Recap / Kolchak The Night Stalker E 7 The Devils Platform

The Devil's Platform

Story By: Tom Maschler

Teleplay By: Donn Mullally

Directed By: Allen Baron

"The old cliche that politics makes strange bedfellows is only too true. At one time or another, various and sundry politicians have found themselves, when it proved expedient, of course, sharing a blanket with the military, organized crime, disgruntled, gun-toting dairy farmers, the church, famous athletes, the comedians - the list is endless. But there was a senatorial race not so long ago right here in Illinois where the strangest bedfellow of all was found under the sheets. The strangest... and certainly the most terrifying."

Kolchak is assigned to interview up-and-coming politician and popular Senatorial candidate Robert Palmer (Tom Skerritt), only to instead witness an elevator crash kill Palmer's campaign manager, who had discovered evidence of Palmer's numerous misdeeds. The only survivor of the crash is a large, aggressive dog that attacks Kolchak and runs off. Later that day, Palmer misses a televised debate. Curious, Kolchak investigates and discovers that several other obstacles to Palmer's campaign have mysteriously died. He realizes the truth: Palmer has sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for wealth, power, and the ability to strike down his enemies. Can Kolchak stop Palmer before he is elected, or will he too meet the gruesome fate of Palmer's other enemies?

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Tropes:

• Corrupt Politician: Robert Palmer has made a Deal with the Devil so he can have both political and satanic power, as well as being able to kill anyone who opposes him. He also takes bribes, and performs the occasional Human Sacrifice for good measure. In other words, a typical politician.
• Deadpan Snarker: Vincenzo, Updyke, and Lorraine Palmer all get snarks in at Kolchak with straight faces.
• Immune to Bullets: A police officer fires six shots at Robert Palmer while he's in dog form. The bullets have no effect at all.

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"I gave my copy on Palmer to Vincenzo for his editorial comment. It was the way that he crumpled it up that gave me the distinct impression he wasn't going to print it. And Robert Palmer, White Hope of the Blue Collar, Darling of the Demographics, the popular explanation is that he was kidnapped, possibly killed by radicals. A tragedy, people say. They don't realize, of course, that he did keep one campaign promise, the promise of his soul to his master, the Prince of Darkness. Lorraine Palmer drove off before I could get to her. Her car was found the next day, but she never was. Wherever she is, I hope she has a dog to keep her company and fetch her slippers and lick her hand."