Creepy Rigatoni: Channel Zero, The Dream Door- Season Finale

At last, the final Episode ever.  I'm not crying- you're crying!

How does this all wrap up?  Let's see...

Our Villain has kidnapped the Husband and is hiding out in 'the Ghost Community.'  Can he get what he wants?

He has laid a trap there and he's going to take what he wants- by force.  For that, you need an army...

Can our reunited Couple escape to tell the World what happened?  Will they survive the day?

Will we finally get the epic showdown that the 2nd half of the Show promised us?

To find out, watch the finale.  It's still on Streaming and now on DVD too.

I'm going to miss this insanity.  The finale Episode nicely builds off of the previous ones.  Stuff that is set up in little ways pays off, as do big Plot Points.  Our Villain continues to find new and different ways to be evil.  I like how they show the physical breakdown too- he's been exerting himself a lot!  The creature design continues to impress here.  Aside from Pretzel Jack (the clown) and the blond giant (meant to resemble the Father), we get all of the multi-colored monsters.  They are mostly just palette swaps, but they still look nice and freaky.  Without SPOILing anything, one of said monsters gets a new variant before all is said and done.  Everything pays off big here and it feels like a good climax.  The last one had a so-so one (save for the amazing ending) and others have had some issues at the finish line.  This one nails it, so at least they are going out strongly.  All in all, The Dream Door started off simple and got bonkers- as these things should.  It's a shame to see the Show cancelled, but I kind of called it when they dumped all of this Season on Streaming at once.  I guess I'm done with Channel Zero (unless Netflix buys it!), so I'll just have to pick a new door to go into...

Alas there is no more.  Time to go back to reading Creepypastas, I guess.  Or not- since I never started in the first place.

Creepy Rigatoni: Channel Zero, The Dream Door- 'You Belong to Me'

Another week and I'm one-step closer to the finale (for good, sadly).  I want to get the final one up in February, so let me get through with this one...

In the aftermath of what happened last Episode, the Husband is worried.  He begins to look into the guy's place...

...which is what his Wife is doing too.  Why does he have an old doll that she used to have?

When she finds out the truth, it leads to more revelations and some surprisingly-candid responses.

Will putting him in the hands of the Law turn out well or just bloody-bad?

To find out, watch the Episode (still on Streaming and DVD).

A strong, bloody Episode.  Without SPOILing too much, there's a lot of death in this Episode.  The Season as a whole has been up and down in regards to that.  Maybe I'm just expecting more after Butcher's Block.  Regardless, this Episode definitely has shock value.  They build up nicely from the previous Episodes and all of the reveals to the Characters feel big.  Kudos to the Actors for making these moments worth 4 Episodes of build-up.  It would be easy to under or overdo the moments Acting-wise.  They find a nice balance and everything works.  The make-up work is notable for this Episode with the creature, who has the unenviable task of following the Contortionist/Clown thing.  I have to really give credit to the Camerawork too.  One big moment has other Characters talking while having the Camera pointed right at one guy's intense expression.  With the pullback, we see that he was just staring at another Character very intensely, so we feel what they would.  There's also a nice bit of spinning the Camera which works if done rarely.  This is probably the most intense and freaky Episode (so far), so bear that in mind if you aren't into that kind of thing.  As for me, I'm going to power through to the final Episode with the contents of Sylvester Stallone's fridge...

Next time, the final Episode ever (sad face).  Will they go out with a bloody bang?  See you then...

Creepy Rigatoni: Channel Zero, The Dream Door- 'Bizarre Love Triangle'

In the time between covering this Show, it was cancelled by Syfy!  This is the first time that anyone has ever been upset by such a thing!!!

Oh well- might as well enjoy the last 3 that I get.

In the Cold Open, we see the first time that our Heroine and the freaky Contortionist/Clown met.

In the Present, she tries to take control over the creature, which is driven by her anger.

Can she stop the creature that has already survived most things that would kill a person?

She then goes off with the person who can help her control her powers.  Is he someone you can trust though?

To find out, watch the Show (now on DVD/Blu-Ray/Streaming).

I missed this Show.  I took a break for many reasons- issues with the Show was not one of them.  The Story is still solid.  I like how it grows over the short course of Episodes.  As mentioned many times, each 'Season' is one Story and there's no follow-up on it in other Seasons.  They are 6-Episode, self-contained Stories.  As such, things move at a nice, steady pace.  After all, there's no time to hold things off until Season 2- there is none!  It's a shame that stuff like American Gods and Castle Rock didn't learn the lesson so far.  The villainous Contortionist/Clown is a freaky threat and a true testament to practical effects.  Could you imagine if they tried to make him CG on this Budget?!?  This Episode drops a couple big bombs and has some major moments that I won't SPOIL here.  I'll miss the Show when I'm done, but I'm going to sure enjoy it while I have some time left with it.  Speaking of enjoyment, a Character Actor from stuff like Payback and Bates Motel is here!

Next time, things escalate as more truths are revealed.  What creature will show up next?  See you then...

Creepy Rigatoni: Channel Zero: The Dream Door- 'Love Hurts'

Holidays, man.  I didn't get to the next Episode until now between that and the job that actually pays me, so here we are...

The Husband narrowly escapes certain death and the killer is now documented.  How do you explain to the Police who or what he/it is?

The strange creature continues to lurk, just waiting to be 'called.'  I won't SPOIL what 'calls' him/it here though.

He's a sneaky little bugger- he can get in anywhere!

Our Heroes find out their Neighbor's secret- which I also won't SPOIL.  Just gauge what it might be from their shocked expressions.

Will some more Therapy help capture the creature or doom them all?

To find out, Stream the Show already!

A dark and interesting Episode.  This one sheds a lot of light on stuff hinted at in the previous 2.  That's another advantage of this short Format- no need to pad things out.  I'd probably be 8 Episode into, for instance, American Gods before I found out stuff like I did here.  The revelations are interesting and definitely add some depth to the Series.  It's neat to see them play with expectations.  The killer is obviously the biggest draw here.  Before watching the Show, I saw a thing about how people couldn't believe that it was really just a guy doing all that movement.  It is.  It is freaky as hell- aided by the sound effects- and he's a joy to watch.  The Plot is definitely strange...but when is it not?  Just a reminder- the first Season dealt with kids being mind-controlled by a TV Show created by magic!  This is all weird.  We get a strong Opening, tense middle and a climax that leaves you wanting to know what will happen next.  If that's not 'Must-See,' then I don't know what is.  Speaking of must-see, this girl must see a Therapist after this...

Next time, more revelations and possibly more killing.  Therapy must be the cure...right?  See you then...

Creepy Rigatoni: Channel Zero, The Dream Door- 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?'

Another week and another Episode of this strange Show.  What is the mystery of the Door?

After the death of someone close, the Wife is questioned due to her proximity.  Can she tell them what really happened?

Concerned, she goes to her old House and sneaks in while the owner is away.  What is she looking for in there?

Meanwhile, the Contortionist Clown- known as Pretzel- is lurking.  Is he trying to help her or hurt her?

What is going on with the Husband?  He's keeping some secrets and meeting with this strange woman.

Will this lead to his death?  To find out, watch the Show- now available to Stream.

A solid follow-up.  The first Episode got plenty of craziness in it.  The Door, the Clown and that ending- all gold.  What this Episode does is follow up on all of that in good and interesting ways.  We learn some backstory for the Clown.  We learn more about the door's connection to their past.  We learn more about the secrets kept between the Couple.  We learn how to deal with scary clowns (see below).  Like all of these Shows have been, the Pace is deliberate, but not slow.  Something is always happening, feels like it is about to happen or is building up suspense.  You can be deliberate, but not slow- this is how!  It was nice to see Barbara Crampton in this Episode and I hope to see more of her.  All in all, the Episode is good and keeps me wanting to come back for more.  Now about that clown...

Next time, did another person die?  Will we get any answers yet?  See you then...

Creepy Rigatoni: Channel Zero, The Dream Door- 'Ashes on my Pillow'

After a long wait, Syfy just dumped the entire Season on us at once before Halloween.  That was unexpected.

Now that I had time to catch up, let's see how this starts...

We meet a happy, young Couple moving into the family House (of the Husband).  They're...excited.

We learn that the Wife used to make drawings of a Contortionist Clown.  That won't pay off later!

In spite of their passion, there are clear issues for the pair to work out.  Drama!

The day after working in the Basement, a strange door appears.  This will definitely end well!

 Something big and weird happens to close out Episode 1.  No SPOILERS, even if you can stream it all right now.

To find out what happens, watch the Show.

An intriguing setup that hopefully pays off well.  By now, they must have the formula down.  In the first Episode, we meet all of our Characters, see what their conflict is and get a hint of the creepy creature to come.  They hit all of these points well here.  Our Leads are nice, likeable people with some mystery and drama surrounding them.  Their conflict is an interesting.  What would you do if a door suddenly appeared in your House?!?  Thankfully, I don't have a friend who will just whip out a shotgun!  They are definitely going to explain this more as the Episodes go on and I look forward to it.  As for their creature, it looks fun.  If you liked the Crooked Man from The Conjuring 2, he's someone you'll like.  For me, that Character was too over-the-top and never quite looked real.  In this Show, he's not even remotely-CG and looks creepy as hell.  I don't know if anyone will be quite as good as the Tooth Child, but this guy may grow on me.  While heavy on the Drama, this Episode sells the premise well and keeps you looking around for dangers lurking around you...

Next time, the mystery deepens after a bit of bloody mayhem.  What will we learn?  See you then...

Creepy Rigatoni: Channel Zero, Butcher's Block- Finale

After a longer-than-planned delay, we get the finale of this crazy-ass Story!  Who will eat and who will be eaten?  Let's see...

Alice is now fully-controlled by the Peach Family, choosing to stay with them over her Sister.

Oh and all Screen Caps come from a video feed with a permanent Ad for a Film that's already out.  C'est la vie!

They must exit their safe realm to reclaim the child they plan to sacrifice to keep their immortality.  They find out that people have been keeping tabs on them...

Even with the knowledge to use against them, the Peach Family is too powerful and freaky!

Will they be stopped before the sacrifice occurs?  Will anyone survive?

To find out, watch the Show('s final episode).

A good, bloody end.  Given how the Show has been so far, I knew a few things.  I knew that it would be weird.  I knew that it would be bloody.  I knew that it would be epic.  All of those things proved to be true.  You have to know that this won't be pretty.  I mean, Cannibalism is a big Theme in the Show.  You have to know that this won't be too happy.  Again- Cannibalism is a big Theme in the Show.  I think you get that point.  Channel Zero is always a bit downbeat and this is not exception.  Don't look for any rainbows or kittens here.  With that said, I really liked it and I can't wait to see what they have planned for the next Season.  We had killer kids, people that ate your memories and now WASP Cannibals.  Whatever they have next is sure to blow you away!

Now I just have to wait for whatever they have planned in Season Four.  Until then, stay freaky.

Creepy Rigatoni: Channel Zero, Butcher's Block- Episode 5

Another late entry here, but hey, it's my site.  Time and Space and all that.

We now return to Butcher's Block, home of mutants, cannibalism and lovely bedside service...

Alice and her Sister are now trapped in the Peach's Magical Murder Land.  As you can see, things aren't great.

Seeing what is happening to Alice makes her Sister question things.  She starts to explore and finds a strange, red door guarded by a freaky spirit.  What's in there?!?

As things aren't exactly great in the real world- complete with decapitations and a murder-, Alice is initiated into the Family like her Sister was, choosing their ways to avoid insanity.

More Peaches are coming to check on the missing Brother.  Uh oh.

Can her Sister talk Alice out of this crazy place?  Is it a mixed-up world when the crazy sister is the sane one?

To find out how this all leads to the Finale, watch the Show.

Another bloody good time.  Butcher's Block is undoubtedly-weird.  It has weird-faced little people, cannibal W.A.S.P.s, Meat-Man and bugs being pulled out of people's mouths.  It doesn't hold anything back!  As I've mentioned before, each Series is only 6 Episodes long, which must be freeing.  Kill off a Character in Episode 3- that's fine.  Continue to raise the stakes for 5 Episodes- no problem.  No need to worry about long-term Character Arcs is nice too.  People can naturally evolve and you don't have to worry about what you'll do with said evolution in, oh, Season 2.  To that end, all sorts of big moments can seemingly-happen at a moment's notice.  No need to wait for Sweeps Week, after all.  Given how much Streaming there is, is that even still a thing?  In any event, the Show continues to be trippy, bloody and weird.  I'd say more, but I have the next game...

Next time, the finale.  Consider how bloody it is now, how bad will that be?!?  See you then...