This movie’s got such atmosphere — old school Halloween decorations covering the walls, constant fog, dead leaves blowing in the wind — you can almost feel that autumn chill in the air! It’s exactly what I’d always wished my New England Halloweens looked like as a kid. PLUS, it’s got an iconic soundtrack, three incredible Black leads (Shari Belafonte, LeVar Burton, and Jonelle Allen), and a song and dance number that gives Hocus Pocus’ “I Put a Spell on You” a run for its money! Loss of identity is a huge theme in this episode as well, which has a long history in the horror genre (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Thing, etc), and in my opinion, is always scary! It elevates the story to something that a person of any age can see as terrifying. And while we all love to see Buffy stake some vamps, seeing her as a helpless woman from the 18th century while Xander, Willow, and even Cordelia take charge, is a nice change of pace for the series. And, it makes for a super fun and memorable episode that also allows us a chance to see deeper into the other characters that make up the Scooby Gang, all the while exploring the theme of identity and the duality of human nature. While the slapstick Three Stooges-style comedy that packs the first half is a bit stale for me as an adult, it’s that ending that gets me every time! It’s so beautifully shot and so well-acted; it 100% still holds up. And when that little ghost boy, now in human form (Devon Sawa), descends the staircase to dance with Kat, I swear it’s the first time I remember seeing anything even remotely close to the female gaze. But it’s more than that. The best and most memorable horror acts as a metaphor for something deeper (Ginger Snaps: getting your period, It Follows: STDs, The Descent: trauma). In “And Then There Was Shawn,” the masked killer symbolizes Shawn’s anger, sadness, and grief over the loss of Cory and Topanga’s relationship, something he viewed as the only constant in his life. So, while this episode is super fun and filled with comedic elements, I think it really holds up because of its depth. It’s a spooky, dark, and unsettling movie for literally any age. Besides the standout performances from the two leads — Andrea Nemeth and underrated ’90s heartthrob Fab Filippo (I’m still swooning), the episode is surprisingly emotional for a kids show, and extremely well-written. Rumors floated for years that it inspired M. Night Shyamalan to write The Sixth Sense; however, apparently he’s never even heard of the show. Even though it’s false, I think that rumor’s very telling of the quality of this episode! And, like The Sixth Sense, it’s got a twist that’s even better on a rewatch! It’s a story of friendship, loss, and sacrifice, as four kids try to save their friend’s life on Halloween night. And since I might as well get a history lesson while I’m absolutely enthralled in this emotional story, it also includes the origins of Halloween, as the kids travel back in time to Egypt during the feast of the ghosts and to Mexico during Día de los Muertos. And if all that isn’t enough, the film’s composer, John Debney, did the music for Hocus Pocus, too, so the score has that perfect balance of childlike hope and wonder mixed with mystery and spine-chilling tension — all of which really sets the Halloween mood! After “keepers” who run an Earth-themed zoo kidnap children in order for space aliens to gawk at them through a glass window, a deaf girl and her bully have to find a way out. The keepers use sound as a weapon in the form of a high-pitched noise to control their captors. Just like in A Quiet Place, the main character’s deafness is her strength. Since she doesn’t hear the noise, which incapacitates hearing people, she’s able to save all the captured children. There’s also heavy themes of exploitation, spectacle, and privilege that it’s hard not to draw parallels to Nope. Also, the detail is incredible in this episode, down to a watchful eye printed on the main character’s T-shirt. Even though it doesn’t have a laugh track, and its tone is definitely more mature and more serious than the series, it’s still tons of fun! Oh, and the fashion is sooo good. It’s toned-down Clueless meets whimsigothic, and I’m completely here for it! As a kid, before I even saw The Shining, this parody had me cackling. After seeing the movie a handful of times, it remained funny to me throughout the years. And now (I already watched it this year), I’m still audibly laughing. Clearly, there’s something here for every age group, which really makes the episode hold up against the test of time!
