Creepshow/Pesticide

Pesticide
Season 2, Episode 2B
Release date	April 8, 2021
Written by	Frank Dietz
Directed by	Greg Nicotero
Produced by	Mitchell Galin
← 2x02A Dead and Breakfast	2x03A → The Right Snuff
Creepshow — Season Two

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Pesticide is part of the second episode of the second season of Creepshow, and the eighth episode overall.

Starring: Josh McDermitt (Harlan), Keith David (Murdoch), Ashley Laurence (Brenda)

Additional Cast: Andy Rusk (Stunt Coordinator), Jason Kehler (Harlan Stunt Double), Alex Hill (Gaunt Stunt Vagrant), Jake Garber (Puppeteer #2), Gino Crognale (Puppeteer #6), Jeff Himmel (Puppeteer #4)

Plot Overview

An exterminator is asked to eliminate human pests and is soon haunted by his decision.

Trivia

The Show

• The ashtray from "Father's Day" can be seen on a shelf in Harlan's apartment, surrounded by a vast collection of chemicals.

• The comic cover for this story has the tagline "They're Creeping up on you!" This is the title of the final story in the first Creepshow film.

• Cockroaches, which are heavily featured in the above story, make appearances in this story as well.

• Among the homeless is a man in a yellow slicker carrying a sign reading "DOVER", a reference to the story "The Hitch-hiker" from Creepshow 2.

Allusions and References

• Mr. Murdoch, who is implied to be the Devil, is played Keith David. David previously played Mr. Simms in Tales from the Hood 2, who was also revealed to be the Devil.

• Ashley Laurence plays Brenda, the therapist who may or may not have demonic connections, and who is known for also playing Kristy Cotton in the Hellraiser series of films.

• Laurence's role as a therapist is a particular reference to Hellbound: Hellraiser II, which also featured an evil therapist.

• A coaster in Brenda's office also features the design of the Lament Configuration from the first Hellraiser film.

• Harlan calls the insect he steps on in the opening scene "Beetlejuice", named after the title character from the 1988 film of the same name.

• Harlan quotes Mary Howitt's 1829 poem The Spider and the Fly to himself as he inspects Brenda's office.

• The abandoned factory where Murdoch and Harlan meet is mentioned to be located on a street named "Willard Boulevard". This is a reference to the title character of the 1968 novel Ratman's Notebooks, which was adapted into the 1971 film Willard.