It's a Good Life - Recap

A monster has removed the town of Peaksville, Ohio from reality. Or has destroyed the entire world and left only Peaksville behind. The monster has cut off all electricity to the town and destroyed all of the machines, using just the power of his mind. He lives at the home of Mr. Freemont and his wife. When Aunt Amy accidentally sang, she upset the monster which destroyed her mind. Now everyone has to keep smiling and think happy thoughts, or the monster will mutilate or kill them as well by reading their minds and sending them to the cornfield.



The monster? Innocent-looking six-year-old boy Anthony Freemont.



Bill Soames deliver groceries to the Freemont home, smiling and saying everything is good. He sees Anthony playing with a three-headed gopher that he created, but then casually destroys. Bill goes inside and makes his delivery to Mrs. Freemont, noting that they're running out of food. He insists that Mrs. Freemont tell Anthony that he brought Anthony's favorite soup, but is quick to leave. Mrs. Freemont talks about how Anthony created an animal the other day that almost bit him, and starts to wonder about what would have happened if it did. She quickly covers up her thoughts and talks about how tonight is television night and they're throwing a surprise party for Dan Hollis. After Bill leaves, she goes outside and the mentally-stricken Aunt Amy starts talking about how hot it is and that Anthony can't read their minds this far away when he's in the barn. Mrs. Fremont warns her that Anthony can hear their thoughts anywhere at any time. Anthony comes back and Mrs. Freemont start saying that the weather's good, that everything's good.



Mr. Freemont is cleaning up when Anthony comes into his room. He cautiously asks his son if he's done anything to the cows, which Anthony says he hasn't. Yet. Anthony complains there aren't any other children to play with but Mr. Freemont notes that the last time any children came over, Anthony sent them to the cornfield. As they're talking, Bill Soames' collie is barking outside. An irritable Anthony finally goes over to the window and "sends it to the cornfield" just by looking at it, and Mr. Freemont keeps praising him.



That night is television night, and Anthony has everyone watch the dinosaur show that he's created for them. Everyone is endlessly happy with it and Mrs. Freemont announces Dan's surprise party. Dan's wife gives him a Perry Como record but they tell Dan not to play it because he might accidentally get to the singing part and irritate Anthony. They have Pat Riley play music on the piano while Dan starts drinking heavily despite his wife's warnings. He starts talking about how they're almost out of whiskey and Pat has trouble playing. Finally Dan snaps and tells Pat to play "Happy Birthday" while he sings the words. Dan snaps at the Freemonts, blaming them for giving birth to the monster, and Anthony gets increasingly mad with him. Dan finally challenges the boy and tells the others to attack Anthony while the boy's attention is on him. Aunt Amy briefly considers a fireplace poker but doesn't do anything, and the others can't even bring themselves to think bad thoughts. Anthony finally uses his powers and turns Dan into a jack-in-the-box, and Mr. Freemont begs him to send Dan to the cornfield. Anthony agrees and everyone else makes sure to think good thoughts. Outside it starts to snow, ruining half the crops, and Mr. Freemont only loses his temper but remembers just in time to think and says that it's a good life for all of them.



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