Friday nights on the Travel Channel have long been dedicated to the weird and wonderful world of the paranormal, but television in general has seen a gradual shift towards the dark side on many levels. With a plethora of paranormal shows hitting the screen, what was scary a few years ago, is now quite mundane. Thus with waning interest, I watched the first episode of the Travel Channel's new show, The Dead Files. Fearing the same run-of-the-mill ghostly encounters, I was prepared to be disappointed. Except I wasn't.
Physical medium teams up with homicide detective
For those of you who haven't seen the show yet, a team of two people are called in by homeowners to investigate alleged paranormal activities within the home. Amy Allan is a Physical Medium who conducts her psychic investigation within the home itself, and Steve DiSchiavi is a New York Homicide Detective (active for 21 years), who meets with the homeowners and then launches an investigation through local channels, such as public records, police reports and historical resources.
After both Amy and Steve have concluded their independent investigations, they meet with the homeowners in a show-and-tell session which compares findings from both parties. The format of the show is a dual revelation with similarities played out side-by-side for the audience – Steve and Amy however, do not compare findings until the final meeting with the family.
Fact and feeling delivers powerful punch
Whether it's the combination of fact and feeling, or of those who deliver it, I'm not sure, but Amy Allan has this startling ability to grab you through the screen and pull you smack bang into the middle of her terror. In the third episode named, "Terror in the Shadows," the duo investigated a northern California family's home, riddled with shadow people.
Amy's fear was palpable as she described how she had never experienced so many shadow people in one location. Furthermore, as Amy stood physically shaking and terrified, she revealed how as a young girl, shadow people pretending to be friends, persuaded her to bite an electrical cord. Shadow people, Allan admitted, are her nemesis and worse, she adds, they suck the life right out of people.
It's all about Amy
Watching the imposing atmosphere of the house force Amy outside, I was bemused by the mother's reactions to the investigation, despite having acknowledged the years of physical attacks, terror and torture endured by her own children. Even the admission of her son speaking in tongues appeared to be brushed off like an annoying gnat.
The matriarch of the family's almost blasé attitude about the entire affair was startling, as the children – now adults, were forced to face the final haunting revelations from Steve and Amy alone. The most daunting proclamation was delivered in true apocalyptic fashion, and revolved around their own father, whom Amy believed, had succumbed to the shadow people several years earlier.
So what makes this show so different from every other paranormal series available? Honestly, I haven't a clue, but Amy Allan's remarkable insight and how she delivers it, is incredibly gripping. With her findings supported by historical facts – as unearthed by sidekick Steve DiSchiavi, just seeing the hardened homicide detective also rocked back on his heels, adds another powerful gut punch. The Travel Channel has definitely scored big with this series; The Dead Files, freak me out.
Catch The Dead Files on The Travel Channel, every Friday at 10 E/P.
The Dead Files is produced by Painless Productions for the Travel Channel. For Painless, the executive producer is Jim Casey and the co-executive producers are John C. Fitzgerald and Ross Kaiman. The executive producer for the Travel Channel is David E. Gerber.
Elizabeth Batt - Elizabeth Batt is a former large animal nurse, certified NREMT, lover of equines and conservationist.
