‘Tales from the Darkside’ Retro Recap: ‘Distant Signals’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is supremely interesting how people view stories in every medium of entertainment out there. For there are some, who see stories as nothing more than fleeting wastes of time. The kind that just keep our minds busy and/or distract us from the more important things in life. Whereas there are others, who find great meaning in storytelling. To the point where they pour over the details of a particular tale and search for deeper meaning within it. For that story has touched them deeply in a powerful manner, and these are the folks that we hear about that struggle mentally and emotionally if the story they love comes to an end too early or when the story ends… period.
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Granted some people immediately poke fun of folks that go through that roller coaster, but they shouldn’t. Because they are the same folks that get upset and scream when their favorite sports team loses a big game. Because the bottom line is that we connect with stories and the things that we love on a truly fundamental level and having them taken away or having to say goodbye to them, isn’t easy. To the point where some will go the extra mile to keep that story alive. To force networks and studios and publishers to understand what a story means and why it should continue. Sometimes they’re successful, sometimes they’re not and really, their passion does leave one to wonder… just how far fans would go to keep their stories alive or to see them be brought to a logical and proper conclusion.

As it turns out, the next episode of Tales from the Darkside takes the time to answer that question. A feat that ‘Distant Signals’ accomplishes by introducing us to a very strange man named Mister Smith who has come to Hollywood with an unwholesome amount of gold to pay for the ultimate task. In that, he, at the bequest of his ‘investors,’ would like to reunite actor Van Conway and writer/director Gil Hurn to bring to life… the final chapter in the long-forgotten series, Max Paradise. A move both men are skeptical of since the series was a flop when it first aired. But Smith is relentless and goes to incredible and suspect lengths to bring that finale to life. For he continues to press that there are viewers eager to see this show, ones that Van eventually figures out… are not on Earth. Meaning that Smith has traveled through the depths of space, all to bring a series that briefly aired light years away and was deeply loved… to its proper conclusion. 

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Which is a supremely unique story that we must point out… is not scary in the slightest. Making this true science fiction through and through and another ‘experimental’ tale for the series. Since clearly, this isn’t what we know and love from this series, but it is a Tales from the Darkside episode none the less, one that actually… engages you. In part because of the mystery at hand, since we initially don’t know where Smith is from or who he represents, or how he gets his funding. He’s just eccentric and that’s nothing new in show biz. Plus, the acting is just… sublime. Because veteran character actor David Marguiles plays Gil and does so with a tortured gusto so vibrant, that you immediately feel for him and want him to succeed at telling a proper end to a tale that meant a lot to him. But of course, Darrin McGavin, a true legend in his own right, steals the show as Van Conway since he brings a real honesty to the role of a man that is clearly lost within himself after years of failure.
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Plus, this is a story that does indeed answer the central question. Since fans would indeed travel through space and time if it meant they could see a cancelled show come to completion or see it continue along, and Smith’s mission… is oddly relevant to today. Since fans fight hard for their favorite shows online and will stop at nothing to have their voices heard, and the rise of fan fiction and fan films… only adds to the reality that when a story truly connects, hearty fans will go the extra mile to enjoy every aspect of its wonder. Making this story in many ways, a love letter to the fans of storytelling out there, since their passion has indeed paid off in spades time and time again, and they will likely fight harder now that networks sometimes swoop in to save cancelled shows to keep the fans happy and stories alive and thriving. 

However, this is likely a story that will turn some fans off. Mainly because, there’s no monster or evil waiting in the wings. Just good vibes from an alien that badly wants to make his world happy and help out two down on their luck men. Making this an uplifting sci-fi drama story really, one that honestly… is hard not to like when you approach it with an open mind. Simply because it is hard to find fault with that core premise and it’s hard to not relate to Smith and his desires to see a classic show keep going. If anything, this episode just goes to show that this series has no problem with taking big time risks. Because this is indeed an episode that could turn so many off, but there really is a certain charm to this particular story, one that compels you to complete the journey and all the wholesomeness it has to offer. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.  

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