It almost goes without saying that an episode of Thriller should at some point deal with the topic of voodoo. This one finds a once famous band leader (John Ireland) down on his luck after taking an oath that he would never reveal what he'd seen as part of a ritual ceremony complete with native island music and dance. However when he adopts the rhythms of the voodoo sound for his signature composition, his health, both physical and mental take a turn for the worse.
The story utilizes some common symbols of voodoo legend, such as a chicken leg and a voodoo doll complete with stick-pin to torment an intended victim. Partly told in flashback, the story reveals that Eddie's luck goes South when he returns to the States from Santa Isabel, as his band gigs get canceled and his wife leaves him. Returning to the island and confronting Papa Benjamin (Jester Hairston) only makes matters worse, as the curse that affects him takes hold stronger than ever.
Most of the episode's intrigue lies in the power of suggestion and the idea that superstitious mumbo-jumbo can actually have a direct influence over one's mind and body. I'll tell you what though, you know what was really scary? In the scene at the New York office of Eddie's agent Jerry Roberts (Robert H. Harris), it was snowing outside of one window, and the weather was clear outside the window right next to it!
The story utilizes some common symbols of voodoo legend, such as a chicken leg and a voodoo doll complete with stick-pin to torment an intended victim. Partly told in flashback, the story reveals that Eddie's luck goes South when he returns to the States from Santa Isabel, as his band gigs get canceled and his wife leaves him. Returning to the island and confronting Papa Benjamin (Jester Hairston) only makes matters worse, as the curse that affects him takes hold stronger than ever.
Most of the episode's intrigue lies in the power of suggestion and the idea that superstitious mumbo-jumbo can actually have a direct influence over one's mind and body. I'll tell you what though, you know what was really scary? In the scene at the New York office of Eddie's agent Jerry Roberts (Robert H. Harris), it was snowing outside of one window, and the weather was clear outside the window right next to it!