GHOSTBUSTERS DEALING WITH ANOTHER GHOST ON A TRAIN

Slimer Streak

Original Air date December 16, 1989

Writers: Pamela Hickey and Dennys McCoy

Director: Charles Grosvenor

Main Cast:

• Dave Coulier as Peter Venkman
• Frank Welker as Raymond Stantz
• Maurice LaMarche as Egon Spengler
• Buster Jones as Winston Zeddemore
• Kath Soucie as Janine Melnitz
• Frank Welker as Slimer
• Rodger Bumpass as Louis Tully

(Rating 5 of 5)

Summary: Winston is playing with his train set and trying to get Slimer to keep it clean.  Then the call came in, and the guys head out.  When they arrive at the Madison Square Garden they find that it is gone and the old Penn Station is standing.  As they go in they find a train.  They enter through the caboose and find a ghost who identifies himself as The Player.  The Player wants to challenge the Ghostbusters, who try to use their packs to no effect.  The Player says that he has games planned for them and if they fail they would be trapped in the ghost world for eternity.

This wasn't here before.

                The first challenge was a game of tag against a creature born to play it.  They fooled that creature by playing tag amongst themselves until the creature asked to join and was tagged.  The second was a giant pinball machine Winston was able to win this one with an assist from Slimer.  The third was a slot machine.  They all tried and failed time was running out.  Then Peter guessed from a phrase The Player used that Slimer was the answer.  This was correct.

The Player's challenge

                They Player swore he would return but he did leave and everything returned to normal. 

  

Heading to the Ghostworld before Slimer saved the day!

My Take:  As a season final this wasn’t bad.  The Player was arguably the most powerful villain they have ever faced.  His abilities reminded me of Star Trek’s Q or Superman’s Mr. Mxyzptlk as a seemingly all-powerful being who just wants to play with the heroes.

Now for my stray observations:

·         Now I thought it was established that Peter was the train enthusiast not Winston.

·         Some ghosts their packs aren’t effective but that was the first time that happened.

·         I noticed Slimer didn’t try to eat Winston’s train.

·         This character deserves a longer story arc.

This episode was a great introduction to a new villain and a great way to end the season.