It’s almost Halloween. What better way is there to celebrate than by indulging in some of the very best Halloween episodes TV has to offer? Don’t know where to start? Here are some of my personal favorites from over the years:
Parks & Recreation “Greg Pikitis”. This episode is the one that really solidified my love for the show. It had it all: costumes; a party; April and her gay boyfriend (and his boyfriend); the first appearance of Andy’s alter-ego, Burt Macklin, FBI; and a guest appearance by Louis CK. Plot-wise, Ann throws a terrible Halloween party that Tom helps save. Across town, Leslie is busy dealing with her arch-nemisis Greg Pikitis, whom she is sure will end the night vandalizing the statue of Pawenee’s mayor as he does it every Halloween.
Castle “Vampire Weekend”: First off, this episode is named after a great band. Second, a guy ends up staked in a graveyard and Castle makes a Buffy reference. Werewolves also come into play. Third, everyone dresses up like a former character they have portrayed and it is wonderful. Ryan is in scrubs a la his sting on General Hospital and Esposito is in fatigues like his character from the HBO miniseries Generation Kill. Best for last, Castle dresses up like Mal Reynolds. Check him out:
Community “Epidemiology”: A super-contagious virus spreads across the Greendale campus, temporarily turning the student body into zombies. Boom: genre satire. Also featuring an Abba soundtrack, a shirtless Donald Glover and some Shirley/Chang sex.
First season community episode “Introduction to Statistics” gets an honorable mention solely based on Danny Pudi’s batman voice and Troy’s fear of eating himself if he woke up a donut.
Boy Meets World “And then There Was Shawn”: Despite airing in late February, this is actually a Halloween episode. It was the first parody I can remember seeing, ripping off thrillers like “Scream”, “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, etc. I still remember it as the scariest thing I had ever seen on TV.
Freaks & Geeks “Tricks & Treats”: Lindsay goes out with the Freaks while Sam goes trick-or-treating with the Geeks.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Halloween”: A classic tale, kids dress up for Halloween and get cursed into becoming their Halloween costume. Xander becomes a soldier, Willow a ghost, and Buffy ah helpless 18th century noble.
Have a favorite Halloween episode that I haven’t seen or didn’t mention? Leave me a suggestion in the comments.
Psych this past Wednesday night, in which Gus appeared dressed as Blacula, but everyone thought was Count Chocula.