The latest episode of Don Mancini’s “Chucky” begins with a brief recap of Seed of Chucky that signals a narrative shift. “Death on Denial” temporarily leaves behind the Catholic boarding school setting to pick up where we left off with Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly) cleaning up after a murder just as children Glen and Glenda (both played by Lachlan Watson) arrive. Episode four goes meta with this wild family reunion and then some.
This episode focuses on Tiffany’s attempts to entertain guests while hiding a bound, gagged, and Chucky-possessed Nica (Fiona Dourif) behind her locked bedroom door, setting up a sitcom scenario, albeit with a horror twist. It’s not just Glen and Glenda that splits Tiffany’s focus, but longtime friends of actress Jennifer Tilly’s: Joe Pantoliano, Gina Gershon, Sutton Stracke, and Meg Tilly. Each brings their baggage and history with Tilly to complicate Tiffany’s attempts to keep Nica a secret. But this is “Chucky,” meaning plans derail, and revelations shake up the season.
CHUCKY — “Death on Denial” Episode 204 — Pictured: (l-r) Joe Pantoliano as Himself, Meg Tilly as Herself, Lachlan Watson as Glenda, Tony Nappo as Jeeves — (Photo by: Rafy/SYFY)
No one can detect something’s amiss better than family, and those closest to Tiffany/Tilly notice she’s behaving strangely. Glen and Glenda are more subtle in their inquisitive probing of mom, while Meg Tilly is much more direct with an emotional confrontation. Meg wants to know what it was about that Chucky movie that changed her sister so much, still unaware that her actual sister hasn’t been home in a very long time. It’s up to Aunt Gina and Uncle Pants to bring the levity; this Bound reunion brings fan service and laughs.
“Death on Denial” gives the actors ample opportunity to cut loose and chew up the scenery. It serves as an infectious showcase for Jennifer Tilly, whose Tiffany is frantically running around trying to keep her guests occupied, adlibbing her way through unexpected hiccups. Meg Tilly also delivers an impressive range in short order, toggling between quippy sibling competitiveness and heart-wrenching vulnerability. Gershon, Pantoliano, and Stracke are more than game to riff off themselves with alternate personas. And Fiona Dourif continues to amaze with the ability to fully embody Chucky or Nica at a moment’s notice.
It’s Glen and Glenda that acts as the episode’s biggest mystery. The twins haven’t been seen since Seed of Chucky, making the years between a big question mark. Watson gives both distinct, separate personalities. It’s a more restrained performance; Glen and Glenda are working through some family dysfunction while quietly working to uncover mom’s secrets. That means they’re often observing or deliberate in their behavior, which is easy to overlook compared to the wild antics of their adult counterparts. The focus on Tiffany means there’s still so much more we want to know about Glen and Glenda and who they became in Chucky’s absence.
CHUCKY — “Death on Denial” Episode 204 — Pictured in this screengrab: (l-r) Lachlan Watson as Glenda, Meg Tilly as Herself, Lachlan Watson as Glen — (Photo by: SYFY)
All the unpredictable and unhinged situations in this episode build to an explosive final act that dramatically shifts the overarching season narrative. Careful control gets violently ripped away, shifting power dynamics in the process. From it emerges many more unanswered questions. Blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments bring shocking revelations that don’t quite get enough room to breathe but offer larger clues as to how this season’s two competing storylines could cohesively tie together.
We’re no closer to discovering what machinations Chucky has devised for his vengeance targets, but “Death on Denial” indicates the gloves may finally be off this season.
Watch new episodes of “Chucky” on Wednesdays at 9/8c on SYFY and USA Network.
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