Volatile no-count hoodlum Red Buckley (a marvelously edgy and intense performance by James Remar) wants to steal a rare black pearl from ailing, but wealthy plantation owner Duval (smoothly played by John Rhys-Davies). However, Red has to deal with Duval's seductive, yet duplicitous trophy babe Kathrine (the ever luscious Vanity in fine sexy form) and voodoo priestess Peligre (solid work from Whoopi Goldberg in a neat change-of-pace straight part). Despite the sound acting from a tip-top cast, this episode alas fizzles when it should have sizzled thanks to Tobe Hooper's bland direction, a sluggish pace, an insipid and predictable script by Gilbert Adler and Ab Katz, and, most damagingly, an unfortunate lack of tension, energy, and creepy atmosphere. Granted, all the elements for a worthy episode are present and accounted for (sex, gore, an exotic tropical setting, etc.), but they fail to blend together into an effective and satisfying whole. On the plus side, Vanity shows some skin and has a cool sweaty sex scene with Remar and there's a handy helping of hideously explicit splatter. However, you know this yarn just ain't working the way it should have when Whoopi's mock interview with the Cryptkeeper at the show's very end registers more strongly and makes more of an impression than the rest of the show. Watchable, but overall pretty underwhelming and hence instantly forgettable.
Review of Dead Wait
