Tales from the Darkside: “Ring Around the Redhead” (S2E03)
“Ring Around the Redhead” is one of those Tales from the Darkside episodes that feels like a cocktail of pulp sci-fi, courtroom drama, and dark romance. Adapted from a 1940s short story by John D. MacDonald, this episode is more romantic fantasy than horror, though there’s still a lingering sense of unease, especially when you peel back the layers of its oddball plot.
Plot Summary
We open on a murder trial. The defendant, a seemingly mild-mannered man named Fred, is accused of killing a rival. As he takes the stand in his own defence, Fred offers the court an outrageous explanation: he didn’t kill the man out of jealousy or anger. Instead, he claims the altercation was all due to a woman he summoned through a scientific experiment gone wrong.
Yes, really.
Fred recounts how, while tinkering with a homemade contraption involving metals and resonance, he opened a portal to another dimension—and through it came a beautiful redheaded woman named Yva. She was injured and confused, but clearly from another world. Fred cared for her, fell in love with her, and they quickly formed a domestic life together.
But then came Mr. Reilly, Fred’s nosy co-worker, who became infatuated with Yva and started harassing her. When Reilly threatened her, Fred intervened, and the confrontation turned deadly. That’s the story he tells in court, and it’s up to the jury to decide if he’s a lunatic or a man telling the truth about a miracle.
What Works
Unusual Structure
The courtroom framing device gives this episode a unique tone. It plays like a sci-fi version of 12 Angry Men mixed with a Twilight Zone-style twist. The back-and-forth between Fred’s testimony and the courtroom reactions helps build tension.
Pulp Sci-Fi Charm
There’s a delightful retro vibe to this story. It feels like it could have been published in a 1950s issue of Amazing Stories – complete with improbable science, dimensional rifts, and instant romance. If you embrace the cheese, it’s a lot of fun.
Emotional Core
What really gives this story weight is the love between Fred and Yva. It’s tender, awkward, and sincere. Their scenes together are sweet, if a little undercooked, and you root for them even if the science is nonsense.
What Doesn’t Work
Questionable Science and Pacing
Even by Tales from the Darkside standards, the pseudoscience here is pretty laughable. The whole portal-building explanation is hand-waved with some vague talk about metals and vibrations. It doesn’t hold up under any scrutiny, but that might be part of the charm.
The pacing is also a bit uneven. The courtroom scenes feel stiff, and the transitions between past and present can be jarring.
Lack of Suspense
There’s not a lot of mystery here. The audience is let in on the “truth” of Fred’s story fairly early, so the tension mostly relies on whether the court will believe him. It doesn’t quite build toward a dramatic crescendo the way you might hope.
Themes: Belief, Love, and the Unexplainable
The central question is whether Fred is telling the truth. But the episode seems less interested in convincing us than in making a point about the limits of what people are willing to accept. Just because something is strange doesn’t make it false.
It also plays with the idea that love, even when born of extraordinary circumstances, is still real. Fred and Yva’s bond is portrayed as simple and genuine. Whether she came from another world or not, Fred’s love for her is the most believable part of his story.
Final Thoughts: A Romantic Sci-Fi Curiosity
“Ring Around the Redhead” is a gentle episode. It’s not particularly scary, nor is it as twisty or clever as the best Tales from the Darkside entries. But it has a quirky sincerity that’s hard to dislike. It feels like a throwback to an older style of storytelling—one where love at first sight, interdimensional travel, and murder all coexist in a single 22-minute yarn.
It might not satisfy those looking for chills, but it offers a sweet and strange tale with just enough weirdness to keep things interesting.
Who Would Enjoy This Episode?
- Fans of romantic sci-fi with pulp sensibilities
- Viewers who enjoy courtroom dramas with a speculative twist
- Those looking for a more tender, quirky entry in the series
Who Might Not Enjoy It?
- Anyone hoping for horror or scares
- Sci-fi purists who demand logical consistency
- Viewers who prefer tighter, more suspenseful plots
Final Verdict: A Sweet, Sci-Fi Courtroom Tale with a Soft Touch
“Ring Around the Redhead” is a love story dressed in B-movie sci-fi clothes, with a courtroom backdrop and a surprising lack of menace. It’s charmingly weird and lightly compelling—an episode that won’t haunt your dreams, but might leave you smiling.
