Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of the Hungry Hounds” (S1E05)
Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of the Hungry Hounds” (S1E05)
Plot Summary
“The Tale of the Hungry Hounds” takes a gothic turn with a ghost story steeped in family secrets, old attics, and spectral animals. In this episode, we meet Pam, a practical and sceptical girl visiting her cousin Amy. When the pair explore the attic of Amy’s house, they discover a dusty trunk filled with old clothes — including a riding outfit once worn by Amy’s late Aunt Dora, who mysteriously drowned during a fox hunt.
When Amy tries on the clothes, she becomes possessed by Dora’s spirit, who begs for help in freeing the souls of the hungry hounds buried in the family crypt. The girls descend into a misty underworld of torches, echoes, and ghostly dogs to uncover the truth about Dora’s death and to lay her troubled soul to rest.
The atmosphere in this episode is one of its strongest elements. The ghostly ambience, the haunting music, and the old English country estate feel evoke traditional gothic horror. There’s an emotional weight to the story, especially as it touches on loss, memory, and unresolved family trauma.
However, the episode’s pacing is noticeably slow and the resolution muddled. It’s not always clear why the hounds are hungry or what exactly is being resolved by the end. The climax feels more confusing than cathartic, and Pam’s scepticism doesn’t evolve in a meaningful way.
Highlights:
- Strong gothic atmosphere and visual storytelling
- Emotional connection to the past
- Unique premise involving ghost animals
What Doesn’t Work:
- Pacing drags in the middle
- Confusing ending and unclear resolution
- Character development is limited
Final Thoughts:
“The Tale of the Hungry Hounds” is a moody, emotionally charged ghost story with rich atmosphere but a slightly incoherent payoff. It’s a story more about feeling than fear, memorable for its setting rather than its scares.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of the Hungry Hounds” (S1E05) review. A gothic ghost story with emotional roots but a confusing finish.
