Ep 1. The Tale of the Laughing in the Dark

In season 1 episode 1 of Are You Afraid of the Dark?, titled "The Tale of the Laughing in the Dark," a group of friends gather around a campfire to share frightening stories. One of the members, a mischievous boy named Josh, tells the tale of a haunted amusement park where a clown named Zeebo had died in a fire many years ago. According to Josh, Zeebo's ghost still haunts the park, and anyone who mocks him or disrespects his memory will face dire consequences.

The rest of the group is skeptical of Josh's story, but when they visit the amusement park the next day, they discover that some of his claims might be true. While exploring the park, the group hears eerie laughter coming from the Funhouse, where Zeebo was said to have died. Curiosity gets the better of them, and they break into the Funhouse, despite warnings from a fortune teller who warns them of the consequences of disrespecting Zeebo's memory.

Once inside, they find themselves trapped in a maze of mirrors and traps, and soon realize that they are being stalked by an unseen entity. As they search for a way out, they come face to face with Zeebo's ghost, who taunts and torments them. The group must work together to solve the mystery of Zeebo's death and escape the Funhouse alive.

"The Tale of the Laughing in the Dark" is a classic example of the type of spooky, suspenseful stories that Are You Afraid of the Dark? was known for. It's a fun, entertaining episode that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The young actors do a great job of portraying the fear and tension of the situation, and the special effects, while a bit dated by today's standards, still hold up surprisingly well.

Overall, if you're a fan of horror or suspense, you won't want to miss "The Tale of the Laughing in the Dark." It's a great start to a beloved series that has stood the test of time and continues to thrill viewers of all ages.