Yikes, the impromptu light show! I don’t blame you for unplugging it—mine did something similar, shooting little lightning bolts at my poor oatmeal. Turns out, a tiny bit of foil from a burrito wrapper had slipped in. Oops. Even if it’s not that simple, having someone check it out is the right move. I found a really solid place after my microwave revolt—they were super thorough, explained everything, and didn’t just tell me to buy a new one. If you’re near the south suburbs, High City Appliance in Highlands Ranch was great. Quick to diagnose and no pressure. Their info: https://highcityappliance.com/highlands-ranch . Hope your microwave (and nerves) recover soon!