‘Tales from the Darkside’ Retro Recap: ‘In the Cards’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Something that is genuinely fascinating about our modern world, are the fads that come and go. Because it is just incredible how seemingly overnight, everyone we know and ourselves for that matter as well… are chasing that particular fad and buying up everything that is associated with it and just living within its world until we magically… find ourselves bored with it and move onto the next one and ironically… lament the one we just enjoyed. Not to mention, it is equally as intriguing, how great of a hold they have upon us. Because it doesn’t make sense that intelligent beings such as us should latch onto something that we know deep down won’t last. But we do and the strange psychology surrounding the fad extends beyond its grip upon the average consumer.
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Because it also brings out the entrepreneur in so many. Since fads often mean lucrative profit for those who want to get involved in selling it and it’s equally as amazing to see people suddenly become the go-to business for the fad and this part of trends is the one that is perhaps the most dangerous. After all, starting a business to sell the next hot thing requires capital and sales don’t last in the slightest and if one gets in at the wrong time, they can lose a great deal and suffer years of financial setback. If anything, the dangers that can come about from investing in fads is top of mind today, simply because it was explored in the most extreme manner possible in the next episode of Tales from the Darkside. For ‘In the Cards’ is a story that takes the time to examine what dangers could come about from jumping into a fad revolving around the supernatural.

A feat that this episode accomplished by introducing us to a woman named Catherine who has simply fallen in love with the world of Tarot Cards. In fact, she’s so keen on them and the power they hold over people who want answers about the unknown in life, that she’s opened up her own reading parlor, where she is happy to provide those curious, with lighthearted readings that bring joy. And her business is so successful and beloved, that people come in droves to enjoy their positive reading. A move that hurts other tarot card readers around town badly enough… that one of them swaps out Catherine’s deck of cards with one that holds a dark power and dark truths, and now, life is about to become very difficult for Catherine. As she tries to navigate a new chapter in her career, one where the cards speak only to the sorrow that awaits her clients. 

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Which is at first glance, a supremely original story to begin with. Because this writer is hard pressed to think of any horror tale that revolves around a tarot card reader that finds themselves dealing with a possessed deck of sorts, so that alone makes this a fascinating story. As does its examination/reflections of fads in the 1980s. Since tarot cards and Ouija boards and all that stuff, did enjoy a hot streak in the mid 1980s as the conservative movement began to lose its grip on the United States, making this a wonderful visual time capsule. Since anyone old enough to remember those crazes will find nostalgia here and anyone new to this tale will garner quite the lesson on fads in general. But while it is quite cool to see a slice of history come to life on screen… it’s the commentary here that really allows for this episode to shine.
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Because it truly does make it clear that fads really aren’t something to be messed with in the slightest. Sure, they’re fun and they bring joy, but they do bring about a lot of sour aspects as well. Since collectors will go the extra mile to get what they want, and people will fight over stuff. Plus, it really hammers home the warning to not be an investor of such matters, since that can in fact, lead to financial ruin, and that the business side might be more bloodthirsty than one can handle. Since money talks and inspires people to do weird things. But of course, it also adds another wrinkle to its commentary by grounding this story in a supernatural fad of sorts, since Catherine’s desire to be the next hot Miss Cleo speaks to the reality, that people should do research on the fads they chase, so they don’t find themselves in over their heads.

If anything, this is just… a solid episode through and through. Because it is well-written and full of wonderful thoughts, and it also flows so well. Which might be explained by the fact that the director of this tale, Ted Gershuny, wrote the teleplay for it as well. But what matters more, is that he assembled an entertaining and engaging tale of terror. One that features genuinely spooky and eerie and dark moments, thanks to what the cards predict, and that ending? Well, it’s just masterful and dark and everything you want from a Tales from the Darkside episode, and well… it is likely best that we enjoy the ironically fun and eerie vibes this one sent our way while they last. Because the next chapter in this twisted saga, goes to some incredibly dark and disturbing places. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

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