Can We Discuss How Terrifying the Halloween Episode of Boy Meets World Is?

We all remember key moments in our childhood — big birthdays, first crushes, Summer vacations — but one thing that continuously stands out in my mind as a defining moment is the Scream-inspired episode of Boy Meets World, "And Then There Was Shawn." It first aired in February 1998 and wasn't even intended as a Halloween episode, but I didn't see it until one chilly Fall day in 2001. I had just gotten home from school, was all by myself, and was planning on doing my homework while watching the Disney Channel. But shortly after the episode began to play, I abandoned my homework and started closing all the curtains and locking all the doors.

The storyline of a crazed psycho going on a killing spree in an abandoned school not only kept me up at night for weeks to come, but it also made me fear one of the places I always felt safe. I loved (and still love) the episode, but the combination of the intense horror music, the jump-out-of-your seat moments, and the creepy janitor will probably haunt my dreams for a very long time.

01
The Group Is Left All Alone in Their Big High School For Detention
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The Group Is Left All Alone in Their Big High School For Detention

After Shawn disrupts class because he's upset about Cory and Topanga's recent breakup, Mr. Feeny puts them all in detention. But soon after it starts, Mr. Feeny leaves them all alone and locks them inside. While the school is completely abandoned, Eric and Jack manage to show up as well as the extremely creepy janitor.

02
There's a Killer on the Loose That Gives Scream a Run For Its Money
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There's a Killer on the Loose That Gives Scream a Run For Its Money

After a few scary things start happening, Shawn is convinced the whole thing has been set up by Mr. Feeny to teach them a lesson, but the rest of the group is left scared for their lives.

03
Jennifer Love Hewitt Makes an Appearance
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Jennifer Love Hewitt Makes an Appearance

The actress, who starred in I Know What You Did Last Summer, brings her famous scream to the episode as new student Jennifer Love Fefferman. After getting locked in study hall, she finds the others and joins them in trying to survive.

04
Some of the Content Is a Little Mature For the Young Audience
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Some of the Content Is a Little Mature For the Young Audience

Shawn tries to explain every strange occurrence by referencing similar situations from his favorite horror movies. The classic rule that virgins never die comes into play, which meant that Cory and Topanga were safe.

05
Eric Continually Screws Up Their Chances For Survival
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Eric Continually Screws Up Their Chances For Survival

Eric thankfully brings humor to the otherwise scary episode, but even his LOL-worthy moments put the group in more danger.

06
Jennifer Love Hewitt Gets Murdered . . .
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Jennifer Love Hewitt Gets Murdered . . .

Jennifer's death is the most ridiculous out of the entire episode but still chilling nonetheless. After the murderer pushes a few books off a library shelf on top of her, she uses her dying breath to try to tell Eric who the culprit is.

07
. . . And Their Friends Die One by One
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. . . And Their Friends Die One by One

After the killer switches off the lights in the classroom, he creeps in and stands among the group without them knowing.

08
Kenny Meets a Particularly Brutal End
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Kenny Meets a Particularly Brutal End

He then murders Kenny by sticking a pencil through his brain.

09
The Blood on the Chalkboard Is Spine-Chilling
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The Blood on the Chalkboard Is Spine-Chilling

When the lights come back on, the chalkboard reads, "No one gets out alive!"

10
Cory Tries to Remember the Good Times
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Cory Tries to Remember the Good Times

A welcome comic relief but still upsetting. RIP, Kenny.

11
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The Music Is Reminiscent of The Shining

Fast forward to 0:50 and 1:43 for the episode's extremely haunting song. With lyrics like, "Welcome to John Adams High / where you are gonna die / there's a knife / here's a gun / there'll be fun for everyone," it'll make you want to search your entire house to make sure you're alone.

12
The Random Pay Phone Calls Make You Jump Out of Your Seat
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The Random Pay Phone Calls Make You Jump Out of Your Seat

The killer continuously calls the hall's pay phone, taunting the group about his whereabouts and what will happen next.

13
The Meaning Behind the Killings Turns Out to be Extremely Deep . . .
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The Meaning Behind the Killings Turns Out to be Extremely Deep . . .

After Jack and Angela are pushed to their deaths from the library window, Shawn, Cory, and Topanga come face to face with the killer. Shawn then unmasks him to find himself beneath the costume.

14
. . . Which Makes the End Revelation Gut-Wrenching
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. . . Which Makes the End Revelation Gut-Wrenching

Shawn realizes that it's been him all along because he wants Cory and Topanga to get back together. The entire thing ends up being a dream he had while in detention, where he says he disrupted the class in the first place because he feels like he has nothing to depend on if Cory and Topanga aren't a couple.