previous article, about the live-action Dumbo's pink elephants scene. That scene in the animated film stuck with me and many more. It was scary and spooky that we knew we should hide behind the sofa, but it was colourful and the music was bouncy that we were drawn to watching it. We were both scared and curious at the same time, and the live-action version failed to grasp even 10% of that madness.

What I'm trying to say is, in my defense for not watching the animated version of Mulan before the live-action version, it did give me the chance to see the film from the perspective of a new generation. Although, admittedly, not entirely from that perspective, because to truly experience that side of the film, I'd need to have zero knowledge of the film beforehand, whereas I knew what I was going to watch before the Disney logo appeared on my screen. Watching the story unfold properly for the first time gave me an insight to what Disney is trying to do with the remakes, but speaking with experience, if I were to watch Dumbo's live action version before the animated one, I'd be missing out on the fantastic pink elephants scene. What have I missed in the original Mulan that wasn't either accurately portrayed or not even included?

I did enjoy the live-action Mulan - everyone played their parts exceptionally well, especially Yifei Liu who played the titular character, Mulan, but I now feel obligated to watch the animated version even more now to catch up on what I missed. 

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)

Mum's Monday: Under A Watchful Eye by Adam Nevill

I know you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but on this paperback version, published in 2017, I love the grey atmospheric colouring and the image of the house/mansion. This is what first appealed to me to pick up and read the back paragraph and then to read this book.

If Seb is correct in who he thinks is watching him I have to ask that with the doubts that Seb has why doesn’t he ‘Google’ him. I did wonder if he had the means with his laptop but then remembered that he was going to ‘Google’ the ‘Doctor’, so yes, Seb has the means to find out what happened to this person. So far this is a really good book. At last, I like that it now mentions searching the web. It may be a long shot, but like I basically said it is worth doing.

I like that Seb has someone to confide in, but sadly, this still leaves some unanswered questions. 

I was glad that someone else had seen what Seb was seeing, but I don’t like how it affected her. I also don’t like the idea that Seb will now be on his own again going through a terrible time either.

If you want to read this book you need a strong stomach. Some of the descriptions in this story could turn a stomach quite easily.

This book has taken a different turn as to what I had expected. What does Ewan want? I am not sure whether Seb should help or not. Although I can picture a better Ewan to come, what I can picture and what actually could happen later on can be two very different things. As you can see this book can make you think up possible future scenarios within it so I don’t want to put this book down to see what really happens in this story.

Whilst reading a part about Ewan having stayed at Sebs a second night this reminded me of the film(s) Insidious with Patrick Wilson where a person is basically in two places at once like an out of body experience. It is sad to read about what happened afterwards. This book is clever, dark and although annoying to read that an uninvited visitor is creating so much disruption. I sense that things are about to change.

I can see two things, why Ewan went to Seb for help and more importantly why as despite Ewan being in his drunk and homelessness state he still knows his poems/poets. Sadly, now Ewan has seen how well Seb has done and he, in Ewan’s eyes, doesn't remember/know as much in literary terms. I can see how it doesn’t seem fair to Ewan. Also now with Seb finding out what Ewan can do, Seb is, it seems, stuck with an uninvited house guest.

This may seem premature but having heard Ewan’s story and with his written, sadly, short, manuscript I do think Ewan could be on to something good, I just hope Seb helps. I know there are a lot of issues between them but this could be a way of Seb making it up to Ewan. This story has now taken a dark turn. Whatever the thing is, it doesn’t sound nice at all.

The part about the, what I can only describe as, lost spirits from dead, bad people, is really well described. I was on tender hooks when Seb returned to his house. It is scary to think of a home being invaded like it was.

What I don’t like is Becky’s response, however, I cannot blame her. First, her and Seb were not close just, I would say that well known set up ‘Friends with benefits’ and second Becky was scared herself with what happened.

Things have turned very bad for Seb now. I can see both sides as one, Seb did make the complaint to the police, they could take that as a motive but two, you could look at it as why would Seb make the complaint effectively dropping himself in it as a suspect. I hope everything works out ok.

Although under not nice circumstances, I am glad that Seb has Ewan’s processions. I do believe Seb is the best person as it is good that he is professional enough to see the potential value in the papers. It is sad to think Ewan will not benefit from them though. The contents, the information within the paperwork is interesting to read. I can see why Seb is basically hooked now. 

I should have guessed, but it came as a surprise/shock to me that Seb is still being watched.

I am glad Seb has someone who can help him even though I didn’t really agree at how pushy Seb came across as. Although under the circumstances and with what Seb has been going through I agree he wants/needs answers and fast. I am so glad that Seb has now met Mark. Although it is not early days, it seems that they will work well together.

The description of what happened in the hotel is really well done. Although it is not exactly clear as to who or what, however, I get some idea, this mystery just, for me, adds to the horror of this book.

I can see why Seb was reluctant to include Mark also I can see why Mark was so excited and willing to take the risk. This book, for me, really builds a sense of strong adventure, even though it is just a house of some sort of ‘Cult’.

Once at the house it all becomes surprisingly/shockingly clear Seb has got himself into a right strange situation. I can see what Seb is useful to them but feel for Seb as he is effectively trapped, however much in denial he is in.

Well this book doesn’t end how I thought it would, this highlights, you should be careful what you wish for, however, I am glad that Seb seems to be having less visitors at last. So that was a good wish.

Sebs first book he had written for the two women in this story is intended to be published and out for Halloween so in light of this I am putting this blog out the Monday after the 31st of October, just as if Sebs book had come out on this date. This is the strangest horror book I have read, so call this blog my Halloween special. It certainly lives up to it and fits the bill as they say.