The Washingtonians

Infobox Television episode
Title = "The Washingtonians"
Series = Masters of Horror


Caption =
Season = 2
Episode = 12
Airdate = January 26, 2007
Production = 212
Writer = Richard Chizmar
Johnathon Schaech
Director = Peter Medak
Guests = Johnathon Schaech
Venus Terzo
Saul Rubinek
Chris Kalhoon
Richard Stroh
Julia Tortolano
Episode list =
Prev = The Black Cat
Next = Dream Cruise

"The Washingtonians" is the twelfth episode of the second season of "Masters of Horror", directed by Peter Medak. The episode is based on the short story written by Bentley Little. It details a man discovering a shocking secret about George Washington that could shatter the world's view of America forever, and the murderous brotherhood sworn to keep the secret safe.

Plot

Mike Franks (Johnathon Schaech) discovers a strange letter hidden behind a portrait of George Washington while searching through the home of his recently deceased grandmother. The letter states, "I Will Skin and Eat Your Children. Upon Finishing, I Shall Fashion Tools Out of Their Bones," with the signature "G. W.", along with a fork presumably made out of human bone. After his grandmother's funeral, his friend Samuel Adams tries to acquire the letter. When Mike refuses, members of a psychotic patriots group, with wooden teeth and dressed in powdered wigs and Revolutionary War attire begin to stalk the family and they eventually try to break into their house. They demand the letter, but are forced to leave by the arrival of the police.

Mike turns to Professor Harkinson (Saul Rubinek), a trusted friend and employee of the local university for information. Harkinson tells him about "the Washingtonians" and how history has been based on a false image designed to hide the truth (referring to Washington's cannibalism and the fact that Benjamin Franklin is a composite character based on the accomplishments of several lesser individuals). They are soon attacked by the Washingtonians once again and although Harkinson manages to escape, Mike, his wife Pam (Venus Terzo) and daughter Amy (Julia Tortolano) are abducted and taken to Mount Vernon, the home of the killer President.

It is here the Washingtonians' murderous and cannibalistic nature is verified, when Mike and his family are taken into a large, opulent dining room and witness a table full of Washingtonians feast on the mutilated body of a man. The Washingtonians reveal a history of their renowned leader. Apparently, during their stay at Valley Forge, Washington and his troops were stranded without supplies and forced to resort to cannibalism in order to survive. Washington liked the taste of human meat, having one man killed a day to satisfy him even after supplies came through. He intended to lead the country on a mission of turning everyone into cannibals much like him.

However, before any of the Washingtonians can do harm to Mike and his family, Harkinson and a team of FBI agents break in and kill all of the Washingtonians. Harkinson gives the letter back to Mike and tells him to expose the truth to the whole world.

Changes from the novel

The "Masters of Horror" episode was played in a more camp style than the original short story's black humor, and the ending was changed. Rather than having Harkinson and his fellow rescuers be cannibalistic redcoats, police arrive with him instead and the Washingtonians are simply shot down. An epilogue was added as well, in which 6 months after events the Franks have become vegetarians and to their shock Washington's face on the United States one-dollar bill is replaced with that of George W. Bush.

External links

*imdb title|id=0854548|title=The Washingtonians