American Gothic (TV Series) Rebirth (1996) User Reviews

Buck Shows His Face

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 15 September 2014]

Merlyn wants to feel again and she borrows the soul of an unborn baby to come back to life. She spends time with Caleb and meets the boy Ray and falls in love with him. But Dr. Matt Crower discovers that the baby has no pulse and forces the mother to go to the hospital to deliver her daughter. Caleb seeks out Merlyn to return the baby's soul while Sheriff Buck tempts her to stay alive. Who will win?

"Rebirth" is the eighth episode of the American Gothic in the DVD Box instead of episode 11 as indicated in IMDb. The bleak story shows again the fight between the good and the evil and this time, Sheriff Buck discloses who he is. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Rebirth"

Merlyn returns

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 5 December 2016]

As this episode opens some youths shout insults at Caleb; Merlyn appears and offers some words of comfort; he replies and is overheard by Ray, a boy who thinks Caleb is talking to him. Ray stands up for Caleb and Merlyn appears to take an interest in Ray. The next time Caleb sees Merlyn she is frustrated that her existence doesn't include and feeling, good or bad. Meanwhile a friend of Gail who expecting a baby suddenly has a terrible feeling and rushes to hospital where she is told there is no sign of the baby's heartbeat. The next day Merlyn returns, fully alive and well. She has 'borrowed' the baby's soul. She initially hangs around with an understandably happy Caleb but he becomes upset then disturbed when Merlyn starts going out with Ray and later figures out how she managed to come back. No surprisingly Lucas Buck takes an interest in Merlyn's return but perhaps not in the way one might expect… he is keen for her to choose to keep living for the darkest of motives.

This was a solid and rather dark episode; it was good to see more of Merlyn but knowing that if she chooses to stay an unborn baby will die is uncomfortable viewing as we are shown the mother being told that her baby's heartbeat can't be detected. Lucas Buck is at his most evil here; we see him trying to manipulate Ray and Merlyn… all ultimately to drive a wedge between Merlyn and Caleb and if that costs one baby her life he is happy with that. Gary Cole was on top form keeping Buck evil without tipping over into being a pantomime villain. Sarah Paulson does a fine job as Merlyn; it was nice to see her be more than just the ghost who gives comfort to Caleb. Overall an impressive episode with some dark themes.