Ep 1. The Flypaper

In the season 3 premiere of Tales of the Unexpected, titled "The Flypaper," viewers are dropped into a strange and unsettling world. The episode opens with a young man named Sid stumbling into a bar, covered in dirt and looking panicked. He tells the bartender and patrons a harrowing tale of being stranded in a small town with no money or way to leave. After attempting to hitchhike out of town, he gets caught in a downpour and takes shelter in an abandoned house. But when he wakes up the next morning, he finds himself stuck to the floor with what he describes as "glue."

As Sid tells his story, the camera pans to other patrons of the bar, all of whom are listening with rapt attention. The mood is eerie and tense, with a feeling that something is not quite right. We are introduced to a woman named Myra, who is particularly interested in Sid's story. She invites him to stay with her for the night, but not without some ulterior motives. We soon learn that Myra is a scientist who has been conducting experiments with a mysterious substance called "flypaper."

As the episode progresses, we delve further into Myra's world. She is passionate about her research, but also seems to be hiding something sinister. She invites Sid to her lab, which is filled with jars of insects and murky liquids. She shows him the flypaper she has created, which is a powerful adhesive that can trap anything that touches it. Myra seems almost gleeful as she demonstrates the flypaper's effectiveness, and reveals that she has been using it to capture, and ultimately kill, rats that have been infesting the town.

Sid becomes increasingly uneasy as he learns more about Myra's work, and her strange habits. She is obsessed with cleanliness and order, to the point of being fanatical. She judges Sid when he fails to wash his hands properly, and refuses to eat with him when he touches his hair. These small details add to the overall sense of unease, and the feeling that Myra is not to be trusted.

As the episode reaches its climax, Sid becomes trapped in Myra's lab. He is horrified to learn that she has been using the flypaper to trap and kill humans, not just rats. Myra reveals that she has been using her victims for her experiments, and that she intends to use Sid as her next subject. The tension is palpable as Sid fights for his life, trying to escape the sticky traps that have ensnared him.

Overall, "The Flypaper" is a chilling episode that explores themes of obsession and madness. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked curiosity and the consequences of scientific experimentation without ethics. The performances are strong across the board, with particular praise for the actress who plays Myra, who brings a complex and chilling character to life. The episode is well-directed, with a moody and atmospheric tone that adds to the overall sense of unease. Fans of the horror and thriller genres will enjoy this episode, which delivers plenty of suspense and scares.