Channel Zero: Candle Cove – “Want to See Something Cool?” Review. Thanks, But No Thanks.

Mike discovers there is a price to pay for the truth

Season 1, Episode 3

Airdate: Tuesday, October 25, 2016, 9/8c on Syfy

Rating: ★★★★★

Channel Zero: Candle Cove (CZ:CC) picks up the pace this week in “Want to See Something Cool?” as it delves further into the supernatural goings-on in Iron Hill, leaving the audience with a slew of new questions but only vague answers. “Want to See Something Cool?” is the halfway mark of the season and as a midseason episode, the stakes are higher for the core characters, and the danger that has been slowly brewing hits a fever pitch. The dire circumstances Dr. Michael “Mike” Painter (Paul Schneider) finds himself in take an interesting turn. Meanwhile, the children of Iron Hill are acting rather oddly as the enigmatic puppet show “Candle Cove” begins to influence them. Will history repeat itself? Time will tell. There are only a few episodes left in the season and as an anthology series, there will definitely be a concrete ending for CZ: CC, albeit perhaps not a happy one.

Not Your Mother’s Tooth Fairy

Will Mrs. Booth be the dark horse and outlast everyone this season?

One of the most mysterious and bizarre characters in CZ: CC is The Tooth Child (Cassandra Consiglio), a creature whose jagged, bony, enamel appearance makes me flinch every time I see it. Previously, “I’ll Hold Your Hand” revealed The Tooth Child’s connection to Iron Hill elementary school teacher Mrs. Booth (Marina Stephenson Kerr), who keeps it alive by feeding it human teeth. In “Want to See Something Cool?” The Tooth Child story line is the puzzle piece I can’t seem to fit into the rest of the show. Did it exist prior to the Iron Hill Murders and the “Candle Cove” show? Or was The Tooth Child a byproduct of the murders? Then again, it could be Mike’s dead twin brother, Eddie (Luca Villacis). That said, apart from taking people’s teeth, The Tooth Child is more manipulative than violent. So far, at its worse, it has only sucked Mike’s finger. I can’t say the same for Mrs. Booth who, for some twisted reason, I am starting to really like. I love the duality of the seemingly sweet school teacher with a wicked violent side.

Mrs. Booth is quickly becoming one of the stronger characters on CZ: CC with the alarming twists in her story. The attention she gets from the children in her class, the bond she shares with The Tooth Child, and her protective side where Mike is concerned raises many red flags. Could she be the figure dressing up like the puppet character Jawbone? The line between reality and nightmares is becoming indistinguishable as people other than Mike start dreaming about Candle Cove.

Crazy Little Thing Called Candle Cove

At the heart of CZ: CC is an unsolved mystery with very few clues and many inexplicable events. The unexplained phenomenon in “Want to See Something Cool?” is a catalyst, unleashing the corrupt nature of the characters. The puppet show is a product of a child’s imagination, one that dissolves once adulthood sinks in; it’s the reason the adults cannot see “Candle Cove” but the children do. What I like about CZ: CC is that it is unflinching in showing children beyond the usual innocent perception —the idea that behind the sweetness is a sting, like the castaway children from the 1990 movie, Lord of the Flies.

As to the adults, when Sheriff Gary Yolen (Shaun Benson) takes the law into his own hands, abducting Mike, I thought it had to do with Mrs. Booth. But no, you’ll be surprised at how deceiving looks can be when Mike discovers there are others who believe in his connection with the Iron Hill Murders in 1988.

Children are the future, and in Iron Hill the future looks very grim!

Style vs. Story

Since the show’s premiere, I’ve grown accustomed to the methodical way the writers move the major story lines along. Some may find the show monotonous for the lack of gore or action packed scenes, but I find it refreshing. It forces the viewer to be observant of what is happening onscreen; there are no distracting noises or visual jump scares to blindside viewers. Director Craig William Macneill offers a different glimpse into the Candle Cove creepypasta originated by Kris Straub. With each new episode Macneill directs, the stylized images unfold like a nightmarish Russian nesting doll with more glimpses of malevolent puppets, monsters, and children lashing out in shocking violence as they reveal themselves to viewers. This series definitely represents a change in my usual TV viewing experience. I understand the suspenseful atmosphere is more than a product of the actors’ performances but the environment as well. It’s a great change from the excessive gore and violence prevalent in the horror TV genre.

Overall

I love the way screenwriter Harley Peyton fuses the original creepypasta with inspired story lines that are not part of the original story. The children cast in “Want to See Something Cool?” are amazing, providing pure and somewhat unnerving performances that will make you wary of answering your door for trick or treaters on Halloween. Most of all, I like how Peyton creates scenes that demonstrate the profound impact “Candle Cove” had on Eddie’s life and how it turned into a tragedy. After all the deaths and misleading characters, I’m not completely sure how the end of the season will turn out. I was worried for Mike, but now I don’t think anyone in Iron Hill is safe. Still, I can’t wait to see what happens next!

What did you think of “Want to See Something Cool?” Post your comment below or on Twitter @conallen.