Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of Laughing in the Dark” (S1E02)
Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of Laughing in the Dark” (S1E02)
Plot Summary
In “The Tale of Laughing in the Dark”, Are You Afraid of the Dark? ups the ante with a genuinely creepy episode that centres around a haunted funhouse and a terrifying clown named Zeebo. When a cocky teenager named Josh visits a carnival funhouse that is rumoured to be haunted, he steals the nose of Zeebo the Clown as a joke. But Zeebo isn’t amused, and the consequences follow him home.
This episode is often cited as one of the scariest in the series, and for good reason. The imagery of the empty funhouse, the echoing laughter, and the slow, tense build-up are all incredibly effective. Zeebo the Clown taps into a common childhood fear and becomes a standout villain in the show’s history.
What works particularly well is the story’s moral centre. Josh’s bravado and need to prove himself lead to his downfall, and the narrative delivers a clear but spooky message about respecting boundaries — and ghosts. The acting is decent, though occasionally a bit over-the-top, and the use of practical effects helps maintain the eerie tone.
Still, some aspects feel a bit dated. Zeebo’s backstory is glossed over and lacks depth, and the idea of a haunted clown nose is more humorous than terrifying by today’s standards. Nonetheless, the episode holds up remarkably well.
Highlights:
- Zeebo the Clown’s unsettling presence
- The atmospheric setting of the funhouse
- Clear moral lesson with a creepy twist
What Doesn’t Work:
- Zeebo’s backstory is underdeveloped
- The plot moves quickly at the end
- Some scares may feel mild by modern standards
Final Thoughts:
“The Tale of Laughing in the Dark” remains a fan favourite for a reason. It takes a simple premise and infuses it with mood, mystery, and one of the show’s most iconic villains. If you were ever afraid of clowns, this one surely left a mark.
