Tales from the Darkside: “Fear of Floating” (S2E23)

“Fear of Floating” is one of those Tales from the Darkside episodes that grabs your attention from the title alone—and then keeps you watching with sheer weirdness and a dark undercurrent of Cold War paranoia. It’s not a traditional horror story, but it has the show’s signature blend of strangeness, unease, and that final ironic twist that sticks with you.

Plot Summary

We open on a military base, where a soldier is suddenly confronted by a mysterious man who bursts in, terrified and dishevelled. This man (we’ll call him the “Floater”) is trying to explain an unbelievable phenomenon: he can’t touch the ground. Whenever he does, he begins to float uncontrollably into the air.

The soldier thinks the guy is nuts, but things start getting bizarre as the man’s claim is proven true. The base commander is called in, and it becomes clear that this isn’t just some random occurrence—it’s the result of a secret government experiment gone wrong.

As the story unfolds, the military’s interest in weaponising the Floater’s condition becomes increasingly disturbing. The man is desperate to escape, but the powers-that-be are more interested in containment, control, and exploitation. And when the truth about his backstory emerges—specifically his connection to a failed test experiment—the moral heart of the episode reveals itself.

What Works

Unique Concept

The central idea—a man who can’t touch the ground without floating away—is pure sci-fi absurdity in the best way. It’s imaginative and immediately grabs your curiosity. Like many of the best Tales from the Darkside episodes, it starts with a simple, bizarre idea and builds around it.

Subtle Social Commentary

Beneath the surface weirdness lies a clear critique of military experimentation and the government’s willingness to sacrifice individuals in pursuit of power. It’s a classic Cold War-era fear: science without conscience. This allegorical thread gives the episode some real weight.

Claustrophobic Tension

Much of the episode takes place in a confined office on the base, adding a tight, paranoid feel. You start to feel as trapped as the Floater himself, caught between an impossible physical condition and the cold machinery of bureaucracy.

That Ending

Like many Darkside stories, “Fear of Floating” ends with a twist—one that’s both ironic and tragic. The Floater is finally released… but in a way that is far from freedom. It’s the kind of ending that leaves a pit in your stomach and a smirk on your face, which is peak Darkside.

What Doesn’t Work

Low Budget Effects

The floating sequences are limited by 1980s television budget constraints, and unfortunately, they don’t always sell the concept convincingly. It’s mostly achieved with reaction shots and clever camera work, but the illusion wobbles (pun intended).

Some Stilted Dialogue

Parts of the script are a little on the nose, especially when characters start discussing military ethics. It’s clear the writers had a message, but subtlety occasionally gets sacrificed for the sake of the monologue.

Thin Characterization

The Floater is sympathetic, but we don’t get much depth from him or the military figures. This might be intentional—to make the story more allegorical—but it still leaves you wanting more emotional payoff.

Themes: Control, Fear, and the Cost of Power

“Fear of Floating” is a story about the literal and figurative danger of being unmoored. The man’s inability to stay grounded is a metaphor for what happens when human beings are treated like test subjects rather than people.

It also taps into a primal fear: being helpless, weightless, and untethered—emotionally and physically. The title isn’t just about gravity. It’s about the fear of not having control, of being at the mercy of institutions larger than yourself.

Final Thoughts: A Smart Sci-Fi Parable with a Horror Edge

This episode isn’t flashy or frightening in a traditional way, but it sticks with you. It’s got a strange, almost Twilight Zone-like feel, with a story that’s more interested in ethics than gore. For fans of speculative horror or allegorical storytelling, this is a standout.

The mixture of absurdity, science fiction, and bureaucratic horror gives it a unique flavour. It might not be one of the most famous episodes, but it’s one of the most quietly unsettling ones—especially if you read between the lines.

Who Would Enjoy This Episode?

• Fans of allegorical science fiction and Cold War-era paranoia
• Viewers who like strange, thought-provoking premises
• Those who appreciate irony-laced endings

Who Might Not Enjoy It?

• Those looking for traditional horror or monster fare
• Viewers who are put off by low-budget effects
• Anyone who wants fast pacing and high drama

Final Verdict: A Thoughtful Float into the Dark Side

“Fear of Floating” is oddball horror with brains. It’s not terrifying, but it’s quietly disturbing in a way that sticks with you. It’s the kind of story that uses science fiction to hold a mirror up to our institutions—and doesn’t blink when we don’t like what we see.