‘Tales from the Darkside’ Retro Recap: ‘Ring Around the Redhead’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

It wasn’t that long ago, that we talked at length about how season two of Tales from the Darkside was quite experimental in nature. Simply because the show’s season two premiere was in fact, a science fiction adventure, one devoid of genuine scares and terror and was instead filled with philosophical concepts and uplifting moments as well. Making it quite the outlier for certain, one that truly pushed the envelope and tried new things that this series had yet to really dive into, and what’s amazing… is that it worked. For it was a supremely human story that engaged and inspired and while it might not have fit the mold, you can never go wrong with a quality story that offers us plenty to ponder upon. 
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But what is wild, is that it wasn’t the only experimental moment that season two was going to take part in. For the writers and producers really wanted to see what could work in this anthology and sadly, the next experimental story… struggled to offer the same quality as ‘The Illusionist’. Which is a shame, because ‘Ring Around the Redhead’ had the potential to be something quite special. For it features quite the epic plot. One that revolves around a man named Billy Malone who finds himself knocking at death’s door. For he was sentenced to death for supposedly killing a longtime friend, and when we catch up with him in his final hours… he is desperate to tell a wild story that exonerates him of such crimes. One revolving around a portal to another world and a wonderful woman named Keena, from that other world, that adores him. But alas, with no proof, the electric chair awaits, leaving Billy to wonder how on earth… he can prove his innocence. 

Which is a story that could have easily leaned into some quality horror, because an evil Raatma-like being from a portal would have been as spooky as can be. But instead, this episode makes a lot of mistakes with its story. For it too is devoid of horror and quite frankly, is a little too experimental and ambitious. Simply because it fuses together a ton of genres and styles. For instance, it is very much grounded in noir with Billy’s situation and how he tells his wild tale to the reporter in question. But it is also a fantasy story, courtesy of Keena and the strange world she comes from and the strange ring she protects and of course, there are hints of science fiction thrown in as well, alongside romance and that just makes for a tale that just doesn’t know what it wants to be.

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But of course, it isn’t all bad. Simply because this is a story that does captivate the imagination if only for a little while. Since you are supremely curious about where Keena comes from and what makes her world so rich and how the powers of her people work, and the acting is definitely top notch here. Courtesy of the fact that John Heard and Penelope Ann Miller star as Billy and Keena respectively, and their acting chops are on full display here, and they approach this story with full effort and honesty, and that does make for some pleasant scenes for certain. But of course, having such dynamic good and bad present here, really does leave one pondering upon one big question. Specifically… what could have made this story better?
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Well… this story just needed focus. It needed to decide which genre was dominant here and stuck with that. Because it could have done wonders with that fantasy world plot and shown us creatures and dangers untold, and that would have been incredible. As would a story that leaned harder into the villainous nature of Billy’s friend, since that could have explored the duality of man and the constant fight of good versus evil in our world, one that could have taught Keena our worth if say… the people of her world had questions about our place in the multiverse. But alas, that’s not how it worked out in the end and what we are left with is a messy story, one that is surprisingly, watchable.

Mainly because of the performances. Since they really are top notch and engage you through and through, and obviously, if you’re a hardcore fan of the series such as this writer, then watching this one is essential to the overall experience. But there are a lot of folks who would, and were, and will be perplexed by this one, simply because it really did need more fleshing out so that a true focus and high concept for the story could have been found. If anything, that’s really all there is to say about this story, which means it is time to bid farewell to this missed opportunity and turn our attention to what awaits. Which just so happens to a return to the show’s roots, with a hint of voodoo thrown in for good measure. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.        

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