Are You Afraid of the Dark? (TV Series) The Tale of the Shiny Red Bicycle (1993) User Reviews

"My bridge..."

[Foreverisacastironmess123 · 8/10 · 27 October 2014]

This is an episode that I remember being really blown away by as a kid because it was one of the first I ever saw and at the time it was always one of the more haunting and emotional stories, I was genuinely disturbed by the death of Ricky in the prologue. I don't find it as great now but it's still a very good well-developed story and a fairly mature one for this show, as in its own way it deals with the death of a kid and the survivor's guilt of his friend. I still have a fondness for it and get why it's a fan favourite, it's a very touching episode. I must say though that I think what they're trying to sell at the opening campfire scene when the adorably unibrowed David is trying to say some junk about how someone stealing your bike is like taking a part of your brain or whatever, just pretty ridiculous, you can't do 'bike lore!' I like how it's one of those tales where there is no evil or supernatural threat involved to anyone, although you don't get that until well into the story when it's revealed that the spectre of Ricky hasn't come back to haunt Mike because he's angry that he couldn't save him, but only to warn him that his little brother Ben is in danger so that he'll be able to rescue him from a similar sad fate. And it's poignant when Mike finally sees his old friend face-to-face and touches his arm and says "cold", not "cool!" The part where Mike's in the classroom and sees Ricky felt a bit like a little homage to a scene from "A Nightmare on Elm Street" to me. So Ricky was more of an angel than a ghost, it's a poignant tale. I always found it kind of eerie the way the shiny red bicycle became a rusty brown one and you learn post-tale that the remains of Ricky were finally found, because his spirit could at last rest in peace now that his task was done. Still a mightily effective tale, do treasure your friends while you can, and thank you show runners for a real series classic!

Friends Forever

[hellraiser7 · 10/10 · 11 November 2016]

Warning do not read unless seen episode.

This is another one of my favorite episodes of the show. This is an interesting entry because despite a ghost story it's actually a different kind because it's one believe it or not more on the positive side which to me is a change of pace that I don't see enough of. The story kinda is similar to an episode "Hard Time" on "Deep Space Nine" which also had a bit of the same premise of an alien constantly appearing in which only O Brian can see and dealt with the same subject matter as this episode on Post Traumatic Stress and dealing with loss.

The main protagonist Mike you really feel a sense of pathos for from beginning to end. The poor guy is plagued by sadness and guilt over the loss of his best friend which had a bad effect on is present day life. There are certain moments when I just want to find a way to reassure the guy say to him, no it's not your fault. From the situation with his friend that we hear about we know there was no way he could of known and we know he did what he could. His feeling I feel are genuine to the truth because most people that have been though traumatic loss sometimes think they should of been there, they should of done something when in reality we never truly know when the people closest in our lives pass on and there really is nothing we could do.

I do like the amount of suspense, where we see the ghost of the Mike's friend appear in places. It's a bit creepy almost like one of the zombie ghosts from the film "Carnaval of Souls" as he's got that look of a person soaked as also that black eye shadow. However he's not totally menacing because were not sure what his true motive is as he doesn't see to be harming Mike. You could say his appearance is metaphor for his Post Trama, as Mike is constantly having trouble dealing with it and is constantly trying to avoid him. But like with anyone with certain troubles in life, it will never go away unless dealt with at some point.

We then see the trauma and fear becomes too much for Mike and Mike decides one day, he can't live like this anymore so he decides to confront the ghost head on. We then of course discover that his friend is actually a guardian spirit which makes perfect sense because according to mythology/spirituality guardian spirits usually are in the form of someone closest to you. He has come to warn Mike that his young brother is in terrible danger and then gives Mike his bike to help him on his way.

You can say Mike's plight to same his brother is sort of Mike's redemption/second chance at saving a person he loves in his life but this time Mike succeeds but not without a little help from his best friend which just goes to show true friendship never dies.

Rating: 4 stars

Tale about a boy troubled by visions of a friend who died during his youth.

[nrgise2000 · 16 March 2006]

Brilliant episode! Easily one of the most captivating episodes from the TV show. Couple of things to watch for; Principle actor. Could this guy possibly be related to (Nicholas Brendan), Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame? Actor who plays the Father. Also stars in another 'Are You Afraid of the Dark' episode from the First season; (The Tale of the Nightly Neighbours) Unbelievably; The star of the show, clearly utters the 'F' word. whilst getting dressed to go outside, and meet his friend 'the ghost'. To this day, it is baffling that Nickelodeon, allowed this show to air unedited? In 1993 no less! It's episodes like this, that spark the question, when thinking of Nickelodeon shows today. 'What happened?'