[AYAOTD? Recap w/ Erin Callahan] 1.10 "The Tale of Jake and the Leprechaun"

RECAP

Frank was supposed to tell a story, but Eric’s grandfather recently died, so Eric tells a story in his honor, which explains where Eric’s love of storytelling comes from.

Jake has always dreamed of becoming an actor and gets a shot at his big break with a lead role in Wil-O’-The-Wisp, a play depicting an old Irish folktale. He gets advice from fellow actor Erin (LOL!), who recommends drinking a special blend of herbal tea. Weird things start happening after Jake takes Erin’s advice, and Jake seeks help from an herb expert named Sean O'Shaney, who just happens to be a leprechaun. Sean reveals that Erin is actually an evil type of pixie known as a banshee. This banshee is hoping to feed on Jake’s soul (gross), but Leprechaun Sean is able to stop him during an epic onstage battle. Jake gets turned into a frog for a bit, but Sean is able to change him back and, luckily, the audience thinks it’s all just part of the show.

Eric gets a standing ovation and a group hug.

REVIEW

Troy: Oh, wow, there’s some clunky dialogue with the Midnight Society. I assume they didn’t want to give Eric too long a monologue, so they broke it up by Kiki and Gary asking leading questions. I can’t help but laugh at Kiki’s, “What’s a leprechaun?” That’s a hard line to sell for any performer and Jodie Resther’s doing her best.

Erin: For real. Given the ubiquity of Lucky Charms in the ’80s and ’90s, it’s not really believable that any tween or teen would ask what a leprechaun is. I’m kinda surprised the writers felt the need to explain. I will admit that Eric is surprisingly sweet here, albeit a little schmaltzy. We’ve seen mostly snark from him so far, so it’s a smart move for the writers to make him more sympathetic when he tells his first story.

T: Stagehand Lucy’s sweater is everything.

E: OMG, right?? I literally have the phrase “Rothko sweater” written in my notes. So blocky. So bold. Soooooooo ’90s.

T: I find it strange that there’s no details about this play. Is this community theater? Professional theater? Summer stock? Jake’s parents aren’t involved in the slightest. He’s co-starring in this, but it’s his first role? And there don’t seem to be any other actors? And no one seems to notice Erin’s changing room is a brick castle?

E: We’ve talked about this before (maybe with “Super Specs?”) but this feels like another episode that could’ve been a feature length made-for-TV movie, but got shaved down to 20 minutes. I mean, it looks like a high-budget production, but then what the hell is newbie kid Jake doing in it? That said, the actor who plays Sean O'Shaney is just so charming. He totally steals the show from the tween-age protag. Is his Irish accent real?

T: David J. Steinberg was a Californian, but it is a great accent. Speaking of speaking, the voice changing bit is great. Is this a parable for puberty? Jake doesn’t like his body changing, but Erin tells him it’s only natural.

E: Haaaaaaaa! I had that same thought. So creepy. I half expected Stagehand Lucy to pull Jake aside and give him “the talk.”

T: If this were a feature length show, I’d expect a TON more Stagehand Lucy. There’s a lot of fun moments in this one, which is why I let some of the clunky bits slide. Erin’s magical talent tea, Sean’s hero shot in the tree, Jake hiding his ears, swallowing spiders!

E: Yes, the spiders! Totally reminded me of Fear Factor. Remember that show? That was before Joe Rogan went full-douchebag.

QUEER OR NOT?

T: Nothing leapt out at me here for a change. How about you?

E: Same, though I feel like Lucy is frequenting kickass gay bars after work in that Rothko sweater.

TRIVIA, USELESS TRIVIA

T: If Jake looks familiar, it’s because the actor’s older brother played Dougie in “The Tale of the Twisted Claw.”

F: Now there’s a family fun fact. I also feel like we have to note that David J. Steinberg was Meegosh in Willow.

MODERNIZE ’90s CANADIAN KIDS

T: There’s not much to modernize here. It’s a classic tale of Irish lore taking place on a stage. I do wonder what changes Eric made to his grandfather’s version. I’d imagine the original story took place in Ireland in the ’60s or earlier.

E: Yeah, I have a tough time believing that Grandad’s original version involved a play. Maybe his story was Will-O’-The-Wisp and Eric used the play as a way to modernize it? Also, given the proliferation of information on the interwebs, I’m not sure the complete butchering of Irish folklore would fly with modern teens and tweens. Banshees are typically female in Irish folklore and they don’t consume souls.

T: I hadn’t thought about that, but Eric adding the whole play aspect makes sense. The lore does nag at me. I wonder if the original concept had Erin being a female to better fit banshee lore.

E: Interesting theory! That would make a ton of sense, given that Erin is typically a feminine name. I should know. *flips hair*

JUST GIVE IT A NUMERICAL RATING ALREADY

T: I’m partial to stories set around the theater and I’m into Irish lore, so this one ticks a few boxes right off the bat. It’s light-hearted without being cheesy. It’s the right touch of camp for me, and the Midnight Society bits have some genuine emotion to them (ending the episode with hugs without being saccharine). I tend to gravitate toward the darker stories or those that have really iconic moments/villains, but I just enjoy this one. 8.8 OUT OF 10 CAMPFIRES.

E: Overall, I’m a fan, minus the awkward bits, the butchering of folklore, and Eric’s ridiculous leprechaun hat. I’ll give it a round 8 OUT OF 10 CAMPFIRES.