'Chucky' Continues to be Peak Episodic Horror Television with 'I Liked to Be Hugged'

A new episode of Chucky airs every Thursday on Syfy and USA. Reader Beware Spoilers!!

The new horror series Chucky premiered its third episode last night on both, USA and Syfy networks. The series stars Brad Dourif, Zackary Arthur, Teo Briones, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Björgvin Arnarson, and Devon Sawa. Episode three saw young Jake (Arthur) grapple with the thought of becoming a killer and discover more about the young Charles Lee Ray a.k.a Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif).

Chucky not only keeps in step with the rest of the Child’s Play lore and aesthetic but also amps up the killer doll’s blood lust. In episode three, entitled “I Like To Be Hugged” we are asked the question: are killers born, or are they made? No only do we dive into Charles’ backstory to find answers, but we also see young Jake being pushed by everyone around him, including his doll. This brings us back to the heart and soul that was Child’s Play.

After installing his soul into the Good Guy Doll via voodoo ritual, Charles Lee Ray began to target children to do much of his bidding. This was a theme that reoccurred throughout the franchise including in the last film in 2017. From making Andy track down his marks in Child’s Play to using young Allison in Cult, he has a long history of hiding behind innocent children. However, the third episode in the series crafts this narrative with a bullied teen, who is having a very bad time in life.

Jake is struggling in every aspect of life, home, school and even friends do not come easy to him. While slowly dealing with the death of his father, he is also relentlessly bullied by his cousin’s girlfriend, Lexy (Lind). After a Halloween party, in which Lexy dressed as Jake’s dead father, Chucky sees his opportunity to convert Jake to a murderer.

With the doll in Jake’s ear, he attempts to carry out the plan but ultimately fails. He becomes anxious after he learns that his teacher has called a meeting between his aunt and uncle and Lexy’s parents. Meanwhile, Junior (Teo Briones) becomes more suspicious of Jake and tries to convince Lexy to apologize for the costume. However, she only does after she realizes that her sister wants the Chucky doll.

Seeing his chance, Chucky convinces Jake to hand him over and allow him to do what Jake couldn’t. With a bunch of fun scenes between the doll and Lexy’s little sister, Caroline, he crashes a quiet party and makes his move on the bully. Cut between flash back scenes of a child Charles Lee Ray, we discover the answer to the question. Some killers are made, but the best ones are born and just waiting for their moment.

What makes the series work is that it’s not rehashing old tropes and storylines. Instead the series takes themes that were the heart beat of the franchise and updates them in such a fun way. Moreover debuting the series episodically, as opposed to giving fans the full season to binge, keeps us on edge every week to see what new, crazy things the doll can do. Being able to become invested in Jake’s story, and getting bite sized insights into Charles Lee Ray makes for great horror tv for even the most passive fan.

We also tune in each week to see how and when the classic characters will arrive. We know Jennifer Tilly, Alex Vincent, Christine Elise, and more are all set to reprise their various roles. But, for now we are fully invested in Jake’s story with the doll and continue to look forward to seeing the payoff in the end.

A new episode of Chucky airs every Tuesday on Syfy and USA networks and stars Brad Dourif, Zackary Arthur, Teo Briones, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Björgvin Arnarson, and Devon Sawa. You can find the first three episodes streaming now on Syfy and USA networks. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for all things horror, sci-fi and more.

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