F13: TS 25 - The Quilt of Hathor: The Awakening

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Episode Recap #20: The Quilt of Hathor: The Awakening

Original Airdate: May 14, 1988

Starring:
John D. LeMay as Ryan Dallion
Louise Robey as Micki Foster
Chris Wiggins as Jack Marshak

Guest cast:
Scott Paulin as Reverend Josiah
Kate Trotter as Effie Stokes
Bernard Behrens as Inquisitor Holmes
Diego Matamoros as Matthew
David Brown as Elder Fraser
Carolyn Dunn as Laura Grange
Araby Lockhart as Elder Florence

Written by Janet MacLean, Larry B. Williams

Directed by Timothy Bond

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We start with a recap of the previous episode, a voice over by Jack. Then, back at the colony, Elder Florence watches as Effie folds up the quilt. In the barn, Elder Fraser tells Reverend Josiah he stopped at another colony and that they have grave concerns about this colony and Josiah's leadership, including his inability to choose a wife. The Reverend says his two choices have been taken from him. Fraser alludes to the fact that maybe a reverend from a different colony should take over.

Florence later tells Ryan that she wants to tell the reverend that she saw Sarah's quilt, being held by Effie. Ryan tells her they need to get the quilt from Effie, since it is evil. Florence agrees, but only if they give the quilt to the reverend.

Penatite Ryan would make a great collectible F13:TS action figure!

Fraser again confronts the reverend, saying the other colony believe occult forces may be at work and questions the reverend giving his daughter away to be married to an outsider, Ryan.

Florence makes Ryan wait as she goes up to Effie's room, since men aren't allowed there. She finds the quilt, but is surprised by Effie. Florence says the reverend will decide who owns the quilt, but Effie pulls it away from her and tosses her out. She then lays down with the quilt and again dreams of the ball. In the dream, Florence is cutting the meat for the meal. She drops the serving fork and Effie picks it up, she then goads Florence with it and then stabs her in the eyes. Florence dies in the dream and in reality, having pulled her eyes from her head. Ryan tries to get to Effie, but other men stop him.

Elder Florence dies in the most gruesome way!

At Curious Goods, Micki and Jack are hurrying to leave. They are worried about Ryan, being alone at the colony and believing he is unaware the quilt is still there.

Back at the Penatite colony, Fraser tells Josiah that the council has sent an inquisitor to investigate Josiah's leadership of the colony. Josiah says they must make sure there are no incidences while the inquisitor is there. He is then informed at Elder Florence has died.

Laura finds Ryan and he says he must speak to her father. The others are blaming Ryan for the events that have been occurring  saying he has brought witchcraft to their home and seduced the reverend's daughter, as well. The reverend has Ryan brought to his office.

Once inside, Ryan wants to explain, but the reverend wants to question him, not the other way around. He orders Fraser to leave so he can be alone with Ryan. He says four have died since Ryan arrived and people believe it is witchcraft. Ryan agrees, but the reverend thinks he is mocking him. Ryan tells him about the quilt and the curse. Ryan tells him he believes Effie is the one in possession of the quilt. The reverend is suspicious and reluctant to believe Effie would be so evil. He says he has known Effie for years and Ryan for weeks and would choose to believe her over him. He sends Ryan away so he can decide what to do.

At dinner, the reverend addresses the group, talking about how his choices for a bride have both been taken from him. But he has asked another and she has said yes. He tells them he and Effie were wed in secret that afternoon. Ryan is shocked.

Laura is bemused that her father has married Effie.

Ryan, however, is confused.

That night, Effie is pleased that her dream has finally come true. The reverend hopes he hasn't acted in haste, she assures him she is happy. She pulls the quilt out and places it over them in bed, telling him it will assure them of a dreamless sleep. Effie is hurt when Josiah chooses to go to sleep instead of being with her.

Doh.

Effie can't get a man even when she's married to him and in bed with him!

Once they are asleep, Effie is once again in her dream of a ball. She is dancing with Josiah, a knife in her hand, ready to kill him. As they twirl on the dance floor, she is shocked to find she is losing control of the dream. She is soon her plain self again and in a field with Josiah. He bends her backwards, snapping her spine, killing her. In reality, Josiah wakes up, having moved from the bed to the chair with the quilt, alone. On the bed lies Effie, dead.

Effie got the sheet pulled out from under her. So to speak.

Josiah takes Effie's body outside, wrapped in a different quilt. He hides her in the basement of his home.

Jack and Micki are stranded on the side of the road when there car breaks down. They are still many miles away from the colony. Micki hopes Jack talks to Ryan about coming back, but he says if Ryan wants to stay, they have to respect his wishes.

The next morning, Josiah lies to Ryan that he almost had the quilt, but that Effie took the quilt and fled the colony in the night. He says he is sorry. Ryan is skeptical.

Later, Josiah greets Inquisitor Holmes when he arrives to see just what has been going on at the colony and with the reverend's leadership. He tells Josiah he has much to answer for.

I have to guess they had him walk under the ladder as an omen.

Ryan asks Laura if she is at all suspicious of her father marrying Effie to get the quilt. Laura is shocked that Ryan could think badly of her father and stomps off.

Matthew is talking with the inquisitor, telling him all their problems began when Ryan arrived. The inquisitor says it is their way to accept outsiders, as long as they agree to take vows to uphold their beliefs. Next, the inquisitor asks Josiah about the quilt that had been stolen from Sarah, a quilt that seems to be occult in design. Josiah lies and says Sarah told him the quilt wasn't really stolen, she had just misplaced it. The inquisitor is skeptical.

Ryan arrives later and apologizes to Laura. She accepts but before they can make up, Josiah arrives and lies to Ryan that the inquisitor has ordered Ryan's expulsion from the colony. He must leave at once and there is nothing the reverend can do. He takes Laura inside and shuts the door.

Ryan is packing when Laura arrives. She says she is sorry and she will write to him, often. Ryan tells her how special she is to him. Laura says their worlds are so far apart. Ryan begins to ask her to leave with him, but she says she can never leave. They put on brave faces and promise to never forget each other. They are about to share a kiss when Matthew comes in, telling Ryan the inquisitor wishes to see him, now. Laura hopes he can sway the man to let him stay. Josiah watches from his window as Ryan heads out.

The inquisitor is barely able to keep his eyes open as he works. Ryan arrives and sees the man having a nightmare, fighting someone in his dream. Ryan tries to awaken the man, but to no use. The inquisitor lifts  a letter opener and kills himself. Ryan pulls the weapon out as the other men come in and find him. The believe Ryan killed him and has been behind all the bad occurrences.

Ryan, Ryan, Ryan.

When are you going to learn?

Do not grab the item someone was just killed with!

In his room, Josiah awakens and hides the quilt, having killed the old man in his dream.

Laura arrives and is told Ryan killed Inquisitor Holmes. Laura is shocked and Ryan is sure he is doomed, as he knows Josiah is behind all this. Micki and Jack finally arrive and see the commotion. Laura tells them what happened and Jack says this looks like a lynch mob.

Ryan claims innocence when Josiah accuses him of killing the inquisitor. Ryan says Josiah knows he didn't do it. Jack speaks up, but him and Micki are taken out of the room. Ryan appeals to the others, but Josiah scoffs. Ryan then tries to tell them about the cursed quilt, but only makes himself look more guilty. The reverend then sentences Ryan to death by fire. The men grab him and take him outside. Laura tells Micki and Jack what happened. Ryan then begs Laura to go find the quilt in her father's home. She rushes off.

Ryan is dragged to a pyre as men follow with lit torches. Laura searches her father's home. Ryan is tied to the post as a woman begins singing. The men wait, torches in hand. Micki yells at the reverend to stop this, but he won't listen. Jack says Josiah rigged this and killed the inquisitor and framed Ryan. Josiah tells Jack to be quiet or face the same punishment.

We should be concerned that they already had this set up.

Laura arrives then, telling them to stop. She has a quilt covered in blood. She tells them the quilt was his, made by her mother. She found it wrapped around Effie's body. She scoops snow onto the fire as Ryan is untied from the post. Josiah denies it, but she tells the others to search under her father's house, they'll find Effie's body there. The men head off, no longer listening to Josiah's pleas to burn Ryan. He then jumps on a horse and heads off and Ryan and Laura jump in a carriage and follow him.

Josiah goes to the mill to use the quilt. Ryan and Laura arrive and find the door locked. Ryan tries to break it down. Josiah rushes to the top of the building and gets the quilt. Ryan breaks down the door and enters, Josiah telling him not to rush. He then sits with the quilt and begins to doze off. As he does, so does Ryan, but Ryan is able to grab the quilt and yank it away from the older man, breaking the dream before it can begin. The two then struggle.

How did he think he could fall asleep before Ryan got to him?

As they struggle, Laura tells Ryan to let go. When he does, Josiah loses his balance and falls backward out the window to his death. As the others all arrive, Ryan and Laura come outside. He pulls the quilt off of Josiah's body and hands it to Jack. Laura looks sadly at her father's body and says "Thy will be done."

The next day, Ryan is saying good-bye to Laura. He says he can't stay, yet. He has too much work to do with Micki and Jack. He asks her to come with him, but she says she has to stay. She has things to do there. She says she has learned a lot from Ryan, a lot about love. Ryan wishes he hadn't come, but she says love is too rare to wish away. They hug and he heads off as Matthew joins her on the porch. She mouths "I love you" as Ryan drives away with Micki and Jack.

At the store, Ryan yawns and sits down, weary from the recent events. He soon dozes off. Micki comes in and sees him asleep. She picks up his hat and takes a quilt and covers him, smiling and wishing him sweet dreams. She heads upstairs. Within minutes, Ryan is jolted away by the sound of thunder. A nightmare, perhaps?

Micki is just so damn happy to have him home.

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My thoughts:

A great wrap-up to the previous episode! Almost like a Friday the 13th: The Series movie!

We get a twist here, as the villain from the previous episode is quickly outdone by her prey, who then becomes the new villain. Great twist!

I also think it is ironic that Josiah becomes the bad guy due to Effie killing off the women he has chosen to be his bride. I mean he might have been strict, but it appears that the effects of the quilt and the deaths have pushed him over the edge.

Love how Effie thinks she is in control of the dream, unaware the Josiah has taken the quilt off of her and is using it himself. Quite a twist! And he kills her so brutally!

Also love how Ryan comes to his senses at the end, realizing he has responsibilities to Micki, Jack, the store and in getting the curse antiques back. And how Laura doesn't give up her life and beliefs just to follow him. They are truly at an uncross-able divide. I wonder, had Ryan's life not gone off-track eventually, would he have found his way back to Laura? And would it have been too late, as we see Matthew ready to step back in to her life at the end? Hmmm...

A quibble: If singing and music is shunned by the Penatites, why is the woman singing when Ryan is going to be executed? I mean they were all shocked when Laura was singing a lullaby to a horse, for cripe sake!

The end is cute, but odd. Why would Micki let him just stay asleep in that uncomfortable chair? Ah well.

Great two-parter, even if it is sad for Ryan at the end.

Next week: "Double Exposure"

F13TS 25 - Entertainment Tonight Piece

Here's a quick piece Entertainment Tonight did on the show in 1987:

You'll have to click THIS LINK,

since the user who uploaded it won't allow embedding.

Love seeing Chris Wiggins and Louise Robey talk up the show!

F13: TS 25 - The Quilt of Hathor

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Episode Recap #19: The Quilt of Hathor

Original Airdate: May 2, 1988

Starring:
John D. LeMay as Ryan Dallion
Louise Robey as Micki Foster
Chris Wiggins as Jack Marshak

Guest cast:
Scott Paulin as Reverend Josiah
Kate Trotter as Effie Stokes
Diego Matamoros as Matthew
David Brown as Elder Fraser
Helen Carscallen as Sarah Good
Carolyn Dunn as Laura Grange
Araby Lockhart as Elder Florence
Rebecca Lamb as Diana Rowland
Patricia Strelioff as Jane Spring

Written by Janet MacLean

Directed by Timothy Bond

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We open on a carriage ride in a village. A man, the revered, and a young woman are riding together, he is anxious for the night they will be will wed. They stop and kiss and are caught by Effie Stokes, who is surprised to hear they are betrothed. The reverend Josiah snaps at Effie, telling her there is nothing wrong with their marriage. He then takes the young woman, Jane, inside, leaving Effie to deal with the horse.

Effie reminds me of the chicken who had the hots for Foghorn Leghorn!

That night, Effie pulls a quilt out of the bottom of her cedar chest. Elsewhere, Jane is saying her prayers before bed. Effie goes to sleep under the quilt. She goes to sleep dreaming about the reverend, and in her dream, she is the bell of an old-fashioned ball. Josiah dances with her but when he sees Jane, he tosses Effie aside. As they dance on the balcony, Effie tells Josiah "it's time". He then tosses Jane off the balcony to her death, the continues to dance with Effie. In reality, Jane dies in her sleep.

Why did Sarah by an occult quilt from Lewis in the first place???

At Curious Goods, Ryan is rocking out to music until Micki alerts him to a guest. Sarah has arrived from the Penatite colony in answer to one of their mailers. She once purchased the Quilt of Hathor from Lewis. She says she knew the quilt was evil, but it was stolen from her. She believes one of her sect stole it from her. Jack tells her they need to get it back. Sarah tells Micki and Ryan they need to dress quite simply if they are going to fit in back at the Penatite colony, as they shun modern ways.

Sarah brings Micki and Ryan to her colony, showing them the buildings and people as they go by in the carriage. Ryan makes jokes, but Sarah is serious. There are punishments for transgressions, she tells them. Sarah tells Laura, the reverend's daughter, that Micki and Ryan are her sister's children. When Ryan smiles at the girl, the carriage driver, Matthew, makes sure to mention he is betrothed to Laura. Ryan notices that Laura doesn't seem as happy about that as Matthew. Sarah tells them all the marriages here are prearranged by the elders.

The colony is so close to modern civilization!

That night, at dinner, Ryan can't take his eyes off of Laura. The reverend Josiah offers a prayer over his lost fiancee, Jane, whom he still mourns. Effie makes sure to mention that even Jane had faults, but Sarah scolds her. Ryan makes small talk, finding out Matthew and Laura are to marry in a week.

Ryan is instantly smitten with the lovely Laura.

Later, Sarah brings them to her rooms and tells them to wait until everyone is in bed before searching for the quilt. Effie listens in. Ryan goes outside to look around. He spots Laura going into the barn and follows. He finds her singing to a horse. He tells her the song is beautiful, startling her. They then proceed to sing together and dance a bit. Matthew rushes in and tackles Ryan, telling him he can see the lust in Ryan's eyes. He tells him the penalty for that is death.

Laura tries to stop Matthew from killing Ryan and eventually convinces him to give her the razor in his hand. Matthew then tells Ryan they will settle this at a hearing, even though Ryan says he did nothing. Laura tells him that her father, the reverend, will make the judgment about what Ryan has done.

Simple, sweet romance. Too bad Matthew keeps popping up!

The next morning, at the hearing, the reverend calls Ryan and Laura forward. Ryan tells him he did nothing wrong. Matthew says Ryan is an adulterer. The reverend says he isn't, as Laura is not yet married. Laura tells them what happened and says it is her fault, not Ryan's. She then sings the song a bit, reminding the reverend that her mother used to sing it to her. Micki sticks up for Ryan, telling the group everyone dances where they come from. The reverend makes his decision, telling Ryan that he will abide by their laws while he is there and that he must stay away from Laura. If he messes up again, there will be consequences.

At a meeting, a question comes up about the colony's finances. The reverend tries to move to another subject, but the others persist. He scolds them. Effie then brings up the fact that, per their law, the reverend must take a new wife. Josiah says he is still mourning. But they tell him he must marry. Effie tries to present herself, but Josiah doesn't pick up the hint.

Later, Effie practices accepting Josiah's proposal. She wants the power that comes with being the reverend's wife. Micki and Ryan meet up after searching for the quilt, but other than a dirty magazine, they come up with nothing. Micki then searches Effie's room unaware the woman is there. Micki finds a mirror and is startled when Effie surprises her. Micki drops and breaks the mirror. She makes an excuse, saying she thought this was Sarah's room. Effie is suspicious and threatens Micki if she tells that Effie had a mirror. Micki leaves.

At dinner, the reverend praises Rebecca for the meal. He then makes an announcement about his choice of a bride. He then asks Rebecca to be his bride, much to Effie's dismay. Rebecca agrees and everyone is pleased, even Laura. Effie sits, simmering in her rage.

Ryan sneaks into the barn later to see Laura. She is surprised, but tells him she feels an attraction to him, as well. When Matthew calls her name, she has Ryan hid in the haystack. Matthew arrives and offers to help with the horse, using the pitchfork to get hay. As Laura leaves with him, blood seeps out of the haystack where Ryan was hiding.

That night, Effie again pulls the quilt out and sleeps beneath it. Her dreams are of Rebecca this time. At the same old-fashioned ball in her dream, she is pushed aside by Rebecca. Effie then poisons the woman's wine. Rebecca drinks and then chokes and dies. The reverend dances with Effie. In real life, Rebecca dies in her sleep.

Effie may be plain, but in her dreams, she is the belle of the ball!

Micki is out searching for Ryan and heads into the barn. She calls for him and hears a moan. She pulls the pitchfork from the haystack and Ryan sits up. He was wounded in his arm. Micki tells Ryan it is hard to watch someone she cares about make a mistake. Ryan says it isn't a mistake, that Laura is special. They hear a commotion and are told that Rebecca died. Ryan wants to check on Laura, but Micki says they should look for the quilt.

The next day, at a funeral for Rebecca, the reverend questions God as to why both Jane and Rebecca have been taken away. He wonders if it is to punish him. Ryan and Micki watch and wonder who could be using the quilt. They wonder if someone either hates or loves the reverend enough to use the quilt this way.

Ryan chases Laura, wanting to ask about who would want to marry her father. Laura tells him that Effie Stokes has been infatuated with Josiah for years, but the reverend never notices her. She asks why, but Ryan says he can't tell her. Ryan leans in and kisses her and Laura kisses him back. Matthew again jumps Ryan, striking him. He is ready to kill Ryan, but the reverend appears and stops him. He tells them they will solve this the old fashioned way. Laura tells Ryan there will be a cleansing.

Ryan, in the Penatite version of American Gladiators!

That night, the men build a frame around bonfire. Ryan must fight Matthew above the fire and whoever falls in is the loser and the colony will be cleansed. Micki says it is barbaric. Ryan tries to make them listen to sense, but they won't hear of it. Matthew begins struggling with Ryan and Ryan has no choice but to fight back. Micki stand by, worried. Matthew thinks he has won, but Ryan saves himself and fights back. The men struggle and Ryan eventually knocks Matthew down. He walks toward Micki and Laura and then walks off with Laura.

Aw, Poor Micki, dissed by Ryan for a hug.

Later, Effie follows Sarah as the woman enter's Effie's room. Sarah tells Effie she is looking for the quilt stolen from her. Effie plays dumb, but Sarah says she knows what is going on in Effie's mind about the reverend. She says she is evil and leaves.

Micki then tries to get some help in dealing with Ryan. Sarah's says if it is God's will, then let it be. She then tells Micki she believes Effie has the quilt.

That night, Effie again goes to sleep under the quilt, dreaming about Sarah. At the ball in her dream, Sarah is a maid who keeps calling Effie a liar and a murderess. Effie then strikes Sarah with a candlestick and drops the flames onto the old woman. In the dream, Sarah burns and in reality, Sarah's room is also on fire. Ryan and Micki are too late to save Sarah, who dies. They then go to Effie's room and find the quilt and Micki grabs it. Effie calls them thieves, but they flee.

Effie just loves that freaking quilt!

The next day, at Sarah's funeral, the reverend again wonders aloud what the colony has done to suffer so. Micki is packing when Ryan arrives. He tells her he is staying at the colony. Micki asks about all the other antiques, Ryan shrugs. He says he is in love with Laura, and that he has found a sort of peace with the way of life at the colony. Micki asks about the store, the antiques and Jack, but he just says he has to do what he has to do. She says she deserves better. She says she can't keep hunting the antiques alone. He says Jack will be fine and she is strong, she doesn't need him anymore. She grabs her stuff and goes to leave, telling him she will miss him before heading out the door. Ryan watches her get in the carriage and leave.

At Curious Goods, Micki arrives with the quilt. She sees a horse statuette and sings the lullaby Laura sang. Jack asks where Ryan is and she tells him. He is shocked, confused that Ryan would become a Penatite to be with the girl. He says he will miss him. Micki says she will, too. She then shows Jack the quilt. He tells her what the curse on the quilt does. As he moves the quilt, it tears. Jack then uses his lighter and burns the corner. He tells Micki the real quilt can't be destroyed and they realize this quilt is a fake.

To be continued!

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My thoughts:

Quite a different episode of the show! Not only do we get a unique locale - an Amish-like place - we get Ryan actually choosing to leave the store and Micki and Jack for the love of a woman he just met!

I can see Ryan's thought process. He was so young and carefree when we first met him and now he has seen so much horror and death, a place like the Penatite colony would be appealing to him, especially since he think the cursed item is now gone from there. But I have a bit of a hard time buying that he would just dump the entire responsibility of the store and, even more so, the hunting of the antiques, on Micki and Jack. Love makes one do stupid things, but wow.

Micki shows some of her deepening feelings for Ryan here, too. She at first plays off Ryan's infatuation with Laura as a lark. And when he fights Matthew, she is shown hoping Ryan is rushing to her. We see her visibly saddened when he instead goes to Laura. And then when he decides to stay behind, she is angry but also very heartbroken. Quite a moment for them, even if Ryan can't see it.

They should have known Effie was playing them for fools when she doesn't fight them over the quilt, but maybe they were just eager to get the quilt.

Love the idea of a quilt, such a simple, benign object, being able to bring up such horror through the curse. Creepy!

Also love how, at the end, even thought they are both sad, Micki and Jack never say they are just going to give up, as well. Ryan might have deserted them, but they both seem determined to keep hunting the items. Good on them.

Next week: "The Quilt of Hathor: The Awakening"