Just polished off this serial. I had gotten it as an XMas gift after dropping some strong hints to Santa and when Dave announced this one, it inspired me to begin watching

First of all, Dave,...this makes up for all of those Melies shorts you've been watching!!! smiley: grin. 15 episodes at, what, 20 minutes per ?...takes some significant chunks of time set aside.

Anyway...

I had long ago watched the team of Ben Wilson and Neva Gerber in The Power God and Officer 444. Both were o.k. but I was always intrigued whenever I'd read here and there that the team were much better in their earlier years. Don't know where I read that exactly (probably several places) but based on watching Trail of the Octopus, that assessment seems right on the mark. As for why that would be it's part because they were younger, part because the Serial Squadron did a really good job (music and sound effects were great) thus adding to the overall impression. But I think most of all, the duo just needed the proper vehicle to strut their stuff.

Some misc reactions:

- I detected a lot of Old Dark House elements (not that you'd classify TOTO as such but it did have its share of trap doors, hidden passages, etc.)
- things lagged for me a little in the middle chapters. This was not because the action or suspense was any worse but there was a certain air of "sameness". In all likelihood, I have myself to blame. If I'd watched an episode a week, this feeling might have been dampened considerably.
- the chapters with the ape man, the astral projections and the runaway comet tickled me fancy & highlighted the craziness. In true serial fashion, they threw every concept but the kitchen sink into this one. Oriental Black Death, Dynolife, Radio Atomite gas... indeed!

MILD SPOILERS

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In the very first chapter Carter Holmes receives a clue. It's the letters ABEFACE. He sits down on a piano stool near a painting of Abraham Lincoln hanging on the wall to contemplate the letters. I thought for sure that he'd look behind the painting, find nothing, regroup, have a revelation, play the notes A, B, E, F, A, C and E on the piano and, voila...some secret compartment would open up or some such.  But when he just simply strolled over and cut Honest Abe's face out of the painting to find what he's looking for, I realized I was over-thinking things for this kind of fare. And...when, several chapters later, Abe's picture is shown on the wall undamaged...I just said to myself, this is "serial logic" at work. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. This I did and it was loads of fun.

...it follows me!  It isn't this house alone, but in my office, the street; anywhere.  At times I have the uncanniest feeling that there is someone behind me.  I can feel their presence, almost hear their breathing, yet when I turn around there is no one.  In my room at night I have heard footsteps approach my bed.  I could swear there was someone there.  I've struggled to see something, anything; but if I did, I know I should go mad.
Last Edited By: Barbenfouillis Feb 4 13 4:20 PM. Edited 2 times.