John Kenneth Muir has returned for new episodes of his popular series "The House Between," the independently produced online series that begins its third season with the episode "Devoured."

The newest installment, the 16th in the series, continues the story of five strangers trapped in a Victorian house with no furniture and no escape, surrounded by dark matter. It stars Kim Breeding, Jim Blanton, Craig Eckrich, Lee Hansen, Tony Mercer and Alicia A. Wood.

The latest episode is dedicated to the memory of "Space: 1999" script editor Johnny Byrne, a friend of Muir who died just as planning for Season 3 was getting under way.

"Discussing that low-budget phenomenon ['The Blair Witch Project'], Johnny told me that the filmmakers had learned well the key secret to creating good films and television," Muir said in his director's notes. "They had turned weakness into strength."

Despite lacking in high-end camera equipment and crews, the makers of "The Blair Witch Project" were able to still create a "terrifying film within their minuscule means."

"When creating the very premise for 'The House Between,' Johnny's advice was forefront in my mind," Muir said. "At $700 an episode, I couldn't afford props, costumes, famous actors, constructed sets or much by the way of special effects. Instead -- thankfully -- what I turned to was mood; and people -- characterization and narrative. The bells and whistles on the show would all be ... individual ones."

Several aspects of the 42-minute episode pay homage to Byrne, including an opening narrative inspired by the story style Byrne would use in his various projects.

This new episode also has another bit of homage. Two one-shot characters carry the name "Hinman" and "Pyle," named after Airlock Alpha founder Michael Hinman and former Airlock Alpha writer Marx Pyle. Muir told SyFy Radio last year that the two characters don't meet a happy ending, like many guest characters in the show.

But you'll have to see for yourself. "Devoured" from "The House Between" is now available through Google Video by clicking here.

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