Unveiling the Jaw-Dropping Twists: Goosebumps Episode 6 Recap

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Goosebumps episode 6.

Summary

Harold Biddle's great-grandfather, Ephraim the Great, acquired Slappy the ventriloquist dummy with hopes of enhancing his magic act. However, Slappy's true essence was unveiled during their performances, as he transformed into a sentient dummy. This unexpected turn of events ultimately led to Ephraim the Great's success as a remarkable performer.

Slappy's plan went beyond making Ephraim rich and famous, but his powers were limited when Ephraim betrayed him. Goosebumps 2023 episode 6 shed light on Harold Biddle's backstory, but it also left viewers with some unanswered questions. The Goosebumps franchise has undergone significant changes over the years, from RL Stine's bestselling children's horror novels to the 1990s show adaptation and the meta-approach taken by the live-action comedy-horror movies. Now, Disney's Goosebumps reboot brings the series back as a self-contained horror-comedy, following a group of teenagers who discover that their parents are involved in a mysterious series of supernatural events that target them individually.

While the initial episodes of the Goosebumps 2023 series introduced Margot, James, Lucas, Isabella, and Isaiah, it was in season 1, episode 6, titled "Night of the Living Dummy," that the parents of these characters were introduced in a flashback. Throughout the first five episodes, the ghost of Harold Biddle possessed Mr. Bratt, a new teacher at the teens' high school. Biddle's ghost manipulated Mr. Bratt to provide the teenagers with cursed items, such as a camera, a haunted mask, and a scrapbook. In "Night of the Living Dummy," Mr. Bratt sat the teens down and elucidated his motivations for doing so, as well as the connection to their parents.

10 Harold Biddle’s Great Grandfather Was A (Bad) Magician

Instead of starting with Harold's childhood, he captivated the teens by possessing Mr. Bratt and delving into the captivating tale of Ephraim the Great, Harold's great-grandfather. Originally a talentless magician, Ephraim's fortunes changed when he acquired Slappy the ventriloquist dummy. Known for his menacing presence in Goosebumps, "Night of the Living Dummy" provided Slappy with a fresh origin story. Ephraim, despite struggling to make ends meet, purchased Slappy in a bid to enhance his magic act and escape the clutches of poverty.

9 Slappy Revealed His True Nature Onstage

Ephraim's attempt at ventriloquism was just as unsuccessful as his stage magic, resulting in a disastrous debut show with Sloppy. However, in a surprising turn of events, Slappy took on a life of his own, captivating the audience with his independent speech. This revelation transformed Ephraim the Great into a truly remarkable performer, as he possessed a sentient dummy in secret. Consequently, the ventriloquist began entertaining sold-out crowds. Unfortunately, Ephraim's dedication to Slappy ultimately led to the disintegration of his family, causing his wife to leave him.

8 Slappy’s Magic Extended Past Talking

Slappy had a sinister agenda that went beyond making Ephraim wealthy and renowned. In pursuit of this goal, he bestowed Ephraim with a spell capable of transforming his manager into a mere puppet. While Slappy's portrayal in Jack Black's live-action Goosebumps movies depicted him as a relatively benign antagonist suitable for children, this rendition of Slappy ventures into much darker territory. However, just as Slappy was about to divulge the full extent of his wicked scheme onscreen, Ephraim betrayed his puppet, incarcerating him inside a concealed box within his rustic hunting lodge residence.

7 Even Slappy’s Powers Had Their Limits

Slappy was frustrated as he couldn't convince Ephraim to carry out their ambitious plan. Unfortunately, Ephraim's owner locked Slappy in a crate before fulfilling his part of the deal. Sloppy grew even angrier, but he was powerless to make Ephraim set him free. However, everything changed when Ephraim passed away and his house was inherited by Harold Biddle's family - now Slappy had someone new to manipulate. While the first five episodes of Goosebumps made it seem like Harold alone was responsible for the cursed items and their effect on the teenagers, "Night of the Living Dummy" reveals the true role of Slappy in these events.

6 Harold’s Paranoia Was Justified

Harold harbored a deeply ingrained belief that he would face bullying at his new school, which resurfaced later when he alleged mistreatment by Sarah, Nora, and the parents of other teenagers. Although this perception proved to be inaccurate, it had a basis in his past experiences, particularly the exceptionally cruel bullying he endured at his previous school, a fact acknowledged by Harold's father.

5 Harold Owned All The Cursed Items

Harold's home was adorned with various items related to the iconic Goosebumps episodes. In episode 1, "Say Cheese and Die," his dad gifted him the camera, while in episode 4, "Go Eat Worms," he considered the worms as his beloved pets. Stored in his basement, the eponymous mask from episode 2, "The Haunted Mask," added to the eerie ambiance. Additionally, the cuckoo clock from episode 3, "The Cuckoo Clock of Doom," had once belonged to Ephraim's old residence. These earlier episodes of Goosebumps served as inspiration for the featured objects, all of which were connected to Harold's dwelling.

4 Slappy Made Harold Popular

Just like his great-grandfather, Harold's attempt to use Slappy as a ventriloquist's dummy proved to be less than stellar. However, things took a turn when Slappy unexpectedly came alive and began responding in real-time, earning Harold a standing ovation from his crush Sarah. Slappy's sharp wit, combined with Harold's seemingly impressive ventriloquism skills, quickly endeared him to Sarah's circle of friends. Unfortunately, Harold was too consumed by his obsession with Slappy to fully appreciate his newfound popularity.

3 Nora Saw Slappy Talking To Harold

Nora witnessed Slappy’s interaction with Harold in an empty classroom, but even from the beginning, no one believed her claims about the doll’s supernatural nature. Despite the rest of the Goosebumps 2023 cast dismissing Nora as crazy when she warned them about Harold's sinister intentions towards their children, this episode serves as proof that Nora has always been correct about the doll's supernatural menace. Even though Nora couldn't persuade her friends, she personally witnessed the doll speaking to Harold.

2 Harold Killed His Parents

Instead of Slappy, it was Harold who transformed his parents into dummies. He utilized the same spell that Slappy had shared with Ephraim to eliminate his manager, although it remains uncertain if this resulted in their instantaneous demise. Considering that Harold's house later burned down, it can be assumed they perished in the fiery inferno. Nevertheless, it is not entirely clear whether the act of turning into a dummy caused the deaths of both Harold's parents and Ephraim's manager. This ambiguity may be attributed to the fact that Goosebumps 2023 strives to maintain a relatively kid-friendly approach within the realm of horror media.

1 Harold Biddle’s “Bullies" Didn’t Kill Him

Harold's new friends, who were previously humiliated by Slappy's standup act, sought revenge on him. However, Sarah and Nora recognized that the dummy was manipulating Harold's actions and wanted to offer their assistance. While it cannot be denied that stealing the ventriloquist dummy and unintentionally setting his house on fire had negative consequences for Harold, the intention of the teenagers in Goosebumps 2023 episode 6 was not to cause serious harm.