10 Upsetting Children's TV Show Episodes That Gave You Nightmares

During the 80s and 90s, there was this big trend where family shows would do extra intense "very special" episodes that were supposed to deal with real life issues in a serious manner. Things that would educate their young viewers on what to do if your friend is depressed, addicted to drugs (Jessie from Saved By the Bell hooked on caffeine pills immediately to mind), etc.

But as far as terrifying "Very Special episodes" go, there's not a whole lot more off-putting than a pedophile bike shop owner trying to lure the show's protagonists into an underground child pornography ring. That's what happened on Diff'rent Strokes.

Arnold and Dudley befriend their local bike shop owner, who seems incredibly kind but leads them down a path where each step is a little more uncomfortable and inappropriate. At first it seems like he just wants to hang out with them (by themselves, of course), but that quickly devolves into him staging objectionable "photo shoots" with them, giving them booze, and finally, showing them porn.

And this transition from strange but harmless to wildly inappropriate and criminal behavior happens so seamlessly that it's easy for the kids to miss the warning signs until they're in way over their heads. And for that reason, this episode was frankly terrifying for kids watching at home.