Am I The Only One Who Watches Freaky Links?
By
Ceci M.
Here’s the story: I tune in to watch the premiere of Freaky Links. At first, I find it odd, but rather interesting—especially with the great camera angles, switching between the digitized video and the regular tried and true taping that constructs the television show. And despite its quirks, I make sure that I view it every week just to see what else happens. After all, it takes a strong person to endure the creepy happenings that happens to the crew in each episode. And in the middle of November the show disappears—right after the episode in which Derek (Ethan Embry). Jason (Karim Prince), Lan (Lizette Carrion) and Chloe (Lisa Sheridan) end up in New York to investigate the myth of alligators under the sewers of the giant metropolis. After that scary ride discovering that not only the monsters were terrorizing the New York underground, but an entire city of people existed there as well, it disappeared. In fact, the show was replaced by double shots of Police Home Videoes, movies and other reality television fare. Although the only consolation was to turn to C.S.I.—a show that I really love as well—Friday nights were rather dreary and sad without following the antics of the Freaky Links crew. It would have been all right if it were put on hiatus for a couple of weeks (they did the same thing to Dark Angel, from time to time), but not for an entire two months!
Even though it was in the back of my mind that the show received poor ratings and the razzing from television critics, I didn’t realize that the show was that much in jeopardy until I read headlines blaring, “Dead Shows Walking” in a back issue of Entertainment Weekly: "Umm, it’s about this guy who runs a paranormal website and,like, he’s trying to solve his twin brother’s murder—or maybe it’s just a conspiracy—and then all this weird stuff happens.Now are you willing to cancel your Friday-night plans?"[1]
Well, I’m not in on Fridays all the time, but sometimes when I am in, I would like to catch things that are fascinating and above the norm in terms of science fiction fare. What it comes down to is that Snierson wasn’t fair in assessing the plot of the show in this manner. There’s something more to Freaky Links than just the “incoherent mess involving a shape-shifting specter and a tiresome lunatic (Christopher) who rasps, ‘They’re not human, you know.’ Yes, we know, but we wish we were more scared.”[2]
Here’s the reason to like Freaky Links. It is not only an attempt to creep you out; it is an education about urban legends. Although the 1996 movie of the same name highlights these stories with ruminations of pop culture, it’s no secret that tales such as these have existed for a long time. Call ‘em Old Wives Tales or senseless, but useful prattle, but they serve to expound upon fears experiences by society. How can you forget the dorm room horror deluge of the roommate not turning on her light? Let alone the story of the woman whose dough exploded on the back of her head?
The greatness of the show is that it brings these frightening awarenesses to life. On a weekly basis, the program tackles all the anecdotes shared at slumber parties and camp-outs that scare the living daylights out of us to the point of not sleeping at night. They play out the tales that people have grown up on. After all, who hasn’t stood in the dark at the bathroom mirror, turned around and shouted out, “Bloody Mary!” five times?
The genius of the show is the fact that it examines what happens after someone deals with the unknown and perhaps lived to tell about it. In some cases, these voyages into the unexplained bring closure. Other times, it leaves more questions to muse upon. But for the most part, Freaky Links exposes the possibilities that says there are other vistas left to be discovered and shouldn’t be ignored. On that basis, it does have a purpose going beyond the surface ramblings of a few angry critics always too prone for quick satisfaction.
I can see why the critics could despise a show like Freaky Links. The story arc and plot is rather convoluted to the uninitiated into the netherword of life. Yet, if you let yourself go and immerse within the plot, the program is entertaining. All you need is the suspension of belief and a significant other to hold on to when the parts get too scary and gory.
A kiss and a snuggle would work too.
Notes:
[1]Dan Snierson. “Dead Shows Walking”. Entertainment Weekly. 562. (Oct. 6, 2000): Pg. 67.
[2]“Fall Preview”. TV Guide 48.40 (Sept. 30, 2000): Pg. 32.
“Am I the Only One Who Watches Freaky Links?” ©2001 by Ceci M.
If you have any questions or comments about this essay, e-mail: cecim999@yahoo.com.