Margaret (Tales From The Crypt)

Margaret (Blythe Danner) is the hidden main villainess from "Maniac at Large," episode 4.10 of Tales From The Crypt (airdate August 4, 1992).

Margaret was introduced as a quiet librarian who had heard stories of a serial killer roaming in the city, having already taken seven victims. She spends the entire episode worried about the killer, while also wondering about the culprit's identity. The episode's progression has Margaret suspecting Grady, the library's security guard, as well as Pipkin, an eccentric and frequent visitor to the library--who also had knowledge of the actions of serial killers.

The episode's climax had Margaret frightened over seeing Pipkin knocking at the front door, though Mrs. Pritchard (Margaret's boss) informed Margaret that Pipkin was only looking to return a pair of books he had checked out. The conversation switched to Margaret's fears regarding the killer, with Mrs. Pritchard stating that the killer could be a woman. That and the reveal that she intentionally cut off the phone led to Margaret believing that Pritchard was the killer, with Margaret mentioning that Pritchard believed that people get what they deserved, while also believing that she killed Grady during their verbal confrontation. Margaret later attacked Pritchard, which included grabbing a knife she confiscated from a vandal and stabbing her boss to death.

It was during this point that Margaret revealed herself as the true serial killer, and afterwards, Grady walked in and expressed shock over seeing Pritchard's body--as well as the realization that Margaret was the murderess. After her reveal, the evil Margaret stated that she had to "move on again"; claiming that she didn't like being afraid so much, leaving Margaret's fate unknown.

Quotes[]

"Well, I guess I have to resign; move on again. I liked it here, but this city made me nervous. So much crime. I don't like being afraid all the time. I'm sorry about giving such short notice. I hope you won't think too badly of me." (Margaret's statements after revealing herself as a serial killer)

Trivia[]

The episode was based on the story of the same name in the 1955 comic book "Crime SuspenStories #27". Margaret is named Blanche in this version and while her role and fate are very similar, her motive is slightly different in that it outright confirms that she truly believes that all of her victims were instead killers looking to murder her.