Channel Zero

I guess I'm one of the few who loved it, though I've only seen Candle Cove (season one).

The atmosphere is gloomy and dark and has the feel of modern King adaptions such as Castle Rock and The Outsider. It leaves you with some questions, or maybe assumptions, but I feel most good films should. I like to be shown, not told. Most horror fans will enjoy this.

This is an anthology horror series on Syfy and lasted four seasons. Each season is six hour-long episodes dealing with one story. It's a horror series of slow-burning, visually inventive, and hauntingly creepy stories.

First season Candle Cove. In 1988 Iron Hill, Ohio, young Mike lost his identical twin Eddie as the last of five murdered kids. The four other bodies were found without their teeth. The case remains unsolved. Mike Painter (Paul Schneider) becomes a famous child psychiatrist and is haunted by nightmares. He reconnects with his mother Marla Painter (Fiona Shaw) back home. His childhood friend Gary Yolen has been elected sheriff. Gary and his wife Jessica are concerned about their girl Katie. She and other kids are obsessing over an old unseen children's TV show called Candle Cove as before. There is a slow burn going on in the show. It's a struggle to watch week to week but it works much better as a binge. There are shockingly cool horror visuals and ideas.

Second season No-End House. Best friends Margot Sleator (Amy Forsyth) and Jules Koja (Aisha Dee) join J.D. and Dylan on a haunted house tour. It's a popular exhibit named The No-End House in the suburbs at a dead end street with six strange rooms. The group goes in with others and has mind-bending experiences. Margot and Jules stagger out alone. After they leave, they experience ususal happenings in the real world. Margot's dead father (John Carroll Lynch) comes back to life. I'm happy that the characters know that it's not the real world. Margot's dad is the only non-real character that I'm interested in. It's a rather slow burn. The kids do a lot of walking in the empty suburban streets. There are some interesting ideas but it needs more tension. In that sense, it is very much like the first season.

Third season Butcher's Block. There's a stairway to nowhere. Alice is new to the city leaving behind her mother after a troubling incident. Her disturbed sister Zoe shows up. Her new job is to evict people from a rundown neighborhood called the Butcher's Block. It was the home to an old slaughter house run by Joseph Peach (Rutger Hauer).

Fourth season The Dream Door. Newlyweds Jillian and Tom move into their house. They and their friend Jason find a mysterious door suddenly appear in the basement. Jillian finds a disturbing figure from her childhood.

Pros: original, genuinely creepy, strong supporting cast, good production values, a dramatic step up from normal SyFy fare.

Cons: pacing, continuity, logic, lead actor and actress are stilted and wooden, dialog is sophomoric, obvious gaps in dialog, poor performances from/direction for the child actors.

Season One: Candle Cove - (9/10)

"Do you guys remember Candle Cove" Candle cove has been portrayed as something compelling, unusual, and deeply terrifying.

The plot itself has some close similarities to that of the third instalment of the Halloween franchise, Season of the Witch.

Candle Cove is about a pirate-themed puppet show that could only be seen by children. It suspiciously aired back in 1988 for only a few months on one of the dead channels at the end of the dial. Since the show never aired on the same channel it wasn't recordable and therefore grappled with the legitimacy of its reality.

The concept of Candle Cove is extremely engaging, but also quite unsettling. It shows us the harsh nature of what children's minds who are susceptible to influence can be capable of.

It also portrays a child taken to the edge by harsh bullying and their need to escape to a world where they feel safe and secure, and in control.

Candle Cove doesn't disappoint with its outright intense moments, mainly in the cliffhangers at the end of each episode making it immensely addictive.

Season Two: No End House - (9/10)

"This is not home, this is not how reality works" A satisfying psychological thriller that keeps you thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

While I slightly preferred Candle Cove due to the disconcerting way it manipulates children to commit harrowing acts. I thought Channel Zero's second season was quite remarkable, unique, and tantalizing.

The No End House brings on an otherworldly concept or alternate dimension. A house that turns up spontaneously throughout our world and lures people to its location through subliminal messages on electronic devices such as television, or mobile phones.

Margot's Father John played by John Caroll Lynch was phenomenal, and the absolute standout of the season. He is undeniably very underrated as an actor but seems to be typecast as the 'bad guy' in every role.

The No End House is a bit more of a slow burn than the previous season but one that is well worth it in the end.

It has some added layers compared to Candle Cove, for example, it was great to see a range of characters' personal development, and how some learn to conquer their fears, while others begin to lose that grip on reality.

As with the first season, the mystery starts to fade as the season progresses and the secrets are revealed.

The ending this time around is a little more complete and manages to capture your emotional journey from feeling surprised, mistrusted, and disgusted, but by the very end, you feel empathy. And for that alone, the No End House needs to be highly commended.

Season Three: Butchers Block - (8/10)

"When I walk here, I'm in two worlds, the one you see and the one I remember" In the third season of Channel Zero, Butcher's Block starts with so much potential. The first few episodes gradually build a unique and grotesque tale, where you are immediately thrust into a setting of cannibalism and supernatural intrigue.

There is a lot more emphasis on an otherworldly dimension in the season which has been a very similar theme to the previous instalments.

There are some very relatable themes in modern society relating to mental health, depression and our need for acceptance.

Rutger Hauer who plays Joseph Peach was phenomenal. A truly superb choice to play the butcher and I really can't think of anyone who would have suited this particular role any better.

Butchers Block is a fantastic season, however if we are comparing it to previous seasons then I found this a scarcely weaker variation of both Candle Cove and The No End House.

Season Four: The Dream Door - (7/10)

"Just because you love somebody doesn't mean you know them" This season had an incredible Idea, unfortunately, it just wasn't told with enough depth, with enough layers to become interesting for the duration of the season.

In the beginning, Pretzel Jack was a fearsome killer, his first murder with the screwdriver was just outright nasty. However, by the end of the season, everything started to look and feel like a circus, and the killings ended up coming across as looking laughable and comical rather than scary or intimidating.

It's a real shame because I had high expectations from Season Four. However, it lacked plot twists, and the mystery was solved by the third episode leaving a tiresome, and boring final three episodes which brings closure to an otherwise impressive series.

Overall, Channel Zero's four seasons are a great psychological journey. They are disturbing, but highly captivating.

I found that all the stories began with a tempting lure of mystery and intrigue, however, they all ended in a similar way stopping short of giving themselves a truly gripping, and deserving finale.

Overall 8/10.

I personally enjoyed all 4 seasons. My favorite season of course is the first season but that doesn't take away from the following seasons. This is one of the few shows that still manage to scare me. I'm a big horror fan and stumbled upon the show a few years back. The scary parts aren't cliche or cheap. The filming allows for build up and "keeping you on the edge of your seat". Also plot twists are refreshing and unexpected. There are some plot holes but still a solid show. The makeup and costume is great, really scary! Overall really recommend the Channel Zero.