Tales from the Darkside: “Ursa Minor” (S2E10)

“Ursa Minor” is a textbook example of Tales from the Darkside doing what it does best: taking something innocuous and turning it into a source of slow-burning dread. In this case, the horror centres on a teddy bear. Yes, a teddy bear. But not just any bear—a growling, clawing, furniture-destroying nightmare disguised in soft plush.

Plot Summary

The story follows Joan and Richard, a typical suburban couple dealing with an increasingly out-of-control daughter, Susie. When Susie receives a mysterious package in the mail containing a teddy bear, despite no one ordering it, strange things begin to happen.

Furniture is shredded, appliances get wrecked, and an ominous growl is heard whenever the bear is near. Joan is the first to connect the dots and suspect that the bear is behind the chaos, but of course, no one believes her. Richard assumes she’s losing it, even as the destruction escalates.

As the bear’s violent behaviour intensifies and Susie’s bond with it deepens, Joan’s sanity is pushed to the brink. The episode culminates in a surreal and unsettling final confrontation, with the true size and menace of “Ursa Minor” finally revealed. And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like.

What Works

Classic Creepy Toy Trope

The “evil toy” trope is a horror staple, and this episode taps into it effectively. There’s something deeply unsettling about a child’s comfort object turning sinister. The bear never blinks, never talks—it just sits there, menacingly. That stillness, combined with the damage it leaves in its wake, builds a slow tension.

Unseen Horror

Much of the episode’s tension comes from what we don’t see. We hear the growling, we see the aftermath, and we watch Joan unravel. The bear never moves on camera, which makes it feel even more like an unholy force rather than a cheesy animatronic prop.

Solid Acting from Debbie Harry

Yes, that Debbie Harry. The Blondie frontwoman plays Joan, and she does a surprisingly great job selling the fear and frustration of a mother slowly losing control over her family and her reality. She carries the episode with subtle shifts from suspicion to full-blown terror.

What Doesn’t Work

Underdeveloped Backstory

Where did the bear come from? Why is it sent to this family? Why does Susie bond with it so easily? The episode teases these questions but never really answers them. While mystery can add to the creep factor, here it feels like the writers didn’t have a solid mythology worked out.

One-Note Characters

Richard, the sceptical husband, is a classic 80s archetype: the man who refuses to believe anything out of the ordinary until it punches him in the face. He’s not given much to do except scoff and dismiss Joan, which becomes frustrating over time.

Budget Limitations Again

There’s only so much havoc you can wreak on a TV set with a stuffed bear. While the final scene tries to escalate the threat visually, the practical effects can’t quite match the buildup. Still, for what they had to work with, the restraint is somewhat admirable.

Themes: Gaslighting, Parental Anxiety, and Domestic Breakdown

One of the episode’s strongest elements is its subtext about gaslighting. Joan’s experience is a familiar one to many women in horror: she sees the threat first, reacts emotionally, and is written off as hysterical. It takes the man finally witnessing the danger for it to be taken seriously.

There’s also a broader anxiety about parenthood running through the episode. Joan is trying to protect her child, manage the home, and maintain her sanity—all while being undermined by a husband who doesn’t take her concerns seriously and a child growing increasingly distant. The bear becomes a symbol of everything she can’t control.

Final Thoughts: More Psychological Than Supernatural

“Ursa Minor” is more disturbing than outright scary. It doesn’t go for big horror moments, but instead simmers with dread and paranoia. The idea of a toy slowly destabilising a family is chilling in a quiet way. It’s not the best episode of the series, but it sticks with you, especially if you grew up with a favourite stuffed animal.

Who Would Enjoy This Episode?

• Fans of psychological horror and domestic paranoia
• Viewers who appreciate horror rooted in subtle performances and unease
• Anyone freaked out by evil toys (especially teddy bears)

Who Might Not Enjoy It?

• Those expecting gore or fast-paced thrills
• Viewers who need clear answers and plot resolutions
• Anyone impatient with slow-building suspense

Final Verdict: Fluffy but Frightening

“Ursa Minor” doesn’t roar, but it growls just loud enough. It’s an episode that excels in suggestion rather than spectacle, and it lingers in your brain like a bad dream wrapped in fuzzy felt.