Characters You HATED to see die!! Episode 2, Ms. Van Deusen
Ok, it’s no secret that the majority of Friday fans watch
each chapter hoping to be shocked and awed by the extravagant and often
explicit ways that each would be victim will be dispensed in. It could even be argued that some characters
are set up just for the payoff of rooting for and enjoying their bloody ends -
we’re looking at you Bad News Crews…
Having said that, every so often one of the films would
present a demise that not only caught fans off guard, but we were actually sad
to see them meet their maker.
While the first chapter of the discussion explored the
gruesome end of our original heroine Alice Hardy, we are fast forwarding all
the way to when Jason took Times Square; or at least walked around a bit in it. While Jason’s body count was one of his
highest in this entry there was one that every viewer can’t help but let out an
awwww when they meet their end. Of
course we are talking about everyone’s favourite teacher and mentor Ms. Van
Deusen, played by the loveable Barbara Bingham.
Collen Van Deusen was not only this misfit filled high school’s
most influential English teacher, she also served as Mother figure to this
chapter’s heroine to be Rennie Wickham played by Jensen Daggett. When we are first introduced to Rennie, she
is with Ms. Van Deusen as they travel to the dock to board the doomed ship
carrying the partying graduating class and of course stow-away Jason. Before you can say “Teacher’s Pet,” good ole
Collen is even presenting Rennnie with a heart-warming gift; Stephen King’s old
fountain pen, a touching sentiment as Rennie is an aspiring writer!
Throughout the film, Ms. Van Deusen not only acts as Rennie’s
protector, but also doubles as the voice of reason. She keeps the group grounded and constantly
uses her powers of redirection to calm the irrational anger from Rennie’s own
Uncle Charles McCullough (Peter Mark Richman) who could tie with The New Blood’s
Dr. Crews as a character we are just itching to see bite it in the worst way…and
are not let down!
Having said that, it’s clear that Van Deusen will not make
it to the end. The character’s use
becomes limited and she clearly is not going to be the one standing up to the
menacing force that is Voorhees at the climax.
The question becomes more how will she go? Traditionally in the genre, these type of do-no-wrong
but still expendable characters make their exit one of two ways. The first, an over the top violent and gruesome
death! This device is commonly used to
heighten the threat posed by the main villain, as a character the audience likes
and does not expect to see so brutally disposed of is used by the antagonist as
proof that no-one is safe. Think Danny
Trejo in Rob Zombie’s Halloween or Paula in Jason Lives. The second fate is a subtle and usually
off-screen demise, softening the blow of the character’s exit so that the
audience doesn’t get too angry with the filmmakers.
Well Ms. Van Deusen’s sweet nature seemed to pay off in the
end, as she is given the privilege of the latter. While our gang make their way through the
back alleys of Vancouver…I mean New York City…they make off in a high speed
police cruiser, only to have Rennie’s visions drive her (literally) into a
wall. With McCullough’s continued
arrogance, Van Deusen is left unconscious in the fire engulfed car which then
explodes before she can be rescued. While
her death was quick and off screen, it is not without merit to the story’s
progression. The blow to Rennie leads to
her fully realizing the visions that have been haunting her throughout the
film, a memory of an early childhood encounter with Jason in Crystal Lake
spurred by her Uncle’s sadistic lessons.
RIP Ms. Van Deusen and thank you, for all your sacrifices and
selflessness!
