‘Tales from the Darkside’ Retro Recap: ‘Snip Snip’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One particular belief that we all share in, is that the acquisition of money and the obtainment of power and material wealth… will outright make us happy and well, it makes sense as to why we hold to this. After all, time and time again, we see people that have all those things, walking around with smiles upon their faces and living a life that is comfortable and lavish and worry-free. So, of course, that informs us, that’s the road to happiness and that is why we hustle hard to obtain as much as we can and why we work to strike it rich by any means necessary… so we can life that lifestyle and never worry again a day in our lives.
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But as some of us grow older and travel through life and meet people that helps us to see life differently, those feelings and desires fade. Because we come to learn that true riches don’t involve any of that stuff. Instead, it’s the connections we make and the memories we forge, that truly make us rich and for some, starting a family is the greatest fortune they will ever know, and that really is the right way to look at life and those are the right things to chase. But alas, so many cannot find that peace nor can they figure out how to get off of the rollercoaster ride that is the material chase and well, that does leave us wondering as to why. Because if some people can figure out what matters in life, why can’t everyone? If anything, that question is top of mind today, simply because it is explored and answered in the next episode of Tales from the Darkside.

A feat that ‘Snip Snip’ accomplishes, by introducing us to a man named, Abe North, whom is in quite the dark place mentally when we catch up with him, here. For he is a math professor that just… hates his job and is eager to escape the life he leads through some fascinating means. For Abe also practices the dark arts and believes that the already impressive powers that the Occult has provided him with, can help him to influence the local lottery. So, he can hit it big and life the life of luxury he’s always wanted. But alas, the revelation that a Miss Anne McColl won the lottery instead of him… motivates him to head to her place to get his hands on that ticket. Because he truly believes this is what he is due. But that decision is going to provide Abe instead with some powerful lessons… on what we should actually cherish in life and why we should never believe that he isn’t the only one working to find peace through supernatural means.

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Which is a plot that is grounded deeply in the nature of greed and the power that material possession has over us and well, it doesn’t take long for this episode to make it clear to the audience that the conundrum in question… relates to a sense of self-worth. Because Abe has none and finds fault in everything but his own actions and emotions, and his supposed victim in Anne, is just as bad as he is and that’s why they fight for the ticket in a unique manner and that’s why the audience quickly comes to lament both characters in the end. Because they’re sour people that use magic and materialism to fill a void that cannot be filled. Not until they come to discover their true selves and what actually makes them happy and chase endeavors that are designed to fill their souls instead of their wallets. Or until learn to appreciate what they already have and that is… a fairly succinct message and answer to inject into this story.

One that makes it clear what separates folks that find peace from the ones who keep chasing wealth and while that commentary could have carried this episode and left us all satisfied, let’s not forget that this is Tales from the Darkside we are talking about today. Which means that it isn’t enough to just enjoy a message here, we need something creepy and eerie to latch onto and that’s present here as well, courtesy of the fact that Anne is also a witch to Abe’s warlock and well, you simply cannot go wrong with a battle of magical wills. In fact, the battle to obtain the ticket leads to some incredibly unsettling moments for certain, since it really becomes a battle of the miserable… where the angriest practitioner will win and well, that brings forth a powerful and sour ending, one that perfectly encapsulates the show’s mission to leave us beside ourselves when the story comes to an end.

Which is mission accomplished for certain, mainly thanks to the fact that this story offers characters that are simply irredeemable. Which is a bold move to make since audiences expect main characters to offer something worthwhile and relatable. But it’s a necessary move that helps to really hammer home the message in an impactful manor. But all of that aside, a bitter and sour tale is indeed welcome. Because in the end, that’s what we signed up for and it doesn’t hurt that our mystical materialists are played by a pair of 80s icons. Since character Bud Cort perfectly plays the part of Abe North and Carol Kane loses herself within the role of Anne McColl and their performances, truly sell the gravity of this intelligent and thoughtful and downright ugly tale… one that offers up some age-old lessons in an inventive manner. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

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