by Hayley Charlesworth
Halloween specials are a staple of television. You couldn’t move for spooky episodes of sitcoms in the 90s, or playing with trope conventions in sci-fi. Even this year, Neighbours are doing a zombie invasion special on Ramsay Street. The Halloween special is a license to have some fun away from the usual character arc, and here are just a few of the best examples.
Halloween specials are a staple of television. You couldn’t move for spooky episodes of sitcoms in the 90s, or playing with trope conventions in sci-fi. Even this year, Neighbours are doing a zombie invasion special on Ramsay Street. The Halloween special is a license to have some fun away from the usual character arc, and here are just a few of the best examples.
Epidemiology (Community)
Community is quite the master of themed episodes, particularly when it comes to Halloween. Some of the highlights of the past have included the introduction of Abed as Batman, and some particularly hilarious spooky stories reflecting each character’s personality in Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps. But it is season two’s Halloween episode, Epidemiology, that is the true masterpiece. Taking on the zombie apocalypse trope, the episode sees Dean Pelton (dressed this time as Lady Gaga) buy food for Greendale’s Halloween party from an army surplus store, not knowing that the food is toxic and causes a bite-transmitted infection not too dissimilar to the effects of a zombie bite to spread through the student body. While the Dean’s unending ABBA playlist soundtracks the carnage, it’s up to the gang to bring the temperature down to kill off the infection. Community’s strengths are in recognising and playing on horror tropes: from the “we’re going to die” hook-up between Chang and Shirley (who is NOT Miss Piggy) to Abed’s sacrifice to save Troy. But the best one is perhaps the complete reversal of “black guy dies first”, as Troy is the last one standing. Not only does it reverse this trope, but it also evokes the character of Ben in Night of the Living Dead, a black man who survives longer than anybody else. Moments of the episode are hilarious, while others look genuinely scary. Just what you want for a sitcom Halloween special.
Community is quite the master of themed episodes, particularly when it comes to Halloween. Some of the highlights of the past have included the introduction of Abed as Batman, and some particularly hilarious spooky stories reflecting each character’s personality in Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps. But it is season two’s Halloween episode, Epidemiology, that is the true masterpiece. Taking on the zombie apocalypse trope, the episode sees Dean Pelton (dressed this time as Lady Gaga) buy food for Greendale’s Halloween party from an army surplus store, not knowing that the food is toxic and causes a bite-transmitted infection not too dissimilar to the effects of a zombie bite to spread through the student body. While the Dean’s unending ABBA playlist soundtracks the carnage, it’s up to the gang to bring the temperature down to kill off the infection. Community’s strengths are in recognising and playing on horror tropes: from the “we’re going to die” hook-up between Chang and Shirley (who is NOT Miss Piggy) to Abed’s sacrifice to save Troy. But the best one is perhaps the complete reversal of “black guy dies first”, as Troy is the last one standing. Not only does it reverse this trope, but it also evokes the character of Ben in Night of the Living Dead, a black man who survives longer than anybody else. Moments of the episode are hilarious, while others look genuinely scary. Just what you want for a sitcom Halloween special.
And Then There Was Shawn (Boy Meets World)
Back in the 90s, family sitcom Boy Meets World was playing with tropes long before Community. In the age of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, the episode And Then There Was Shawn effortlessly deconstructs the slasher genre with a hilarious and very clever script. Guest starring Jennifer Love Hewitt for an extra bit of genre savviness, the episode pits our heroes against an unknown masked killer at school during detention. Shawn is cast as the Randy from Scream of the episode, constantly evoking horror film tropes to predict what will happen next, like knowing Kenny will die first as he’s the only one who isn’t a main cast member, or signing Feeny’s death warrant the moment he suspects he’s the killer. Of course, being a teen sitcom that needs all its characters alive for the next episode, it goes for the tried and tested “it was all a dream...or was it?” ending, but remains clever about it by tying in the dream as a metaphor for a major storyline that is running throughout the entire season, making this not just a throwaway Halloween episode, but integral to the character and story arc.
Back in the 90s, family sitcom Boy Meets World was playing with tropes long before Community. In the age of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, the episode And Then There Was Shawn effortlessly deconstructs the slasher genre with a hilarious and very clever script. Guest starring Jennifer Love Hewitt for an extra bit of genre savviness, the episode pits our heroes against an unknown masked killer at school during detention. Shawn is cast as the Randy from Scream of the episode, constantly evoking horror film tropes to predict what will happen next, like knowing Kenny will die first as he’s the only one who isn’t a main cast member, or signing Feeny’s death warrant the moment he suspects he’s the killer. Of course, being a teen sitcom that needs all its characters alive for the next episode, it goes for the tried and tested “it was all a dream...or was it?” ending, but remains clever about it by tying in the dream as a metaphor for a major storyline that is running throughout the entire season, making this not just a throwaway Halloween episode, but integral to the character and story arc.
Fear Itself (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
A show like Buffy, as you can imagine, has no shortage of Halloween themed episodes. The season two episode Halloween sees the Scoobies turn into their costumes, thanks to the devious Ethan Rayne, while in season six, Dawn and her friend Janice have a spooky Halloween encounter. But the best of all is Fear Itself, from season four. Once again displaying some excellent costumes, including Oz wisely coming as God in case their costumes change them again, and Anya’s now legendary bunny costume, the plot of the episode sees the group trapped inside a frat house, facing down their worst fears, while it’s up to Giles and Anya to save the day with a chainsaw. While it has one of the most genuinely hilarious conclusions in Buffy history, the fears they face are actually terrifying.
A show like Buffy, as you can imagine, has no shortage of Halloween themed episodes. The season two episode Halloween sees the Scoobies turn into their costumes, thanks to the devious Ethan Rayne, while in season six, Dawn and her friend Janice have a spooky Halloween encounter. But the best of all is Fear Itself, from season four. Once again displaying some excellent costumes, including Oz wisely coming as God in case their costumes change them again, and Anya’s now legendary bunny costume, the plot of the episode sees the group trapped inside a frat house, facing down their worst fears, while it’s up to Giles and Anya to save the day with a chainsaw. While it has one of the most genuinely hilarious conclusions in Buffy history, the fears they face are actually terrifying.
Slutty Pumpkin (How I Met Your Mother)
The ever pathetic Ted Mosby is still on the hunt for the love of his life in this season one episode. Deciding that maybe the “Slutty Pumpkin” a woman who attended a Halloween party with “strategically carved holes” may be the one, Ted turns up to the same Halloween party every year in the same costume, in the hope of seeing her again. Meanwhile, Barney spins the roulette wheel of costumes in his attempt to seduce a Victoria’s Secret model, and most fun of all, Robin accompanies Marshall and Lily to a couple’s Halloween party where they wear AMAZING Jack Sparrow and parrot costumes. Really, this episode is mostly about the costumes. As Barney said, “flightsuit up!”
The ever pathetic Ted Mosby is still on the hunt for the love of his life in this season one episode. Deciding that maybe the “Slutty Pumpkin” a woman who attended a Halloween party with “strategically carved holes” may be the one, Ted turns up to the same Halloween party every year in the same costume, in the hope of seeing her again. Meanwhile, Barney spins the roulette wheel of costumes in his attempt to seduce a Victoria’s Secret model, and most fun of all, Robin accompanies Marshall and Lily to a couple’s Halloween party where they wear AMAZING Jack Sparrow and parrot costumes. Really, this episode is mostly about the costumes. As Barney said, “flightsuit up!”
The One With the Halloween Party (Friends)
Also known as the one where Ross and Chandler arm-wrestle, this episode takes place during Rachel’s disappointing pregnancy arc. But no matter, because the costumes on display alone are hilarious. Chandler has been bought a giant pink bunny costume by Monica, Ross is dressed as a giant poo (or “Spud-nick”), and Joey, most amazingly of all, is dressed as Chandler. The general plot of the episode, of Ross and Chandler arm-wrestling to impress Monica and Mona, while a hormonal Rachel gives her money away to trick or treaters and Phoebe falls for twin sister Ursula’s fiance (played by Sean Penn) is a nice bit of filler for the season, but the best bits of this episode are in the amusing dialogue and Chandler’s particularly disturbing exertion face.
Also known as the one where Ross and Chandler arm-wrestle, this episode takes place during Rachel’s disappointing pregnancy arc. But no matter, because the costumes on display alone are hilarious. Chandler has been bought a giant pink bunny costume by Monica, Ross is dressed as a giant poo (or “Spud-nick”), and Joey, most amazingly of all, is dressed as Chandler. The general plot of the episode, of Ross and Chandler arm-wrestling to impress Monica and Mona, while a hormonal Rachel gives her money away to trick or treaters and Phoebe falls for twin sister Ursula’s fiance (played by Sean Penn) is a nice bit of filler for the season, but the best bits of this episode are in the amusing dialogue and Chandler’s particularly disturbing exertion face.
Treehouse of Horror (The Simpsons)
There are so many Treehouse of Horror specials now that it’s hard to narrow down just one. But the original Treehouse of Horror wins out here, for an incredible parody of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, where a raven with Bart’s face torments Homer. Singled out for several “best of” lists, The Raven is often cited as one of The Simpsons' final moments.
There are so many Treehouse of Horror specials now that it’s hard to narrow down just one. But the original Treehouse of Horror wins out here, for an incredible parody of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, where a raven with Bart’s face torments Homer. Singled out for several “best of” lists, The Raven is often cited as one of The Simpsons' final moments.
Do you agree with our choices for the Best Halloween Episodes?
What's your favourite?
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