Tales from the Darkside: “The Unhappy Medium” (S2E22)
“The Unhappy Medium” is a tongue-in-cheek supernatural morality play that blends spiritualism with con artistry, bringing a Southern Gothic flavour to the Tales from the Darkside anthology. It’s a lighter episode, more comedy-horror than eerie terror, but it manages to be memorable thanks to its flamboyant characters, biting satire, and a final twist that’s more clever than creepy.
Plot Summary
Reverend “Grady” Grady, a flamboyant and opportunistic televangelist, has died. His family gathers for the reading of his will, including his righteous brother (who’s also a preacher), and a couple of other characters who feel like they’ve stepped out of a Tennessee Williams play. Everyone’s expecting a hefty inheritance, but Grady’s posthumous influence isn’t finished yet.
Grady appears from beyond the grave—via séance or spiritual trickery—and begins manipulating events from the other side. As the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that even in death, the reverend is still running a con.
Through some delightfully spooky hijinks, the truth about Grady’s life and death emerges: he wasn’t a true believer, but a charlatan who used faith as a financial tool. Now, even the afterlife may not want him.
What Works
Strong Satirical Tone
The episode leans into satire with gusto, poking fun at the excesses of televangelism, performative faith, and spiritual snake oil. The Reverend Grady character is larger than life—equal parts charming and grotesque—and his presence dominates the episode, even from beyond the grave.
Theatrical Performances
Everyone in the cast seems to know exactly what kind of story they’re in. There’s a deliberate over-the-top energy to the performances that works well with the material. It’s not subtle, but that’s part of the fun. The ghostly appearances are cheeky, not chilling, and the humour is sharp.
Clever Concept and Ending
The central idea—that a fraudulent preacher gets caught in his own metaphysical scam—is both poetic and satisfying. The twist (that he can’t go to heaven or hell because neither wants him, and he’s stuck haunting his old church) is fittingly ironic and provides a neat narrative closure.
What Doesn’t Work
Low Scare Factor
If you’re looking for horror, you won’t find much here. This is more Tales from the Crypt than The Twilight Zone in tone—funny, biting, and spooky-lite. Some viewers might be disappointed by the lack of real tension or fear.
Thin Secondary Characters
Grady is so magnetic that everyone else feels like filler. His brother, the other mourners—none of them are especially fleshed out. They serve their purpose but don’t leave a lasting impression.
Some Dated Sensibilities
The episode’s portrayal of televangelism feels very much rooted in the 1980s moral panic about religion and money. While still relevant today, the approach may feel a bit cartoonish to modern audiences.
Themes: Hypocrisy, Justice, and Eternal Accountability
At its heart, “The Unhappy Medium” is about hypocrisy—religious, moral, and spiritual. Grady preached salvation but believed in nothing but cold, hard cash. His ghostly fate is a classic example of ironic punishment: a man who claimed to speak for God ends up being denied entry to both heaven and hell.
It’s also a cautionary tale about legacy. In life, Grady fooled everyone. In death, the truth rises, and he’s exposed—literally and supernaturally.
Final Thoughts: A Southern-Fried Supernatural Satire
“The Unhappy Medium” may not deliver scares, but it more than makes up for it with personality and a winking sense of humour. It’s one of the more openly comedic episodes of Tales from the Darkside, and while that might not be everyone’s taste, it’s a refreshing change of pace for the series.
It’s also one of the few episodes where the horror comes not from monsters or murderers, but from the idea that karma catches up to everyone, even con artists in clerical collars.
Who Would Enjoy This Episode?
- Fans of dark comedy with supernatural elements
- Viewers who enjoy satirical takes on religion and greed
- Anyone who likes irony-heavy, character-driven tales
Who Might Not Enjoy It?
- Those looking for traditional horror chills
- Viewers who prefer subtlety over spectacle
- Anyone expecting a serious exploration of the afterlife
Final Verdict: A Ghostly Grift with Style
“The Unhappy Medium” isn’t scary, but it is sharp, stylish, and slyly funny. It plays with the tropes of haunted morality tales and flips them on their head, delivering a biting critique of spiritual charlatanism with a grin and a wink. Not a top-tier Darkside horror, but a top-tier satire? Absolutely.
