'Mookie and Pookie' stars Justine Bateman of 'Family Ties' as Susan a.k.a. Pookie, the female in a set of fraternal twins who's very much devoted to her brother Kevin a.k.a. Mookie (Ron Asher). Unfortunately, Mookie is terminally ill and passes away shortly into the episode. But his knowledge of technology allows him to continue being in touch with Pookie and their parents. The mother (Tippi Hedren) is willing to be open minded on the subject, but the father (George Sims) believes this is just an unhealthy fantasy on Pookies' part. Overall, as was said in the summary line, this is likable stuff, although it really has nothing to do with the "dark" side of life. Among the first few episodes of the 'Tales from the Darkside' series, it stands out for not revolving around any sort of horror, although it's not an uninteresting tale of unending love between siblings and the wonders of computers. 28 years ago, computers weren't as commonplace and were almost certainly looked at by some people as being rather exotic things. Therefore it was an easy enough task to come up with fanciful stories about them. Not that this is anything really special, but it's certainly not bad, either. The acting does help a great deal. Bateman is wonderful in the lead, and receives strong support from Hedren and Sims, and Asher leaves an impression in his brief time on screen. This tale comes with a twist, and is upbeat unlike previous episodes of the series. Therefore, it won't be for everybody. Seven out of 10.
14 Reviews
A different episode that doesn't really fit the series.
TOMNEL2 August 2006
For some reason this episode was so fantasy and light, non-violent that it seemed more like a light Twilight Zone episode or an episode of Amazing Stories. The plot of this one was there's a boy and girl twin. The boy dies, the girl finds that he saved his soul onto a computer. But dad doesn't believe it so he sells the computer, pulls the plug and does all kinds of obnoxious things to his deceased son. This episode was amusing, but it wasn't really what the series was about. I'd put this into the fantasy section of the series. Can be found on volume 3 on VHS
My rating: OK episode. 23 mins. TV PG
My rating: OK episode. 23 mins. TV PG
A computer brings back a deceased voice and begins a talking voice of it's own!
blanbrn13 August 2008
This "TFTD" episode titled "Mookie and Pookie" really isn't one that's spooky or suspenseful, yet it's more of a fantasy and sci-fi type homage to the computer world. Justine Bateman(of 1980's fame "Family Ties")stars as a teenage girl named Susan with the nickname of "Pookie" and she spends much of her time playing scrabble with the family and she enjoys communicating with her twin brother Kevin(nickname "Mookie"). All of a sudden Kevin dies and to pass the time and grief away Susan becomes a computer geek only she soon discovers this computer system has a voice of it's own as the dead can communicate with her and the family. Also a note classy and legendary Tippi Hedren(mother of sexy actress Melanie Griffith)stars as the mom of the family named Ruth. Really overall not a great episode but still it's carried due to it's star power and sci-fi like homage to computer fantasy technology.
Random and dated
Leofwine_draca12 April 2015
MOOKIE AND POOKIE - horrible title, by the way - is an early episode of the TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE TV series, but it doesn't contain anything in the way of horror. Instead this is more of a genteel family drama with some fantasy elements added to the mix. The storyline involves a couple of twins; the brother, who is a computer geek, is terminally ill, so he decides to transfer his spirit into his computer upon death.
There's no more story to it than that. The rest of the episode plays out with his sister trying to convince their parents that the brother's soul now resides within the computer. Most of the fun here comes from seeing the dated, 1984-era computer technology, which has always had nostalgia value for me. That and the presence of Tippi Hedren (THE BIRDS), the only familiar face in the cast...
There's no more story to it than that. The rest of the episode plays out with his sister trying to convince their parents that the brother's soul now resides within the computer. Most of the fun here comes from seeing the dated, 1984-era computer technology, which has always had nostalgia value for me. That and the presence of Tippi Hedren (THE BIRDS), the only familiar face in the cast...
Mookie and Pookie
Scarecrow-8811 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Unusual episode of Tales from the Darkside has a lighter, more heartwarming tone, although a sad death is the catalyst for the developing story regarding the loss of a sick teenage boy, Mookie (and computer genius), who has a specific request for his twin sister, Pookie (Justine Bateman of "Family Ties"; really adorable in this episode) as it pertains to his computer. Pookie (her real name is Susan) battles her father, Harold (George Sims) over keeping Mookie's (Ron Asher, whose name on the show is really Kevin) computer, insisting that he's "alive" inside the network, a voice synthesizer mimicking what his voice once sounded like. But can Pookie get her mother, Ruth (Tippi Hedren of Hitchcock's "The Birds" and "Marnie"), to talk pops into letting her keep the computer or will she *lose* Mookie forever? The supernatural aspect of this episode is the idea that a man can live within a computer—can a machine contain the soul of a person and exist within the mainframe of a computer system? This tale says it's possible. The music score for this particular episode is a bit intrusive, to tell you the truth, during the "important" parts of the story, such as Mookie's voice speaking aloud when his "life" is threatened (Daddy attempts to "pull the plug" which results in "red alerts"). This episode once again proves that Tales from the Darkside can seem to acquire some serious star power of old and then-fresh faces (in this case, Hedren and Bateman). This is more fantastical than creepy or grim as is often the case with Tales from the Darkside. Certainly a talking computer that seems to house the person that was Mookie is an interesting way to close the show, but I think those who watch TftD will be looking for tales more dark and edgy. The harmony of this family might be a bit too sugary sweet for some viewers, but I like that they are able to come together as a whole, eventually not accepting the loss of their beloved because his mortal body isn't present.
Nauseating, skip it!
sewlurid23 April 2024
I rarely write reviews but I felt compelled to follow up on this episode. I am fairly new to Tales From the Darkside, I probably caught a few episodes in my youth but memories are vague. Being a fan of anthology series this show came highly recommended to me. So far it's been a mixed bag but if I had seen Mookie and Pookie first I would've likely dropped it from my playlist entirely! It's so bad I'm shocked that the script was even considered in the first place, like no one had any objections. Unlike previous episodes, horror is not the theme here, I suppose it's drama? Albeit weak drama.
The episode starts with the family playing Scrabble while their terminally ill son is dying upstairs and communicating via intercom. This alone speaks volumes about how painfully stupid this episode is. Why would their terminally ill son be located upstairs? If he's entered into the stages of requiring palliative care he would be located on the main floor where he's accessible and one would think his family would almost never leave his side given the severity of the situation. But no. We're playing Scrabble with the equivalent of a glorified walkie talkie. This is good quality family time. It only gets worse from here. The intercom alerts them to Kevin's untimely passing and as we come to see, a formerly perfectly healthy specimen of youth, has collapsed in his bed. But how did the machine in the family room pick up that he's passed away? He isn't hooked up to anything! There's not even an IV drip, no electrodes, no monitor, he's just laying in bed. There's suspension of disbelief and then there's just garbage writing. And this isn't even getting into the weak technology they try to pass off as high tech. My personal highlight from this episode is when the parents casually discuss the possibility that the daughter must've hacked into a bank database... Like that's not exceptional or worrying? It's hilarious!
The sentiments are cheesy, the characters are weak and one dimensional, the ensuing arguments are roundabout, the whole thing is a pretty boring exercise in fantasy. And the names...I hate their nicknames. Why couldn't they just call them Kevin and Susan? Like the nicknames are supposed to drive home the fact that they're twins and they're really really close (they like to beat you over the head with the whole twins thing). This is not worth watching unless you're into 80's kitsch. It doesn't belong in this anthology series and takes it down a notch. I would skip it if you're new to the series.
The episode starts with the family playing Scrabble while their terminally ill son is dying upstairs and communicating via intercom. This alone speaks volumes about how painfully stupid this episode is. Why would their terminally ill son be located upstairs? If he's entered into the stages of requiring palliative care he would be located on the main floor where he's accessible and one would think his family would almost never leave his side given the severity of the situation. But no. We're playing Scrabble with the equivalent of a glorified walkie talkie. This is good quality family time. It only gets worse from here. The intercom alerts them to Kevin's untimely passing and as we come to see, a formerly perfectly healthy specimen of youth, has collapsed in his bed. But how did the machine in the family room pick up that he's passed away? He isn't hooked up to anything! There's not even an IV drip, no electrodes, no monitor, he's just laying in bed. There's suspension of disbelief and then there's just garbage writing. And this isn't even getting into the weak technology they try to pass off as high tech. My personal highlight from this episode is when the parents casually discuss the possibility that the daughter must've hacked into a bank database... Like that's not exceptional or worrying? It's hilarious!
The sentiments are cheesy, the characters are weak and one dimensional, the ensuing arguments are roundabout, the whole thing is a pretty boring exercise in fantasy. And the names...I hate their nicknames. Why couldn't they just call them Kevin and Susan? Like the nicknames are supposed to drive home the fact that they're twins and they're really really close (they like to beat you over the head with the whole twins thing). This is not worth watching unless you're into 80's kitsch. It doesn't belong in this anthology series and takes it down a notch. I would skip it if you're new to the series.
Dumb Episode
shellytwade14 January 2022
Nothing special.
poolandrews16 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Tales from the Darkside: Mookie and Pookie starts as terminally ill computer mad Kevin 'Mookie' Anderson (Ron Asher) gives his twin sister Susan 'Pookie' Anderson (Justine Bateman) some instructions & computer programmes, shortly after he dies. Susan decides to act on the information Kevin gave her & soon claims that Kevin's soul is somehow in the computer, however her parents Ruth (Tippi Hedren) & Charles (George Sims) take a lot more convincing. Charles decides to sell the computer, if he does Kevin's soul within the computer will be lost forever...
Episode 5 from season 1 this Tales from the Darkside story originally aired in the US during November 1984, directed by Timna Ranon I personally didn't like this one that much. The script by Dan Kleinman is a very light fantasy that wouldn't be out of place in the Disney section of your local video retailer, it has an unbearably sickly sweat happy ending which seems at odds with the series in general & this is far from the horror based show that Tales from the Darkside usually is. The story is also rather repetitive, dull & boring. I don't know, I just didn't like it & thought it was utterly forgettable & far too family friendly for my liking.
The main problem with Mookie and Pookie (besides the embarrassing title) is that it has dated badly, the computer equipment on show here looks ancient & is just so far removed from the home PC's we have today. That in itself isn't the program's fault as it was made in 1984 & that's the technology that was around then but since we can't do anything about watching it in the year 2007 it's a relevant point & it's sometimes hard to accept what's going on in an already silly story. Forget about any horror or scares as there isn't any in this one. The acting is alright as usual & it's well made.
Mookie and Pookie really isn't horror based at all, there's no scares, there's no monsters, there's no twist & it's predictable. Not one of the show's better efforts although at this point the producers were probably still finding their feet & experimenting with different ideas, well that's what I like to think anyway.
Episode 5 from season 1 this Tales from the Darkside story originally aired in the US during November 1984, directed by Timna Ranon I personally didn't like this one that much. The script by Dan Kleinman is a very light fantasy that wouldn't be out of place in the Disney section of your local video retailer, it has an unbearably sickly sweat happy ending which seems at odds with the series in general & this is far from the horror based show that Tales from the Darkside usually is. The story is also rather repetitive, dull & boring. I don't know, I just didn't like it & thought it was utterly forgettable & far too family friendly for my liking.
The main problem with Mookie and Pookie (besides the embarrassing title) is that it has dated badly, the computer equipment on show here looks ancient & is just so far removed from the home PC's we have today. That in itself isn't the program's fault as it was made in 1984 & that's the technology that was around then but since we can't do anything about watching it in the year 2007 it's a relevant point & it's sometimes hard to accept what's going on in an already silly story. Forget about any horror or scares as there isn't any in this one. The acting is alright as usual & it's well made.
Mookie and Pookie really isn't horror based at all, there's no scares, there's no monsters, there's no twist & it's predictable. Not one of the show's better efforts although at this point the producers were probably still finding their feet & experimenting with different ideas, well that's what I like to think anyway.
Offbeat and poignant change of pace episode
Woodyanders7 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Mookie (a touching portrayal by Ron Asher) and Pookie (a charming and vibrant performance by Justine Bateman) are very close fraternal twins. After Mookie learns that he has a terminal disease, he decides to download his mind into a computer. However, Pookie must figure out a way to stop her parents from pulling the plug. Director Timra Ramon, working from a quirky and moving script by Dan Kleinman, relates the intriguing story at a brisk pace, maintains a pleasant heartwarming tone throughout, and offers an affecting and interesting take on death and immortality. Moreover, the special bond between the two siblings gives the episode real substance and poignancy. Batemen holds everything together with her strong and appealing acting; she receives excellent support from George Sims as her skeptical father and Tippi Hedren as her more tolerant and open-minded mother. The conclusion for this one is unusually positive while the basic premise falls more into the realm of fantasy instead of the horror or thriller category, thereby making it a radical departure for this series. A nice show.
Absolutely illogical and downright stupid
callanvass4 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Twins, Mookie & Pookie are very close with one another, but Mookie is gravely ill. During a game of scrabble, Mookie is given a list of things to do by Mookie. Mookie passes away and Pookie becomes obsessed with honoring Mookie, which worries her parents, especially the father. Pookie starts hearing Mookie's voice inside the computer, but nobody believes Pookie. This episode makes me wonder if they decided to randomly throw some incoherent drivel together to make an episode. There have been a couple of good episodes in this series, but most of them lack coherency and fail to make any sense. This episode falls under that category in a big way, leaving us with too many unanswered questions. How does the brother manage to get inside the computer? We don't get any explanation at all. We don't even get an answer as to how Mookie got sick. I realize you need suspension of disbelief, but coherency would have been nice. It tries to load up on star power to hide the shortcomings. Tippi Hedren looks a tad embarrassed. Justine Bateman (Jason Bateman's sister) isn't interesting enough. As reviewers have pointed out. The computer equipment is badly dated as well. I would skip this episode if I were you
5/10
5/10
Soul in the Machine
kapelusznik1821 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
****SPOILERS**** Early "Tales from the Darkside" episode that addresses the internet age that at the time-1984-was in its infancy and mostly unknown to the general public. Susan & Kevin-internet names Pookie & Mookie-Anderson, Justine Bateman & Ron Asher, have been experiencing with their internet computer and came up with this idea of keeping Kevin-who's suffering from a fatal but unknown disease-alive by incorporating his brain into their computer after he passes away.
It's when Kevin finally kicks off that Susen tries to contact him in the world of cyberspace and succeeds. It's Susan's parents Ruth & Harold, Tippi Hedren & George Sims, who feel that she's going off the deep end and tries to get her away from her computer that they feel is the reason for it. It's later when Susan receives through Federal Express an voice sanitizers for her computer to access the dead Kevin's voice. It's then that the parents decide to get rid of her computer and sell it to the neighbor junk-man to save-in their minds- their daughter's sanity.
****SPOILERS**** With Kevin not willing to make his presents or spirit known to his parents in a last and final effort, just when he or the computer is about to be junked, speaks out through the voice sanitizers and convinces his parents that he in fact exists not in the real world but the world beyond. The happy ending to this strange and bizarre TFTDS episode is that the Anderson family in now together with their departed son Kevin a member of the family that, in being a spirit not flesh and blood, isn't a burden on them in needing food clothing as well as, when he was still alive, expensive life-supporting medical care for his fatal illness!
It's when Kevin finally kicks off that Susen tries to contact him in the world of cyberspace and succeeds. It's Susan's parents Ruth & Harold, Tippi Hedren & George Sims, who feel that she's going off the deep end and tries to get her away from her computer that they feel is the reason for it. It's later when Susan receives through Federal Express an voice sanitizers for her computer to access the dead Kevin's voice. It's then that the parents decide to get rid of her computer and sell it to the neighbor junk-man to save-in their minds- their daughter's sanity.
****SPOILERS**** With Kevin not willing to make his presents or spirit known to his parents in a last and final effort, just when he or the computer is about to be junked, speaks out through the voice sanitizers and convinces his parents that he in fact exists not in the real world but the world beyond. The happy ending to this strange and bizarre TFTDS episode is that the Anderson family in now together with their departed son Kevin a member of the family that, in being a spirit not flesh and blood, isn't a burden on them in needing food clothing as well as, when he was still alive, expensive life-supporting medical care for his fatal illness!
Technologically Dated in the Present Days, But Still Funny
claudio_carvalho10 March 2022
The teenagers Mookie and Pookie are twins and very connected to each other. Mookie is a computer expert but is terminally ill. He lives instructions to Pookie to finish the program he is developing and soon his family learns that he has been transferred himself to the computer.
"Mookie and Pookie" is an episode of "Tales from the Darkside" technologically dated in the present days, but still funny. Mookies has been transferred himself to his personal computer, and not to the Internet since it was not available to consumers year. Only in 1995, commercial Internet access started to be sold to consumers. It is also a great opportunity to see Ms. Tippi Hedren again. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "Mookie and Pookie"
"Mookie and Pookie" is an episode of "Tales from the Darkside" technologically dated in the present days, but still funny. Mookies has been transferred himself to his personal computer, and not to the Internet since it was not available to consumers year. Only in 1995, commercial Internet access started to be sold to consumers. It is also a great opportunity to see Ms. Tippi Hedren again. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "Mookie and Pookie"
Computer family love
BandSAboutMovies8 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Justine Bateman (Family Ties) stars as Susan "Pookie" Anderson, the twin sister of Kevin "Mookie" (Ron Asher). Sadly, Mookie has a terminal disease yet he is able to place his mind into his beloved computer, something their parents Harold (George Sims, who ran camera on Cassavetes' films Faces and Love Streams) and Ruth (Tippi Hedren!) can't seem to understand.
This episode was directed by Timna Ranon, who did two other episodes of this show and was on second unit for God's Gun. It was written by Marc Fields and Dan Kleinman, who wrote the only post-apocalyptic movie starring Mescach Taylor, Ultra Warrior.
It's a pretty simple concept and perhaps not the darkest of all episodes, but consider this one a palate cleanser.
This episode was directed by Timna Ranon, who did two other episodes of this show and was on second unit for God's Gun. It was written by Marc Fields and Dan Kleinman, who wrote the only post-apocalyptic movie starring Mescach Taylor, Ultra Warrior.
It's a pretty simple concept and perhaps not the darkest of all episodes, but consider this one a palate cleanser.
Different but fun
Bored_Dragon30 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Twin brother is terminally ill, finds his way to transfer himself to internet, but has no time to finish the program. He asks his twin sister to finish it for hi, but after he dies parents decide to sell the computer. Episode does not fit into series because it does not have horror elements, but it is probably the most entertaining one so far.
7,5/10.
7,5/10.
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