Werewolf - Spectre of the Wolf

In Spectre of the Wolf, another episode of Werewolf (1987-1988) where Eric Cord (John J York) seeks advice and help from someone as he contends with the lycanthropy plaguing him, ultimately he once again comes up short, always one step ahead of hunter, Alamo Joe (Lance LeGault). In Spectre of the Wolf, an expert in the field and professor at a university, Dr. Victor Degoethels (Byrne Piven) has released a book on werewolves and is teaching a seminar/class on the subject Eric attends. Eric visits his home and requests his assistance/guidance in how to cure what ails him. Those who watched this show during its single season understand all too well Eric will fail to get the help he truly deserves. He’s cursed just as Lawrence Talbot was. Eric walks the earth from one place to another, traveling wherever he must in order to find that special someone who just might have that golden answer he stands in need of. Dr. Victor is probably one of the closest individuals Eric could encounter to help him. Instead he calls the police on him, has him somewhat bound in a research chamber behind what the doctor thought was reinforced walls and glass, but the werewolf that emerges won’t be having none of that. The window to the chamber breaks before the werewolf even goes through it, so this effect fails miserably. A werewolf transformation from the pilot is included in this episode to save some cash. This is basically Victor determining if Eric is truthful with him about his claims of being a werewolf. LeGault has a minor appearance at the beginning where he confronts Victor about contacting him if Eric seeks his help and at the end when his quarry is gone.

LeGault is a fun actor but this show simply did little with him which was a shame. That Chuck Connors never truly factored into the show as once anticipated is another blow to the show. Spectre of the Wolf doesn’t really capitalize on anything; it is but a buffer episode that promises possibility but Eric Cord, much like the show, passes by without much progression. Television has changed quite a bit since 1987, though. Forward movement of plot could be undermined by the need to drag a story on and on without any reward. Because this was about a young man on this journey, with life often meting to him disappointment and heartache time and again, forward movement would be considered detrimental (he must remain a werewolf or the show would not have its chief driving engine). So the series never truly gave Eric a proper conclusion, and he’s still out there looking for help…

Some unedited clips of the episode from Chiller TV below...