Tales from the Darkside: “The Impressionist” (S2E01)

Season 2 of Tales from the Darkside kicks off with a strange and satirical tale that blends government conspiracy, supernatural communication, and a down-on-his-luck nightclub performer. “The Impressionist” is one of those episodes that leans heavily into weirdness, offering a blend of dry humour and high-concept horror that doesn’t quite go where you expect. It’s uneven but memorable, and a decent curtain-raiser for the season.

Plot Summary

The story follows Spiffy Remo (played by actor Godfrey Cambridge in one of his final roles), a struggling impressionist who can mimic anyone’s voice with eerie precision. His act is mostly played for laughs—celebrity voices and comic timing—but it turns out his ability is much more than a party trick.

The U.S. government takes notice of Spiffy’s unique skill, and soon he’s whisked away to a top-secret facility. His mission? To use his vocal talents to communicate with an alien entity being held in captivity. Apparently, the alien only responds to a specific voice—one that Spiffy can reproduce perfectly.

But as Spiffy begins his bizarre interactions with the being, he realises the alien may not be the threat. Instead, the true horror might lie in the cold, controlling hands of his own government captors. When he finally gives the alien what it wants, things go sideways—and Spiffy’s voice may turn out to be a weapon far more dangerous than anyone anticipated.

What Works

Intriguing Premise

The central concept—a voice impressionist used as a tool to speak with extraterrestrial life—is as original as it is weird. It’s classic anthology fare: take a niche skill and push it to surreal extremes.

Government Conspiracy Vibes

Fans of 70s-era paranoia thrillers and cold war sci-fi will appreciate the bureaucratic dread that runs through the episode. The military presence, the secrecy, the moral ambiguity—it’s all there.

Dry Humour with a Dark Edge

There’s a sardonic tone that works in this story’s favour. It treats the ridiculous with complete seriousness, which makes the ending even more satisfying. The jokes are subtle, but the irony is rich.

A Thought-Provoking Ending

Without spoiling too much: the final twist involves a kind of cosmic payback that feels oddly just. It’s more conceptually clever than shocking, but it leaves an impression.

What Doesn’t Work

Stilted Pacing

The episode is very talky and slow-moving, especially in the middle stretch. It builds atmosphere, but it doesn’t always keep the momentum going.

Flat Supporting Characters

The government agents are all stock characters—cold, mechanical, and unmemorable. That may be intentional, but it drains some energy from the story.

Low Budget Limitations

The alien is barely seen, and what little we do glimpse isn’t particularly impressive. This would be fine if the tension were stronger, but the lack of visual payoff feels like a letdown.

Themes: Power, Communication, and Control

The Impressionist raises some interesting questions about who gets to speak and who gets heard. Spiffy’s entire existence is based on imitation—he’s a vessel for other voices, not his own. When he finally finds himself in a position of real power, it’s because of his ability to echo, not create.

There’s also an undercurrent of mistrust in authority. The episode suggests that the ones who seem the most in control are often the least humane, and that maybe the alien, the supposed threat, is more empathetic than the humans holding it captive.

Final Thoughts: Offbeat, Clever, and Just a Little Awkward

This episode is a bit of an odd duck. It doesn’t scare you or gross you out. It doesn’t even try. Instead, it offers a bizarre and slightly comedic allegory about language, identity, and control. It’s more cerebral than emotional, and more ironic than terrifying.

The Impressionist feels like a radio play in many ways—dialogue-heavy, thematically loaded, and light on visual spectacle. But it fits within the Tales from the Darkside mould, which often values strangeness over scares.

Who Would Enjoy This Episode?

• Fans of dark satire and government conspiracy stories
• Sci-fi enthusiasts who enjoy minimalistic, idea-driven plots
• Viewers who like quiet horror with a punchy payoff

Who Might Not Enjoy It?

• Those expecting traditional horror or jump scares
• Viewers who dislike slow pacing or dialogue-heavy scripts
• People wanting more emotional or character-driven storytelling

Final Verdict: A Strange and Clever Opener with More Voice Than Volume

The Impressionist is an intriguing start to Season 2, if not an especially thrilling one. It stretches a curious idea into a slow-burning tale of manipulation and misused talent. While it doesn’t hit every note, it earns a polite applause for originality and a surprisingly thoughtful message under all the weird.