Skeptical newspaper reporter Bragg (well played by Kevin O'Connor) sets his sights on writing an excoriating expose on the "fake" attractions at a mysterious traveling circus that only stops off at remote small towns for a single night. Director Michael Gornick, working from a sharp script by George A. Romero, relates the involving story at a steady pace, does an ace job of crafting an eerie and flavorsome seedy atmosphere, and offers several surprising bits of fairly nasty violence. Veteran character actor William Hickey delivers a marvelously quirky performance as sinister circus owner Dr. Nis. This episode further benefits from a neat array of grotesque monsters, with make-up man Ed French as a hideous vampire rating as the definite frightening highlight. Jacques Sandulescu radiates a sense of quiet menace as mute strongman Nanoosh. Jon Fauer's stylish cinematography rates as another major asset. The final image is an unsettling and ironic doozy, too. A worthy opener for the third season.
Review of The Circus
