Ep 4. Only Sin Deep

In Tales From the Crypt season 1 episode 4, titled "Only Sin Deep," viewers are taken on a journey through the seedy underbelly of a bustling city. The protagonist of the episode, a beautiful but shallow young woman named Sylvia Vane, learns the hard way that beauty is only skin deep.

Sylvia is desperate for money and willing to do just about anything to get it. She decides to pawn off her most valuable asset: her beauty. After haggling with the pawnbroker, she is able to secure a large sum of cash in exchange for her physical appearance, which is extracted from her body like a coat.

Flush with cash, Sylvia quickly realizes that she no longer has the charm or charisma that once came so easily to her. She becomes embittered and paranoid, convinced that everyone is staring at her now-deformed features. As her behavior becomes increasingly erratic, Sylvia is forced to confront the realization that her defining trait was nothing more than a shallow facade.

The episode is rife with the shifty characters and morally dubious situations that are so iconic of the horror genre. Many of the characters are purposefully unlikable, yet still feel compelling due to their flaws and motivations. Tales From the Crypt season 1 episode 4 is also notable for its innovative use of prosthetics and makeup, which allow the episode's actors to fully inhabit their gruesome roles.

Overall, "Only Sin Deep" is a classic example of how the Tales From the Crypt series plays with traditional horror conventions to create something truly memorable. Viewers will be left questioning the true nature of beauty and how much we are willing to give up in exchange for it.