[AYAOTD? Recap w/ Erin Callahan] 1.12 "The Tale of the Prom Queen"

RECAP

Kristin predictably shows up late and dressed as a ghost, scaring the rest of the Midnight Society into a huddled mass. Then, in a very theatrical fashion, spins a tale of romance and tragedy.

Dede is hanging out in a graveyard when Greg and Jam jump out and scare her. She’s annoyed but also intrigued by their story of Judy Larsen, a prom queen who never made it to the prom and her boyfriend, Ricky, who drove his car off a bridge. Something creepy appears to be tailing them while they’re researching newspaper articles at the library and out on a boat by the bridge that Ricky drove off. They decide to hold a seance at the cemetery to bring Judy and Ricky back together. Jam employs his cousin to scare Dede and Greg, but Dede has the last laugh when she reveals that she’s actually the ghost of Judy Larsen and Ricky shows up in his ghost-Chevy to pick her up.

Gary ends the episode with the line, “Until next time, pleasant dreams, everyone.”

REVIEW

Troy: I’m sorry, but I just find Kristen insufferable. She breaks the Kristen Tardiness Rule because she had to dress up? If you insist on wearing a costume, plan accordingly. Speaking of costumes, I do appreciate members of the Midnight Society wearing the same clothes in multiple episodes, which adds a layer of realism many shows don’t bother with (and saves on the wardrobe budget).

Erin: Bahahahaha. I knew you were gonna hate on Kristen. Though I’ll admit I didn’t enjoy this one as much as her last story, “The Tale of the Hungry Hounds,” I dig the theatrical, feminine energy she brings to this episode. I mean, her ghost costume is ON POINT. And, once again, she gets one of the dudes to throw the dust on the fire. Please and thank you, sir! *flips hair*

T: I will admit I enjoy how Kristen ignores Betty Ann trying to high five her, but then breaks character when Eric tugs on her dress. And in Kristen’s favor, she doesn’t command David to throw the dust like before, and Gary volunteers.

E: LOL. Eric is such a twerp. And like David wasn’t freaking dying to meet all of her demands in “The Tale of the Hungry Hounds.” Work it, gurl!

T: The dudes in this are a little toxic, right? Is that so we really feel for Dede, or is it just the ’90s norm? Little of both?

E: Sadly, I think this was the ’90s norm. You have “nice guy” Greg, whose friend Jam is an ass only so that Greg looks nice by comparison. But if someone snuck up on me in a cemetery the way Jam does to Judy, I’d want to kick him in the nuts.

T: What is Jam’s issue, and why can’t he talk like a normal human being? Even his I Love Lucy reference feels off.

E: Truly, something about him is sooooooo off-putting. I feel like they were going for the lovable troublemaker trope, but the actor couldn’t quite pull it off. Maybe it’s because he looks like he’s twenty-five? So instead of his mischief being cute, it’s just creepy?

T: The episode works so well on a rewatch knowing Dede is the ghost. It’s full of subtle hints. She doesn’t eat with the guys, she hasn’t seen “modern technology” in the library, she’s emotional hearing Ricky died, and she uses “Keen!” unironically. That said, “Dede” is not short for “Judy.” It’s just not, sorry Kristen, but the naming system doesn’t work.

E: I don’t remember this episode at all, but it was obvious to me from the first scene that Dede was going to be Judy. That said, all the hints are clever and cute. And, omg, the microfiche in the library. There’s something so romantic about microfiche. It makes my heart grow three sizes whenever it pops up in storytelling.

E: Wow, that might be the nerdiest thing I’ve ever said.

T: I’m sure you’ll one-up that some day :) You have to appreciate the guys asking about needing a medium for the seance, and Judy’s all, “Nah, we good.”

E: LOL. I kinda wish that were an exact quote.

T: Film nerd time: the shot of the three leads in the cemetery right before Cousin Chuck shows up is gorgeous. I couldn’t help but use it for my episode fan art.

E: I don’t blame you. So atmospheric!

T: Something random: Jam references “Night of the Living Dead” to “Judy” while in an earlier episode “Night of the Living Dead” is being watched by Dayday.

E: Oooooooh -- nice catch.

T: Were you surprised they actually used In the Still of the Night instead of a cheap knock-off? Major props.

E: Yes! Though I have to wonder what kind of moola they had to shell out for royalties.

QUEER OR NOT?

T: Besides Eric really being into Kirsten’s dress, nothing jumps out at me. Erin?

E: When they’re in the library, there’s one shot where Greg looks at Jam and there’s such joy and excitement in his eyes that, if Dede weren’t there, it would be the gayest scene ever. Do you think maybe the actors were into each other?

T: *runs back and rewatches said scene* Great catch! That would explain why Greg puts up with Jam.

TRIVIA, USELESS TRIVIA

T: This is the episode that DJ MacHale used to sell the series to the network.

E: Wow. This one isn’t totally my cup of tea, but it is a decent take on a classic ghost story, so I suppose that makes sense.

T: If Ricky looks familiar, it’s because he’s the actor who played loser-turned-goth Dean in “The Tale of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”

E: Yup, totally recognized him. I told you he was too hot to play a believable loner!

T: If Cousin Chuck looks familiar, it’s because actor Amyas Godfrey was a regular on You Can’t Do That on Television. Then he went on to serve and command in the British Royal Armed Services, and he was quoted in a news article from 2009 about how Brits don’t have a problem with gays in their military. So former child actor turned cool soldier. Thanks for the intel, Google!

E: What would we do without the interwebs? I don’t know. *shrugs* *is immediately slimed*

T: It goes without saying - but I will - that this story is inspired by Graveyard Sally (and the hundred variations of it), about a hitchhiker in a dress who gets a ride to the cemetery and then vanishes.

MODERNIZE ’90s CANADIAN KIDS

T: Certainly, no characters would say, “Don’t have a cow.” The story is timeless and doesn’t need too much. Obviously, they would do research on their phones instead of going to the library, but that’s about it. I’d intro Cousin Chuck though, perhaps have him eat lunch with them, so his presence isn’t so jarringly random at the end.

E: Good point. Chuck is totally a deus ex cousina. But I don’t want to lose the microfiche! *le sigh*

T: Also, I’d try to keep it simpler. There’s a lot of moving pieces to this one. Graveyard, lunch, graveyard, library, lake, graveyard/road. Sometimes it feels like the plot mechanics are more important than the characters.

E: They definitely could’ve cut down the number of scenes. The lunch scene was probably unnecessary (Dede can’t even eat -- she’s dead!). All that dialogue could’ve been covered either at the graveyard or the library.

JUST GIVE IT A NUMERICAL RATING ALREADY

T: I really don’t know. Nothing’s bad, nothing falls short. And Kristen’s whole schtick actually works for this one. The twist is clever enough and basically sticks the landing. I guess the aspect holding me back is there’s not really much tension. Some teens heard about a ghost story and research it and help the ghosts move on. It’s nice, but I’d like for there to be a stronger motivation for the characters. 8.8 CAMPFIRES OUT OF 10!

E: You and your damn decimals. Because I appreciate Kristin’s theatrics, but I know she can do better, I’m going to go with 7 CAMPFIRES OUT OF 10.