Friday the 13th: The Series has as much to do with Jason Voorhees as Halloween III: Season of the Witch had to do with Michael Myers, which is to say: nada. But it still stands on its own as a horror anthology series that often delivers cheap, but effective, thrills. Louise Robey and John D. LeMay star as Micki and Ryan, distant relations who are reunited after they inherit her uncle Lewis' antiques shop—only to discover that Lewis' death was from (super)natural causes: he broke his immortality pact with the Devil to sell cursed antiques. Now, Lewis is in Hell (from which he returns in the episode, “Hellowe'en”), and Micki and Ryan must recover everything Lewis sold to an unsuspecting public. Jack (Chris Wiggins), Lewis' former friend, a magician with a helpful knowledge of the occult and an eventful backstory (as revealed in the episodes “Bottle of Dreams” and “Brain Drain”) is on hand to help them out. The series gets off to an auspiciously creepy start with “The Inheritance,” in which yuppie Micki and geeky Ryan attempt to retrieve a killer doll that has worked its demon magic on a spoiled brat (a young Sarah Polley) who uses it to dispatch her strict new stepmother. Perhaps worth the price of this set is “Faith Healer,” directed by David Cronenberg, a grisly episode in which a charlatan gains the power to heal from an ancient glove. Another memorable entry is “Scarecrow,” featuring the scythe-wielding titular character, who gives Jason a run for his hockey mask as a boogieman. Unlike the movie franchise, Friday the 13th: The Series gets better as the 26 episodes of the 1987-88 inaugural season unfold. Although no masterpiece, this will appeal to horror buffs who appreciate—to quote the name of Micki and Ryan's emporium—”Curious Goods.” A strong optional purchase. (D. Liebenson)
Friday the 13th: The Series—The 1st Season
Paramount, 6 discs, 1,179 min., not rated, DVD: $54.99 Volume 24, Issue 1
Friday the 13th: The Series—The 1st Season
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