Tales from the Darkside: “A Case of the Stubborns” (S1E09)

If you’re looking for a blend of horror and pitch-black comedy, A Case of the Stubborns delivers with morbid charm. Adapted from a short story by Robert Bloch (the author of Psycho), this episode plays with the concept of death denial in a literal and absurd way. With a strong performance at its centre and a delightfully gross premise, it’s one of the more memorable and bizarre entries from the first season of Tales from the Darkside.

Plot Summary

The story takes place in a small Southern town following the aftermath of the death of Titus Tolliver, the family patriarch. There’s only one problem: Titus doesn’t believe he’s dead.

Despite the protests of his family, the local preacher, and even the town doctor, Titus gets out of bed, goes about his day, and insists that reports of his death are premature. His daughter, Granddaughter (played by Christian Slater in an early role), and others in town struggle to cope as Titus begins to physically decompose—his skin growing pale, his voice raspy, his smell worsening.

As the situation escalates and his body continues to deteriorate, it becomes clear that belief is a powerful force in this world. Titus’s refusal to accept his death keeps him ambulatory, despite all logic and biology. Eventually, with the help of a quirky local witch woman, the family figures out a way to convince Titus of the truth. Once he finally acknowledges that he’s dead, he collapses, his body finally giving in to reality.

What Works

Delightfully Macabre Premise

The central concept is so absurd that it becomes darkly funny. Titus stubbornly refusing to die despite all evidence to the contrary is a fantastic hook, and it plays on the idea of denial to an extreme. It’s a uniquely twisted take on grief, pride, and tradition.

Strong Performances

Eddie Bracken gives a committed and surprisingly layered performance as Titus. He balances humour and horror with skill, never slipping fully into camp, even as his body begins to decay. A young Christian Slater also shines in a minor role, adding emotional weight to the increasingly surreal proceedings.

Makeup and Practical Effects

For a low-budget show, the makeup is impressively effective. Titus’s slow decomposition is portrayed with a mix of subtle prosthetics and strong physical acting. His look becomes more grotesque as the episode continues, but it’s never too over-the-top.

Tight Direction and Pacing

Despite the bizarre premise, the episode is tightly directed. It keeps the focus on the interpersonal conflict within the family while letting the horror elements gradually creep in. The 22-minute runtime is used effectively, with very little filler.

What Doesn’t Work

Tone Can Be Jarring

The mix of dark humour and body horror won’t be for everyone. One moment you’re watching a father argue with his daughter about breakfast, and the next you’re watching skin slough off his face. Some viewers might find the tonal shifts a bit hard to swallow.

Limited Character Development

Apart from Titus, most of the characters don’t get much time to develop. Their motivations are clear, but they often feel like mouthpieces for exposition rather than fully fleshed-out people.

Ambiguity vs. Explanation

The episode never explains why Titus can remain animate. It leans on magical realism, which works for the tone, but some viewers might wish for a bit more world-building or rules around the supernatural logic.

Themes: Denial, Control, and the Power of Belief

At its heart, “A Case of the Stubborns” is about the refusal to accept change, especially the most permanent one of all. Titus is a man of tradition and pride who simply refuses to let go, even in death. His literal refusal to die mirrors emotional truths: how families struggle to let go, how elders resist passing the torch, and how belief can shape reality.

There’s also a note of generational tension, as younger characters must deal with the consequences of the old guard’s stubbornness. The grotesque becomes a metaphor for lingering power and control.

Final Thoughts: A Weird Little Winner

The Word Processor of the Gods might be more emotionally powerful, but A Case of the Stubborns offers something else: a quirky, gross-out morality tale with surprising thematic weight. It’s funny, unsettling, and a little bit sad—just like the best Tales from the Darkside episodes often are.

It walks the line between horror and satire, and while the tone can be a little uneven, the core idea is so original that it lingers long after the credits roll.

Who Would Enjoy This Episode?

• Fans of dark comedy with a horror twist
• Viewers who like offbeat, Southern Gothic-style storytelling
• Anyone interested in macabre tales with moral underpinnings

Who Might Not Enjoy It?

• Those looking for straightforward scares
• Viewers uncomfortable with body horror or decomposition themes
• Fans of tight lore and clearly explained supernatural mechanics

Final Rating: 7.5/10 – Death, Denied (and Then Accepted)

It might not be the scariest episode, but “A Case of the Stubborns” is undeniably memorable. With a bold concept, solid performances, and a ghoulish sense of humor, it earns its place in the annals of bizarre anthology TV storytelling.