IT'S NOT OVER TO THE FAT LADY RIDES ON A FLYING HORSE AND TRIES TO KILL THE MAIN SINGER

A Fright at the Opera

Original Air date: October 26, 1987^[1]

Writer: Mark Edward Edens

Director: Dale Schott

Main Cast:

• Lorenzo Music as Peter Venkman
• Frank Welker as Raymond Stantz
• Maurice LaMarche as Egon Spengler
• Arsenio Hall as Winston Zeddemore
• Laura Summer as Janine Melnitz
• Frank Welker as Slimer

(Rating 3 of 5)

Summary: Egon takes Peter to the Opera by tricking him into thinking he was going to a Mets game.  Egon is fascinated by the Opera and by its lead singer, the Diva.  While they are performing ghosts, later identified by Egon as the Valkyries, attacked the stage as “Ride of the Valkyries” was being performed.  Peter manages to save the Diva and the Valkyries ride away.

Peter tricked, Egon needs a real friend bad!

                Fearing this maybe the end of the Opera in New York, Egon volunteers the Ghostbusters services free of charge, which annoys Peter to no end.  When the Ghostbusters arrive at the Opera, the Diva wants Peter to be her personal protector.   While Peter is laying on a couch as the Diva sings to him, the other three Ghostbusters chase the Valkyries on the roof, later downstairs, and finally in the Opera House.  Peter gets kicked out of the Diva’s room, after she makes up with her boyfriend, and he joins the rest of the Ghostbusters who have a hard time blasting the Valkyries, even Winston who was so talented in the episode “the Boogieman Cometh.” Peter gets grabbed by the Valkyries but the Ghostbusters  are able to position a ghost trap so the Valkyries end up flying right into it. 

Peter doin' work.

                After the Ghostbusters get done celebrating their victory the Phantom of the Opera shows up complaining about all the noise the Ghostbusters have made and says he’s moving out.  That ghost leaves and the four men look at each other confused.

Enjoying the show!

My Take: So Egon, who I see as fellow Aspie, also has the Opera as a special interest in addition to the paranormal and fungus.  His excitement over showing his fellow Ghostbusters this world, and to have a possible role in the Opera as a type of stage help of Ghostbuster, is the entertainment of the episode.  The scene where they are getting ready and Egon wanted to wear a suit was hilarious.

Valkyries

                Now for my stray observations:

·         Egon loves the opera but he doesn’t know Peter. “Peter, I know you will love it!”

·         Egon having to lie to one of his friends is actually rather low, it’s one thing when you’re trying to save the world it’s another to outright lie about a joint activity.

·         Maybe if you went with Winston to the baseball game, you wouldn’t have to lie to get someone to go with you to the Opera.

·         I think the Opera is rich enough to pay for their ghostbusting services.  There is an old saying “Everyone pays for free service.” Every free job the Ghostbusters do that’s more money they have to charge everyone else.

·         I am afraid of heights that ladder scene really bothered me. If was impressive that with proton packs they were able to hand to the ladder and then monkey bar to safety. I doubt the live action cast could have pulled that off. 

Yeah, was not a fan.  I would be dead.

·         Why were the Ghostbusters firing like Stormtroopers?  Really those ladies shouldn’t be that hard to hit. 

·         Did anyone else notice Peter’s reappearing/disappearing proton pack?

·         The trap didn’t look right either.

·         Love the Phantom cameo.

Out of here!

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[1] Listed original air dates for entire syndicated season may not be correct.