Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of the Phantom Cab” (S1E01)
Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of the Phantom Cab” (S1E01)
Plot Summary
“The Tale of the Phantom Cab” kicks off Are You Afraid of the Dark? with a moody and atmospheric introduction to the series’ signature blend of campfire storytelling and spooky child-friendly horror. In this episode, two brothers, Denny and Buzz, find themselves lost in the woods after a hiking trip goes awry. Their desperate attempt to find their way out leads them to a mysterious cabin and a creepy cab driver with a chilling riddle.
The episode stands out for its eerie ambience and the way it sets the tone for future tales. Dr Vink (“That’s Vink—with a vuh, vuh, vuh!”) makes his unforgettable debut as a recurring oddball character. His exaggerated mannerisms and cryptic presence help elevate the episode from standard fare to memorably strange. We also meet the ghostly cab driver, Flynn, who plays a decent spooky foil.
However, the pacing is uneven, with a slow build-up that doesn’t quite pay off in the scare department. The riddle, used as the episode’s central tension point, feels underwhelming once solved, and the resolution is rushed, leaving viewers with more questions than chills. Why was Dr Vink helping them? Why does solving a riddle banish a ghost? These aren’t plot holes so much as narrative shortcuts, common in early ’90s children’s horror.
Still, as a series opener, it delivers an effective mix of mystery, ghostly imagery, and low-stakes horror perfect for younger viewers. It also gives us our first taste of the Midnight Society, whose campfire tales frame each episode with nostalgic flair.
Highlights:
- Introduction of Dr Vink, a fan-favourite character
- Moody woodland setting
- Classic ghost story vibes
What Doesn’t Work:
- Rushed conclusion
- Riddle feels too simplistic
- Some logical gaps in the story’s rules
Final Thoughts:
“The Tale of the Phantom Cab” is a solid first outing that captures the quirky charm and subtle creepiness that defines Are You Afraid of the Dark?. Despite a few flaws in pacing and logic, it introduces essential elements that would become series staples. It’s not the scariest tale, but it’s a memorable curtain-raiser for the Midnight Society’s spooky anthology.
