Family

Harold (George Wendt) likes collecting family members, in the most literal way. When two new neighbors move in next door, he becomes obsessively attracted to the wife (Meredith Monroe). Will he be able to collect her, will she be able to escape?

Heck, with this type of show, you never know what twists and turns will happen! This episode comes to us from John Landis, the director of "Deer Woman", which I will freely admit was probably my favorite episode from Season One. As far as season two goes, this episode holds up nicely, too. I have seen people say some negative things about this one, but I think it all depends on what you are looking for in the show. I like the healthy dose of comedy that Landis brings to the table. He was the genius behind "Animal House", after all.

The writer happens to be Brent Hanley, best known for writing "Frailty", a respectable film in its own right. How he went from that one to this one is unknown, but a nice change. Hanley appears to be somewhat dynamic and I think we can expect more from him in the future.

The main character of this episode is obviously the one played by George Wendt. Some other reviewer complained they could not see him as anything other than Norm from "Cheers". I did not have that problem. Not only do I not really like "Cheers" ("Becker" is better) but this is not Wendt's first time doing comedic horror. I guess that reviewer never watched the "House" movies... I think he is great. Adds an element I cannot pinpoint, but I would love to see him in many more films.

The references were nice, such as the photographs of Dick Cheney and George Bush. Not sure how to interpret that, but I think anyone who is as demented as Wendt's character should have political figures in his home. The deer mounted on the wall was a good reference to "Deer Woman" (at least that is how I took it). And the Weekly World News with Batboy -- priceless.

Meredith Monroe (best known as Andie McPhee from "Dawson's Creek") played a great neighbor. She still had a lot of McPhee in her, but was different, as well. Some of the dialogue was, um, things you would never hear from McPhee and I was not sure how to respond (kind of like when you hear about Bob Saget giving oral pleasure for crack cocaine). That is something I am going to have to make my friend Kristy watch.

A line that really got me was about Jay Leno at the supermarket, because I have an ex-girlfriend who moved to North Hollywood and one of the first celebrities she saw was Jay Leno... in the parking lot at a supermarket. I guess maybe this is something he is known for? Anyway, back to the episode: I really enjoyed it. The gore is fairly light, the humor is really where it is at. If you liked "Deer Woman", you will love this. The only thing I could complain about is a part where they used computer effect to show how acid works rather than use real acid (or something similar). But, you know, it seemed to fit into the cheesiness, so I have no problem with it. Still not the greatest, but better than the stuff I've been seeing.

I suppose I am also curious why this was set in Wisconsin. The film was shot in British Columbia, but they were careful about making the film look authentic -- Wisconsin license plates and at least one Wisconsin flag. Seems to me like it would have been easier just to not show license plates or flags at all and keep the setting ambiguous. But, maybe I missed something.

Landis adheres to what he is good at, so he made a relaxed and entertaining episode without mystery or tension. The dark secret of the main character is revealed in the first scene, and the whole episode is bright and black-humorously cheerful, giving the impression of sitcom rather than horror. However, an unexpected twist turns it into a horror thriller. Although it is not scary, direction, twist and especially George Wendt made this episode one of the better in the series.

7/10

John Landis has a go at the popular Showtime series, MASTERS OF HORROR, with a nasty little number about a lonely man (George Wendt of CHEERS fame) who kills folks and makes a family out of them -- after first stripping the flesh off their bones. A young couple moves in next door, and Wendt soon has his sights set on the wife, a sad little blonde who has lost her only child to cancer. The husband, a surgeon, abruptly disappears one day, leaving the despairing wife wide open to suggestion. The ending is not what you'd expect. And the episode is very funny when it is not being gory. It may remind some of a modern TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE story.

'Family' is simply one of the most clever and satisfying scripts to be filmed as part of the "Masters of Horror" anthology; it meets an unlikely (yet wonderful) match in John Landis, well-known for his comedic efforts, but adopting a proper tone of suburban abnormality here. Harold (George Wendt, who has been showing an effectively darker side in the recent works of Stuart Gordon) plays a seemingly contented suburbanite with a proclivity toward abducting random strangers, melting their skin with acid, and making a skeletal 'family' for his happy home. With the arrival of Celia (Meredith Monroe) and David (Matt Keeslar), a married couple going through a difficult spot, Wendt becomes the good-natured confidant whose obsession with Celia grows to a disturbing degree. While Monroe and Keeslar provide just the right amount of intended WASPy blandness, it is Wendt who performs an impressive balancing act between neighborly warmth and psychosis. His performance alone would merit a view, but Landis's direction and Brent Hanley's clever (and not cheating) script make 'Family' a series high point.

Exactly why John Landis is credited as a "Master of Horror" is somewhat beyond me but there's no denying that he makes good films. He made the most entertaining Season 1 episode with "Deer Woman" and here he makes another solid entry in the uneven horror series.

George Wendt, of "Cheers" fame, is rock solid as the less-than-stable bachelor with a creepy family, of sorts. It's best going into these "Maters of Horror" episodes knowing as little as possible.

This episode relies entirely on George Wendt. He nails it to a tee and plays a very troubled character, who can seem very normal and likable, very well.

There's little gore to speak of here but what there is is done well. Also, the surprise twist really came from behind. Maybe I'm just a tad dense at times but I didn't see it coming.

"Family" isn't one of the best from the series but it's a solid diversion for a bit less than an hour, although I felt it was a bit stretched.