Before we return to the world of live action Ghostbusters villains, we are taking a short stop to look at a formidable foe from the cartoon. Samhain, the spirit of Halloween who imo could be considered the best recurring antagonist The Real Ghostbusters had. It’s kinda funny, I said I didn’t like the reboot using Gozer again and I stand by that but with Samhain, I’m more than okay with him being used more than once. I think this comes down to again, Samhain is the spirit and embodiment of Halloween, there is a lot you can do with that. Also, Samhain is based on actual legend.
“Samhain is observed from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st. It is the celebration that is the origin of Halloween. Samhain was first observed by Celtic Pagans. Samhain marked the Celtic New Year, the end of summer, and the end of the harvest season”.
Though the cartoon does mispronounce Samhain as they say it like it’s spelled. When reality, it’s pronounced saa wn. But heh, it’s a kids cartoon from the eighties. In many ways, Samhain shares similarities with the villain of Frozen Empire in how he is able to take control over other specters. Well except Slimer and he despises mortals. He is powerful and strong and doesn’t like being undermined.
First Appearance/Personality
We first see Samhain in the episode, When Halloween Was Forever having been trapped in a clock sent to NYC from Ireland. Again, tying back to the roots of the actual Samhain. He is freed by two unnamed goblin minions and this is where we get a feel of what Samhain is like in terms of personality. He is cold and believes himself to be above other spirits. When he returns in the not as good Halloween II 1/2, he is vengeful towards the boys and wants to make them pay for trapping him in the containment unit. What I find interesting is at the end of the first episode when we see him inside the containment unit, he’s just sitting there annoyed he lost.
I think this speaks to another angle of his character, his hubris. He can’t accept defeat as he’s Samhain and in his mind, that makes him all powerful.
Grand Desire
This is rather interesting as Samhain stops time in his first appearance to make Halloween last forever. Knowing he’s susceptible to light, it makes sense that we’d want to make night last forever and especially Halloween as that is how he draws his powers. This kinda reminds me of another version of Samhain from the anthology movie, Trick R’ Treat.
The rules of Halloween make sense here but I think it is a bit different with the RGB Samhain as Sam in that movie goes after people who have wronged innocents. This Samhain is interested in power and again hates mortals. He is appalled when he notices the stench of human coming off Slimer as he doesn’t believe ghosts should fraternize with flesh bags.
Most Evil Deed
I’d have to say his most evil deed came in his sequel episode as he held some kids known as the Junior Ghostbusters hostage. Personally, I’m okay with this as they’re the Scrappy Doo of this franchise. But harming kids in my opinion shows how far he is willing to go in getting what he wants. This speaks to how much he doesn’t value mortals and will do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
Lackeys
Goblins
I don’t know if these sillies have names and honestly I don’t care to find out. They contrast with the serious nature of Samhain and while that works for comedic purposes. But I don’t know if they’re truly needed as Samhain is an interesting enough villain on his own as he presents a serious threat to the boys.
Demise
As I mentioned in his first episode, he is defeated by light and we see him stewing in the containment unit. Well, things are a bit complicated so…
The Ghostbusters attack Samhain in his fortress and blast the stone from outside the fortress while Slimer attempts to save the kids. After the Jr. Ghostbusters are gotten out, the timestone is destroyed, causing the the entire fortress to crumble and unveil the Containment Unit (which was left open after Samhain’ escaped). With the Containment Unit still active, Samhain and his minions are sucked back into their prison.
Supposedly, Samhain appears in Teen Titans Go but this is a Ghostbusters only blog.
. I don’t care to look at that, I’m ambivalent towards the show but if the Ghostbusters aren’t involved, it doesn’t count for this blog.
Is Samhain a Good Villain?
He’s one of the best Ghostbusters villains and one of the most beloved from this franchise. I know many have said they’d like to see the live action Ghostbusters go up against Samhain but I feel like that ship has long since sailed. Still, he’s a great villain.
About Author
I still need to watch The Real Ghostbusters. It sounds like an interesting series with villains like Samhain.
It’s a fun cartoon and he’s one of the best villains
I remember when Extreme Ghostbusters premiered there was a ghost that looked remarkably similar to Samhain in the opening credits, which led some people to think he’d be returning as an antagonist to threaten the next generation, but sadly that never happened. He really was one of the stand out villains of the show, though. The pumpkin head isn’t that intimidating, but his menacing voice and powers showed he was a genuine threat. I forgot about how he’s just sulking in the containment unit after his defeat, though. There’s just something amusing about how the malevolent deities of the Ghostbusters universe get a major blow to their egos knowing that they were defeated by mere humans.
Major deities getting a blow to their ego from lowly humans also describes the next villain as well. Agreed, his design may not be much but how he carries himself is what makes him a great villain