By The Sisters Sardonic
Each week, Josh Gates and his entourage travel to distant parts of the globe to research claims of unusual activity, be it ghosts or undiscovered creatures. At least that’s what they claim is their goal; but we believe there is a darker, more sinister force at work: comic relief.
This week’s DT was the usual recipe of fun and games. During this episode, the team traveled first to the Chuuk Islands of Micronesia to conduct the first ever paranormal investigation underwater. Our first thought concerning this underwater investigation was, “Isn’t it hard enough to substantiate claims of paranormal activity above ground, let alone underwater, with almost no control over the environment?” If it is going to be difficult anyway, why wait until dark? It’s not like the ghosts are on a clock, “Time for our shift to start!” Flashes of light and shadow movements can be easily explained away as floating debris entering one’s field of vision or fish swimming by, and the overall impaired visibility of the location limits the procurement of visual evidence. We were actually kind of bored with the underwater expedition. Mostly, we were annoyed at them for acting so shocked at finding various items, and wished we were watching a documentary of the scene on The History Channel so we could learn more about the ruins themselves.
Josh investigated three different underwater sites and did manage to find some Spam (awesome) as well as some strange activity in the form of unusual engine-sounding noises coming from one wreck. The noise was unmistakable and eerie since there was obviously no way anything down there could make that type of noise. The team members who investigated above ground caught an image on the Flir (thermal imaging) camera, heard noises and one member felt he was touched by someone/thing, but nothing which could be substantiated. We didn’t see anything that led us to believe anything supernatural was going on, though with that many people dying in one location, it would be surprising if there weren’t ghosts. One bit of cool-ness at the end was the appearance of Jason and Grant from Ghost Hunters. Occasionally, Josh takes evidence to them for their educated opinions. Overall, the biggest event on this trip was watching team member Ali use an iPad. It was almost like they were rubbing it in our faces, “Look how cool we are, we get to use an iPad and all this cool equipment and you have to stay home and watch us on TV.” Okay, we’re jealous already.
Next the team traveled to Tono, Japan to look for the legendary kappa: a kind of turtle monster which was reputed to have captured people and large animals. One humorous aspect of this investigation (only one of many) was a local official describing the monster as resembling a ninja turtle. Which of the four TMNT? We did not find out, perhaps all; however, Master Splinter was nowhere to be found.
This expedition was wildly entertaining, though not because it convinced us in any way that the kappa actually exists. It was that we were amused with the antics of the team themselves. From the tourist trap gift shop to the bizarre capsule hotel, this team managed to find the humor in every situation and every location, and create it. For example, what could be more hilarious than a team of people who hunt GHOSTS for a living, being so afraid of bats? Not much, we have to say. We were also a bit surprised, and not a little impressed, when Gates pulled an Indiana Jones routine by diving into a river from a partially-demolished bridge. Give that man a fedora!
We do call their methods of investigation into question, though. If we were trying to catch footage of a large animal, we would probably set out some bait to lure it in, rather than tromping through its national habitat. What bait could possibly lure it out into the open? Well, we don’t want to beat a dead horse… err, turtle… but why not just kidnap a TV news reporter? Hey, it always worked for the Shredder.
Regardless of our criticism, it is always fun to watch the encounters of the team as they travel. Really, that is the best part of the show. They have great chemistry and have managed to develop an underlying continuous theme to the whole series based on one all-important question, “What piece of crap will they be driving?” We think the show really is just an opportunity for Josh to make pop culture references, which is okay with us because we are still laughing.
About The Sisters Sardonic:
Amy Satterly is an educational professional and aspiring geek who only began to truly embrace her dork-dom later in life due to her misguided attempts at becoming an overachiever.
Linda Hawkins, on the other hand, has been painfully aware of her dork-dom from Day One. She spends most of her time waiting for her mutant powers to surface and putting together her application to Xavier’s School for the Gifted.
Related Stuff:
Amy Satterly is an educational professional and aspiring geek who only began to truly embrace her dork-dom later in life due to her misguided attempts at becoming an overachiever.
Linda Hawkins, on the other hand, has been painfully aware of her dork-dom from Day One. She spends most of her time waiting for her mutant powers to surface and putting together her application for Xavier’s School for the Gifted. Visit their Facebook page. 
