Based on The Haunted Mask II, book #36 of the original Goosebumps series.
A year after Carly Beth's experience with her haunted mask, she ends up having to face it again. Meanwhile, her bully Steve Boswell acquires a mask of his own with similar powers.
The episode provides examples of:
- Adaptational Alternate Ending: The ending is changed to Steve's dog burying the mask, with no one realizing the Haunted Mask didn't actually burn and allowing it to try again next Halloween.
- Adaptation Expansion: A lot is added to the plot, most notably having the Haunted Mask return and attach itself to the Shopkeeper, becoming the main antagonist.
- Adaptational Heroism: Holding true to his portrayal from the first book's episode, this episode has the Shopkeeper be seen burning all the masks, and he actively attempts to stop Carly Beth's old mask from coming back from the dead to get revenge on her (although he ultimately fails and ends up possessed). None of this happened in the book.
- Adapted Out:
- All of the first-grader soccer members are absent.
- Likewise, neither Steve's father isn't seen nor mentioned in the episode.
- Ambiguously Absent Parent: While we do get to see Steve's mother, we don't hear from his father and his mothers is implied to be single.
- Disappeared Dad: Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Boswell. See Adapted Out or Ambiguously Absent Parent above.
- Evil-Detecting Dog: Sparky growls at the pillowcase containing the Old Man Mask.
- Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: Had the Haunted Mask been satisfied with using the Shopkeeper as a host, it could have won and been free to do anything it wanted. But since it wanted to take over Carly Beth again, it had to release the Shopkeeper... and then was stopped a second later by The Power of Love from getting Carly Beth, leaving it with no host and no power.
- Police Are Useless: Discussed. When Chuck suggests that they go to the police for help, Carly Beth responds that the police can't help them with the supernatural.
- Promoted to Love Interest: Steve gets his mask off through The Power of Love when he makes a Heroic Sacrifice to save Carly Beth from the first mask, as saving her is his symbol of love. His attraction to her was stated in the first episode and it is expanded upon here. This wasn't even implied in the book.
- Punctuated! For! Emphasis!: Steve does this while unaware that the mask has fused with his skin and a fellow trick-or-treater can't remove it for him:Steve: It's just... a MASK!
- Same Plot Sequel: Due to the soccer kids being written out, Steve's motivation is rewritten to basically that of the first Haunted Mask. The only difference being that while Carly Beth had to learn to accept her own flaws, Steve had to learn to not take his young age for granted.
- Ship Tease: Steve saves Carly Beth from being taken over by the mask. The shop owner later explains that this was a "symbol of love", implying that Steve may have feelings for Carly Beth.
- Shout-Out: Chuck goes out as a gangster from The Godfather.
