American Gothic
From Sci-Fi on TV
Contents |
Synopsis
A horror-tinged series about an evil sheriff who has supernatural powers and uses them to control the citizens of a South Carolina town named Trinity.
Broadcast History
"American Gothic" aired on the CBS broadcast network. It premiered September 22, 1995. 22 episodes were produced, but only eighteen aired during the original network run. The remaining four episodes were later aired on the Sci Fi Channel in 1998.
On DVD / Video
| Title | Release Date |
| The Complete Series | October 25, 2005 |
Cast
- Gary Cole as Sheriff Lucas Buck
- Lucas Black as Caleb Temple
- Paige Turco as Gail Emory
- Brenda Bakke as Selena Coombs
- Sarah Paulson as Merlyn Temple
- Nick Searcy as Deputy Ben Healy
- Jake Weber as Dr. Matt Crower
- Christopher Fennell as Boone Mackenzie
- John Mese as Dr. Billy Peale
Episode List
"Pilot"
Aired: September 22, 1995
In the pilot, Sheriff Lucas Buck (Gary Cole) seeks custody of a boy (Lucas Black) whose father has been arrested for murder. But his claim is challenged by the town doctor (Jake Weber) and the boy's cousin (Paige Turco). Merlyn Temple: Sarah Paulson. Ben Healy: Nick Searcy. Selena: Brenda Bakke.
"A Tree Grows in Trinity"
Aired: September 29, 1995
Matt and Gail help the sheriff search for Caleb, unaware that the boy's receiving aid from Merlyn (Sarah Paulson). Harlan Jeeter: Ron Perkins. Curtis Z. Webb: David Lenthall. Matt: Jake Weber. Gail: Paige Turco. Caleb: Lucas Black. Buck: Gary Cole.
"Eye of the Beholder"
Aired: October 6, 1995
In his fight against Gail and Matt for Caleb, Lucas attempts to get Matt's friend Dr. Trulane (Michael Burgess) to testify against him. Meanwhile, Merlyn has plans of her own for Caleb. Sheryl: N'Bushe Wright. Judge Halpern: Bob Hannah. Miss Holt: Tina Lifford. Lucas: Gary Cole. Matt: Jake Weber.
"Damned If You Don't"
Aired: October 10, 1995
Buck works his malice on Carter Bowen (Steve Rankin), whose actions of 17 years ago come back to haunt him; Matt and Caleb bond while working on a project together. Wash Sutpen: Muse Watson. Etta: Judy Simpson Cook. Buck: Gary Cole. Matt: Jake Weber.
"Dead to the World"
Aired: October 13, 1995
Gail (Paige Turco) investigates the death of a friend, who she suspects might have been involved with Buck; Matt urges Ben to help his ex (Helen Baldwin), who's being abused by her second husband. Janice: Linda Pierce. Holly: Melissa Suzanne McBride. Buck: Gary Cole. Ben: Nick Searcy.
"Meet the Beetles"
Aired: October 20, 1995
The discovery of a man's skeleton in the rubble of the Temple farmhouse has the state police investigating Lucas (Gary Cole) and Selena (Brenda Bakke). Caleb: Lucas Black. Lt. Drey: Bruce Campbell. Ossie: Keith Flippen. Matt: Jake Weber.
"Strong Arm of the Law"
Aired: November 3, 1995
The murder of a political adversary of Buck's coincides with a visit from several suspicious characters, some of whom frighten Caleb, and pique Gail's curiosity. Barrett: Matt Craven. Just Eddie: Jim Gloster. Lowell: Richard Edson. Ben: Nick Searcy. Gail: Paige Turco. Buck: Gary Cole. Caleb: Lucas Black.
"Rebirth"
Aired: January 3, 1996
Merlyn decides to experience all she missed out on while alive, especially dating---but the object of her affection is one of Buck's lackeys; Gail's pregnant friend (Amy Steel) visits town. Ray: Danny Masterson. Gail: Paige Turco. Buck: Gary Cole. Matt: Jake Weber. Caleb: Lucas Black.
"Resurrector"
Aired: January 10, 1996
A radio talk-show host (Greg Travis) desperate to make it to TV considers drastic measures to attain his goals; Caleb organizes a "funeral" for Merlyn's spirit. Gloria: Irene Zeigler. Miss Holt: Tina Lifford. Buck: Gary Cole. Ben: Nick Searcy. Matt: Jake Weber.
"Inhumanitas"
Aired: January 17, 1996
Merlyn appears to Lucas and announces that she has come to destroy him, causing the sheriff to sense fear for the first time. Meanwhile, Father Tilden (Pat Hingle) summons the courage to face down Lucas in front of the congregation, leading to a violent encounter. Bertie: Wayne DeHart. Bryan: Tim Grimm. Barbara: Ruth Reid. Sue Ellen: Brandlyn Whitaker.
"The Plague Sower"
Aired: January 24, 1996
A mysterious disease plagues Trinity, prompting a Government medical official (John Mese) to clash with Sheriff Buck. A.E. Tippett: Michael Harding. Merlyn: Sarah Paulson. Buck: Gary Cole. Caleb: Lucas Black. Matt: Jake Weber.
"Doctor Death Takes a Holiday"
Aired: January 31, 1996
A woman (Veronica Cartwright) claiming to be Buck's mother tries to incite Matt to take action against the lawman. Judge Streeter: Will Leskin. Charlotte: Tamara Burnham. Billy: John Mese. Dr. Pike: Charles McLawhorn. Matt: Jake Weber. Buck: Gary Cole.
"The Beast Within"
Aired: July 3, 1996
Lucas conspires to help Ben prove himself a hero, and both men get their opportunity when Ben's brother (Jeff Perry) takes Lucas, Matt, Gail and Caleb hostage. Rita: Lynda Clark. Ben: Nick Searcy. Lucas: Gary Cole. Gail: Paige Turco. Matt: Jake Weber. Caleb: Lucas Black.
"To Hell and Back"
Aired: July 3, 1996
A car wreck involving a woman and her alcoholic husband unleashes demons for Matt. Meanwhile, Caleb and his friends become intrigued by a neighbor (W. Morgan Sheppard) spotted burying something in his backyard. Lilly: Andi Carnick. Matt: Jake Weber. Buck: Gary Cole.
"Learning to Crawl"
Aired: July 4, 1996
Caleb's near-death experience draws him closer to Buck, who uses a dangerous hostage situation to teach Caleb his evil ways. Ted Raimi. Cody: Stuart Greer. Jeri: Regan Forman. Billy: John Mese. Selena: Brenda Bakke. Gail: Paige Turco. Buck: Gary Cole. Caleb: Lucas Black.
"Triangle"
Aired: July 10, 1996
Gail's attempts to end her relationship with Buck hit a snag when she learns she's pregant. Meanwhile, Buck interferes in Selena's romance with Billy. Nurse Eichfreund: Robin Mullins. Buck: Gary Cole. Gail: Paige Turco. Selena: Brenda Baake. Billy: John Mese.
"The Buck Stops Here"
Aired: July 10, 1996
Caleb prepares to inherit Lucas Buck's throne after Buck angers one person too many. Part 1 of two. Yancy: Brent Jennings. Dr. Narone: Jim Antonio. Cecil Spurgeon: Dean Whitworth. Caleb: Lucas Black. Gail: Paige Turco. Buck: Gary Cole.
"Requiem"
Aired: July 11, 1996
Conclusion. As the people of Trinity prepare for Buck's funeral, murder suspect Billy investigates the circumstances of the sheriff's death. Narone: Jim Antonio. Ashley: Lindley Mayer. Billy: John Mese. Buck: Gary Cole. Gail: Paige Turco.
"Potato Boy"
Episode did not air during original network run. It later aired on the Sci Fi Channel.
A child (Max "Trip" Cogburn) called "the Potato Boy" piques the interest of Caleb---and the compassion of Merlyn; Ben tries to break his ties from the sheriff with the help of a psychiatrist (Joe Inscoe). Rose: Evan Wood. Miss Holt: Tina Lifford. Caleb: Lucas Black. Ben: Nick Searcy. Buck: Gary Cole.
"Ring of Fire"
Episode did not air during original network run. It later aired on the Sci Fi Channel.
Haunted by the loss of her parents, Gail makes a deal with Sheriff Buck to learn the truth about how they died. Christine Emory: Sandi Fix. Peter Emory: John Keenan. Gage Temple: Sonny Shroyer. Gail: Paige Turco. Buck: Gary Cole. Matt: Jake Weber. Caleb: Lucas Black.
"Echo of Your Last Goodbye"
Episode did not air during original network run. It later aired on the Sci Fi Channel.
Ben is haunted by visions of Merlyn and tries to learn the secret she's urging him to investigate. Meanwhile, Caleb seeks Buck's advice in coping with a bully. Billy: John Mese. Merlyn: Sarah Paulson. Ben: Nick Searcy. Gail: Paige Turco. Buck: Gary Cole.
"Strangler"
Episode did not air during original network run. It later aired on the Sci Fi Channel.
Seeking to destroy Merlyn, Lucas summons the ghost of the Boston Strangler. But the Strangler would like to do more than kill Merlyn.
