Creatures of the Night

Season 2, Episode 21, Aired

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A serial killer is to be released from a New Jersey prison based on a plea bargain made twenty-five years ago. Philadelphia homicide is asked to locate a potential crime committed while the killer was living in Philadelphia during the summer of 1977. A doorman was found strangled to death in a subway station in full uniform. The plot follows an evening at "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" involving the doorman, his girlfriend and the future serial killer. Valens received word from NYPD that his girlfriend was involved with credit card fraud and there's a warrant out for her arrest.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (6)

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  • We can never judge another (spoilers)

    10
    "Perfect"
    By karlmeszaros, Jun 02, 2009
    I was left with a different feeling than after most Cold Case episodes as I did not find it as sad as the others. In fact, I though it was rather enjoyable in that the team's work saved lives given that the killer said he had much work to do when he got out.

    I also enjoyed the change to the standard plot line in that the team was not looking to find a killer, but to tie a murder to a specific individual.

    I do not want to imply for a moment that Roy is not responsible for his actions because he is, as I believe we all are. At the same time, I thought it was an excellent portrayal of how deeply one's character can be molded by authority figures. The utterly contemptible reaction of his father to Roy's innocent feelings for a girl and the aunt's bizarre over-reaction to innocent fun with Kelly at The Rocky Horror Picture Show sowed the seeds for what the young man became.

    Obviously Roy had his own serious psychological problems because sadly many, many children are abused and do not become criminals never mind serial killers. Still, as Aunt Louise horrifying recognizes, she played a part, however small, in how Roy turned out.moreless

  • With a race against time before a serial killer is released, New Jersey cops ask the detectives if they can link their killer to a cold case, prompting them to believe he killed Mike in 1977.moreless

    8.5
    "Great"
    By luckydagangsta, Jun 05, 2008
    Twice in a row, this series brings me episodes taht present hardly only emotion. Once again, there's not much insight into the victim's life to care when he dies. In this episode there's actually more insight into the killer than the victim. Although in this series, it is always sad to hear the victim talk about their dreams and plans for the future knowing their never come true.

    The whole "wow" style of acting kind of annoyed me, but I guess it makes sense because of the big role "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" played. In all of the flashbacks the people always had this "wow" kind of look on their faces except for, of course, the villain who instead looked just plain pyshco. And over acting, although it's quite obvious that was done on purpose.

    The storyline itself, wasn't that bad. It was fairly well-written in most parts, but when I watch a Cold Case episode, I expect it to move me to the point of nearly tears and this episode just didn't do that for me.moreless

  • I'm just a "Rocky" fan! :)

    10
    "Perfect"
    By cuteiris, May 02, 2007
    And I really loved this episode! Enjoyed every espect of it. There's nothing more I can add to what others wrote, I think they did a brilliant job and they couldn't have done it better!
    The way they filmed the past scenes is so similar to the original movie, and as a "Rocky" fan there was nothing more I could have asked for. I only wish my english was better and would have enabled me to desricbe my impression from this apisode more accuratly...

    Which reminds me I haven't watched "Rocky" for ages! I have to go to a show (which surprisingly we do have here in Israel) again!moreless

  • Best blend of various media ever.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By karinagw, Jan 02, 2006
    I cannot begin to express my admiration for the vision, talent and skill that went into the production of this episode.

    This is my favorite non-emotionally-involving episode of Cold Case. Whoever arranged the sound score for this episode worked hand in glove with the film editor for the perfection that was the timing of this show. Others have talked about the blending of the movie soundtrack and the scenes. But, they also were very specific about what was happenening on the movie screen during scenes that were set in the movie theatre...utterly brilliant.

    Then there's the direction. The flashbacks were directed in the exact cheesy style of Rocky Horror Picture Show, especially the actor who played Mike. It was without a doubt the absolutely best ever.

    This episode ranks up in my top 5 favorite television episodes ever.moreless

  • Interesting chapter, I've never imagine that could fit so well the story to the rocky horror picture show soundtrack.

    7.5
    "Good"
    By angelusbolt, Dec 12, 2005
    It's a very curious episode, just not only because the assasin role election (Barry Bostwick) who appears in the Rocky Horror Show Picture proyection inside the chapter. It's amazing how that film soundtrack fits with the story of this kind of show as is cold case, It seems that music is around along the episode
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  • TRIVIA (2)

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    • Many times in this episode the scene syncs up with the music or a scene from The Rocky Horror Picture Show: - While the doorman is being killed, I'm Going Home is heard on the soundtrack. - While the song Over at the Frankenstein Place is playing, there is a close-up of Valens through the shutters of a window at the same time in the song where Riff Raff is seen through the shutters of a window in the movie. - Highlight for a spoiler: There is also irony in playing Over at the Frankenstein Place as the last song. In the song there is a line "There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place"; the killer murdered those on who he saw 'God's light'.

    • Nitpick: In the episode, Mike and Kelly are at the theater watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1977, talking during the song Sweet Transvestite. After the line "satanic mechanic" and the audience callback "S and M", which is only about two thirds of the way into the song, the music suddenly crescendos and ends, to be replaced by the song Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me, which in reality should occur several scenes further into the movie.

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  • NOTES (6)

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  • ALLUSIONS (3)

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    • The character Roy Anthony is loosely based on real-life serial killer Coral Eugene Watts. Like Roy Anthony, Watts accepted a plea bargain that nearly resulted in him being released from prison. In Watts' case, he was scheduled for release in May 2006, after serving nearly 24 years in a Texas prison for assault and burglary. However, that scheduled release was prevented in 2004, when he was charged, tried, and convicted of a 1979 Michigan murder. Sentenced to life in prison for that crime (and later given another life sentence for another murder), Watts remained incarcerated until his death on September 21, 2007.

    • Title: Creatures of the Night The title of this episode comes from a line in the song Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me. Like every song in this episode, the song is from the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and it is also heard in this episode.

    • The Rocky Horror Picture Show The 1975 horror/comedy/musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show, based on the stage play by the same name, was a huge cult hit. In many theaters fans of the movie would perform the scenes on stage simultaneously as the movie was running, similarly as in this episode.

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