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Director Leonard Horn's, THE CHILDREN OF SPIDER
COUNTY, is an engrossing tale of the possible consequences of alien/human
mating.
As the episode begins, at a briefing in Washington D.C., its revealed
that four of the nation's greatest minds have disappeared. Oddly enough,
all the guys who have disappeared were born in the same state and county,
within the same year and month. As a government official explains, "Each
child was born at least two months prematurely. Immediately after birth,
their fathers disappeared, and were never heard of again."
Lee Kinsolving is quietly effective, as the twenty-something offspring
of an alien father and Earth mother. His handsome, soulful, good looks
bring to mind the young Peter Fonda.
Kent Smith ("The Invaders") brings credibility and stature
to the role of an alien ,who wishes to take his son home with him. Although
Smith looks old enough to be the boy's grandfather, his warmth and integrity
make it understandable, Kinsolving's willingness to leave the planet
with him.
Since all five of the half alien/half human guys were born in the same
year, it's odd that most of them look considerably older than Kinsolving.
Perhaps Director Horn is not a detail oriented kind of guy.
My favorite scenes involve Smith, with an alien head, hands, and feet,
walking around in a business suit. Although undoubtedly not intended
to be humorous at the time, today the sight is quite a hoot!
As to FX, several times we see the alien/Smith zap people with his eyes,
making them disappear. The effect is pretty good, and the Optical Effects
Unit, (M.B. Paul) and Project Unlimited, Inc., seem to be the responsible
parties.
Director of Photography, Kenneth Peach, does some interesting work here.
He gives us a great overhead shot at the jail, looking down through
the ceiling bars at Kinsolving and the police, creating a claustrophobic
mood.
The music is suspenseful and effectively underscores the on screen action.
Dominic Frontiere gets the credit.
THE CHILDREN OF SPIDER COUNTY should be fairly watchable for most Sci-Fi
viewers. Those intrigued by tales of alien/human mating will enjoy this
episode. BACK TO: EPISODE
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