American Gothic (TV Series)
> General Information American Gothic was an American horror tv series created by Shaun Cassidy and executive produced by Sam Raimi. The tv series first aired on CBS on September 22nd of 1995, and was cancelled after a single season on July 11th of 1996. The story takes place in the fictional town of Trinity, South Carolina, and revolves around Caleb Temple (played by Lucas Black) and the town's corrupt Sheriff, Lucas Buck (played by Gary Cole). Though appearing affable and charismatic, Sheriff Lucas Buck is a murderous rapist whose powerbase is backed by apparent supernatural powers, which he generally uses to manipulate people to "fulfill their potential" and make life-changing choices (usually for evil). Caleb Temple is a normal child whose paternity masks a horrific secret: Lucas Buck is his biological father, having sexually assaulted Caleb's mother in front of Caleb's older sister Merlyn (played by Sarah Paulson). The horror of watching her mother being sexually assaulted caused Merlyn to become severely emotionally traumatized and withdrawn from the rest of the world, made even worse when her mother committed suicide after giving birth to Caleb. During the pilot episode of the series, Sheriff Buck murders Merlyn in cold blood and manipulates Caleb's "father" (played by Sonny Shroyer) into committing suicide in order to eliminate Caleb's family and claim his biological son for his own. However, the newly arrived Dr. Crower (played by Jake Weber) begins to uncover the Sheriff's role in the death of Merlyn and Merlyn's father and with help from Caleb's out-of-town cousin Gail Emory (played by Paige Turco), struggle to prevent Lucas from corrupting young Caleb. They are aided in part by Merlyn's ghost, who personally appears before Caleb throughout the series in order to try to keep him from Buck's corrupt grasp. Sheriff Lucas Buck (played by Gary Cole): Lucas is the local Sheriff, he holds fear over the town of Trinity. He wants to adopt Caleb and raise him in his image. Caleb Temple (played by Lucas Black): Caleb is an orphan and is often tempted by Lucas to join the evil side but with help from the ghost of his sister, Merlyn, he usually does the right thing. Dr. Matt Crower (played by Jake Weber): Doctor at the local hospital. Matt has a slightly shady past and came to Trinity to start a new life, but can not escape his past. He takes Caleb in after the death of Caleb's father. Merlyn Temple (played by Sarah Paulson): Caleb's sister, she is killed by Lucas Buck, but occasionally appears to Caleb in the form of a ghost to guide him in the right direction and away from Lucas Buck. Gail Emory (played by Paige Turco): A reporter from the city who lived in Trinity as a child. Her parents died in a mysterious fire in the Trinity news paper editing room. Came to Trinity to take care of her cousin Caleb and to uncover the truth about her parents. Selena Coombs (played by Brenda Bakke): The local school teacher who likes to sleep around. She occasionally dates Lucas. She usually helps Lucas in his plans to gain custody of Caleb and to keep the town under control. Deputy Ben Healy (played by Nick Searcy): He is Lucas' deputy. He lives in fear of Buck, so much so that he covers up the murder of Merlyn Temple. Episode Guide (as originally broadcast): Listed in the order they were originally broadcast.
1: "Pilot" Caleb Temple's 10th birthday turns nightmarish when his sister, Merlyn Temple, is killed and his father, Gage Temple, is the prime suspect. Gage's guilt seems confirmed when he commits suicide in his jail cell, leaving Caleb an orphan... except for the ghost of Merlyn. Caleb seems to find a father figure in Dr. Matt Crower, but this won't last if Sheriff Lucas Buck has any say in the matter.
2: "A Tree Grows in Trinity" Fleeing deep into the woods from Sheriff Lucas Buck, young Caleb takes refuge in an eerie, abandoned hunting lodge and is terrified when he discovers a dying man who has been tortured and is being held prisoner there.
3: "Eye of the Beholder" Sheriff Buck calls in a favor from the local judge who is overseeing Caleb's custody hearing, hoping to ensure his favored status, but he doesn't stop there.
4: "Damned If You Don't" Junkyard owner Carter Bowen panics when Sheriff Buck wants his teenage daughter, Poppy, to work for him as payback for an old favor. When he refuses, his life quickly begins to unravel and the past comes back to haunt him.
5: "Dead to the World" Gail may have pushed Sheriff Buck too far when she accuses him of foul play in the death of his former girlfriend, who was with him just before her car mysteriously drove off a bridge.
6: "Meet the Beetles" When Jack Drey, a South Carolina state police lieutenant, throws his weight around in the investigation of the disappearance of his adulterous brother-in-law, Hack Weller, Sheriff Buck becomes wary. Drey suspects that Weller's obsession with Selena might have driven a vicious Buck to kill him.
7: "Strong Arm of the Law" Sheriff Lucas Buck gets revenge, in his own chilling fashion, on four men who move to Trinity and set off a crime wave, causing the local residents to start losing faith in his control.
8: "Rebirth" Merlyn borrows an unborn child's spirit and reappears as Halle. Both Lucas and Caleb realize what has happened, and while Lucas tries to keep Merlyn in his world, Caleb knows she must return the spirit to the baby before it's too late.
9: "Resurrector" Radio talk show host Mel Kirby approaches Lucas for help in bringing his show to television. When Lucas refuses, Mel and his co-anchor wife, Gloria, vow to ruin Lucas. Meanwhile, a depressed Caleb decides he wants to give Merlyn a second funeral.
10: "Inhumanitas" Lucas may have corrupted the local priest, Father Tilden, and he may be able to take his revenge on townspeople who cross his path. But not even he can control the seemingly miraculous activities of the dead Merlyn, determined to make Lucas answer for his crimes.
11: "The Plague Sower" A sudden, mysterious bleeding illness quickly spreads through Trinity, causing death and devastation, as well as the arrival of a new doctor, Dr. Peele. As the townspeople fall victim to the plague, Matt suffers a breakdown and Lucas turns to Dr. Peele for help.
12: "Doctor Death Takes a Holiday" Dr. Matt decides to re-investigate the murder of Merlyn. He also is curious when a woman checks into his hospital as Mrs.Smith. She begins to tell Matt all about the evil of Lucas and how she wants to kill him.
13: "The Beast Within" Artie, Ben Healy's brother, holds-up a local store in Trinity for a cheap watch. Ben and Lucas respond to the robbery and Ben accidentally shoots Artie. Artie, injured but still conscious, takes Lucas hostage.
14: "To Hell and Back" Dr. Matt struggles with his alcoholism and the death of his family. Lucas tries to push him over the edge by offering him a drink and forcing the bizarre memories of his wife and daughter.
15: "Learning to Crawl" Lucas and Caleb forge a bond when facing matters of life and death. After Caleb is electrocuted and dies at the hospital, Lucas steps in and brings the boy back to life.
16: "Triangle" Gail faints in Lucas' office and is taken to the hospital where she is told that she is pregnant. Gail threatens to have an abortion and even attempts to kill herself because she knows that she is carrying the evil offspring of Lucas Buck.
17: "The Buck Stops Here" Yancy can't find certain files and believes Lucas has them. Billy and Selena go to Lucas' house to look for the missing files and end up making love in Lucas' bed.
18: "Requiem" Caleb is trying to find the full potential of his powers by attempting to kill Gail, leaving him sole heir of Lucas' will. But, when Lucas finds out what Caleb is up to, he attempts to save Gail. Lucas and Caleb have an evil face-off.
19: "Potato Boy" Selena reaches out to Caleb and tries to help him with his school work. She begins to spend extra time with him which bothers Lucas. Selena also tries to reconcile with her father.
20: "Ring of Fire" Through dreams and visions, Lucas allows Gail to learn bit by bit what happened to her parents. She learned that her father was abusing her and her mother was having an affair with Gage Temple, Caleb's father.
21: "Echo of Your Last Goodbye" Candy leads Ben to a house which turns out to be the place that Judith Temple used to help abandoned children. With Gail they discover drawings from the young children as well as several drawings of Lucas done with a great amount of love by Judith.
22: "Strangler" Lucas calls on the ghost of the Boston Strangler to come to Merlyn. Lucas leaves town to attend a convention and Albert De Salvo - aka The Boston Strangler - decides to do more than just try to kill Merlyn. Episode Guide (intended viewing order): CBS originally aired American Gothic in a differing sequence than was intended and never aired four episodes ("Potato Boy", "Ring of Fire", "Echo of Your Last Goodbye" and "Strangler"). The intended viewing order is:
1: "Pilot" Caleb Temple's 10th birthday turns nightmarish when his sister, Merlyn Temple, is killed and his father, Gage Temple, is the prime suspect. Gage's guilt seems confirmed when he commits suicide in his jail cell, leaving Caleb an orphan... except for the ghost of Merlyn. Caleb seems to find a father figure in Dr. Matt Crower, but this won't last if Sheriff Lucas Buck has any say in the matter.
2: "A Tree Grows in Trinity" Fleeing deep into the woods from Sheriff Lucas Buck, young Caleb takes refuge in an eerie, abandoned hunting lodge and is terrified when he discovers a dying man who has been tortured and is being held prisoner there.
3: "Eye of the Beholder" Sheriff Buck calls in a favor from the local judge who is overseeing Caleb's custody hearing, hoping to ensure his favored status, but he doesn't stop there.
4: "Damned If You Don't" Junkyard owner Carter Bowen panics when Sheriff Buck wants his teenage daughter, Poppy, to work for him as payback for an old favor. When he refuses, his life quickly begins to unravel and the past comes back to haunt him.
19: "Potato Boy" Selena reaches out to Caleb and tries to help him with his school work. She begins to spend extra time with him which bothers Lucas. Selena also tries to reconcile with her father.
5: "Dead to the World" Gail may have pushed Sheriff Buck too far when she accuses him of foul play in the death of his former girlfriend, who was with him just before her car mysteriously drove off a bridge.
6: "Meet the Beetles" When Jack Drey, a South Carolina state police lieutenant, throws his weight around in the investigation of the disappearance of his adulterous brother-in-law, Hack Weller, Sheriff Buck becomes wary. Drey suspects that Weller's obsession with Selena might have driven a vicious Buck to kill him.
7: "Strong Arm of the Law" Sheriff Lucas Buck gets revenge, in his own chilling fashion, on four men who move to Trinity and set off a crime wave, causing the local residents to start losing faith in his control.
14: "To Hell and Back" Dr. Matt struggles with his alcoholism and the death of his family. Lucas tries to push him over the edge by offering him a drink and forcing the bizarre memories of his wife and daughter.
13: "The Beast Within" Artie, Ben Healy's brother, holds-up a local store in Trinity for a cheap watch. Ben and Lucas respond to the robbery and Ben accidentally shoots Artie. Artie, injured but still conscious, takes Lucas hostage.
8: "Rebirth" Merlyn borrows an unborn child's spirit and reappears as Halle. Both Lucas and Caleb realize what has happened, and while Lucas tries to keep Merlyn in his world, Caleb knows she must return the spirit to the baby before it's too late.
20: "Ring of Fire" Through dreams and visions, Lucas allows Gail to learn bit by bit what happened to her parents. She learned that her father was abusing her and her mother was having an affair with Gage Temple, Caleb's father.
9: "Resurrector" Radio talk show host Mel Kirby approaches Lucas for help in bringing his show to television. When Lucas refuses, Mel and his co-anchor wife, Gloria, vow to ruin Lucas. Meanwhile, a depressed Caleb decides he wants to give Merlyn a second funeral.
10: "Inhumanitas" Lucas may have corrupted the local priest, Father Tilden, and he may be able to take his revenge on townspeople who cross his path. But not even he can control the seemingly miraculous activities of the dead Merlyn, determined to make Lucas answer for his crimes.
11: "The Plague Sower" A sudden, mysterious bleeding illness quickly spreads through Trinity, causing death and devastation, as well as the arrival of a new doctor, Dr. Peele. As the townspeople fall victim to the plague, Matt suffers a breakdown and Lucas turns to Dr. Peele for help.
12: "Doctor Death Takes a Holiday" Dr. Matt decides to re-investigate the murder of Merlyn. He also is curious when a woman checks into his hospital as Mrs.Smith. She begins to tell Matt all about the evil of Lucas and how she wants to kill him.
15: "Learning to Crawl" Lucas and Caleb forge a bond when facing matters of life and death. After Caleb is electrocuted and dies at the hospital, Lucas steps in and brings the boy back to life.
21: "Echo of Your Last Goodbye" Candy leads Ben to a house which turns out to be the place that Judith Temple used to help abandoned children. With Gail they discover drawings from the young children as well as several drawings of Lucas done with a great amount of love by Judith.
22: "Strangler" Lucas calls on the ghost of the Boston Strangler to come to Merlyn. Lucas leaves town to attend a convention and Albert De Salvo - aka The Boston Strangler - decides to do more than just try to kill Merlyn.
16: "Triangle" Gail faints in Lucas' office and is taken to the hospital where she is told that she is pregnant. Gail threatens to have an abortion and even attempts to kill herself because she knows that she is carrying the evil offspring of Lucas Buck.
17: "The Buck Stops Here" Yancy can't find certain files and believes Lucas has them. Billy and Selena go to Lucas' house to look for the missing files and end up making love in Lucas' bed.
18: "Requiem" Caleb is trying to find the full potential of his powers by attempting to kill Gail, leaving him sole heir of Lucas' will. But, when Lucas finds out what Caleb is up to, he attempts to save Gail. Lucas and Caleb have an evil face-off. Universal Studios released the complete series of American Gothic on DVD as a Region 1 NTSC double-sided 3-disc set in the United States (released October 25th of 2005) and as a Region 2 PAL single-sided 6-disc set in Europe (released March 20th of 2006). The Region 1 and Region 2 Discs have the episodes in the same order (by air date as opposed to producer's intended order). The only exception is the German boxset (released October 5th of 2007 by "Koch Media Home Entertainment"), which features all episodes in the intended order on 7 DVDs. More information on the DVDs may be obtained by going to: www.americangothicdvd.com/
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