Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of Locker 22” (S2E03)
Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of Locker 22” (S2E03)
Plot Summary
Julie Dufaux, a French transfer student at Derby High, finds herself assigned locker number 22 and immediately unsettled when she glimpses a ghostly hippie girl crying tears in her reflection. Bullied by classmates and unfairly reprimanded by strict assistant principal Mr Shaffner, she retreats to her locker and discovers a beaded necklace. Once she puts it on, she’s transported back to 1968.
In the past, the ghostly teenager, Candy Warren, believed to be Julie, is on the verge of a chemistry-lab accident that would kill her. With Chris’s help, Julie prevents the fatal mistake by exposing the faulty lab equipment to a youthful Shaffner. Restoring the timeline, they return to the present—where Mr Shaffner has since retired and the former ghost Candy is now the assistant vice-principal, smiling warmly as she greets students.
Highlights:
- A creative use of time travel and empathy to rewrite the past.
- The tragic accident redeemed through courage and friendship.
- Emotional, satisfying twist ending where Candy triumphs in the present.
What Doesn’t Work:
- Character development for Julie’s bullies feels shallow.
- Ghostly figure’s early appearances are a bit abrupt.
- Time-travel mechanics aren’t fully explained.
Final Thoughts
A standout episode for its emotional depth and uplifting message, “Locker 22” transforms a ghost story into a moving tale about kindness, courage, and second chances. Though some plot elements are lightly sketched, its heart and twist ending earn it a special place in the series.
