Go to the Head of the Class (21 Nov. 1986)

"Go to the Head of the Class" is unusual because it's one of only two episodes of "Amazing Stories" that is an hour long instead of the usual half hour--the other being episode 1.5. This creates quite a challenge, as maintaining pacing and sustaining the plot isn't easy with an expanded time slot.

This episode, like many others, is directed by a famous guy. In this case, Robert Zemeckis is at the helm and the show features Tom Coffey (who?), Mary Stuart Masterson and Christopher Lloyd.

Two loser high school students (Coffey and Masterson) hate their English teacher (Lloyd). However, the girl has a plan--to use black magic to get revenge. It calls for a fingertip of a blood relative and some incantations...but will it work? And where and how will they get this fingertip? And, if it does work, what exactly will the consequences be--foreseen and not?!

All the other reviewers really liked this one. I was less impressed--mostly because the show seemed to rely more on special effects than anything else. Now mind you, for 80s special effects, they are pretty cool (though once or twice, the prosthetic head seems a bit fake). Overall, fun to watch but I really think the show would have worked better in a shorter time slot as the pacing seemed a bit off.