'Tales from the Crypt' Retro Recap: 'Creep Course'

​Written by Scott Edwards

It is hard to believe that there was a time when the smart kids were looked down upon. Being able to take good notes, pass all of the tests and study when needed, everyone thought they were losers. Thank goodness times have changed, especially when we see these geeks running businesses and creating all kinds of things that are making our world an easier place to live. You live and you learn that getting through school is all about grades, but when you are able to apply it to real life, you may find that there is a little something more to it.

Professor Finley is a master in the subject of Egyptology and wants everyone in his class to feel as passionate about it as he does. When giving his lecture on Ramseth, the mummy that would never die, he decides to pick on his least favorite student Reggie. As Reggie is more focused on playing football than listening to his lectures, Finley knows that it will be easy to embarrass him in class so hopefully he will try harder. With midterms coming up, a failing grade would ruin Reggie’s chances of playing football, so he has to find a way to prove to the professor that he is not just a silly jock.

Working in the lunch hall, Stella is approached by Reggie who needs a huge favor. Wanting to study with Finley’s best student, Reggie is able to set up a study date at the library, but he has something else on his mind. When coming clean about not wanting to study, but instead find a way to cheat to get a passing grade, Reggie uses his powers of persuasion over the bookworm and gets her to agree to his plan. Wanting Stella to distract the professor at his home, Reggie will be able to sneak in and get a copy of the midterm so he can pass the test. Although Stella is against the plan, she decides to go along with it, especially if she and Reggie can become an item.

Going along with the plan, Stella steps into Finley’s home and sees that he has many great artifacts hidden away from the world in his basement, even a tomb. Inviting her in to inspect it, Stella takes notice that the torches are lit and something sinister is about to happen. As her professor tries to force her into staying, she calls for help, but when Reggie comes to the rescue, she finds that the two men are working together. Being trapped in the tomb with the mummy, Stella thinks back to what she learned in class and will use every ounce of her knowledge to stay safe from the lovelorn mummy. While upstairs, Reggie has changed his deal with Finley and now not only wants to pass the professor’s class, but wants some money in return as well for bringing Stella as a sacrifice. But Finley knows more about the world than Reggie will give him credit for and has already started the art of embalming Reggie's body. With one student dead and the other being taken care of by Ramseth, Finley believes his night is over, when in reality his night is just getting started...

What can I say, I am a sucker for anything that has to do with ancient Egypt and this episode brought it back to life for me once again. With the lore being explained about Ramseth, you find out that he had only one love and when he was not able to marry her before he died, he comes back every year for an offering of a new maiden. The lore is great, along with all of the facts about the ancients that was put on screen once again, I love it. Starring Jeffrey Jones as Professor Finley, Anthony Michael Hall as Reggie, Nina Siemaszko as Stella and Ivan E. Roth as the mummy Ramseth. I would hope that people would want to know more about the ancients, especially the ones of Egypt after watching this, because you never know when a mummy will come knocking on your door. Until next time kiddies, Stay Scared.

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