EGON IS SLIMER AND SLIMER IS EGON

Slimer, Is That You?

Original Air date September 26, 1987^[1]

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

Director: Charles Grosvenor

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 5 of 5)

Summary:  The Ghostbusters are on a basic job where they encounter a powerful ghost who calls himself the Master of Shadows.  The Master considers the Ghostbusters worthy opponents especially Egon.  However he also plans on destroying New York.  After making that threat he disappears.

                Back at the firehouse Egon created a device that would allow him to communicate with the Master of Shadows.  This device works and the Master is impressed even considering Egon his equal.  Egon tells the Master that they are not equals and he is the Master’s superior in every way.  The Master challenges him to a mental duel the next day with New York as the prize.  After the communication ceases Slimer’s ectoplasm leaks onto the device causing a break down and Egon’s and Slimer’s minds switch “bodies.”

Slimer as Egon still doesn't know how to stop.

                Now they have two problems fixing Egon and Slimer and preparing for the battle with the Master of Shadows.  Slimer is content to keep on in Egon’s body as if nothing had occurred causing Egon to fear for his body’s health.  Egon stays back with Slimer to work on these problems while the other three go out to the field. 

Master of Shadows

                After another round the Master of Shadows they return to the firehouse to discover that Egon has managed to come up with a design to fix both of their problems but he needs Ray to build it.  In Slimer’s body Egon has hands that leak Ectoplasm.  Concerned about cutting the team down to only two, Egon goes with Peter and Winston.  However this leads to Egon discovering more problems in Slimer’s body.  As Slimer if he fires his particle thrower he is forced backward.  He also has brain drain moments when he can only focus on food.

                 Ray has completed his work on the device but it won’t be ready until during the battle with Master of Shadows.  Slimer hears the Master's and heroically sets out in Egon’s body hoping save the day.  As soon as the Ghostbusters realize he is gone they head out.  

                 The Master is perplexed with Slimer’s gibberish.  Then Egon attacks the Master as Slimer gloating to the Master that he can change form.  The Master utterly confused tries to blast Egon in Slimer’s body wasting a lot of energy.  Ray then pull the switch so Slimer is now himself again and is about to be creamed by the Master.  Egon calls out to to the Master from behind confusing him all over again.  The Ghostbusters are able to blast and trap the Master of Shadows.

               

                Back at the firehouse Egon and Slimer pretend the restoration of their selves wasn’t permanent and scare off the guys so they could sneak pizza.   

My Take: Okay so after watching this episode the first thing that comes to mind is if a ghost is supposed to be a soul or spirit outside of the body then shouldn’t Smiler had disappeared completely into and possessed Egon instead of them changing personalities?  Smiler in theory doesn’t have a body for Egon to take over.  Okay just suspend your disbelief and enjoy the show.

                Now for my stray observations:

·         The Master of Shadows seemed by a Ghostbuster fanboy at least an Egon fanboy.

·         Since Slimer was in Egon's body everyone worried about him eating too much.  I was more concerned about the other end.  Does Slimer know and remember how to go the bathroom and wipe himself?  Egon’s pants could have gotten brown if this episode lasted a little longer.

·         I was disappointed there wasn’t any more exploring by Egon of Slimer’s body.  What does it feel not have legs but can fly anywhere?  When Slimer changes from immaterial to material is this a conscious decision, does he have to focus more on one state than the other?  I would like to have seen Egon address some of these things.

·         We did see how Egon’s apatite increased and how easily he could lose focus.  Slimer once helped Egon on a really complicated math problem.  Is it possible that Slimer is really smart and it’s his body that tones down his mind to maintain his form?  You might say no because he didn’t act smarter as Egon but after years it might take time for his mind to recover.     

·         Why did Egon need his glasses in Slimer’s body?  And why didn’t Slimer need them? 

·         I love the finally battle scene and Egon mocking the Master of Shadows.

An awesome episode that I suspect most who watched it enjoyed it. 

---

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