Revisiting A ‘90s Icon: Goosebumps Returns With a Fresh Take
“It’s 2023, and guess who’s back to haunt your TV screens? That’s right, Goosebumps!” Just like that, the ’90s cultural phenomenon has found its way back into our lives, this time with a modern twist that dives deep into its horror roots. Whether you’re a ’90s kid who read the novels under the sheets with a flashlight or someone discovering it for the first time, this reboot is promising to be an experience you won’t forget anytime soon.
“Goosebumps has been through many incarnations over the years. The franchise started life back in the early ‘90s as a series of best-selling children’s horror novels. These then spawned a successful TV show that ran throughout the ‘90s, as well as numerous spinoff novel series.”
No Anthology This Time: The Serialized Nature of Goosebumps 2023
What sets this reboot apart? For starters, it’s not an anthology series like its ’90s predecessor. Gone are the individual tales of horror wrapped up neatly by episode’s end. Instead, the new Goosebumps is a serialized comedy-horror show that takes us into the lives of small-town teens plagued by the supernatural.
“2023’s Goosebumps TV show is different for numerous reasons…It opens with a teenager — Harold Biddle — being burned alive, when an apparent prank goes badly wrong.”
In a bold move, the series kicks off with a gut-punch—Harold Biddle’s untimely death. But wait, Harold isn’t done just yet. The show’s initial arc centers around his ghost’s quest for revenge, adding a narrative weight that the original series rarely had.
The Dummy Returns: Slappy’s Role in 2023’s Goosebumps
So what exactly is Harold after? That’s a mystery that only unravels by Episode 5, aptly titled “Reader Beware.” In a homage to the original series, Harold Biddle is in search of a familiar face: Slappy the Dummy.
“Over the first five episodes of Goosebumps’ modern reboot, Harold unleashes a string of supernatural threats to Isabella, James, Margot, Isaiah, and Lucas so that he can learn where their parents buried his beloved ventriloquist’s doll. Longtime Goosebumps fans won’t be surprised to learn the doll is Slappy.”
Slappy isn’t just any ordinary dummy in this rendition. This version of Slappy once belonged to an eccentric relative of Harold’s, falling under the doll’s evil influence before eventually stashing him away for safekeeping. When Harold retrieves him, he unwittingly sets the stage for a series of horrific events.
Who’s to Blame? The Moral Complexity of Harold Biddle’s Death
The new Goosebumps series pushes us to question not just the supernatural but also the human choices that lead to tragedy. Yes, Slappy’s influence is unmistakable, as the doll has the power to manipulate Harold into betraying his friends and even turning his own parents into dummies. But when the rubber hits the road, it’s Harold and his friends who set the fire, making them complicit in his demise.
“Ultimately, Slappy is responsible for Harold Biddle’s death in Goosebumps 2023 — but Harold and his friends also bear some of the blame.”
So, as we brace ourselves for more episodes, one thing is clear: Goosebumps 2023 is unafraid to explore complex themes while paying tribute to the essence of the original franchise. Buckle up, it’s going to be a spooky ride!
