As the episode opens, a captive panics when “I Won’t Grow Up” by Cathy Rigby begins to play. Frantically looking in various directions to find the source, the victim’s vision is obscured by a cloth sack. A gloved hand rubs the captive’s head as it tries to jerk away and suddenly removes the sack.

1991 Los Angeles – Detective Dawn Reeve (Deborah Ayorinde) is startled awake by the alarm clock. She dresses as “Lay Low” by Dr. Dre plays on the radio. Opening the refrigerator, she utilizes her finger to remove icing from her birthday cake when Athena (Pam Grier) playfully tells her to back away and wishes her a happy birthday. They embrace before Athena rouses Kelvin “Kel” Reeve (Joshua J. Williams) to wish his mother, Reeve, a happy birthday. Reeve receives a page saying she is urgently needed at 1227 E 35^th Street. She kisses Athena before heading out the door. A short time later, she arrives at the scene to meet Detective Ronald McKinney (Jeremy Bobb) and Joaquin Diaz (Carlito Olivero). She lets Joaquin know that she does not like to be called “Boss.” Officer Davies (Derrick LeMont) informs her that 16-year-old Malcolm (Deion Smith) notified the police at 6:30am that his foster mother, Bernice Mott (Cindi Davis) was dead.

Reeve sees an officer vomiting as she makes her way to the house. She utilizes a tape recorder to document her findings while inspecting the dark, hot interior. Davies tells her that officers found the thermostat set at 90 degrees. She notes a busted wall clock stopped at 3:17 and a broken glass door. Making their way through the house, they find a stack of TVs, boom boxes, and other equipment near the children’s bed. A closet is filled with disassembled dolls, dirty diapers, and a square imprint on the floor. Reeve starts to break down when Joaquin summons her to look at various cleaning products lined in a row stretched across the floor. Bernice’s contorted body is stuffed in a cabinet under the kitchen sink. She breaks heavily while recording her notes.

Shirtless, Edmund Gaines (Luke James) sits at the end of a bench listening to a self-help audiobook. Deeply inhaling and exhaling, he places Cheddar the pig’s costume head over his head and says, “Don’t be.” A short time later, Edmund finds himself dancing on stage in front of a crowd of cheering children. A young girl joins him in a dance. Rio (Brandon O’Dell) watches from a short distance away. A short time later, he scolds Edmund for going on the script and putting the company at risk. Edmund describes what he was doing as “improve” and informs him of his audition. Rio sarcastically calls him “Billy Dee” before walking away.

Upon arrival at the police station, Reeve sees a protest going on outside. While watching LAPD Police Chief Daryl Gates’ press conference, an officer (John Machesky) disagrees with Gates, saying the man was a beast. Reggie Marks (Charles Brice) chimes in with a sarcastic remark. The offers turn to look at him before walking away. When he stops behind Reeve, she demands he step back. Putting his mouth close to her ear, he tells her to cuff him. He laughs when she leaves to speak to Lieutenant Schiff (Wayne Knight). She requests to be the lead on the Mott murder case. He names McKinney as the lead investigator and sternly warns her to think before speaking. She complains about McKinney’s investigative technique. He recalls she assaulted a CI and blew up an investigation. She asks why he put her on the case. He assures her that she will not repeat the same mistake twice.

McKinney and Reeve question Malcolm about Bernice’s murder. Malcolm denies seeing anything and starts panicking. Popping his knuckles, McKinney asks him a series of questions. Malcolm claims he came under Bernice’s care when he was three years old. McKinney recalls a visit to the house and asks if he was frightened of Bernice before popping his knuckles. Malcolm admits to not caring that Bernice is dead but denies doing it. When McKinney slams a crime scene photo on the table, Malcolm squeezes his eyes shut. McKinney orders him to look at Bernice’s contorted corpse. Crying, Malcolm denies any knowledge of the murder. Reeve offers him an attorney which he readily accepts. She looks over to see McKinney staring at her.

Stella Musante Casting – Edmund auditions for the role of Pookie G. Stella (Susan Wood) stops him after a few seconds to tell him that Pookie G is a tough gangbanger. His second attempt is thrown off by the cameraman’s sniggers. Upon leaving, he spots a line of men waiting to audition for the same role. Rhonda (Tamika Shannon) urges him to never stop auditioning because there is a role for him. He gives her a stack of tokens for her son and invites them to the restaurant for some pizza. She is surprised he remembered her son, Kenny (Ace Tucker). Instead of driving away, he remains in the parking lot until the cameraman emerges from the building. He mutters threats under his breath meant for him.

Reeve finds damage to her car bumper. She quietly watches Kel playing drums and flips the lights to get his attention. Athena wishes her happy birthday and hands her a stack of mail. Seeing a letter to Kel from his father, she tosses it in the waste basket. Athena reminds her that they married young. Reeve confronts her about the dented car bumper. Athena explains what happened and claims to be okay. A short time later, Reeve opens a birthday gift to find a photo of her when she was young. Athena recalls how young Reeve liked to investigate. As the celebration continues, the garage lights flicker and blow.

Rhonda and Kenny visit the restaurant where Edmund works. Edmund tries to get Kenny to come out of his shell. Rhonda says he is good with Kenny until his father. He questions his acting ability but she assures him that roles suitable for him are limited. She promises to find a script that suits him. They swap phone numbers. Edmund and Kenny jump on the trampoline.

Reeve asks a DCFS representative about Mott’s foster care. The representative gives her a number to call. Malcolm’s sister, Rena (Skylar Ebron) claims Bernice discouraged her from talking to her doll, Kiki. Reeve tells her about her imaginary friend. Rena admits to not liking it there because Bernice was mean. She says Bernice was afraid for herself and them to fall asleep. In a flashback, a frantic Bernice yells that he is in the house. Malcolm tries to reason with her but she continues to yell. The power goes out. Later, Rena wakes up to a dark, quiet house before hearing a crunching noise and Bernice screaming. A Cheer laundry detergent box sits just outside the door. Back to the present, Reeve comforts a sobbing Rena.

Athena is chopping carrots when she hears a scream. Wearing headphones and playing the drums, Kel doesn’t hear when she calls his name. When the lights flicker, he thinks nothing of it. Athena’s left hand spasms and her right hand tremors while holding a knife. Edmund removes an Andy doll from a chest. Reeve arrives home to find Kel and Athena asleep. While listening to the recording of her notes, she climbs into the cabinet under the kitchen sink and positions her body to mimic that of Bernice’s. Hearing a distorted voice in the audio, she pushes replay. When a creepy voice asks if she is scared, she drops the tape recorder, and hurriedly climbs out of the cabinet. The episode ends.

 

Them: The Scare Review

The series is plagued by bad writing and social agendas. It insinuates that black men are gangbangers. Edmund and over a dozen black men audition for Pookie G, a gangbanger role. Black men are not alone because white cops are portrayed as racists.

The story progresses at a snail’s pace. Minutes pass with absolutely nothing happening. Character development is absent. Viewers just know Detective Dawn Reeve has a unique investigative approach. Not at all original, she mimics the victim’s final minutes before death.

The show utilizes old technologies like the pager and voice recorder.

The acting is hit-and-miss. The show leaves a lot to be desired. It’s doubtful if the agendas were removed, there would be any improvement.  The episode deserves a 4.5 out of 10. Get more Them: The Scare recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our forum to discuss new and classic TV shows and movies, celebrity happenings, sports, books, and more.