Scream to Scream, Scene by Scene: SCENE 28 of Scream 2 (1:29:09-1:29:52)

In this project I attempt to review the entire Scream trilogy scene by scene in chronological order. Heavy spoilers and gore throughout!



SCENE 28 of Scream 2
Length: 0min 43secs
Primary Characters: Gale Weathers, Cotton Weary and Debbie Salt
Pop Culture References:

• None
  

A tiny scene this one, but pivotal for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it acts as a bridge between scenes and gives Gale a reason to be at the big climax. Secondly, and more importantly, it adds further dimension to the Gale/Cotton relationship and gives Cotton's heroic reveal an added dimension.


Yeah, I'd probably react that way if giant booming music suddenly appeared as I walked right into a prime suspect in the serial killings to which I was very nearly a victim of.


Love the bait and switch here. The sight of Cotton with blood all over his hands surely implies - as Gale suspects - that he is a killer, and this suspicion results in her running right into the open arms of the actual killer, someone she didn't suspect for a single moment. It works though because even if Cotton was the killer it would have made sense as a viable outcome (and still makes more sense than, say, Mickey), and yet still one that could have shocked. By including this bit here his hero turn in the climax proves to be the real Cotton Weary twist. If that makes sense. Does that make sense? It probably doesn't make sense. Basically what I mean "omg fake twist!! ooh!"


Yes, Gale's trust issues result in her running right into the real killer's web, but if you were her and saw Cotton with someone's blood all over them you'd probably suspect him to be a homicidal maniac, too!


Not a good look. Also, I love thinking that Naomi Watts and Liev Shreiber have DVD nights where they watch their old pre-fame horror movies like this and Children of the Corn 4: The Gathering. Liev clearly has the upper hand in that fight.


Run Gale, run! I've said it time and time again, but I love how so much of Scream 2 follows the blueprint of the original Scream to the letter and yet it never once feels like it's being repetitious or stale. Sometimes it's obvious like the replication of the "opening scene" and all that, but other times it's less obvious like this bit. This part actually reminds me of when Sidney turns around to see Stu and asks for help, only to discover that oops he's a killer!


"Gale, I was right in the middle of a story."


"I've got your god damn story!"


"The killer is Cotton FUCKING Weary!"


"Cotton Weary?!?"
Firstly, I love Courteney's line reading of "Cotton FUCKING Weary!"

Secondly, I love how completely obvious it is from Debbie Salt's reaction that she's actually the killer. Of course, I wouldn't have noticed this the first time, but her "gee!" tone of sarcasm is really obvious. To be honest, even her mere presence in the proceedings this late in the game was a big giveaway I say, since these sort of secondary characters either die or disappear by this stage unless, as is the case here, they turn out to be the mystery villain. Meanwhile, say hello to Laurie Metcalfe's crazy bug eyes! They'll be with us in full force during the next scene.

Scream:
Intro, Scene 1 Scene 2, Scene 3, Scene 4, Scene 5, Scene 6, Scene 7, Scene 8, Scene 9, Scene 10, Scene 11, Scene 12, Scene 13, Scene 14, Scene 15, Scene 16, Scene 17, Scene 18, Scene 19, Scene 20, Scene 21, Scene 22, Scene 23, Scene 24, Scene 25, Scene 26, Scene 27, Scene 28, Scene 29, Scene 30, Scene 31 Scene 32, Scene 33, End Credits

Scream 2
Scene 1, Scene 2, Scene 3, Scene 4, Scene 5, Scene 6, Scene 7, Scene 8, Scene 9, Scene 10, Scene 11, Scene 12, Scene 13, Scene 14. Scene 15, Scene 16, Scene 17, Scene 18, Scene 19, Scene 20, Scene 21, Scene 22, Scene 23, Scene 24, Scene 25, Scene 26, Scene 27