I really loved the Friday the 13th prequel series Crystal Lake (you can read my review HERE), and one of the most enjoyable things about it is seeing how much reverence the show has for the movies. The Peacock series has its own characters, storylines, and some very unexpected ideas about the history of Pamela and Jason Voorhees, but it’s also made by people who clearly know the franchise inside and out.
Throughout its first season, Crystal Lake drops in familiar faces, locations, props, lines, scenes, and visual callbacks. From returning characters and recreated murder scenes to Jason’s shack, deep-cut references to franchise history, and even a callback to Jason Takes Manhattan, the first season is packed with connections to the movies.
Here are some of the many Easter eggs and references hidden throughout Crystal Lake. Beware: spoilers ahead!
Familiar Characters and a Surprise Cameo
Pamela and Jason (played by Linda Cardellini and, for the most part, Callum Vinson) aren’t the only characters to be brought back from the Friday the 13th films. Crystal Lake also features several characters who haven’t been seen since the franchise’s earliest days. These include:
Trudy and Enos
One of the first locations visited in the original Friday the 13th was Hartung’s Diner, where we were introduced to owner/waitress Trudy (Dorothy Kobs), oil truck driver Enos (Rex Everhart), and a stylish middle-aged woman played by Mary Rocco. While fans are left to assume that the unnamed woman served as the inspiration for Crystal Lake character Rita (Joy Suprano), there’s no question that Crystal Lake features slightly younger versions of the Trudy and Enos characters, played here by Bernadette Quigley and Daniel Stewart Sherman.
Seeing these characters exist in Crystal Lake years before the events of the original movie is one of the little touches that helps the show feel like it’s building toward the story we’ve known for decades. Trudy and Enos are featured in several scenes throughout the series, and Enos even has a disturbing experience out in the woods that will surely help inform his opinion that “Camp Crystal Lake is jinxed.”
Steve Christy
Steve Christy is another familiar name from Friday the 13th, as he was one of the ill-fated characters in that first movie (where he was played by Peter Brouwer). He’s the owner of Camp Crystal Lake in the original movie, and Crystal Lake gets to show us a much younger version of the character (played by Dan Thompson) before the events that will eventually put him in charge of the camp. Here, he’s a teenage counselor who likes to party and tell campfire stories.
Crazy Ralph’s Early Days
“Town crazy” Ralph isn’t just wandering around Crystal Lake warning people about the dangers of the woods; he’s in the thick of the story, noticing strange things in the woods before anybody else does and being accused of terrible things. Ralph was an off-kilter prophet of doom in the first two movies, where he was played by Walt Gorney. In Crystal Lake, there’s an explanation for his behavior: he’s a veteran of two wars who’s haunted by the horrible events he witnessed on the battlefields.
Ralph delivers some of his familiar warnings in the show, makes inappropriate comments, and freaks out and annoys people. It’s nice to see that, even at this point in their lives, Enos was having to stop Ralph from bothering people, much as he does in Friday the 13th.
Barry and Claudette Return
Barry and Claudette (Willie Adams and Debra S. Hayes) were the first two characters introduced in the original Friday the 13th, and Crystal Lake gives their story a new dimension by revisiting the events that made them part of the franchise’s history. In the 1980 film, the pair sneak away from the other counselors to have sex in a boathouse, only to get brutally murdered. The prequel recreates that memorable sequence while adding new context to their relationship and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Their return is especially rewarding for longtime fans because Crystal Lake doesn’t simply repeat what happened in the original movie. It revisits a familiar piece of Friday the 13th history and finds more story to tell, even giving new significance to Claudette’s passing reference to someone named Mary Ann. The fact that they like to use football terms during foreplay is an expansion of the “Barry’s out of bounds” line from the movie.
Dorf Is on the Case
Screenwriter Victor Miller didn’t like the fact that producer/director Sean S. Cunningham had another writer (Ron Kurz) add a scene into the original film where the counselors at Camp Crystal Lake receive a visit from a goofy, over-confident motorcycle cop named Dorf (Ron Millkie). Miller wanted it to feel like the characters were completely isolated at the camp, and he felt that a visit from a cop ruined that illusion. Fans have always found Dorf to be a fun, amusing addition to the film, though – and 46 years later, Officer Dorf (now played by Cameron Scoggins) turns out to be one of the most entertaining characters in Crystal Lake.
The character is frequently ridiculous, but he has more depth than you might expect… and there’s a great throughline involving his love of martial arts movies, which extends to owning shurikens.
Mark Nelson’s Cameo
When Crystal Lake was heading toward production under the guidance of Bryan Fuller, the plan was for original Friday the 13th heroine Adrienne King to have a recurring role on the show. That plan changed when Brad Caleb Kane took over as showrunner; Kane felt that it was too early for the show to feature extremely recognizable faces from the franchise’s past… but that doesn’t mean that Crystal Lake season 1 is lacking Friday the 13th cast members entirely.
By the sixth episode, journalist Briana Brooks (Devin Kessler) is deep into an investigation of Bellflower chemical company’s involvement with Pamela Voorhees. When her boss, Dick Wagner, goes looking for her at her desk to assist company representatives, this character is played by Mark Nelson, who played Ned Rubenstein in original Friday the 13th. It’s a small role, but it’s a fun surprise to see an actor from 1980 film return to franchise in an entirely different part.
Familiar Locations, Props, and Vehicles
Downtown Crystal Lake and Hartung’s Diner
Although I have a special place in my heart for version of downtown Crystal Lake that was featured in Jason Lives: Friday The 13th Part VI, which was filmed in Covington, Georgia; best decision Kane made for Crystal Lake series was return filming location original film: Blairstown New Jersey. Blairstown was first version Crystal Lake we ever saw; it’s Crystal Lake again for this series looking just like did 46 years ago.
Blairstown is home Hartung’s Diner (most commonly referred “Trudy’s”), one recognizable locations brought back for show; diner seen original Friday The 13th , series uses it as regular meeting spot Crystal Lake community.
Enos’s Truck and Pamela’s Jeep
Enos isn’t just back for prequel; he also has his oil truck another small visual connection original movie longtime fans will appreciate; Jeep driven Pamela another piece recognizable imagery works into its world.
Jason’s Wilderness Survival Gear
When Jason young receives collection items includes tent machete flashlight wilderness survival guide; Pamela tells him learning hunt fish will make woods his; sequence works more than character development it’s also neat bit connective tissue Jason we eventually meet Friday The 13th Part II.
Jason’s Shack
The shack doesn’t look exactly like cinematic counterpart but maybe it will receive some renovations as years go by; establishes shack already crumbling structure abandoned piece property when Jason stumbled across it as child.
Jason’s Part 2 Look
Speaking Part II , Crystal Lake also works clothing evokes Jason’s appearance Friday The 13th Part II; At end first episode , Pamela imagines holding hands with presumed-deceased son , outfit little Jason wearing quite similar clothes wears first sequel . It’s kind thing might not register major Easter egg unless you’re familiar with Jason’s early appearances .
There’s another nod Jason’s Part II look later season , when he’s shown wearing sack on head – this sack serves double reference , because happens have “SS Lazarus ” stenciled on it ; completely unexpected nod ship Friday The 13th Part VIII : Jason Takes Manhattan !
Jason doesn’t pair sack with exact replica his Part II clothes , but instead some items stolen Crazy Ralph’s clothesline moment reminiscent beginning Friday The 13th Part III .
Here’s one disappointment : although Crystal Lake filmed same area Friday The 13th , makers show were not able secure original camp location Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco filming location ; It wasn’t lacking trying ; they asked told camp not available ; So , they moved over nearby place called Camp Ocawasin .
The original movies rarely gave us much opportunity see Camp Crystal lake functioning actual summer camp ; By time most sequels take place , things gone horribly wrong there ; Crystal lake gets show camp operating , young people arriving counselors working there ; last time franchise really gave us particular sight was Jason Lives : Friday The 13th Part VI so seeing populated , functioning Camp Crystal lake again pretty special ; As they say show gives campers chance make some ” Crystal lake memories ” which itself reference title great book documentary covered franchise .
Recreated Scenes Visual Callbacks
The Canoe Jump Scare
At beginning second episode , we get recreation one most famous moments franchise ; Pamela rows canoe out onto crystal lake , then rotting corpse suddenly rises water behind her ; It’s not shot-for-shot remake , but it’s clearly recreating famous final jump scare original Friday The 13th ; imagined shots Jason beneath surface water also bring mind moment Jason Takes Manhattan .
Willow’s Walk Into Town
Something glorious happens early fourth episode , this one my favorite Easter eggs entire season ; When hippie Willow arrives crystal lake , her walk town recreation Annie’s walk near beginning original Friday The 13th ; It’s not merely similar idea ; staging deliberately modeled after Annie’s arrival .
Willow’s route even takes her same place Annie went : Hartung’s Diner , where she talks Trudy while trying figure out where she needs go ; It’s great combination returning location carefully recreated scene .
Barry Claudette Last Night
Along with walk through town fourth episode , fifth episode gives fans one most elaborate recreations sequence original movie ; Barry joins counselors campfire sing-along just counselors do Friday The 13th ; He also starts flirting Claudette setting up next major callback.
Just like original movie Barry Claudette sneak away other counselors head boathouse have sex ; Anyone who seen Friday The 13th knows exactly where this going ; Barry Claudette caught together murdered recreating first two murders depicted original Friday The 13th.
But Crystal lake adds new context what happened night ; Basic imagery unmistakable though it’s one season most fun pieces fan service .
Packanack Lodge
Although films established Jason drowned 1957 , Crystal lake moves tragic event 1971 ; Showrunner wanted set Crystal lake ‘70s so show could “touch all pop-culture artifacts were tangential America from which these movies were born.” One thing going on time Human Potential Movement led things like Erhard Seminars Training founded Werner Erhard 1971 offered two-weekend course meant “transform one’s ability experience living so situations had been trying change or had been putting up with clear up just process life itself.” That’s obvious inspiration seminar Pam attends second episode : Experience founded hosted man called Wilhelm Richter Nathan Darrow .
How relevant our list? Well venue Experience place called Packanack Lodge shares name counselor training center Friday The 13th Part II; They’re completely different locations but they’re called same thing.
Actor Counselor Shout-Outs
In original Friday The 13th counselor named Marcy sits restroom stall reads things previous occupants written walls ; In second episode Crystal lake character Grace sits restroom stall reads writing wall includes mention someone named Marcy .
Counselor-training Terri from Friday The 13th Part II also gets visual nod fourth episode ; When hippies scoring food Pam keep eye extras wandering around background one them wearing same “shorts Mickey Mouse shirt combo Terri wearing first time saw her .
When Briana conducting investigation there’s reference someone named “Feldman,” nod Corey Feldman from Friday The 13th: Final Chapter (opening sequence A New Beginning) legal paper shown line “Jensen v. Feldman.” Could “Jensen ” homage Jason Takes Manhattan heroine Jensen Daggett ?
Snakes
There’s rattlesnake camp kitchen Pamela has deal with ; Snake another callback original Friday The 13th which also features memorable snake encounter while fact it’s rattlesnake brings mind beginning Friday The 13th Part III which features rattlesnake striking camera in 3-D .
There actually two snake encounters Crystal lake used way show how Pam mental state changes over course season ; When she finds rattlesnake kitchen first episode considers hacking meat cleaver instead chooses get snake pot carry into woods release it ; When another snake crawls through kitchen fifth episode doesn’t hesitate grab cleaver chop it up .
Harry Manfredini Music Shattering Title Card
One important connections between crystal lake original Friday The 13th return composer Harry Manfredini created music Sean S Cunningham’s slasher created “ki ki ki ma ma ma sound effect provided music most sequels Manfredini returned world Jason Voorhees create new original music title sequence crystal lake .
Musical tribute accompanied visual one title sequence first episode crystal lake presents title same fashion title original Friday The 13th three-dimensional lettering slides toward viewer smashes through pane glass .
Dialogue Story References
Ralph s Famous Warning
Ralph eventually warns people if they go into woods they will “never come back again.” That’s direct echo Crazy Ralph warning original Friday The 13th Nick Cordileone even delivers line vocal quality recalls Walt Gorney performance ; It’s sort dialogue callback can make longtime fans smile without interrupting story everyone else .
“Does Mary Ann Kiss Good as I Do?”
Here’s fun one In original Friday The 13th Claudette asks Barry “Does Mary Ann kiss good I do?” Crystal lake finally gives throwaway name meaning revealing who Mary Ann actually is she’s hippie girl known Harmony So random line from movie suddenly has character attached more four decades later.
“Kill Them Mommy”
Pamela hallucinates image young Jason telling her “Kill them mommy.” It’s simple line deliberately evokes relationship between Pamela Jason original movie where Pamela belief Jason communicating her becomes part justification murders That line also how we got iconic Friday The 13th sound effect composer Harry Manfredini took “ki” “ma” sounds turned into “ki ki ki ma ma ma.”
“The Hippie Massacre”
They’re far from first kills series slaughter young people camp deliberately embraces classic Friday The 13th formula young people Crystal lake drinking doing drugs having sex generally having good time before someone starts killing them It’s franchise basic template transplanted world crystal lake Series may exploring new ideas about Jason Pamela but knows prequel Friday The 13th still needs kind mayhem made original movies famous Some deaths show might even make think certain kills some movies.
“The Sweater”
The icing cake when Pamela carries hippie massacre she’s wearing same sort sweater character wearing original film She also gets repeat dialogue movie while wearing sweater telling victim who’s “so young so pretty” that “Jason should have been watched Every minute He wasn’t very good swimmer.” Lines straight out climax ’80 film.
<h2class = ‘ wp-block-heading’ id = ‘ h-deep-cut-franchise-connections ’Deep-Cut Franchise Connections
<figureclass = ‘ wp-block-image size-large’ id = ‘ h-bear-country’Bear Country
Friday The 13th Part II Friday The Final Chapter told us back ’80s that crystal lake was “bear country.” In crystal lake finally get see bear crystal lake wilderness – proves rather useful when comes body disposal.
<figureclass = ‘ wp-block-image size-large’ id = ‘ h-bear-traps’Bear Traps
Jason never caught any victims bear trap until2009 Friday The 13 th movie video game released2017 took idea ran with giving Jason multiple bear traps dropped strategic spots around maps Bear traps make return crystal lake At first they’re being used Ralph trap animals around forest soon Jason out there woods observing learning how use traps himself.
