'Nightmares & Dreamscapes' Retro Recap: 'The End of the Whole Mess'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There is a certain sense of hopelessness that infects all of us when incredible tragedy or disaster strikes. We can only watch in horror as the events unfold before our eyes and realize that in that moment, there is nothing we can do to make it right or make it better for that matter. 

But there is a plus side, because from that hopelessness comes a sense of unity, and purpose and it's when we as a species are at our most beautiful because we band together and do our best to rebuild, help those in need and perhaps find a way to make sure such tragedy never strikes again. However, despite our good intentions, our hospitality sometimes creates unintended consequences. At best, we offend someone deeply who desired to handle matters on their own or at worst, we set in motion a chain of ugly events when our hearts blind our brains as was the case in the Nightmares & Dreamscapes episode, 'The End of the Whole Mess'.

Howard Fornoy is an award winning documentary film maker...that has one last tale to tell. For the world is about to come to an end, and Howard's family had a hand in its undoing. His story is a harrowing one, that chronicles his life, and the life of his baby brother Bobby and how that genius of a brother discovered the impossible...the cure for aggression. Through thorough testing of a water supply of a small town in Texas, Bobby discovered an enzyme that ended anger and rage and allowed peace and understanding amongst the townspeople and it led Bobby to synthesize it in mass quantities to deliver it upon the world, and end conflict among us at last. But by rushing to save the world, Bobby missed some critical data about the long term health of the people in that town in Texas, and now the rest of the world is suffering from a unique form of dementia, one that eventually leads to death, and it's imperative that Howard finish his tale now, for the symptoms of the illness...are starting to take over...

Simply put, this is a magnificent piece of storytelling, because we are treated to one incredible tragedy that moves you in stunning fashion. For one, the story of the Fornoy boys is entertaining and charming and allows for the audience to care about this family through and through and it makes Bobby's quirks all the more lovable as well since we are privy to his unique level of intelligence and the good within his heart since his plan is a noble one to say the least. You too want what Bobby wants. You want to see the world step away from the horrible violence that plagues it and well, his plan truly seems like the miracle to end all miracles and for a moment the story is uplifting and hopeful...before it all comes crashing down in horrible fashion.

The second half of the episode is where the story it truly gains its power, because despite Bobby's big brain and despite his best intentions, the concept of unintended consequences ring true and if only Bobby had put more thought into what he was doing...then perhaps so many could have been spared. But as the hour continues along, the gravity of what he's done, the fact that there is no going back adds a powerful weight to the story, specifically that everything we learned about these men, and how good they are at their core meant nothing, since in many ways Howard's confession is a waste, because who will be left to see it, and who will be left to learn from it? It's a sobering episode to say the least. It's one that gives you pause, and as of right now, it's my favorite from this series because of how bold of a tale it turned out to be. Until next time.

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