"The Dead Files" and Strange Behaviour: A Television Review (“Evil in Erieville")

Production Company: Painless Productions.

Executive Producer: Jim Casey.

Cast: Amy Allan, Stephen Dischiavi, and Matthew Anderson.

As new paranormal reality television shows are broadcast, they can belong to one of three markets: to sell a location about the fact that it may be haunted, to tell a spooky tale or to make a new celebrity of the host(s). "The Dead Files" is all of the above, and for one of the two partners, Amy Allan is trying to tell the world that she speaks to dead people. She is a medium, shows no remorse by cheapening her credibility. She uses the line from the Sixth Sense, "I see dead people."

Most serious paranormal investigators want to stay as far away from cheap movie references.

Steve Di Schiavi on the other hand, can only see bupkis. He wants cold hard facts and evidence that he can hold in his hands. Very little is said about him and viewers soon learn what he is about. He was a no nonsense cop from the borough of Brooklyn, New York. He's apparently retired; and the premiere episode does not explain why he took up paranormal investigation. That can be odd when considering he is a fact gatherer. His accent is a hoot to listen to, but one has to wonder about what department he worked for when in the force.

In the premiere episode, “Evil in Erieville,” an investor from the west coast, Elvis, bought an old farmhouse in Erieville that he wants to turn into a B&B. He had an encounter with an apparition and he now wants some answers. Nothing in the episode reveals how he contacted the "Dead Files'" crew, and as the duo conduct their separate investigations, many disturbing truths might be revealed. How they tie together suggests that is how paranormal investigations should be done when a medium is used.

The uniqueness with this series is that the two do not share their information until the reveal with the client. That is a good technique to use to validate word of mouth details, but It can also be bad if the information is simply edited down to make one of the two stars sound like he or she knows what is going on.

The series can be interesting to watch if viewers can truly believe that Allan knows nothing about the hauntings. Mediumship can only be believed in one-on-one situations, where the interaction is happening in real time, than on a television show. Also, Alllan has an air of showmanship that makes her credibility very difficult to digest.

On the other end of the investigation spectrum, the framed photograph that was found hidden inside a wall cavity gets barely a nod. How does it relate to the case? There has to be a reason but it hardly gets explored. This detail could be a sloppy case of the story editor not making sure all the points revealed are important by the episode's end. All viewers know is that the family in the picture used the long table that's in the old farmhouse, and the owner does not seem all that concerned.

Elvis' hauntings began while he was renovating the abode and toying with spirit contact. He is playing with fire in this episode and when Di Schiavi questions him, there was some reluctance from this house owner in revealing some details. This investigator could have pressed harder, but didn't. To see him go tough as nails would have made for some entertaining moments but this detective must have been holding back. If the client does not say anything, he impairs the investigation.

And when Elvis has to sign a waiver with the Travel Network, then the agendas with both him and the channel can clash. Viewers have to realize that this show is acting more like a travelogue of habitable destinations. With a B&B in the works, the question of whether or not clientele want to be spooked late at night by an insane, murderous, female spirit really has to be questioned. That’s only assuming the haunting is even in fact real. Those ghost children may not be able to hold her back.

And Elvis does not have issues with the ghosts. He has been warned, and he comes through as unwilling to stop his occult hobbies. He does not want the spirits to move on despite the fact that he had a ghostly visitation. He simply reacted to the ghost lady cradling his chest like a frozen lover. When the final interview reveals that he's responsible for opening the gateway to the other side, he reluctantly admits to doing so. He thinks he can handle it but Allan thinks otherwise, and says he'll eventually be requiring her help.

The series has potential if Di Schiavi actually steps up his duties and puts some of these idiots in jail. Sadly, he has no jurisdiction when it comes to dealing with people dabbling with spirit summoning. This modern age reflects nothing of the Elizabethan times where John Dee he was accused and sentenced because of his dark arts.

Overall: 6.75 out of 10.

The Dead Files at the Travel Channel

Related:

The Task on DVD at Amazon (Paranormal Reality Show)

| | | |

Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA

Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis Email Subscription

Posted in: ghosts,horror television preview 2011,horror television review,paranormal investigation,television review,television series,the haunting