Episode Postmortem: "The Sensitive"
Tuesday March 25, 2008 8:41 AM
Case File: 2007.11.41F
Code Name: "THE SENSITIVE"
DIRECTOR'S LOGS
These logs have been condensed and edited, but to the best of our ability, they remain an accurate account of the case.
MY ORIGINAL THEORIES ON POSSESSION
At the beginning of the episode I was entertaining the idea of spirit/demonic possession. This is because, on paper, it looked very much like a classic case with demonic properties. Janice, the mother, felt that Liana had some direct connection with the paranormal phenomena. Then, according to Janice, there were repeated sightings of a black mist that, at one point, actually approached and pressed down on a family member. The phenomenon got so intense that it got to a point where Liana was very emotional about it. Liana claims to have seen the black mist quite a few times and has communicated with something in the house. As discussed on the show, there were some moments of depression and angst that Liana fell in to. The family described her at times of "not being herself." There was additional information that, unfortunately, was not featured on the show.
For the most part, I wasn't sold on the demonic theory. This is why it is discarded rather quickly on the investigation. However, as an investigator, I believe that it needed to at least be looked in to.
Many of the claims we still can't explain, like the black mists or movement of objects. We do not feel that the clients were lying to us. We believe that there was a lot more to the story, but like many of the cases featured on "Paranormal State," we don't claim to always have the answers.
When it came to Liana's emotional stress and depression, we were happy to hear that she had a professional to talk with. The family was willing to entertain all possibilities, not just the paranormal.
Liana said she felt a little scared because of the phenomena and what she experiences. If these experiences are legitimately paranormal, then I can certainly understand why she'd be upset.
Because Liana did not react to the blessed medals, as allegedly possessed people are supposed to do, and because many other factors were ruled out, I stepped away from my original theory of possession.
WHY NOT POLTERGEIST?
Judging from what I know of poltergeist phenomena, and talking with a parapsychologist during that case, it also didn't seem likely that we were experiencing a case of poltergeist phenomena. For example, the activity wasn't 100% centered on Liana. If the haunting was purely psychokinetic, one would think that Liana leaving the location would end the activity. However, the family actually owns two homes and they have confirmed that activity continues when Liana is not around. However, it does pick up when Liana is around.
Secondly, the phenomena seemed intelligent, like a spirit. The black mists shaping like a human figure and approaching the family member are bizarre and rather calculating. The communication Liana also has/had with the spirits also needs to be taken in to account.
It seems more likely that, if Liana is experiencing spiritual phenomenon, it is a haunting.
However, the study of poltergeist phenomenon isn't always clear. One example is the Enfield Poltergeist case. They refer to it almost always as a poltergeist haunting, but it seems to show signs of both an intelligent haunting and even demonic phenomena. I suggest people reading up on it. It's an interesting story.
THE EMF SPIKE
Hate to break it to you guys, but we eventually found an explanation for it. Unfortunately, I don't think it was filmed at the time when we made the discovery. The awesome Josh and Serg, as we were packing up, discovered a very hazardous electrical wire all the way in the basement. If our schematics of the house are correct, that wire would eventually connect to Liana's room. It was definitely unusual at the time, because it didn't give off high EMFs anywhere else in the house, just to the way of Liana's bed.
We will try to see if there's any video of this or if Josh can write more on this, because I know that there are many investigators out there interested in EMF. I think Josh's cliff notes on the EMF and supposed hallucinations were pretty interesting. A scientist actually conducted research on high EMF and hallucinations, I believe.
THE EVP
We still can't explain that one as of yet. It's very clear on the show.
YOU'RE A WIZARD, HARRY!
So DumbleChip comes in and reveals to Liana that she is a psychic! Then, he takes Liana to Hogwarts where she receives her magical education!
If it were like that, then being a psychic would be pretty cool. Alas, I'm told that it's quite the opposite. Chip has a great ability to connect with young adults who feel special or gifted. Although there's no proof that Liana is a psychic, if she truly feels that she has some mediumistic abilities, I think it's fine to let her branch out and see if it's true. We opened up dialogue with Liana and her family, so it wasn't a secret by any means. We ultimately left it up to Liana on where she wanted to go with it. We simply said, "we're here to support you if you need it."
The family has also consulted with a counselor, so they are covering all their bases. Liana has a lot of attention from her family, so I believe that she has the tools she needs to live a better life.
THANK YOU
Thank you all for watching the first season of "Paranormal State." It was an awesome experience and we learned a lot about ourselves and the investigative process along the way. I really think that we'll continue to improve as we grow.
I'll also try to answer more questions, here and on the PRS website, now that the entire first season is out there. God bless.
Comments (8)
Thanks for the update on the EMF, Ryan. My partner and I were extremely concerned that there could be a hazardous electrical problem when you found that spike. We were hoping it was checked out more thoroughly, and now we hope the family repaired it.
Great Episode, looking forward to another season!
Posted by Sue | March 25, 2008 10:21 AM
Posted on March 25, 2008 10:21
I have mixed feelings on this episode. There are alot of things that strike me as being "scripted". I watch the show to try and justify certain aspects but I find myself asking the same questions. I actually wrote an article on why I believe that Paranormal State is more for show that the science behind "ghosts and paranormal"
http://www.paranormalinsight.com/paranormal-state-fake/
Posted by Paranormal | March 25, 2008 12:11 PM
Posted on March 25, 2008 12:11
I found the show very entertaining through it's first season. Is there word on when a Season 2 may be aired?
Posted by Drew | March 25, 2008 7:17 PM
Posted on March 25, 2008 19:17
I'm beginning to think the show should be an hour long. There always seems to be some areas not fully explained and/or unaired that may help viewers understand the episodes a little better. This postmortem is one example. I was wondering why the demonic possession was introduced and discarded so quickly. It seems the postmortems expose a lot more to the story that the episodes should have shown us.
Posted by bobbi | March 25, 2008 8:23 PM
Posted on March 25, 2008 20:23
Hi Ryan,
I agree, your postmortem really adds to the show... too bad I just found out about it on the season finale.
Also, tell the people who edit the show that they should pay more attention, as during "Deadtime" (supposedly 3am) the clock beside the bed says 12:32am one second then after the commercial 11:31pm.
I've since been told that A&E made the 3am thing and that you guys have "deadtime" whenever you want, is this true?
Posted by Girlmatrix | March 25, 2008 11:31 PM
Posted on March 25, 2008 23:31
I like watching Paranormal State but this episode was a little "iffy" for me.
The girl, Liana, is a fraud. There was something rather fishy about her from the clips on the show. Granted that we didn't get to meet her and have a nice cozy sit down but from what was shown it was almost like she was putting on a play.
I don't buy her alligations (sp?) due to the fact she seems to read off what people are saying and acts on what she thinks they want to see.
I love the show as a whole but this one episode just made me want to slap someone.
Posted by Connie | March 26, 2008 12:05 AM
Posted on March 26, 2008 00:05
Ryan I think you are adorable and I'm generally skeptical about the paranormal and which shows are scripted and which ones the real deal. I only hope that you are really legitment.
Something about you I get a good feeling about & I think you have an incredible team espacially when you have Chip & Lorraine on an episode.
I agree that the show needs to be an hour long though. I notice often the editors will preview an interesting clip before commercial & never refer back to it later in the show. Also, because we, the viewers are trying to hear sounds & pay attention to signs of paranormal activity, they need to leave off all the extra sound effects during dead time they add for dramatic effect. That makes it feel less realistic thus seemingly too theatrical.
Other than that I'm a loyal fan because I appreciate the reason you have stated you do what you do. I'm looking forward to season two, but I want to see more of you.
Angie Spradling
Posted by Angie Spradling | March 27, 2008 2:18 AM
Posted on March 27, 2008 02:18
My son is, I believe, a sensitive. He never has to have things dragged out of him like Liana did. I can't ( and won't...lol) explain here why I feel he is a sensitive but he *has* to be. And yes, sometimes it scares him but when he feels or sees something, he tells us...we don't have to do like Chip did with Liana. My son has been this way since he was just a little boy (he is 17 now).
I wish he had Chip as a mentor. :-)
Posted by Marlene | March 29, 2008 1:50 PM
Posted on March 29, 2008 13:50