Main cast: Harry Hamlin (Jerry Maclachlan), Deborah Lacey (Tanya), Beah Richards (Serita), and Page Fletcher (The Hitchhiker)
Director: Phillip Noyce

Jerry Maclachlan is a carefree, very wealthy bloke that owns lots of shares and properties. One of these properties, a super rundown building, is so badly maintained that an old man falls down the stairs after the railing gives way and almost has his neck broken.

Jerry, visiting the place for the first time, meets an old lady Serita and flippantly promises to renovate the place, add heat, et cetera. To his credit, he means it… until he realizes that he has to choose between fulfilling that promise and having his dream beach house built. Guess which one he decides is more important to him.

Unfortunately for him, this episode is called The Curse, so there are consequences when he decides to renege on his flippant promise to Serita.

First off, folks that are scared of snakes may want to skip this one, because these animals feature quite prominently in scary ways.

On the other hand, young Harry Hamlin shows off a lot of skin here, so folks that are scared of snakes but want to see Mr Hamlin bring on the pretty will have some tough decisions to make.

This is a straightforward episode that holds little surprises, except for the ending which actually sees the main character doing the right thing for once, and hence getting a happy ending. That’s pretty rare in a genre anthology show.

I’m not sure whether I can buy the happy ending, as the “redemption” is basically a choice between life and death so it’s not like Jerry changes for the better on his own.

Still, this is a well-paced episode with some memorable moments involving snakes, as well as Mr Hamlin’s character inadvertently shagging an old lady, so it does have some merits. Plus, Harry Hamlin bringing on the pretty doesn’t hurt either. All in all, it’s a pretty decent episode.