The Phantom of The P*lace
Episode 41
Season 2, 1985

 

 

Introducing: --

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Kid and the girls catch Ryan jamming alone in the storeroom and are pleased to hear that he’s writing a song – until he gives them the title.  They can’t comprehend the awesomeness of “You’re a Living Mystery”.

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The real mystery is about to unfold.  The lights have been blinking for a while now, and just as they start to wonder what is going on, Riley pops in and asks them about it.  While they are talking, a mysterious hand reaches in and steals Ryan’s guitar.  Riley sends the kids off before they can joke some more and investigate, so no one notices the eerie eyes peering through a crack in the wall. 

 

  Do you see it???

The shadowy menace continues to creep around, and no one notices.  Renee returns to the storeroom by herself to reconsider Ryan’s new song.   Just as she is about to meet her demise by a gloved hand, Ryan shows up – well, physically.  He tells Renee there are some more props missing and she decides The P*lace might be haunted (which is apparently scary and hilarious at the same time) and runs off.  This leaves Ryan alone and freaked out.

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Later, Kids Inc is taking stock of what’s left when, to their horror, the drum set begins to levitate right in front of them!  Now everyone is convinced The P*lace is haunted.

    
  It's a piano!!! 

Finally, the kids have their “ghost” cornered.  It’s making horrible noises of agony.  They sneak up to the door and open it, only to find…BRENDAN ROBERTS!!  AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

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Yes, he’s baaaaaaaack!  It was Brendan who stole Ryan's guitar, Mickey's old jacket, and why he would levitate the drums, I have no idea - but all the creepy stuff was him.  The good news is, Brendan is no longer a talentless talent agent.  The bad news is…he’s decided to be a rock star.  Oh, but he has graciously decided to let Kids Inc. open for him when he debuts at The P*lace.  Of course they’re not having it.  They shove him back into the closet. 

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I don’t think anyone will argue my 5-mic rating for this one.  It’s such a fun, goofy, cute episode, and all the songs are great.   Brendan Roberts is back as the antagonist we all love to hate, and it’s a fun way to spend Halloween watching this while you overdose on candy. 

There are so many fun elements to this episode that you have to watch it over and over.  Twenty years later I am just noticing the hand behind the bookcase and the coffin piano!

 

Guest star: Kenny McMurphy as Brendan Roberts

Invention count: 0 this time
4 in total

Vocab:
More supposedly suave Brendan-speak

Continuity, gags and themes:
Ryan writing songs is something that will reappear in later episodes.
Stacy being clueless to what is going on (but of course, in a cute way) hits its peak in this season.
Again, the kids try to have a conversation without Brendan, and Renee has to specify “privately”.
Video Effects (9)smPhantom_304.jpg (11126 bytes)


That little pink and black piano is seen again.

New Locations: 
The back wall of the storeroom includes a door that leads to a hallway (?) and several windows.

Pop culture references:
Renee sings the theme from The Twilight Zone.  It is then referenced in "Things that go Bump in the Night".

Solos:  
Ryan (1) = 7
Gloria (1) = 36
Episode Total: 2
Total: 124

 

Performance outfits:
yellow and black big shirts with black or red pants

 

 - Right at about 4:03, before Ryan announces the song title, someone is seen running underneath the window.  Is this the specter of Brendan…or a crew member? 

 - Signs in the storeroom include: “NOTICE: Ear protection is to be worn in this area” 
“Shelter Area – This Way”  “Restricted Area”

 - There are holes in the wall behind the NOTICE sign and a built-in bookcase. smPhantom_564.jpg (7163 bytes)

 - A new backdrop appears for one stage number in this episode – it looks like a mountain scene depicted in some New Age/Native American style? smPhantom_029.jpg (8860 bytes) I don’t recall it ever being seen again.

 - Timing error:  During “Things that go Bump in the Night”, Stacy is supposed to stumble and land on the coffin, alerting Count Mario to open it.  She doesn’t trip far enough, and you definitely notice her thump it again deliberately.

 - Count Mario’s coffin is a piano!  This is possibly the little pink piano mentioned earlier repurposed with some extra plywood or something.  Either way, it’s cool.

 - “Neverending Story” contains the dance move that everyone loves to poke fun at: the artsy hand-flourish thing.

 

 

Songs:

He Could Be the One –   (I would have sworn this was an original; it just sounds like something written for the show – but it isn’t!)

Neverending Story –

Somebody’s Watching Me –

Things that go Bump in the Night –

(The Goonies are) Good Enough – (we can finally understand the words!)

 

 

 

 

Here’s how you voted!

 The Phantom of The P*lace -

 

He Could Be the One –

Neverending Story –

Somebody’s Watching Me – 

Things that go Bump in the Night –  

(The Goonies are) Good Enough – 

 



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