Wednesday, October 13, 2021

My 13 favorite "The Real Ghostbusters" Episodes

(Scene starts in a theater lobby where a man is walking down throwing Michael Bay-produced movies before cutting to a photoshopped cut image of Michael Bay’s head on James’ body walks down before a red circle with a diagonal line lands right him making the Ghost from the “Ghostbusters” portion of the insignia of the “Ghostbusters” before a crowd shouts “MOVIEBUSTERS!” before cutting to the Main Lobby of James’ Studio as James is taking it easy in his Ghostbusters outfit before cutting to The Receptionist played by Brenda Fonseca as she picks up the phone and the earphone becomes the size of her head. She soon presses the “Easy” button from “Staples” which sets off the alarm Klaxon which makes James fall over cartoonish-like before cutting to Eric, Paulo, Rebecca & Mike working on something when they hear the alarm before cutting to Nick, John, Renee, and Olivia in the kitchen trying to take a bite to eat when they drop their food on the table when they hear the alarm before heading to A Van and before Paulo enters he gives his wife a kiss on the lips before James’ hand pulls him into the van as the Ecto-1 klaxons blare before cutting to the Theater Lobby as posters from bad movies and every actor Hollywood hates is seen trampling around before cutting to Team TLOTA prep their proton packs then cutting to Shia LaBeouf Screaming like his usual annoying self before seeing Proton Streams come from Team TLOTA’s Proton Packs capture all of them before cutting to a trap vacuuming up all of them then cutting to James picking up the trap and giving the team the thumbs up before swish cutting to the words The Last of The  as a sparkle of white light comes up the logo and lands on the bottom of "The Last Of The" then pops out the word “Americans” all while Phelous singing the same lyrics he sang from his appearance in 2016's Last Of The Americans "Ghostbusters: Answer The Call" review with the instrumental of The Real Ghostbusters. Cut to James in his office) 

TLOTA:
I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and the views that I'm about to express are that of my own and some of yours. (Cut to clips from the 1984 "Ghostbusters" movie, Filmation's "Ghostbusters" animated series, & "The Real Ghostbusters" animated series as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
In 1984 Dan Ackroyd, the late Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson hit paydirt with the movie "Ghostbusters". While the movie was a hit, Filmation who created a live-action series called "The Ghost Busters" decided to piggyback the movie's success to create an animated spin-off, that series ended just as Columbia Pictures and DIC Entertainment released their own animated spin-off from the 1984 movie "The Real Ghostbusters" which lasted seven seasons. That's a long time in animation. However, after a sixty-five episode run in syndication, ABC picked the series up and knocked the series down by allowing Q-5 a consulting firm out of Canada to basically fix what wasn't broken giving us five seasons of bad writing, bad characterization, bad development, more Slimer than ever,  dumbed-down version of our protagonists and quite honestly a series I can say now was awful. However, I am glad to say NONE of the Q5 episodes are my favorites. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
That is why I am making this list of thirteen of my favorite episodes of "The Real Ghostbusters". That and I promised Phelous this when he announced some good news and I made a promise to do a list.  Now while I won't go over EVERY last rule Phelous has given me for doing this list. Here are the ones you need to know, One) These episodes are from the syndicated run. Two) There will be spoilers in this list. Three) There will be an acknowledgment of the 1984 Ghostbusters movie when it comes to a couple of episodes. Four) I know of the Bill Murray/Lorenzo Music connection, it will not be a factor in this list. Finally, these picks are the ones that I consider my favorites. If an episode that you like is not on this list, then let me know which ones that are your favorites in the comment section. (Static cuts James' feed as it cuts to Phelous.)

Phelous:
Now you wait a minute James. (Cut to James)

TLOTA:
Hi Phelous (Cut to Phelous)

Phelous:
There were other rules like...(Phelous goes on with his rules over James list as it cuts to James lowering the volume on Phelous' end and James cutting the camera feed on Phelous' end so only James can be seen.)

TLOTA:
This is my Top thirteen episodes of "The Real Ghostbusters" (Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to "The Real Ghostbusters" opening credit and the words "James Faraci The Last Of The Americans' Top 13 episodes of" as it switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 13

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "GHOST BUSTED". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
The Ghostbusters hit a dry spell as Paranormal activity hits a low, however, one day as the bills pile up and the four of them just decide to do a usual check when Peter interrupts a crime in progress which gives the team the idea to go into the Private Defense Market adjusting their weapons to stop criminals which leads the team to rescue Janine from the grips of Crimelord. Now, this may sound like a Q5 influenced episode but it would make sense in terms of the next level for these people who has this type of technology. It would make sense and it was a fun "What if" episode, should the ghosts go bye-bye for good. 
(Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 12

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "THE THING IN MRS. FAVERSHAM'S ATTIC". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
As noises in the attic of one Mrs. Faversham become so bad that it sounds demonic. She hires the Ghostbusters and in a moment of development for Peter says they'll take the case on for nothing! PETER VENKMAN! Peter, who is probably the most money-driven out of all the Ghostbusters, takes on a case for free. While it is discovered that the reason Peter is doing this for free is that Mrs. Faversham reminds Peter of his mom who had to raise him as a single mom and that Mrs. Faversham's father made a deal with a demon to make sure Mrs. Faversham is provided for. This one brings out the tears for both Peter and Mrs. Faversham. By the end, the feels will flow like water in the Hudson River during the Salmon fishing season. 
(Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switch to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 11

 (Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "THE REVENGE OF MURRAY THE MANTIS". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
The Ghostbusters are invited to be in a Thanksgiving Parade when ghosts that were believed to be destroyed in the battle with Gozer fuse into one entity and take over a balloon of Murray The Mantis, with their Proton Packs unable to do anything, the only hope our heroes have is to unleash The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. What happens is a battle Kaiju writers would only dream of! This episode was just a build-up to an awesome battle and the climax of the battle and that battle is awesome. It reminded me of a fight in the "Rocky" movies combined with the Kaiju battle. That fight makes the episode worth the watch.
(Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 10

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "NO ONE COMES TO LUPUSVILLE". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Hired by a man named Gregore, The Ghostbusters are hired to go to the town of Lupusville to rid the town of vampires. Unbeknownst to The Ghostbusters, half the town are vampires, and the other half are lycanthropes (werewolves).  With both factions having half The Ghostbusters hostage the Ghostbusters escape the war and realize both halves are going to fight forever, then decide to blow the dam and let them fight their own fight. I have to say that this episode is genius in the solution to the finale. The Ghostbusters saying "This isn't our fight! We're outta here."  Showing discretion to be the better part of valor and the smartest thing to do when caught between two implacable enemy factions. Enjoy this and see how smart the series can be without having to adhere to rules a group of people made who had no idea how to write an episode without having a test audience to decide every single word in a script.

(Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 9

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "ROLLERGHOSTER". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Egon and Janine are on a date when they come upon a carnival ride that looks suspiciously like "Ecto-1"! Upset by this ride the Ghostbusters the trouble starts as real ghosts aren't too happy as they haunt the ride. Even Peter gets in a good moment as he tells the owner to go shove it! But when the ghosts come back in full force, the Ghostbusters must stop the ride once and for all. I have to admit I liked this episode when the team does their thing to save the day and make the owner eat his greed and how this gives Janine development. Even if she doesn't get to strap on a proton pack to help bust the ghosts. A rollercoaster ride that is worthy of this list.

(Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 8

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "THE HEADLESS MOTORCYCLIST". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
The descendants of Ichabod Crane are haunted by the evolving spirit of The Headless Horseman to a more modern look with a Motorcycle and with Peter blamed for nearly killing someone The Headless Motorcyclist had on their "To Kill List". The Ghostbusters must now team up with the latest descendant to break the curse and rid themselves of the Headless Horseman/Motorcyclist once and for all. Talk about doing an update on the classic tale from Washington Irvine and taking a modern sensibility like turning the Horseman into the Motorcyclist and finally putting a lot of the story to rest. Absolutely an amazing watch

(Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 7 

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "THE COLLECT CALL OF CTHULU". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
The Necronomicon has come to the big apple and a cult that supports evil is going to use The Necronomicon to awaken Cthulu! And according to Egon in comparison, Gozer is a drop in the bucket! And the stars are in the right position to bring the gigantic beast the night after the book has been taken. Armed with only the proton packs on their back, and a scientist who studies in the occult can our heroes beat Cthulu and stop the cult from using the Necronomicon. This is one episode where everything worked. I loved how the story, the animation, the comedy even the mystery behind the cult was so great that it is worthy of this spot on the list.

(Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
We're already halfway through the list. (Cut to Phelous.)

Phelous:
You are? Tell me you're not going to take a break. (Cut to James)

TLOTA:
I have to, I've got personal business to deal with, and from what I've heard so do you and Allison! Remember every bit of news that happens to you does come to us on the lower rungs on the Internet Reviewing Chain. (Cut to Phelous.)

Phelous:
I highly doubt that...(Static cuts Phelous' feed as it cuts to Allison Pregler.)

Allison Pregler:
Hey James, Phelan, are you guys busy? (Cut to James.)

TLOTA:
Nope, he's all yours! (James walks away as it cuts to Allison Pregler as she talks to Phelous about things and Phelous just sits there and listens. 
Cut to a Ghost performed by Phelous in a black background and a red circle with a diagonal line through it slams on to Phelous’ Ghost Character as he says with a sigh  “James Faraci, The Last Of The Americans will be right back after these messages” as “The Real Ghostbusters” commercial sting plays in the background before cutting to a second of a black screen before cutting to Phelous’ Ghost Character with a welding arc looking to cut through the circle with the diagonal line before he gets rid of it, chuckles and says “We now return to James Faraci The Last Of The Americans” as “The Real Ghostbusters” commercial sting plays in the background before cutting to James in his office.)

TLOTA:
Well, it appears Phelous will be busy for a while. So...back to the countdown!

(Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 6

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "WHEN HALLOWEEN WAS FOREVER". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Ghost activity has been growing in the days leading to Halloween, giving our heroes a ton of work as little demons that would normally be a walk in the park for the Ghostbusters have added ten times the amount of work, not helping matters are relics from ancient Ireland, one of which has the spirit of Samhain. When two little goblins awaken the spirit, it has plans to keep the world in darkness and permanently set on October 31st at Midnight. Can the Ghostbusters bring back the light? Will they be able to rescue Slimer from being a forced servant of Samhain? Well, you better check it out. I love this episode! It has one of Peter's best one-liners of "Nobody picks on the spud, but me! Got it!" and the series now how has a well-known face of villainy so much so he appeared in the credits of the sequel series which I will talk about next year.

(Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 5

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "RAGNAROK & ROLL". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
This is an episode that you are going to remember for a LONG TIME! Jeremy, whose voice reminds me of Elvis: is despondent and is ready to bring about the end of the world with his hunchbacked friend DyTillio. Just imagine if Johnny from "The Room" instead of blowing his brains out decided to get a flute from Norse demons, drag Mark along as punishment for hooking up with Lisa, and having him survive Johnny's vengeance as he destroys the world.  However, Jeremy's wrath reaches New York as demons give The Ghostbusters tsouris. Jeremy sends his ex-girlfriend a piece of a scroll that when scanned by the PKE meter overloads it which made me read from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, AND DUCK! (Show clip of Egon tossing the overloaded PKE meter and telling everyone to duck as the PKE Meter explodes. Cut to the rest of the episode as James does a voiceover.) Armed with their Proton packs and thinking that this IS the end. While I won't give everything away, let me say that the stakes are as powerful as it is in the Number One Spot.  However, there does come a point in which The Ghostbusters decide that the only way to stop Jeremy was to overload their packs blowing themselves and Jeremy in the process. DAMN! Talk about a solution that had the ending not happened would've meant the end of The Ghostbusters, probably save us the Q5 era of the series. But I digress a hard episode with an awesome premise and a strong ending. Definitely worth being on this list.

(Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 4

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "VENKMAN'S GHOST REPELLERS". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Ships have been disappearing in the New Jersey Parallelogram, A localized version of the Bermuda Triangle and a team from the Coast Guard are going in with "Venkman's Ghost Repellers" which was made by Peter Venkman's father who happens to be a conman, which could explain Peter's actions in certain episodes. When our heroes are caught in the Parallelogram, it's up to The Ghostbusters to rescue the other ships and Peter's father who just so happens to be trapped in the Parallelogram. I really liked this episode, it had great comedy, great horror elements, and even better storytelling than most series have today. I say catch it before it disappears.

(Cut to the clip of the ship disappearing as Egon and James both say "AW NUTS!". Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 3

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "TAKE TWO". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
The Ghostbusters are going to Hollywood to make a movie about how the team came together. However, as production drags to a crawl as a ghost haunts the movie's production. So can our fearless foursome save their celluloid dreams or will the ghost cause a bigger bust to hit Hollywood since... well take your pick as to which is the worst movie Hollywood ever made. I loved how meta the episode was.  The references to the actual movie were done so perfunctory. However, as I was watching this for the Top 13 there was one character that really got me laughing. A director who I will call Walker for the sake of giving him a name is trying to get a movie done and the Ghostbusters interfered with a take leading to Walker blowing his top and getting into a shouting match with Peter and it was hilarious. However, as Walker is inspecting his robotic creation I think he may have called it "Megazord"! Now I know Haim Saban and Shuki Levy were on board the series but could they have gotten the name for the Megazord FROM this episode of The Real Ghostbusters?  Maybe. But this episode is a must-watch if you are a fan of the series and the movies.

(Cut to the shouting match between "Walker" & Peter as Peter shouts "OH YEAH?!" and "Walker" shouts "YEAH!". Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Number 2

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "CITIZEN GHOST". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
Considered the unofficial pilot for the series. This episode tells the tale as to how the Ghostbusters rebuilt the Containment Unit, The Firehouse, and how Slimer joined the group after the battle with Gozer. What I like about this episode is that it fills in a few of the plot holes from the first few episodes, like the new suits, how the series connects to the movie, and again how Slimer joined the team. To me, this is the episode to watch first so you know where everyone is after the 1984 movie. However, it's not my favorite. While I still watch it, there is one that I watch just a little more

(Cut to clips of "The Real Ghostbusters" as the instrumental which is used for the end credits are played as the scenes switches to the number illuminated in the same way as "The Real Ghostbusters" title card is as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (V.O.):
And My Number one favorite episode of The Real Ghostbusters IS... 

(Cut to the title card and the music that plays it as James says the title. "KNOCK KNOCK". Cut to clips from the episode as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (V.O.):
To me, this is THE definitive episode to watch. Subway workers trying to expand the tunnel lines in Manhattan when they come upon a door that says to them "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL DOOMSDAY!" which they ignore opening the doors WAY too early and given the state of the world today, I would say they should open it soon. But I digress, the Ghostbusters are brought in to seal the door shut until it is Doomsday. Can our heroes save the world, bring the entities that had come out of the Doomsday Door back, and seal the door once and for all? This episode is so good that I DARE not spoil it here. Everything worked here, Egon's speech as they find the doors and tells the others the plan, the execution of the episode, the music of the final act, the voice acting, so much greatness in one episode that it could've been a plot to a sequel to the original movie. If you haven't seen this episode then give yourself one chance to watch it BEFORE Doomsday!

(Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Are there any episodes that are your favorites? Even if Q5 had their dirty stupid hands involved. Let me know in the comments section below. (Cut to Phelous)

Phelous:
You got a couple of my favorite episodes on that list of yours but what about "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" or "Extreme Ghostbusters". (Cut to James)

TLOTA:
I will give them their reviews, Next year! Besides if that schmuck does it this year then he's a glutton for punishment. (The sound of a door-knocking is heard.) It's open! (Julia Alexa Miller walks in.)

Julia Alexa Miller:
I got the video set up and ready for you for your next review this month and I have to say, it doesn't sound scary. (Cut to Phelous)

Phelous:
Who is that and what did you have planned for your other review for the month? (Cut to James and Julia Alexa Miller.)

TLOTA:
Phelous, this is Alex. Alex, this is Phelous and my next review is none of your business because I work for Manic-Expression.com, not Phelous.com.  (Cut to Phelous)

Phelous:
Well if you wanted to get me involved then you shouldn't have said "I'm doing a top 13 List of The Real Ghostbusters" (Cut to James and Julia Alexa Miller)

Julia Alexa Miller:
He told me it was something nice for you because he and you like the Real Ghostbusters cartoon. (Cut to Phelous)

Phelous:
OH YEAH! (Cut to Julia Alexa Miller as she shouts "YEAH!" with power and strength as Phelous is launched screaming into the sky! Cut to James and Julia Alexa Miller.)

TLOTA:
Well, now on to the rest of the month. I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and that's my opinion. (Cut to a business office building as Phelous' screaming continues until he lands in a boardroom! Shaking himself off he sees a room filled with Consulting Executives and on the board is the "Q-5" logo. Phelous pulls out a weapon!)

Phelous:
Thank you, James & Alex! (Cut to black as the episode ending music from an ending of an episode of "The Real Ghostbusters" as screams of pain, agony, glass being shattered, bullets being shot, metal slashing through flesh,  blood being splattered on the black foreground.)

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