Freddy's Nightmares - Episodes 1-5 Reviews

I meant to do this last year but things got away from me. Anyways for the next nine blogs, I'll briefly break down each episode of this TV spin off.

Episode : No More Mr Nice Guy

First and foremost and for obvious reason, Robert Englund is the only actor to appear in every episode of this show. This first episode served as a prequel for A Nightmare On Elm Street and it certainly set the tone for the show. Freddy being on trial for killing kids in Springwood but getting off because his rights were never read. The parents of course took it upon themselves to enact their own justice on Freddy and that should've been the end of that. Of course, it wasn't and Freddy soon started taking a few out a few adults himself. The events of this opening episode would result in a sequel a few episodes. Interesting side note would be that Tobe Hopper (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) directed this episode. 7/10

Episode 2: It's A Miserable Life

The format from this episode onwards for the majority of the series would be a story pivoting from one character to another with Freddy as the antagonist. The first half of this episode had dissatisfied would be college kid, Bryan (John Cameron Mitchell) wanting to get out of the drudgery of his father's fast food restaurant. Bryan's desperation for escape had some unsettling dream sequences before he became a victim of a drive by shooting, witnessed by his girlfriend, Karyn (Lar Park Lincoln). Karyn became the focus of the second half, stuck in hospital and generally being terrorised by the staff as Freddy closed in on her. Fans of the Friday The 13th franchise should recognise a certain actor in this one. 7/10

Episode 3: Killer Instinct

Who fancies a bit of non friendly competition? That's pretty much the premise of this episode. Chris (Lori Petty) and Nickie (Yvette Nipar) are running rivals and the first half of the episode was focused on Chris's mommy issues, her need to win and a magical charm that gave her the edge. Then on one run, Chris lost the charm and her life, only for it to turn out that Nickie took the charm. The change of viewpoint to Nickie almost made her a sympathetic character but not quite. Her competitive drive was certainly given more context in light of her parents but it wasn't enough to make me care when she eventually got her comeuppance. 6/10

Episode 4: Freddy's Tricks And Treats 

I always wanted a Halloween scenario for this franchise and the fourth episode being a Halloween one was a nice treat. Not so much for our bookish protagonist Marsha Wildmon (Mariska Hargitay). She couldn't study in a party house, her boyfriend was a distraction, her grandmother a sexually repressed control freak and her cynicism about Freddy Krueger being real didn't end well for her. Then the episode flipped things where it turned out that her dreams were being studied while Freddy continued to terrorise Marsha. It's the strongest episode of this bunch and yes, there's another Friday The 13th reference to look out for. 8/10

Episode 5: Judy Miller, Come On Down 

Breaking the pattern a little here, this episode focus on an adult couple - Judy (Siobhan E. McCafferty) and Tom Miller (John DeMita). Granted they're living with Tom's parents and Judy's obsession with game shows has become something that Tom ridicules her for. However Judy ended winning big on a gameshow and Tom suddenly changed his tune. Judy's life should d been great but then an older version of herself (Susan Oliver) warned Judy about Tom's infidelity and money control. This was one of those episodes that almost could've done without Freddy as his role felt more like an observer. I did like the focus on older characters here. 6/10

Next blog I'll cover Saturday Night Special, Sister's Keeper, Mother's Day, Rebel Without A Car and The Bride Wore Red.