Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of the Shiny Red Bicycle” (S2E10)

Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of the Shiny Red Bicycle” (S2E10)

Plot Summary

In one of the most emotional stories of the series, The Tale of the Shiny Red Bicycle explores guilt, grief, and redemption. The episode follows Mike, a high school student haunted by the memory of his best friend Ricky, who drowned years earlier when they were children. Mike blames himself for not saving him, and since the accident, he’s avoided both water and the past. However, strange events begin to occur—he starts hearing Ricky’s voice and seeing flashes of his friend’s shiny red bicycle near the old bridge where the tragedy happened.

At first, Mike believes he’s losing his mind, but it becomes clear that Ricky’s ghost is trying to reach out. The haunting leads Mike to uncover a danger lurking in the same river that claimed Ricky’s life. In the climactic moment, Mike faces his fear, dives into the water, and saves another child from drowning, finally laying Ricky’s spirit—and his own guilt—to rest.

Highlights:

• A heartfelt and mature exploration of survivor’s guilt rarely seen in children’s TV.
• Excellent atmosphere, with water imagery and ghostly symbolism woven throughout.
• The red bicycle serves as a simple yet powerful motif for loss and memory.

What Doesn’t Work:

• Some of the acting feels stiff during the emotional confrontations.
• The ghostly appearances are more sentimental than frightening.
• The ending, while moving, might feel too tidy for some viewers.

Final Thoughts

“The Tale of the Shiny Red Bicycle” stands out for its emotional depth rather than pure horror. It’s a poignant story about facing trauma, forgiving oneself, and finding closure. Although it lacks the scares typical of the series, it’s one of Are You Afraid of the Dark?’s most mature and touching tales, a haunting in the best sense.