Family
- Episode aired Nov 3, 2006
- TV-MA
- 58m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
Harold is seemingly a peaceful neighbor in a quiet American midwestern town, but he's actually a murderous psychopath, setting a trap for a couple who has just moved in across the street fro... Read allHarold is seemingly a peaceful neighbor in a quiet American midwestern town, but he's actually a murderous psychopath, setting a trap for a couple who has just moved in across the street from him.Harold is seemingly a peaceful neighbor in a quiet American midwestern town, but he's actually a murderous psychopath, setting a trap for a couple who has just moved in across the street from him.
Haley Guiel
- Sarah
- (as Hailey Guiel)
Donald R. Mintz
- Interior Harold Thompson
- (as Dr. Donald R. Mintz)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen George Wendt's character is speaking to Matt Keeslar's character in the ER waiting room, there are a couple of pages for "Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine". This is a nod to the Three Stooges' short Men in Black (1934), which paged the Stooges with calls of "Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard".
- GoofsAfter Harold returns from the dinner and he speaks with his 'wife', she finishes her glass of wine twice while Harold holds the bottle the entire time without pouring any more for her.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Unique Congratulation (2014)
Featured review
John Landis Delivers Another Comedic Horror Specialty
Harold (George Wendt) likes collecting family members, in the most literal way. When two new neighbors move in next door, he becomes obsessively attracted to the wife (Meredith Monroe). Will he be able to collect her, will she be able to escape?
Heck, with this type of show, you never know what twists and turns will happen! This episode comes to us from John Landis, the director of "Deer Woman", which I will freely admit was probably my favorite episode from Season One. As far as season two goes, this episode holds up nicely, too. I have seen people say some negative things about this one, but I think it all depends on what you are looking for in the show. I like the healthy dose of comedy that Landis brings to the table. He was the genius behind "Animal House", after all.
The writer happens to be Brent Hanley, best known for writing "Frailty", a respectable film in its own right. How he went from that one to this one is unknown, but a nice change. Hanley appears to be somewhat dynamic and I think we can expect more from him in the future.
The main character of this episode is obviously the one played by George Wendt. Some other reviewer complained they could not see him as anything other than Norm from "Cheers". I did not have that problem. Not only do I not really like "Cheers" ("Becker" is better) but this is not Wendt's first time doing comedic horror. I guess that reviewer never watched the "House" movies... I think he is great. Adds an element I cannot pinpoint, but I would love to see him in many more films.
The references were nice, such as the photographs of Dick Cheney and George Bush. Not sure how to interpret that, but I think anyone who is as demented as Wendt's character should have political figures in his home. The deer mounted on the wall was a good reference to "Deer Woman" (at least that is how I took it). And the Weekly World News with Batboy -- priceless.
Meredith Monroe (best known as Andie McPhee from "Dawson's Creek") played a great neighbor. She still had a lot of McPhee in her, but was different, as well. Some of the dialogue was, um, things you would never hear from McPhee and I was not sure how to respond (kind of like when you hear about Bob Saget giving oral pleasure for crack cocaine). That is something I am going to have to make my friend Kristy watch.
A line that really got me was about Jay Leno at the supermarket, because I have an ex-girlfriend who moved to North Hollywood and one of the first celebrities she saw was Jay Leno... in the parking lot at a supermarket. I guess maybe this is something he is known for? Anyway, back to the episode: I really enjoyed it. The gore is fairly light, the humor is really where it is at. If you liked "Deer Woman", you will love this. The only thing I could complain about is a part where they used computer effect to show how acid works rather than use real acid (or something similar). But, you know, it seemed to fit into the cheesiness, so I have no problem with it. Still not the greatest, but better than the stuff I've been seeing.
I suppose I am also curious why this was set in Wisconsin. The film was shot in British Columbia, but they were careful about making the film look authentic -- Wisconsin license plates and at least one Wisconsin flag. Seems to me like it would have been easier just to not show license plates or flags at all and keep the setting ambiguous. But, maybe I missed something.
Heck, with this type of show, you never know what twists and turns will happen! This episode comes to us from John Landis, the director of "Deer Woman", which I will freely admit was probably my favorite episode from Season One. As far as season two goes, this episode holds up nicely, too. I have seen people say some negative things about this one, but I think it all depends on what you are looking for in the show. I like the healthy dose of comedy that Landis brings to the table. He was the genius behind "Animal House", after all.
The writer happens to be Brent Hanley, best known for writing "Frailty", a respectable film in its own right. How he went from that one to this one is unknown, but a nice change. Hanley appears to be somewhat dynamic and I think we can expect more from him in the future.
The main character of this episode is obviously the one played by George Wendt. Some other reviewer complained they could not see him as anything other than Norm from "Cheers". I did not have that problem. Not only do I not really like "Cheers" ("Becker" is better) but this is not Wendt's first time doing comedic horror. I guess that reviewer never watched the "House" movies... I think he is great. Adds an element I cannot pinpoint, but I would love to see him in many more films.
The references were nice, such as the photographs of Dick Cheney and George Bush. Not sure how to interpret that, but I think anyone who is as demented as Wendt's character should have political figures in his home. The deer mounted on the wall was a good reference to "Deer Woman" (at least that is how I took it). And the Weekly World News with Batboy -- priceless.
Meredith Monroe (best known as Andie McPhee from "Dawson's Creek") played a great neighbor. She still had a lot of McPhee in her, but was different, as well. Some of the dialogue was, um, things you would never hear from McPhee and I was not sure how to respond (kind of like when you hear about Bob Saget giving oral pleasure for crack cocaine). That is something I am going to have to make my friend Kristy watch.
A line that really got me was about Jay Leno at the supermarket, because I have an ex-girlfriend who moved to North Hollywood and one of the first celebrities she saw was Jay Leno... in the parking lot at a supermarket. I guess maybe this is something he is known for? Anyway, back to the episode: I really enjoyed it. The gore is fairly light, the humor is really where it is at. If you liked "Deer Woman", you will love this. The only thing I could complain about is a part where they used computer effect to show how acid works rather than use real acid (or something similar). But, you know, it seemed to fit into the cheesiness, so I have no problem with it. Still not the greatest, but better than the stuff I've been seeing.
I suppose I am also curious why this was set in Wisconsin. The film was shot in British Columbia, but they were careful about making the film look authentic -- Wisconsin license plates and at least one Wisconsin flag. Seems to me like it would have been easier just to not show license plates or flags at all and keep the setting ambiguous. But, maybe I missed something.
helpful•71
- gavin6942
- Jan 21, 2007
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