Chucky has found a new home – at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. What could possibly go wrong?

Let me set the scene. A narcissistic strawberry blonde, with plastic skin, a relentless, sneering tone to his voice, and sociopathic tendencies has somehow found his way into the Oval Office, threatening the heart of American democracy itself…!

But enough about Donald Trump, we need to talk about Chucky.

In my review for the gloriously over the top season 2 finale, I worried that this wonderful, intelligent, cathartic, smartly laugh-out-loud show would founder on the rocks of diminishing returns. Judging by the perfectly crafted season 3 opener, I needn’t have worried. I’d heard that our favourite killer doll was heading for Washington and I can’t pretend I didn’t wince, concerned that the show would buckle under its own improbability, but Mancini and co-writer Nick Zigler have crafted a pitch perfect overture for the inevitable mayhem to come.

While Jake, Devon and Lexy still have scores to settle, we are introduced to the new First Family. President Collins (Devon Sawa) has promised the country complete transparency – but of course the family has a few skeletons in its closet, and his younger son, Henry, seeks solace in his new favourite toy who he claims has been speaking to him at night.

This season opener is about as restrained as any episode of Chucky I’ve seen, but that’s all to the good, as it allows us to buy into the premise. No Chucky fan can be in any doubt that when the show does go over the top, which it undoubtedly will, it will do so with the help of presidential after-burners, and I for one can’t wait.

Verdict: In stressful times, Chucky takes me to my happy place (I know – perhaps I need help) and is precious cargo indeed. I can’t fault this season opener for the confident way it has been pitched. It’s a show that knows exactly what it is, and what the audience want from it. It takes its mission seriously, but is never afraid to laugh at itself, as Devon’s brilliantly meta final line of dialogue attests. 10/10

Martin Jameson

www.ninjamarmoset.com