Tales from the Darkside: “The Grave Robber” (S4E06)

“The Grave Robber” is Tales from the Darkside at its campiest, and for some fans, that’s a good thing. Blending horror, slapstick comedy, and a smidgen of Egyptian mythology, this episode feels like an offbeat B-movie jammed into a 22-minute runtime. While it lacks polish and scares, it makes up for it with gleeful weirdness and a healthy dose of genre self-awareness.

Plot Summary

The story kicks off in an ancient Egyptian tomb, where a pompous and unscrupulous archaeologist, Professor Madwax, is leading a small dig. Alongside him are his sceptical assistant, Nora, and a hired muscle named Kharis. Madwax is more interested in glory and treasure than historical accuracy, and when he discovers a mummified priestess’s body, he decides to tamper with it despite ominous warnings about an ancient curse.

Of course, the curse turns out to be real. The priestess rises from the dead, seeking vengeance. What follows is a chaotic sequence of reanimation, attempted escapes, and the kind of gooey, over-the-top horror that feels more funny than frightening.

What Works

Campy, Creature-Feature Vibes

If you’re into cheesy, old-school horror with practical effects and a sense of humour, this episode delivers. The mummy design is enjoyably grotesque, and the exaggerated performances match the tone.

Knowingly Silly Dialogue

The script leans into pulpy tropes—Madwax’s self-important monologues, the overly dramatic curse exposition, and lines like “You’ve desecrated sacred ground!” give the whole thing a tongue-in-cheek flavour. It’s clearly not meant to be taken too seriously.

A Moral Twist with Bite

Like many Darkside tales, “The Grave Robber” ends with poetic justice. Madwax gets exactly what he deserves for his hubris and disrespect for the dead. It’s satisfying to see the arrogant professor meet his comeuppance.

What Doesn’t Work

Low-Budget Limitations

Even by Tales from the Darkside standards, this one looks pretty cheap. The tomb set is laughably minimal, the lighting is flat, and the mummy effects, while fun, are clearly constrained by budget.

Lack of Genuine Horror

While some episodes in the series aim to unsettle or disturb, “The Grave Robber” opts for laughs over fear. That’s fine if you’re in the mood for horror-comedy, but viewers looking for something truly chilling might be disappointed.

Thin Characters

Outside of Madwax (who is delightfully awful), the characters are forgettable. Nora has some sass, and Kharis is fine as the muscle, but neither gets enough development to make us care when things go sideways.

Themes: Hubris, Colonialism, and the Undead

There’s an undercurrent of critique about Western arrogance and the exploitation of other cultures’ history. Madwax represents the worst kind of academic—one who steals artefacts and dismisses cultural warnings in the name of ego. His downfall is not just supernatural punishment; it’s karmic justice for his disrespect.

The idea of ancient curses punishing the greedy is a classic horror trope, and while it’s not handled with a ton of nuance here, it still fits comfortably within the genre’s long tradition of “you reap what you sow” storytelling.

Final Thoughts: A Silly, Slapdash Tomb-Raiding Romp

“The Grave Robber” is far from the scariest or most profound Tales from the Darkside episode, but it’s one of the more unabashedly fun entries. If you go in expecting a spooky thrill ride, you might be let down. But if you’re ready for some campy horror hijinks with a reanimated mummy and a pompous villain getting his comeuppance, you’ll be grinning by the end.

It’s not deep. It’s not subtle. But sometimes, all you need is a mummy lurching after a shouty archaeologist in a foam tomb.

Who Would Enjoy This Episode?

• Fans of horror-comedy and B-movie vibes
• Viewers who enjoy moralistic endings with supernatural punishment
• Anyone nostalgic for monster-of-the-week stories with practical effects

Who Might Not Enjoy It?

• Fans of serious, atmospheric horror
• Viewers looking for strong character development or scares
• Anyone expecting a fresh take on mummy lore

Final Verdict: A Curse Worth Chuckling At

“The Grave Robber” is goofy, gory, and full of groan-worthy fun. It may not be a standout episode in the Tales from the Darkside canon, but it’s a memorable romp through ancient tropes—and sometimes, that’s exactly what late-night horror was made for.