666: The Sign of Evil

One of the endearing attributes of A&E series fare is that while the programs are generally informative, the transmission of information is never allowed to overwhelm the entertainment factor. Take this entry in The Unexplained series: it's an exploration of the Biblical mark of the beast, the number 666, but Bible scholarship is hardly evident. The program opens by detailing strange events that have taken place on or near U.S. Highway 666. Some locals, we are told, think the road is haunted by “skin walkers,” which suggests an interesting intersection of Navajo religion and New Testament Christianity. Improbable perhaps, but fun and infotaining! The second vignette involves a man who bought a car with license plate B666MSC. Needless to say, this unfortunate motorist encountered a rocky road of woe with his new ride. The third story concerns a housewife who joined the Church of Satan, a premise that allows for a thumbnail video sketch of Satanic leader Anton LaVey. Although the Church of Satan segment is understandable, the relationship between the content and title of this video is somewhat strained: haunted highways, and an unlucky motorist who contributed to his bad luck by letting his car insurance lapse? A little light on scholarship, but mildly spooky fun, this is an optional purchase. Aud: H, P. (M. Tribby)