Tales from the Darkside Season 4 Episode 7 The Yattering and Jack

The Yattering and Jack is the seventh episode of the fourth season of the horror anthology series Tales from the Darkside. The episode is based on a short story of the same name by British horror writer Clive Barker.

The episode revolves around a man named Jack Polo who lives a mundane life with his family. One day, a mischievous demon called the Yattering is assigned to haunt him by Jack's late uncle, Mr. Polo who was a powerful sorcerer. The Yattering is an imp who enjoys causing chaos and possesses the ability to move small objects and control electrical devices. However, the catch is that the demon cannot physically harm Jack, and must cause him to lose his sanity instead.

Throughout the episode, the Yattering attempts to torment Jack in various ways such as breaking his valuables, setting his house on fire, and constantly making annoying and high-pitched noises. The Yattering's antics cause problems for Jack at his workplace and even his marriage, but Jack manages to keep a level head, not giving into the demon's madness.

As the episode progresses, the Yattering becomes increasingly frustrated with Jack's lack of reaction to his torment and begins to question his purpose. He soon discovers that the late Mr. Polo had tricked him by assigning him to haunt the wrong person. It was not Jack but his pet cat, Scratch, who was supposed to be the true target all along, a fact which Jack himself discovers at the end of the episode.

In the final moments of the episode, the Yattering, having failed miserably at his task, is forced to live out his days as a helpless servant of Scratch the cat. The episode concludes with Jack and his family blissfully unaware of all the chaos and madness that surrounded them.

The Yattering and Jack is a classic episode of the series that showcases the producers' and writers' talent for creating a genuinely frightening atmosphere with minimal effects and cheap costumes. The story of a demon trying to cause mayhem on an unsuspecting target only to fail miserably in the end adds a touch of humor to an otherwise dark and sinister plot.

The episode is memorable for featuring a standout guest performance by Tony Azito as the Yattering. His portrayal of an imp trying to cause chaos at every turn is entertaining and just creepy enough to make viewers feel uneasy.

Overall, The Yattering and Jack is a must-watch for fans of the horror genre and a great example of the creative storytelling that Tales from the Darkside is known for.