First airing on CBS on September 22nd, 1995, the short-lived supernatural drama series "American Gothic" garnered many positive reviews and ignited a loyal fanbase which is still active today. Created by Shaun Cassidy and produced by Sam Raimi, it remains a favorite among fans of small-screen horror.
Set in the small rural community of Trinity, South Carolina, the show follows the many trials of a young boy named Caleb Temple (played by Lucas Black, who would later star in the films "Sling Blade" and "The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift", among others), whose life is turned upside-down when his sister Merlyn is murdered on his birthday.
Merlyn (played by Sarah Paulson of "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip", as well as the "Serenity" feature film and the recent "The Spirit") had been traumatized years earlier when she witnessed a violent attack on her and Caleb's mother. She has since been catatonic, speaking only rarely. After she dies, however, Merlyn begins appearing to Caleb as a ghost, offering him guidance and emotional support. After their father Gage Temple is arrested for Merlyn's murder and later commits suicide, it seems that Merlyn is the only family the newly-orphaned Caleb (their mother having died shortly after Caleb was born) has left in the world.
That soon changes, however, with the timely arrival of Caleb's cousin. Gail Emory (Paige Turco of "NYPD Blue" and "Rescue Me") moved away from Trinity years earlier after her parents (who ran the local newspaper) died in a suspicious fire. Gail sometimes gets visions and she has had a strong premontion that Caleb is in danger. Now a reporter herself, she has returned to Trinity to help Caleb and try to uncover the truth about her parents' death.
Also there to help Caleb is the town's new doctor, Matt Crower (Jake Weber of 2004's "Dawn Of The Dead" and "Medium"). A newcomer in town, Dr. Crower is trying to escape the tragedy in his past. Not afraid of the local authorities, he is eager to help Caleb no matter who tries to stop him.
Caleb is going to need all this help, because Trinity's Sheriff Lucas Buck (played brilliantly by Gary Cole of "Office Space" and the "Brady Bunch" movies) has plans for him. One of the great television villains of all time, Lucas at times seems to be the devil himself. His malevolent influence permeates every square inch of Trinity. No citizens' life is untouched by his demonic presence. And yet Cole brings such charismatic charm to the role that you sometimes almost root for the guy. Almost.
Make no mistake, Trinity is Lucas Buck's town. Lucas gets what Lucas wants, and what he wants is Caleb. Because Lucas is Caleb's biological father, and he intends to raise the boy in his own image.
Filled with dark themes, black humor and scares galore, "American Gothic" is one of the best horror-themed TV series ever made. It is a must-see for fans of the genre.
You can watch full episodes of "American Gothic" at link
Set in the small rural community of Trinity, South Carolina, the show follows the many trials of a young boy named Caleb Temple (played by Lucas Black, who would later star in the films "Sling Blade" and "The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift", among others), whose life is turned upside-down when his sister Merlyn is murdered on his birthday.
Merlyn (played by Sarah Paulson of "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip", as well as the "Serenity" feature film and the recent "The Spirit") had been traumatized years earlier when she witnessed a violent attack on her and Caleb's mother. She has since been catatonic, speaking only rarely. After she dies, however, Merlyn begins appearing to Caleb as a ghost, offering him guidance and emotional support. After their father Gage Temple is arrested for Merlyn's murder and later commits suicide, it seems that Merlyn is the only family the newly-orphaned Caleb (their mother having died shortly after Caleb was born) has left in the world.
That soon changes, however, with the timely arrival of Caleb's cousin. Gail Emory (Paige Turco of "NYPD Blue" and "Rescue Me") moved away from Trinity years earlier after her parents (who ran the local newspaper) died in a suspicious fire. Gail sometimes gets visions and she has had a strong premontion that Caleb is in danger. Now a reporter herself, she has returned to Trinity to help Caleb and try to uncover the truth about her parents' death.
Also there to help Caleb is the town's new doctor, Matt Crower (Jake Weber of 2004's "Dawn Of The Dead" and "Medium"). A newcomer in town, Dr. Crower is trying to escape the tragedy in his past. Not afraid of the local authorities, he is eager to help Caleb no matter who tries to stop him.
Caleb is going to need all this help, because Trinity's Sheriff Lucas Buck (played brilliantly by Gary Cole of "Office Space" and the "Brady Bunch" movies) has plans for him. One of the great television villains of all time, Lucas at times seems to be the devil himself. His malevolent influence permeates every square inch of Trinity. No citizens' life is untouched by his demonic presence. And yet Cole brings such charismatic charm to the role that you sometimes almost root for the guy. Almost.
Make no mistake, Trinity is Lucas Buck's town. Lucas gets what Lucas wants, and what he wants is Caleb. Because Lucas is Caleb's biological father, and he intends to raise the boy in his own image.
Filled with dark themes, black humor and scares galore, "American Gothic" is one of the best horror-themed TV series ever made. It is a must-see for fans of the genre.
You can watch full episodes of "American Gothic" at link