‘Tales from the Darkside’ Retro Recap: ‘Ursa Minor’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jamie Ohar as Susie in Episode 210 of ‘Tales from the Darkside’ – ‘Ursa Minor’. (Photo Courtesy of Laurel Entertainment.)

One of the best aspects of the horror genre, is the sheer fact that it offers stories to us… that don’t always require all that much thought. Because sometimes, we just want to be scared and want to take part in an experience and the creative minds in the genre know that and sometimes, are eager to tell scary stories that accomplish just that. The kind free from commentary and free from complex origins to give us forces of nature, stories that explore our deepest fears and it just so happens that the next episode of Tales from the Darkside, accomplishes all of that no problem. Courtesy of a gift.
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For ‘Ursa Minor’ drops us into an all-American household on a very special day. For young Susie is celebrating her birthday and she is quite happy with her present. A giant Teddy Bear that is soft and squishy and is oddly, bringing about suspicion from her mother Joan. For she has a bad feeling its innocence is prompting Susie to act out and do belligerent things. Such as push items off of counters and make general messes around the house. But it doesn’t take long for Joan to have greater concerns about the bear. Courtesy of what sounds like a growl when she attempts to discipline Susie for her actions, and Susie’s claims that the bear did all of these things. Giving rise to some hard curiosity about the bear and its origins. To the point where Joan brings in a specialist.

A man who harbors knowledge of strange items and strange occurrences, and he offers Joan quite the lesson and quite the warning. In that, there is a fair chance that the teddy bear in the home, is the product of years of magical neglect. A pent-up nightmare of spirits and other beings that will no longer be ignored, and that she best remove it from the home before it decides to unleash its fury. Advice that Joan takes to heart… only to learn that she might be too late. For on the night Teddy is sent packing, it seems that he has fully awakened, and his cries have brought friends, big friends that might do real damage to the physical health of an innocent mother, caught in the crossfire of elements she and few others… understand.

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Marilyn Jones as Joan in Episode 210 of ‘Tales from the Darkside’ – ‘Ursa Minor’. (Photo Courtesy of Laurel Entertainment.)

Which really is the perfect way to explore all of those elements. After all, learning that Teddy is in essence, a magical being fueled by a lack of respect, is pretty much a force of nature that we don’t understand, nor do we get an answer to how he came to be. He’s just there, he’s dangerous and that leads to some fascinating tension in this tale, the kind that truly comes to a boil in an epic way. Which offers up real terror through and through, the kind that also does indeed prey upon some primal fears. After all, Joan and her daughter are the only ones in the house when the chaos that Teddy inspires, begins. Giving rise to a real sense of isolation and helplessness, something we all hope to avoid, and the wonder of this tale doesn’t end with those elements.
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Because this story also takes the time to really showcase a touch of karma if you will. As though the negative energy put out in this tale is what brought Teddy’s wrath to bear (pun intended). For in many ways, Susie lives in a toxic environment. After all, her father, Richard, is a drunk and aloof and his inability to be present in the moment puts undue pressure upon Joan. Who in turn lashes out, and Richard of course, undercuts her… as was tradition in the 1980s… and all of that clearly exposes the ugliness of this family. The kind that an evil or an entity in need of attention would be happy to seek out and consume in some form or fashion, as old legends go, adding fascinating depth and realism to this story.

One that is quite frankly, a hidden gem in season two of this series. Simply because this really does go further than expected. For a simple, evil teddy bear story would have been forgettable. But adding a mythos here that offers no answers, alongside a genuine human element creates a supremely powerful tale. One that really is grounded in the best aspects of horror and is genuinely creepy and ends in quite the ugly manner. Courtesy of some smart writing, the kind that just lets loose and tells a scary tale and truly… it will be interesting to see, just how many more raw tales of terror await us as we continue our journey through the Darkside and all the incredible stories it has to offer. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight

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