There’s something strange in the P*lace. Who you gonna call?
Anyway, getting into the 15th episode of Season 2; we begin with opening song “He Could Be the One” when Ryan enters the break room when the lights are off, turning them on before working on a riff of a song he was writing (title: “You’re a Living Mystery”). Speaking of mysteries; the lights then begin flickering on and off; with Riley entering and thinking the kids were pulling a prank. Riley (noting the P*lace was blacked out) begins to confront the kids (during which a mysterious hand swipes Ryan’s guitar). Ryan then explains the others were listening to his “latest hit”; explaining that there’s an explanation for everything…which is immediately challenged by Kid, and when Ryan goes to resume work on his song notices his guitar is missing (with all the girls snarking about how attached Ryan is to his guitar (Gloria comparing them to birds of a feather; Renee to two peas in a pod; Stacy comparing it to spaghetti and meatballs). At this point, Kid and Riley note they’ve all been there and no one could have grabbed the guitar or messed with the lights…which immediately flicker again (resulting in Renee briefly mimicking the The Twilight Zone (1959) theme before the kids return to the stage). Fortunately for Ryan; he didn’t need his guitar for “NeverEnding Story” (but not before the “ear protection must be worn at all times” sign comes loose twice — once after Ryan fixes it — and we see a pair of mysterious Glowing Eyes).
Renee returns and takes a peek at Ryan’s song (which she is impressed by). Ryan then enters noticing the sign is askew again; leading to an increasing rattled Ryan suggesting (hoping?) it’s simply a prank; while Renee (jokingly?) suggests the P*lace is hauntednote , setting up “Somebody’s Watching Me” as more lights flicker, curtains close, additional signs come loose, lights blow and doors get stuck. After all that, Ryan returns to the stage, with the band doing a fast inventory (Kid jokes no one can steal their drums and Renee adding no one could steal their voice). No sooner are those comments made than the drums begin floating (Conclusion: “Something funny’s going on here”) - setting up “Things That Go Bump in the Night” (with Mario Lopez playing Dracula; Andrea Paige Wilson playing a devil and Wendy Brainard as the Wicked Witch of the West)note .
Soon after, the band regroups and after hearing some loud (and poorly-sounding) noises, then find the source of the fear that had gripped them up to that point: Brendan Roberts. Why would Brendan cause all this consternation? Apparently, the self-styled “agent” has decided to try his hand as a rock star (as he puts it, why settle for a “piece of the pie” when you could have the whole enchilada — though the mixed food metaphors have Stacy wondering if he’s going into the food business)…and he wants to debut at the P*lace. After quickly huddling, the kids make their decision: “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” followed by running Brendan off, setting up closing song “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” (with Riley - whose duties as soda jerk also apparently include doubling as security - attempting to force Brendan out).
Songs performed in this episode:
- “He Could Be the One” (Josie Cotton cover; lead vocals by Renee and Stacy)
- “The Never Ending Story” (Limahl cover; lead vocals by Ryan, Renee and Gloria)
- “Somebody’s Watching Me” (Rockwell with Michael Jackson cover; lead vocals by Ryan)
- “Things That Go Bump in the Night” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Ryan, Gloria, Renee, Stacy and Kid)
- “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” (Cyndi Lauper cover; lead vocals by Gloria)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Abhorrent Admirer: Brendan Roberts, who still apparently has eyes for Gloria.
- Imagine Spot: “Things That Go Bump in the Night” take place where the kids face a number of horror-themed characters (listed above).
- Kill the Lights: The lights flicker on several occasions during the first half of the episode.
- Mass "Oh, Crap!": The kids’ reaction to the drums floating in air.
- Tempting Fate: Occurs when Kid and Ryan note no one could have messed with the lights or swiped Ryan’s guitar (before the lights flicker again) and later when Kid jokes no one could steal the drums only for the drums to begin floating.
- The Spock: Ryan falls into this role; with a bit of Agent Scully mixed in.
