What Are Friends For? story

tz1985e2x02a · 1986-10-04

A child's imaginary friend turns out to be more than just his friend. Directed by: Gus Trikonis. Story by: J. Michael Straczynski.

9 total · 2 choice · 4 major · 3 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
childhood imaginary friend choice The strange entity Mike was like an imaginary friend to Jeff.
father and son choice Alex moved together with his young son Jeff to a remote cabin in the woods.
friendship major Jeff befriended the mysterious boy Mike, but ultimately Jeff had to make real childhood friends.
human childhood major We saw the boy Jeff on his summer vacation playing stereotypical childhood games, like Cowboys and Indians.
loneliness major Mike was a lonely boy-like entity who only wanted a friend.
speculative being major The mysterious boy-like entity Mike who could conjure things into existence and transform into a being of light. He was perhaps a spirit connect to the forest, but this was unclear.
childish bullying minor The other boys bullied Jeff a bit and Jeff showed a little girl to the ground.
coming of age minor Alex spoke of how he had struggled to put aside his childhood imaginary friend in order to grow up and become a man.
divorce minor It seemed that Mike was slitting time between his separated mother and father.