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Customer Reviews: Average Rating:  Rating : - Kolchak Flies High With Flaming Ghosts and Aztec Heroes!
In many ways "FIRE FALL" and "LEGACY OF TERROR" are two of the finest KOLCHAK episodes. Not only are the scares all there, but the writing in both episodes raises some interesting questions about sex, fame, and money in America.
"FIRE FALL" is a study in envy and frustrated desires worthy of Russell Banks at his best. A small time hood who once dreamed of success as a classical musician is gunned own in a penny arcade. But he comes back as an angry ghost with the power to incinerate anyone he hates in a freak fire! Still more chilling, Frankie Markov's real desire is to "take over" the life of golden boy society composer Ryder Bond.
What makes this episode really work is the smoldering anger of the murdered hood. The more Kolchak digs into the story, the more of a picture we get of class in America. Frankie never got a break. His wife is a cheap tramp, his bosses betrayed him, and his dreams were all betrayed through no fault of his own.
On the other hand, Ryder Bond has a life of unlimited possibilities. Success in his art, rewarding career, glamorous lifestyle, flattering public attention, and in private the attentions of a lovely and adoring French girlfriend. Even while you hate to see how the angry working class "ghost" torments this poor man, you can see why Frankie hates Ryder so much. He wants to be Ryder too!
Kolchak, very interestingly, does not seem to empathize with the ghost of Frankie, even though they are both working class guys. But he does everything he can to help Ryder retain his sanity and defeat the tormenting ghost that has torched his friends. In the end you're left wondering whether there wasn't some way Ryder Bond could have done more for the Frankies of this world.
"LEGACY OF TERROR" gives you the same kind of story, but with an even more provocative twist. When Aztec priests look to bring their warrior mummy back to life, they need a willing sacrifice. Who better than a spoiled, resentful Chicano punk, briliantly played by a young (and gorgeous) Erik Estrada? It's worth noting that Estrada is fearless as an actor here. Instead of making Pepe an innocent, deluded fool, he boldly plays him as a spoiled, self-pitying punk -- getting laughs and hitting uncomfortably close to home. "Friend, you're bending my mind off my music!"
Pepe is holed up in a luxury hotel, helping the priests choose "perfect" sacrifices for the mummy waiting to be reborn. A football star, a Green Beret . . . and a very demure and ladylike Air Force officer. (And some interesting feminist back and forth between the officer and the hotel's PR lady.)
Kolchak really outdoes himself in this one, digging out secrets in the hotel basement and consulting a very touchy taxidermist (a hilarious cameo by theater great Sorrell Booke.) But the Kolchak and Vincenzo repartee really makes this one soar.
"First this mummy is cluttering up someone's basement and now he's marching in Macy's easter parade? Look Carl. You yourself said that the mummy disappeared. You got a terrible hit in the head and you saw things. And as for having a dummy in a key staff position . . . I'm as guilty as the next."
MY PICK: Both these episodes are in the Kolchak top ten!!!
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