SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 22:00 Min.
First aired on ABC-TV on September 16, 1989, this early Season 5 episode was directed by Will Meugniot. With New York City readily emanating evil, the apparitions of Professor James Moriarty and a monstrous (dragon-like) Hound of the Baskervilles arise to collect enough evil supernatural power to bring Moriarty back to ‘life.’ Courtesy of a primitive-looking automobile, the ghostly duo of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson subsequently chase their foes across the city.
Aiding Holmes in his rescue of an abducted Watson, only Winston Zeddemore initially senses the Ghostsbusters’ true foes in this odd skirmish. Worse yet, upon invading the Ghostbusters’ HQ, Moriarty intends to feed off the captured ghosts held in their containment chamber to make himself unstoppable.
Note: Egon speculates that, though Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters are indeed fictional, their ‘ghosts’ somehow manifest themselves because mass audiences firmly believe in them. Hence, Doyle’s characters exist in their own ‘quasi-reality.’
Dr. Peter Venkman: Dave Coulier
Dr. Raymond Stantz, Slimer, Hound, & Miscellaneous Voices: Frank Welker
Winston Zeddemore: Buster Jones
Janine Melnitz: Kath Soucie
Dr. Egon Spengler & Dr. John H. Watson: Maurice LaMarche
Sherlock Holmes: Alan Shearman
Louis Tully & Professor James Moriarty: Rodger Bumpass
REVIEW:
Aside from a nice homage referencing the original film’s library sequence, this episode doesn’t age well. Courtesy of a blah script geared towards first-graders with, at most, a rudimentary idea who Sherlock Holmes is, adults expecting little won’t be surprised. While it is fun seeing Winston essentially take command of the team, the flimsy plotting (much like the animation) won’t likely impress anyone.
More so, Dave Coulier’s annoying take on Venkman makes the show’s lead character sound as dim-witted as John Travolta’s Vinnie Barbarino on Welcome Back, Kotter. Let’s just say Venkman’s dubious contributions to this episode become an unwelcome distraction. Despite entertaining its undemanding target audience for twenty minutes, the content of “Elementary, My Dear Winston,” clearly falls short of its intriguing premise.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3½ Stars
IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE
