Creepshow season 1 finale recap: Skincrawlers/By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain

Episode 6 of Shudder’s Creepshow examines a high-risk, radical weight loss treatment. Also, a sea monster cryptid appears before our very eyes!

[NOTE: I don’t intend to give away all the scares or analyze them to death, but just give an idea of what the individual Creepshow story is about.]

Creepshow begins with the Creeper on a twisted fishing trip, which hints at some watery themes in this installment. “Skincrawlers” is the tale of Henry Quayle (Dana Gould), who’s ready to try out a weight loss treatment, Skin Deep by Sloan. In the advertisement’s testimonials, we see people permanently changed, suggesting it truly works miracles. Dr. Herbert Sloan (Chad Michael Collins) does an expert job of promoting his product. Henry and another prospective client, Kelly (Hina Kahn), are unsure of the treatment. However, Dr. Sloan’s so confident that he even offers a donut to Henry, promising it won’t be a problem.

So, what’s Sloan’s weight-loss miracle? He and his crew had found a leech-eel hybrid creature in South America that painlessly eats human fat. Even with their FDA approval, Henry is skeptical and hesitant, not wanting the creature near his body. Oddly enough, though, Kelly did take the treatment and becomes a spokesmodel 2 weeks later. While on the AM America show, there are concerns about a solar eclipse that “can make animals jumpy.” Well, you can guess where this goes, and that the creatures might not be the ideal health miracle after all.

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The segment offers some memorable Creepshow lines, such as “one big slurp” and “Swamp dweller, you say?” (something about the word combo is funny, especially when coming from a cheerful morning news personality. Between the great creature effects and using a vending machine as a weapon, one almost can’t help but remember this episode. It sets the bar pretty high for season 2 (right up there with “Lydia Layne’s Better Half,” though for different reasons).

By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain

Written by Stephen King’s son, Joe Hill (who appeared as “Billy” in the original Creepshow film), “By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain” is delightfully straightforward in design. On a foggy night, Rose (Sydney Wease) sets out to prove that a cryptid named Champy actually exists. Her father had disappeared after seeking the creature, leaving her with something to prove. Getting in the way (and being menacing in general) is her stepdad, Chet (James Devoti). Of course, Chet also disapproves of Rose’s love interest, Thomas (Connor Jones), making it no secret he doesn’t want him around.

When Rose, Thomas and Rose’s brother Joseph (David However) find the body of a large creature on the shoreline, Chet sees it as a chance to enrich himself. However, the legendary Champy may have other plans. While this isn’t my personal favorite story of the season, it has solid cinematography and a decent mood. Also, the character of Chet is all too plausible. This episode ends the season, but it doesn’t do so badly. Creepshow remains fun to watch.  In fact, one needn’t be a hardcore fan to return for season 2,

What are your thoughts on Creepshow? Let us know in the comments!