"Tales from the Crypt" Retro Recap: "What's Cookin'"

Written by Scotty

Running your own business is a pain that most people do not expect.  Thinking that they will have clientele as soon as they open the doors is a pipe dream as so many people find out the hard way.  Needing to make sure you have a customer for what you are selling is the primary goal, and being able to adjust to what the people want is what will keep you in business.  If you are not able to do the latter of these things, you should think twice about opening a shop for fear you will be living on the streets when it does not take off like the success stories you see on television. 

Fred and Erma are having a tough time making ends meet with their diner.  Being a specialty shop, that only serves squid, Fred thinks he has got everything figured out, but there are not any customers coming in to enjoy it.  Being behind on his building rent, Fred gets a visit from his landlord Mr. Chumley and loses his mind briefly.  Going after the man with a knife, Fred’s drifter employee Gaston sees what all is happening across the street and comes up with an alternative that will make the diner some money.

With promise of his special barbeque, Gaston puts some steaks in the fridge and his first customer, Officer Phil cannot keep the drool off of his lips.  Cooking it up, Fred and Erma see how the smell of something great can make people appear out of the wood work.  With the meat being to all of their customers liking, Fred and Erma know they have a success on their hands, but when Fred finds out where the meat is coming from, he starts to have second thoughts.  When needing to get more steaks out of the back, Gaston shows Fred where their new profits are coming from, Mr. Chumley himself.

Serving up human meat in the diner does not seem very ethical, but with dollar signs in his eyes, Fred cannot find a good reason to stop.  Changing their diner to a steak house, the three are working towards the final end goal of making a ton of money.  But Gaston is starting to notice that Fred’s heart may not be in it, and wants to take over the operation.  With Erma still clueless about what is happening in her shop, Gaston comes clean about what they are serving their clients and that he plans to relieve Fred from his guilt.  Rushing down to the shop, Erma tries to stop Fred and Gaston from fighting, but they are disturbed by a frequent visitor who may or may not take offense to what has been happening.

With the way this episode started out, I had no idea how it was going to end, and like a surprise dessert, it did not disappoint.  Love how the actors embraced their roles, I could almost see the longing for success in Gaston’s eyes as all he could see was money and the possible love of Erma.  I do not know how I would react if I found out that my favorite steak house was serving meat from something other than a cow, and I hope I will never have to in the future.  Starring Christopher Reeve as Fred, Bess Armstrong as Erma, Art LaFleur as Officer Phil, Meat Loaf as Mr. Chumley and Judd Nelson as Gaston.  This is one of the most star studded cast I have seen in this series and I can see why everyone was licking their lips to check it out.  Until next time kiddies, Stay Scared.  

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