Tales from the Darkside: “Comet Watch” (S2E13)
“Comet Watch” is a quirky, darkly comic episode that brings a dose of satirical sci-fi to Tales from the Darkside. Departing from the usual haunted-house horror and creeping dread, this entry leans into absurdist commentary about greed, paranoia, and the human desire for immortality. It’s weird, it’s wry, and it manages to pack a twisted little punch in under 30 minutes.
Plot Summary
The episode follows Englebert Ames, a smug, eccentric amateur astronomer who has been waiting all his life to witness the return of the legendary Stradivarius Comet. Ames lives in isolation, obsessed with celestial bodies and dismissive of the people around him. As the comet draws closer to Earth, he becomes increasingly erratic, believing it holds the key to eternal life or some higher enlightenment.
He invites his long-suffering nephew to join him for the celestial event, but their reunion is anything but sentimental. Ames is curt, condescending, and totally fixated on the night sky. As the comet approaches, it becomes clear that Ames is expecting something more than a pretty light show. He believes the comet will transform him—that it’s a cosmic vehicle of sorts, ready to sweep him off to a higher plane of existence.
Spoiler alert: the universe has a much darker sense of humour.
What Works
Eccentric Character Study
Englebert Ames is the star here, and his performance is magnetic. Played with the right mix of theatrical flair and creeping mania, he’s a character that could have walked out of a Twilight Zone episode. His monologues about science, destiny, and cosmic wonder are both hilarious and unnerving.
Dry, Dark Humor
There’s a heavy dose of satire baked into the story. Ames sees himself as a misunderstood genius on the verge of ascension, but he’s really just a pompous recluse. The episode pokes fun at both obsessive intellectualism and the human tendency to see cosmic events as deeply personal or even divine.
Surprising Ending
Without giving everything away, let’s just say that the payoff is classic Darkside: ironic, a little gruesome, and well-earned. It leaves you smirking rather than screaming, which is a refreshing change of tone.
Atmosphere and Practical Effects
For an episode set mostly in one location with a few telescope shots and props, it still manages to feel otherworldly. The lighting and sound design create an eerie sense of anticipation, making you feel like something big is just over the horizon.
What Doesn’t Work
Pacing Issues
The episode takes a little too long to get going. The buildup is interesting if you’re into quirky character studies, but viewers looking for thrills or scares might start to drift. A few minutes could have been trimmed to tighten the flow.
Underdeveloped Supporting Characters
Ames is great, but the nephew and a few side characters feel like afterthoughts. They’re mostly there to serve Ames’ ego and don’t get much to do. It might have been more compelling if we’d seen more contrast between their grounded scepticism and Ames’s cosmic delusions.
Low Stakes Until the End
For most of the runtime, the tension is more conceptual than visceral. There’s a creeping sense of something odd, but very little actually happens until the final moments. This may leave some horror fans underwhelmed.
Themes: Obsession, Isolation, and Cosmic Irony
At its core, “Comet Watch” is about what happens when a person becomes so obsessed with a singular belief that they isolate themselves from reality. Ames is a victim of his own arrogance, convinced he’s on the verge of transcending humanity, when in truth, he’s just lost in space metaphorically and (maybe) literally.
The episode also plays with the idea of cosmic indifference. The universe doesn’t care about your dreams or destiny. Sometimes, a comet is just a comet. And sometimes, it’s a giant flaming rock that brings doom instead of deliverance.
Final Thoughts: A Celestial Satire with a Bite
“Comet Watch” might not be the most terrifying entry in Tales from the Darkside, but it’s one of the more intellectually playful. It channels classic speculative fiction vibes with a strong moral center and a delightfully twisted punchline. While it won’t keep you up at night, it might make you think twice about your place in the universe—and whether it’s watching back.
Who Would Enjoy This Episode?
- Fans of sci-fi horror with a satirical edge
- Viewers who appreciate character-driven one-acts
- Anyone who enjoys ironic, cerebral horror
Who Might Not Enjoy It?
- Viewers looking for fast-paced scares or gore
- Those who prefer emotional arcs or grounded characters
- People who aren’t into monologue-heavy storytelling
Final Verdict: A Slow Burn with a Dark Glow
Not your standard horror story, but a strangely charming descent into madness by moonlight. If you’ve ever looked through a telescope and felt small, “Comet Watch” just might make you feel even smaller—and a little unnerved.
