It’s the Halloween season, so let’s watch season one of Friday the 13th: The Series.

“Lewis Vendredi made a deal with the devil to sell cursed antiques. But he broke the pact, and it cost him his soul. Now, his niece Micki, and her cousin Ryan have inherited the store… and with it, the curse. Now, they must get everything back, and the real terror begins.”

Episode twenty-one is live on the air with “Double Exposure.”

A serial killer is loose in the city, calling the local TV news to taunt police live on the air. The thing is, news anchor Winston Knight — who has become a celebrity thanks to this — is using a cursed camera to take a photo of himself, which comes to life and does the killings, all while he has the perfect alibi of being on TV at the time. Ryan witnesses one of the murders, spurring him to investigate, while also making him a target.

It’s alive!

Knight’s clone kills Ryan’s new girlfriend Kathy (and just one week after Ryan was dumped by Laura the Pentitite), furthering Ryan’s desire to stop him. Knight ends up confronting Jack instead, using the camera to clone Jack, and ordering the clone to kill Ryan and Micki. Knight plans to expose Jack’s clone as the killer. During the final fight, Jack kills his own clone, and Knight’s clone decides he wants Knight’s life, so he’s the one who kills Knight. The clone also dies, but dies knowing he’s also human.

Young love.

When the show is smart: While this is a basic “we have to stop the serial killer” plot, the writers find ways to keep things interesting, with the clones emerging from a vat of goo, and bleeding green slime when they die. Yes, it’s crazy and over-the-top, but it keeps viewers guessing as to what will happen next.

When the show is cheesy: In keeping with the “TV news” theme, a news camera films the final battle as takes place right outside the antique store. So, did this not air? If it did, why isn’t the whole world reacting to evidence of the supernatural? And why aren’t Micki, Jack and Ryan famous now?

Dressed like a journalist.

Devilish dialogue: Man in car: “Watch it! Are you trying to kill yourself?” Knight’s clone: “No. No, I want to live.”

Trivia tidbits:

– Here’s some money-saving special effects. When Jack is fighting his clone, that’s just the actor fighting his stunt double.

– Outside the TV station, there’s a reserved parking sign for “F. Mancuso,” referring the show’s executive producer, Frank Mancuso.

This is also the episode with Videodrome-style dream sequence.

Back in the vault: A fast-paced episode that barely lets the audience catch a breath, but one with an emotional story for Ryan at is core. An all-around fun hour of ‘80s horror.

Next: A pirate’s life for me.

****

Want more? Check out my book, CINE HIGH, now available for the Kindle and the free Kindle app.