Chucky: Every Reference & Easter Egg In Episode 3

Warning: This post contains spoilers for Chucky season 1, episode 3.

Chucky episode 3, “I Like to Be Hugged” continued an established trend with a host of references to other horror classics and Easter eggs from the Child’s Play franchise. After seven movie adventures, creator Don Mancini brought Chucky the killer doll to TV. After being discovered by teen Jake Wheeler at a yard sale, the murder artist formerly known as Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) made his true self known. Rapidly, Chucky began terrorizing his hometown of Hackensack, Jersey, and a whole new generation.

The bodycount swiftly rose to include Jake’s abusive father Lucas (Devon Sawa) and, in Chucky episode 3, redemptive bully Oliver Hayden. Parallel to the brutal butchery so did the references and Easter eggs come thick and fast. In Chucky episode 1, “Death by Misadventure” there were nods to Twin Peaks, such as Brian De Palma-directed efforts like Carrie There were also callbacks to earlier Child’s Play installments for fans to catch too. Chucky’s original surviving victim Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent) called to warn Jake, there was a repeat of the classic battery checking moment and Jennifer Tilly’s Tiffany made a secret cameo.

Jumping to Chucky episode 3, the references came as soon as the title — “I Like to Be Hugged” – which is a nod to one of the Good Guy dolls’ most famous catchphrases. Here’s a breakdown of every reference and Easter egg in Chucky episode 3, “I Like to Be Hugged.”

“Completion Anxiety”

Following Chucky episode 2’s reference to Seed of Chucky‘s Glen/Glenda, the latest nod went to Nica Pierce (Fiona Dourif). When discussing Jake’s failure to kill Lexy Cross, Chucky mentioned Completion Anxiety. Such a condition was mentioned as the subject of Nica’s doctoral thesis and used to taunt the killer doll in Curse of Chucky.

Chucky Wants to Watch The News

After being gifted Chucky, Caroline was seen watching TV with her new friend to the end. At Chucky’s behest, their chosen viewing was the news. The moment called back to the original 1988’s Child’s Play, where Chucky told a babysitter (via Andy) that he wanted to watch the 9 o’clock news.

Westworld

Another reference in Chucky episode 3 comes prior to watching the news, which reveals Caroline’s show of choice is Westworld. The story of the series – and prior movies – similarly centered on beings created for entertainment that gain sentience and embark on murderous rampages. As such, it was likely a knowing, tongue-in-cheek nod on Don Mancini’s part.

“Everywhere Jake Wheeler Goes, Death Follows!”

Still investigating the deaths of several locals,  Detective Evans tells Miss Fairchild that “death seems to follow” Jake. Across multiple Child’s Play movies, the same was said about Andy Barclay as he was consistently found at crime scenes or generally left a trail of bodies in his wake, just like Jake does around Chucky’s cast of characters.

“Don’t Fear the Reaper”

Lexy’s choice of lullaby for Caroline was a rendition of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult. The song (or covers thereof) has graced many a horror film soundtrack, including 1978’s Halloween and even Rob Zombie’s 2007 remake. As with the former, Chucky episode 3 used it as foreshadowing, with a certain plastic reaper coming for Oliver and Lexy soon after.

“I Didn’t Say It, Chucky Did!”

After Caroline warned her that Chucky was coming to kill her, Lexy asked how she could say such a dark thing. “I didn’t say it,” Caroline replied. “Chucky did!” The line is a verbatim echo from the original Child’s Play movie After his babysitter was killed, Andy told his mother, Karen (Catherine Hicks), that “Maggie was a bitch and got what she deserved!” He then offered that same response when his mother similarly questioned him on it.

The Changeling

As Chucky unleashed chaos, Lexy’s mansion caught on fire. The blaze rapidly engulfed the second floor and stairs. The style of Chucky episode 3’s climactic moment was an homage to Peter Medak’s seminal 1980 horror movie The Changeling. Therein a mansion was also set ablaze by supernatural forces (albeit a vengeful ghost rather than a possessed doll).

Return Of The Lakeshore Strangler

While talking to Jake about different methods of murder, Chucky addressed an issue with his killer name and his difficulty living up to it in his doll form. Regardless, he clearly felt nostalgic for his Child’s Play Lakeshore Strangler days in Chucky episode 3, “I Like to Be Hugged,” opting for that style of attack for the first time in years while trying to kill Lexy.

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