Ep 4. Songs of the Dark Lantern

Wirt, Greg, and Beatrice find themselves lost in the dark forest and stumble upon a town that is holding a yearly carnival called the "Dark Lantern". Wirt is hesitant to go in, but Greg drags him along. The carnival is filled with bizarre characters and oddities, and Wirt realizes that something is not right.

They encounter a mechanical talking horse, a woman selling vegetables, and a group of frogs putting on a performance. As they wander around, they come across a stall selling fortune-telling services. Wirt is skeptical but Greg insists on getting his fortune told by a frog named Lorna. Lorna tells Greg that he will soon encounter a great love, leaving Wirt unhappy with the experience.

The trio then comes across an old man playing an accordion. Wirt recognizes the song he's playing and starts to get upset. The old man tells them the story of the dark lantern and how it's used to light the way for lost souls. Wirt becomes convinced that the lantern is the key to getting them home and tries to find it.

As they continue their search, they encounter the Beast, who warns them to stay away from the lantern. The group realizes that the lantern is not what it seems and flee as the Beast chases them. They run into a maze of cornstalks, where Wirt faces his fears and stands up to the Beast.

Just as all seems lost, the group is rescued by a young girl named Sara, who is looking for her lost kitten. The kitten ends up leading them out of the maze, and they discover that they were closer to home than they thought. They say goodbye to Sara and continue on their journey.

Overall, "Songs of the Dark Lantern" is a hauntingly beautiful episode that explores the themes of fear, love, and the unknown. The carnival is wonderfully creepy, and the music and animation create an eerie mood that leaves a lasting impression. It's a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone who loves a good mystery.