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Ghost Hunters 4.9: "Haunted Asylum" |
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Thursday, 01 May 2008 |
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By John Keegan
Visit Critical Myth for an archive of John's TV Review archives, with more than 1100 entries.
| This episode marks the spring finale, after a run that is nearly as long as the entire first season. Thirteen more episodes have already been commissioned for the season, and they will begin airing in late May (less than a month after the fall finale, and immediately after May sweeps). Simply put, the show continues to get strong ratings, particularly in comparison with the rest of the SFC slate, and it is not going anywhere anytime soon.
This season has been marked by a greater frequency of “one investigation” episodes, and it was hardly surprising to see it happen again with the spring finale. Because it fell at the end of a run, I had some small expectation that we would see something more impressive than chasing shadows and vague EVPs. I was shocked to discover that most of the episode was a textbook study in managing (or not managing) hysteria.
The site was particularly challenging, given its size and history. It was not unlike the Waverly Hills Sanatorium, but without the growing negativity surrounding that site (in particular, the many questions surrounding the false historical claims made by local investigators tied to its tourism business). The building is empty, more or less falling apart, and a number of questionable medical procedures were conducted. It’s the kind of spooky, imposing location that looks great and presents a massive challenge to serious investigators.
Three immediate problems come to mind, and both of them have been mentioned in past episodes of “Ghost Hunters”. First, the dilapidated state of the building creates an odd blend of light and shadow with every single step, and debris can shift or fall at any moment. This can quickly become disorienting, which feeds into the second problem. Any location with a disturbing history can generate negative expectations, and when disorientation is added in, even the most seasoned investigator can feel a distinct unease.
The third problem is only marginally related. With a site so vast, it’s nearly impossible to ensure that the premises are completely clear of trespassers and animals. It’s not at all shocking to consider that someone might want to mess with TAPS by making noise. In a few previous investigation, I have strongly suspected this, and the same thought came to mind during this episode.
Not everything could be instantly attributed to the condition of the site, hysteria, or sabotage, but there’s precious little in the footage given in the episode to prove it. Most of the sounds could have been anything, and some of the investigators were overreacting in every scene in which they were featured. Even Jason and Grant seemed to get spooked more often than usual.
In the end, the only impressive “evidence” was the loud breath recorded on an audio recorder sitting by a window. It’s definitely a creepy sound, and if the circumstances were accurately described, it is unusual. At the same time, it’s also quite a bit less than they’ve found at less storied locations. There were a few other EVPs, but most of them were hard to discern or buried deeply in the background.
When all is said and done, this is a location that appears to warrant further investigation, because it’s impossible to conceive that TAPS covered all the angles (especially in terms of debunking) in the space of (at most) a couple nights. Jason and Grant declare the site haunted based on a dearth of strong evidence and a wealth of questionable personal experiences. Critics will hardly be surprised by this turn of events, but those with a more open mind are just as likely to be left wanting. |
