‘Chucky’ Recap: ‘Murder at 1600’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

CHUCKY -- "Murder at 1600" Episode 301 -- Pictured: (l-r) Devon Sawa as James Collins, Callum Vinson as Henry Collins, Chucky -- (Photo by: Shane Mahood/SYFY)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three Premiere of ‘Chucky’. To revisit season two, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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It is definitely safe to say that the SYFY/USA Network horror series, Chucky, is different from other horror shows on the market. Simply because… it handles its business differently. After all, this is that rare television sequel, that has worked quickly to wrap up loose ends from the film franchise, all while offering up experimental plots that challenge these characters like never before and of course, it is eager to provide us… with unique stories that captivate from beginning to end. If anything, the unique structure, and design of this show is top of mind today, simply because… the season three premiere of Chucky made it clear that taking risks will be the name of the game this season, and that made ‘Murder at 1600’, quite the delightful tale.
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In large part because of its setting. Because dear ol’ Chucky, under the guise of the name, Joseph, was now an official member of the First Family. For President Collins’ son, Henry, kept Chucky close at the White House, and of course relied upon him for comfort. Which Chucky was happy to provide, simply because… he wanted to gain access to normally closed off areas of the White House, through innocent moments with Henry, and he was able to do so here. Because on several occasions he was left alone, in critical places. Such as the Oval Office, and that allowed for him to snoop about regarding whatever plan he had assembled in his twisted mind, and of course, he was able to stay out of mind when it came to the trouble he was brewing. Well… for as long as he could. Because eventually, the Secret Service kept getting way too close, and that led to the stuff we know and love. 

But more on that in a moment because what also made this story so experimental and unique, was the sheer fact that it made sure to not forget about prior heroes. Since we were able to catch up with Jake, Devon, and Lexy, and see how they were doing following the wild events of season two. And in a nutshell… they were not well. They struggled with that chaos and were doing their best to reconnect with others, and themselves, while lightly addressing their trauma and this is stuff… we just don’t see in horror enough. Wherein the characters deal with the genuine fallout of the horrors they have seen, and that was refreshing to find here, and it also was the perfect way to set the stage for the fight ahead. Since someone that was small and surly and well… evil… made sure to mock them over his potential protection behind the walls of the home of the President of these United States.

All of which set the stage for a grand showdown this season, one that might be more difficult than our heroes know. Which really did bring forth a bold story, one that has us guessing as to what exactly Chucky wants and what kind of carnage he wants to impart, and of course… we’d be remiss to not point out that the horror elements here were simply top notch. Because we know what Chucky is, we know what kind of threat he poses and that made every scene where he was alone with someone, unsettling to say the least. Since we didn’t know if he was going to strike, and that made the moment when he did surprise the Secret Service… brutal and horrifying for certain. Because it was just so savage, just so raw. But that’s something this franchise delivers on time and time again and well, in the end, this was just a magnificent season premiere.

One that really did set up a bold new story in the franchise, complete with a plan that will slowly reveal itself to us in the perfect manner. Plus, it had good scares, great tension and one incredibly gory scene involving a bullet to the brain and well, you simply cannot go wrong with any of that in a Chucky story. Plus, it was also great to see Devon Sawa in here again, because the man is a franchise staple through and through and well, all of these elements just leave us eager for more. Because we simply must know if our heroes can get to Chucky and save the day from whatever Chucky has planned. And of course, we simply must know what that plan is and that is going to make the wait for next week’s episode, as difficult as can be. Until next time.

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