‘Tales from the Darkside’ Retro Recap: ‘The False Prophet’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is the hope of every parent out there, that their baby is utterly prepared for all the challenges the world is going to send their way when they go out into the world. Which is why the vast majority of parents out there, work hard to teach their kids all the important stuff they’re going to need to know as an adult, alongside lessons on how to handle tough scenarios that will come their way. So that their dream comes true, and their child turned adult can indeed be a productive member of modern society, and for the most part… this particular path and teaching structure works like a charm. Since a fair chunk of people turn out to be just fine and go on to lead good lives and are indeed ready for whatever life sends their way.
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But you likely noticed that the word ‘all’ wasn’t used in that part of our discussion when it comes to the end of that teaching journey. Because sadly, there are some parents out there… who simply don’t care about the kids they have. So, they don’t teach them a thing and simply hope for the best for them. Stunting their growth and putting them in a tough position when they’re adults and with some children… the lessons simply don’t take right away, or they need constant reinforcement of what’s important in this life and even then… there are no guarantees they’ll learn what they need to. Which means they head off into the world, confused and struggling to get by when it comes to the basics and well… these are the folks that require something more but never get it. However they should… since they’re in a prime position to be harmed by the world, as evidenced by the next episode of Tales from the Darkside.

For season one finale of this show, ‘The False Prophet’, explores what happens when those late bloomers are just pushed out into the world to fend for themselves without that extra touch, they need… in the most extreme manner of course, and it accomplishes this feat by introducing us to a woman named Cassie Pines. Whom as it turns out, is indeed that late bloomer who either never received the lessons or they didn’t take, because she is… simply lost in this story. For she puts all of her eggs in mystical baskets to find guidance on simple matters that are second nature and clear to the rest of us… and that may have finally placed her in incredible danger. For her desire to follow the teachings of a ‘psychic’ arcade game known as Madame X, and its successor, Horace X, has brought her to the middle of nowhere… where Horace continues to warn her of danger and a false prophet. And because Cassie cannot make a decision on her own or understand what the danger might be… she drifts between dangerous advice from man and machine… both of whom want to manipulate her to do their bidding.

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Which is a story that quite frankly… isn’t really all that terrifying at first. If anything, you just feel pity for Cassie. For she really is that lost soul that doesn’t understand the world and has no guidance or lessons to pull from. She just drifts from moment to moment, hoping the next one will give her guidance and peace, or potentially love and that makes this hard to watch at times. Since we’ve all known or will know people like Cassie. But eventually… the horror does come into play, courtesy of that tug of war between Horace and the scuzzy preacher that comes into the same bus stop where she’s trying to decide her next move and well… it is terrifying to watch a machine and a man manipulate someone so naïve and so afraid. Because it’s just cruel, plain and simple.
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Of course, such machinations and ugliness eventually end in the worst way imaginable. With the priest coming within moments of assaulting Cassie to get his way and with Horace basically becoming sentient and consuming her… which is an ugly way to end and ugly tale, one that stays with you after it is done because of the underlying lesson present in this story. One that becomes clear when you reflect upon the emotions this tale generates. Because all you want to do is help Cassie here and guide her toward the light and therein lie the lesson. In that, that is precisely what these late bloomers and lost souls need. Kindness and guidance and people that are willing to take the time to help them see the world a little clearer. Because that would do them wonders. But alas, our world isn’t quite prepared for such behaviors yet, but such acts would indeed have saved Cassie from such a horrible fate.

In the end however, this is likely a season finale that polarized folks back in the day and would do so now. Simply because… it isn’t season one’s strongest tale. It’s one that is a little hurried and that does the lesson and the darker moments a disservice and obviously, it does take a little extra disbelief to truly sell a sentient fortune telling machine. But those flaws don’t outweigh the benefits and what this story has to say, is powerful to say the least and that definitely overshadows any flaws and brings a brilliant inaugural season of this show, to a proper and intelligent close and that leaves one hopeful for the rest of the journey. Because it can only get better from here, and that’s saying something when one considers how many hits this season had, and truly… it will be an utter delight to dive into season two soon, and all the wild, and horrifying and intelligent tales it will undoubtedly send our way. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

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