The Screaming Episode is the twelfth episode of the second season, and is thought to be final episode of Candle Cove. It consists of Percy, the Laughingstock, Horace Horrible and the Skin-Taker screaming incessantly as they along with the sets are destroyed. Janice is also seen crying.
Details surrounding the production of this episode were revealed through interviews of previous crew members, and a memoir published by an anonymous set designer.
Original Episode
According to the set designer, the studio was threatening to cancel the show after the director, Emerson Grimes, made the show's tone too dark for children. He would change the scripts after they were already completed by the writers, adding in disturbing and violent scenes. The crewmembers shot down all of his more horrifying ideas to prevent them from ever coming to fruition. Without Grimes' knowledge, the writers and others in the crew came up with their own "final episode", in a last-ditch attempt to increase the ratings and save Candle Cove.
Originally, this episode was to feature one last showdown between Percy and the Skin-Taker to be "King of the Sea". During the episode, Percy would begin gaining more courage, and by the end would become a brave sea captain. The character Nathan would also return, as he disappeared after one episode which concerned viewers. He would sail in on a wooden raft with a group of buccaneers to help Percy and Janice defeat the Skin-Taker and his henchman Horace Horrible, who would both end up lost at sea, never to return.
Janice would finally leave Candle Cove to return to the real world, while Nathan would stay and go on quests with Percy and the Laughingstock. She would only show up on occasions to help them, when they were scared the most.
Production
Although the studio accepted this script and allowed the episode to go into production, Grimes locked himself in one of the editing rooms after receiving the script. He only emerged on the night of filming, appearing very disheveled and muttering to himself, handing out the new script that only contained one word: SCREAM.
The voice actors were ordered by Grimes to scream and shout as loud as they could. The Skin-Taker's actor Michael Colon screamed to the point where his throat started bleeding and he choked on his own blood, causing Janice's actress Jodie Silver to start crying uncontrollably.
The puppeteers were ordered by Grimes to shake and flail the puppets violently on the set, resulting in all of them being destroyed, with the exception of Horace who only suffered minor damage. The Skin-Taker's jaw was hanging off one hinge, and parts of his arms were torn off. The strings on Percy were broken, as were some of his parts from him being thrown about. The strings that operated the Laughingstock were snapped, and its foam jaw was on the floor in a pool of saw dust.
Once the filming was completed, Grimes took the footage and locked himself in the editing room. He seemingly disappeared the night the episode aired, and was never seen again. Although not verified by anyone else, stagehand Walter Shay claimed that he witnessed Grimes, alone, pleading to the set pieces as if they were alive, insisting that he did his job right. He started screaming and ripping his hair and teeth out, until he suddenly fell backwards and accidentally hung himself on a cord. Walter then buried Grimes' corpse in the woods behind the studio. However, after Walter walked back into the studio, he claimed that he felt something "eerie" in the Skin-Taker's puppet, as if it was watching him.
Trivia
- For a split second, the ManBearPig appears right at the end of this episode.
- There were three more episodes after this, but they never aired on public television. These episodes are believed to have been SEBTAW exclusive.
- Some speculate that the show was cancelled due to not having enough money to pay royalties owed after the cast singing "Yo Ho! A Pirate's Life for Me" in the first episode.
- It was claimed in an interview with the show's creators in 2001 that this "episode" was actually a broadcasting test. Why it involved the screaming was not touched upon. Of note is the mention that this is not actually an episode, and was not the reason Candle Cove was cancelled.
- It has been suggested that this episode is the result of an Eldritch Abomination driving the cast, except Janice, insane, and then later going on to eat the universe, causing the series to end.
Supposed Clip
Creepypasta Archives Candle Cove screaming episode
Supposed clip from the Screaming Episode. It is believed to be fake.
WARNING: VERY LOUD