Ep 2. Hell Hath Fury

Garth Marenghi's Dark Place was a brilliant parody of the horror genre, delving deep into the clichés and tropes of the genre and expertly ribbing them with wonderfully bad writing, cheesy effects, and delightfully hammy acting. The show was presented as a long-lost horror series from the 1980s, created by a prolific and talented writer named Garth Marenghi, who also starred in the show as Dr. Rick Dagless, M.D., a brooding and intense physician who faced off against supernatural horrors in every episode.

The second episode of the series, titled "Hell Hath Fury," is a hilariously misguided attempt to tackle the age-old "deal with the devil" trope. The episode begins with Dr. Dagless attempting to summon Satan himself in order to gain the power to heal his friend and colleague, Dr. Lucien Sanchez (played by the delightful Todd Rivers, who also directed and co-wrote the show). Needless to say, Dr. Dagless is successful, and a devilish bargain is struck between him and the Prince of Darkness.

As always, the show hilariously overplays the seriousness of the situation, with Garth Marenghi's deliberately portentous voiceover helpfully providing context and exposition. The special effects are laughably bad (even for a show that is meant to look like it was made in the '80s), but it all adds to the charm and humor of the episode. There are also several moments of inspired absurdity, such as when Dr. Dagless summons Satan by blowing into a conch shell, or when the devil tempts Dr. Sanchez by offering him a pack of cigarettes that won't kill him.

The main plot kicks into gear when it becomes apparent that Satan has other plans for Dr. Dagless and his colleagues. A mysterious force begins to terrorize the hospital, possessing patients and causing chaos. The episode then follows the classic "haunted house" format, with the doctors and nurses investigating strange happenings and trying to fight off the evil forces at work. There are some genuinely creepy moments, such as when one character is dragged screaming into the darkness by an unseen force, but these are always quickly undercut by the show's inherent absurdity.

One of the highlights of the episode is the introduction of the character Liz Asher, played by the wonderful Alice Lowe (who also co-wrote the show). Liz is a journalist who arrives at the hospital to investigate the strange occurrences, and her interactions with Dr. Dagless are some of the funniest moments in the episode. Lowe's performance is spot-on, and she injects some much-needed energy into the proceedings.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Satan is after Dr. Sanchez's soul, and it's up to Dr. Dagless and his team to stop him. There are some fantastic set-pieces, including a tense confrontation in the hospital chapel and a thrilling chase through the hospital's corridors. The climax of the episode is suitably over-the-top, with the fate of Dr. Sanchez's soul hanging in the balance.

Overall, "Hell Hath Fury" is a fantastic episode of Garth Marenghi's Dark Place, perfectly capturing the show's unique blend of horror and humor. The writing is sharp and witty, and the performances are delightfully over-the-top. It's a shame that the show only lasted for one season, but it remains a cult classic that is well worth revisiting.