The episode opens unconventionally, immediately signaling that this installment might be stretching for time. After the iconic opening theme concludes, viewers are presented with an extended sequence of picturesque aerial shots of Chicago. Set against the backdrop of the city’s skyline and Lakeshore Drive, the credits roll in silence, accompanied only by the episode’s music. This prolonged visual introduction, devoid of narration, serves as an unusual preamble to the narrative that is about to unfold.
Kolchak in a Hospital Bed: Setting the Scene
The story officially begins with Carl Kolchak, our intrepid reporter, confined to a hospital bed. His face is described in unflattering terms, likened to a “freezer burned pork chop,” suggesting a recent and likely unpleasant encounter. Even in this state, Kolchak’s mind is active, as he’s heard rambling about architecture and the essence of institutions, hinting at the episode’s themes even before they are fully revealed. This hospital setting for Kolchak is quickly revealed to be a temporary one, a precursor to his next assignment.
A Grand Hospital Dedication: An Event for Journalists?
Kolchak’s journalistic duties soon call, and he’s dispatched to cover the dedication ceremony of a brand-new hospital. The scene is set with a surprising number of journalists in attendance. The narrative voice questions the typical appeal of such an event to the press and public alike, humorously wondering if attendees are there to test the amenities or sample the hospital food. This sets a slightly offbeat tone, highlighting the perhaps mundane nature of the event Kolchak is assigned to cover, before supernatural elements inevitably intrude.
Deaths During Construction: A Dark Omen
Before the dedication ceremony can proceed smoothly, a darker element is introduced. It’s revealed that during the hospital’s construction, two Indian steel workers tragically fell to their deaths. The script emphasizes their ethnicity, which the narrator finds somewhat unusual, questioning the necessity of specifying “Indian steel workers” unless it’s a detail of particular relevance to the unfolding mystery, perhaps foreshadowing a cultural or spiritual dimension to the events.
Earthquake at the Opening: Chaos Ensues
The dedication ceremony commences with grand pronouncements, but the atmosphere of celebration is abruptly shattered. As a worker in the basement operates the fuse box, a sudden tremor rocks the hospital. The building shakes violently, cracks appear in the walls, and lights flicker ominously. The damage is significant enough to halt the ceremony, and as confusion and concern spread among the attendees, Kolchak, ever the opportunist, seizes the moment to slip away from the crowd. He discreetly follows a nurse into the hospital’s restricted areas, venturing beyond the public facade and into the operational heart of the institution, hinting at his investigation to come.
Security Lapses: A Recurring TV Trope
At this juncture, the narrative pauses for a meta-commentary segment titled “OKAY, BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER…” This section directly addresses a common trope in television shows, particularly those involving investigative reporting or similar scenarios. The focus is on the unrealistic ease with which characters like Kolchak can bypass hospital security. Despite being a recognizable reporter and making little effort to conceal his identity, Kolchak freely roams restricted hospital areas, unchallenged by medical staff and security personnel. This acknowledged implausibility, while a recurring element in many shows, is highlighted as a point of minor frustration, before the recap moves forward, accepting this convention as part of the narrative’s framework.
This episode sets a stage filled with both mundane and ominous elements, from the drawn-out opening to the hints of supernatural disturbance within the newly built hospital, all observed through the cynical and persistent lens of Carl Kolchak. The unusual focus on seemingly trivial details and acknowledged plot conveniences is characteristic of the series’ style, blending investigative journalism with the uncanny.
