When I watch an episode like "A Choice of Dreams", I realize just what Tales from the Darkside was capable of. I think the opening dialogue between mobster and doctor is fantastic. The actor playing the physician (David Glen) is a voice for all of those victimized by mobster, Jake Corelli (Abe Vigoda); during his life of crime, many have been left either dead, addicted, in fear, or in ruin thanks to his history of criminal activity. The vicarious thrill of providing the diagnosis that Jake is terminally ill, will suffer from his cancer, and endure the same kind of pain he has inflicted on others gives this doctor a reason to look at him, sturdy and strong, bluntly vocal about the pleasure of telling him. Jake, of course, threatens to cost him his job by calling the head of the hospital for which the physician works, but still being able to inform him of his upcoming demise was so worth it. While the rest of the episode can't quite reach the same level of satisfaction—besides the twist ending which I think most will see coming—I think the initial scene on its own warrants essential viewing for Darkside fans. Vigoda does establish intimidation and offers a glimpse into the kind of menacing scumbag and cold-blooded creep that has reigned down terror upon many unfortunate souls living and employed on his turf. When Vigoda kills loyal Angelo (Ralph Monaco) right before he is to pay for a peculiar procedure that will supposedly allow a scientist (David Chandler; sinister and giving off this aura of distrust that a dying man may decide to look past) to provide him with pleasant dreams after death, it is the supreme example of the depths for which he'll sink. Not saying Angelo--a mob cretin who worked as a muscle and gun for the boss, insuring victims answered to Jake or else--wasn't deserving of his fate, but it just shows you that loyalty gets you nowhere but dead. We even see the brain removed, and the director wisely shows faces from Vigoda's past memories emerging while mobster Jake is in sleep as Chandler is preparing him for the afterdeath procedure. Anytime a human monster gets his just desserts, the anthology series format achieves what it sets out to do. I think this is a fine example of that.
Review of A Choice of Dreams
