BBC Sounds 4 November 2022

What’s cooking in the witch’s tent? I mean farm…

Three episodes in and there’s so much to digest already that we’re treated to a case update from Danny and the gang.

These occasional update episodes have become an important part of the spooky Robinsverse and they’re a chance for listeners and fans to sift through the story’s soil for the juicy nuggets of fact or fiction.

There are some big moments for the sceptics, including some absolutely first class detective work from Michelle @CrystalChampers on Twitter. She served up some science that fits all those nasty animal deaths like a glove. She’s been crowned “The Witch Farm Equivalent of Star Baker” in the most mind-blowing mike-drop of the instalment!

There is also evidence from experts who explain that there are ways for certain faults in electrical circuits to cause high consumption… it’s looking increasingly like the Rich family were just incredibly unlucky rather than haunted.

Our new witness is the solicitor who helped the family with their battle with the electric company, and he testifies that there seemed to be no way that the level of electricity could have been used. That was their argument anyway. He wants there to be a rational explanation, but as it’s not possible to order a ghost with an order to attend court for questioning, it seems as if the case fizzled out.

This all adds up to a much less convincing case for the paranormal… hmmmm… am I moving along the line towards scepticism here?! I’m not sure…

Verdict: Can we have our sceptical cake and eat it? 8/10

Claire Smith