I can't comprehend a more commendable way to begin the reviews for Tales From the Crypt than by exploring the birth of the fabled Cryptkeeper himself. The dastardly decayed devil even manages to choke out a few tears at the tale of his own coming. The Cryptkeeper may very well be one of the most recognizable icons of horror next to dear old Frankie and Drac. He has been a part of my personal fandom from when I myself was a young child. I grew up with him, although starting out with the much milder version in Tales From the Cryptkeeper.
The episode, "Lower Berth," comes up part way through season 2. We start out at this generic carnival freakshow, fat ladies, midgets, the whole creepy works. But there is more than meets the eye in this carnival of horrors. The cage in the back is where Enoch resides, the two faced man. His appearance is a horrific site to be seen as each of his four eyes droop looking about and both mouths move. The popularity of this particular freakshow becomes apparent.
However, there is a problem for the owner of the show and the keeper of Enoch. Enoch is dying. It is no wonder considering the the abuse that the keeper has put him through. I begin to wonder about how many human rights laws are being broken, but this is fantasy television. To replace Enoch a new exhibit is brought in. An ancient stolen Egyptian Mummy, who had been supposedly embalmed and buried alive.
Well, this is where things get . . . a little creepy. Enoch has taken a liking to the Mummy and will do anything to get closer to her . . . anything. Needless to say, Enoch manages to get close (very close) to the Mummy and even helps her impose her gruesome curse on his keeper. I'll let you find out more about that little tid-bit on your own.
The episode, "Lower Berth," comes up part way through season 2. We start out at this generic carnival freakshow, fat ladies, midgets, the whole creepy works. But there is more than meets the eye in this carnival of horrors. The cage in the back is where Enoch resides, the two faced man. His appearance is a horrific site to be seen as each of his four eyes droop looking about and both mouths move. The popularity of this particular freakshow becomes apparent.
However, there is a problem for the owner of the show and the keeper of Enoch. Enoch is dying. It is no wonder considering the the abuse that the keeper has put him through. I begin to wonder about how many human rights laws are being broken, but this is fantasy television. To replace Enoch a new exhibit is brought in. An ancient stolen Egyptian Mummy, who had been supposedly embalmed and buried alive.
Well, this is where things get . . . a little creepy. Enoch has taken a liking to the Mummy and will do anything to get closer to her . . . anything. Needless to say, Enoch manages to get close (very close) to the Mummy and even helps her impose her gruesome curse on his keeper. I'll let you find out more about that little tid-bit on your own.
There are many episodes of Tales From the Crypt, seven seasons worth of episodes to be exact, and not all the episodes have equal merit. This episode had its enjoyable moments and its crooked twists in the tale. I was rather impressed with the two faces of Enoch which twitched and moved. The gore was minimal in this episode, being mostly implied. (Which I don't always mind. Sometimes the implication is more compelling than actually seeing it.) There was two killings using garden sheers and minimal blood resulting from it. The story was well written, for what it was, and the birth of the Cryptkeeper gives him a decent origins story, though it could have been better.
Summing it Up
Overall, the episode was well done and worth a second watch. Although not my favorite, the birth of the Master of the Macabre is too good to pass up.
Deaths: 2
Language: 3
Gore Factor: 2
Sex Factor: 1
Scare Factor: 1
Fun Factor: 3
Overall Rating: 3
Deaths: 2
Language: 3
Gore Factor: 2
Sex Factor: 1
Scare Factor: 1
Fun Factor: 3
Overall Rating: 3