User Reviews

In probably the short-lived series most bafflingly atypical episode, on a dark, stormy night, the solar vehicle's energy is on fumes so Logan, Jessica, and Rem will have to find a place to sleep until daylight. They run afoul of Devil-worshipping ghosts who occupy a mansion, this trio desiring Jessica to offer her body as a vessel for their departed loved one! For some, I imagine this will be a refreshing bit of escapism from the usual "Logan, Jessica, and Rem run from Sandmen" formula, but, to me, it is a bit too out of character for a show that, while often taken to sci-fi flights of fancy, tries to remain somewhat grounded in realism and logic. When the script mentions Prince of Darkness and "fire and brimstone" in an episode of Logan's Run, I can't imagine many of the series' devotees could believe what they were hearing. It's nothing against religious themes, God, or the battle between good and evil, the Evil here in the form of the aforementioned Prince of Darkness, but this show has never really went off the rails into actually having our trio confront apparitions, coffins with the shell of a former love of the episode's chief ghoul who has spent plenty of time searching for the perfect candidate to house her spirit, a mirror that emits a secret room and the use of a key, and a Satanic ceremony. Not to mention, we see the ghosts appear and disappear, with Rem even befuddled by their presence. I have enjoyed every episode up until "Night Visitors", more suited for Night Gallery than Logan's Run, so there was bound to be a hiccup at some point. This is just a personal disappointment; I figure some might actually embrace this episode as a welcome change from the norm. I guess after following a great series of strong episodes, there was a desire for the show to end without a hitch. In my opinion, that was not to be. More or a less a curio for fans of the series, I wouldn't recommend this one to newcomers. I think the most memorable scene to glean from this unspectacular episode is that Logan and Jessica address their feelings for one another, sharing a "love kiss". George Maharis is Gavin, the lead ghoul, with Paul Mantee and Barbara Babcock as his followers (all three have a sinister quality to them that is appropriate for their characters).

In early 1978, the 'Logan's Run' television series was cancelled. Three episodes did not air in a network slot ( though they appeared later in syndication ); 'Night Visitors' is one of these. 'Logan' ( Gregory Harrison ), 'Jessica' ( Heather Menzies ), and 'Rem' ( Donald Moffat ) seek shelter in a creepy old house during a storm. They see objects moving by themselves, and ghostly figures who can vanish in the blink of an eye. 'Barton' ( Paul Mantee ) and 'Marianne' ( Barbara Babcock ) invite them to spend the night. They have no choice - the solar-craft is out of power. Logan thinks it has been tampered with and that the culprit is 'Gavin' ( George Maharis ). The mystery deepens; looking into a mirror, Logan sees not his own reflection but a room containing a coffin...

Written by producer Leonard Katzman and directed by Paul Krasny, 'Night Terrors' is not generally highly regarded by fans. Possibly because it does not feel like a 'Logan's Run' episode. Another reviewer has suggested 'Rod Serling's Night Gallery' and that is a fair comparison. Some interesting guest stars; Paul Mantee starred in the cult sci-fi movie 'Robinson Crusoe On Mars' ( 1964 ), Barbaba Babcock was in the 'Star Trek' episode 'A Taste Of Armaggeddon', while George Maharis was 'Buzz Murdock' in the series 'Route 66'. The episode might have worked had it been scary - it is not. The ghosts who inhabit the house want to sacrifice Jessica to the Devil so that Gavin's late wife can be restored to life. Though I do not see how she would be of any use to him - a dead man and a reincarnated woman is hardly a match made in heaven. The most notable thing about the episode is Logan and Jessica looking as though they might have fallen in love with one another at long last. But, by and large, it is a misfire. The ghosts do not even have the good sense to make Jessica to take all her clothes off before they sacrifice her!

So, everyone agrees that this is a bad episode; this fact in not in question. However, one can't help but notice the similarities between it and MST3K's most notorious episode.

A family of three get lost on a dark night, and they come across what is essentially Valley Lodge. Logan is Michael, the inept husband and father that stops after the family gets lost. They stay at a place where the caretaker (Torgo/Barton) is reluctant to let them stay. The Master (Gavin) wants Jessica (Margaret) as one of his wives. Rem is perhaps the equivalent of Debbie. However, unlike Manos, our heroes are able to escape. And the Lodge remains open to trap more unwary travelers.

Maybe not, but this is indeed a terrible episode of Logan's Run, a series that had more promise than it was given.