Tapping in to #PoltergeistZeitgeist

We interrupt our scheduled Uncanny reviews, not for a new case this week, but for a look back at case 1 and the alleged haunting of Alanbrooke Hall. An interactive social media ‘listen live’ event was also scheduled for 9pm on the same day the episode dropped and – can confirm – scary fun was indeed had by all.

The popularity of Uncanny’s first episode and the call out for assistance with continuing the investigation has brought some new witnesses out of the woodwork. Witnesses with some compelling testimonies.

Not just Ken (he of ‘bloody hell’ Twitter trend fame) but we have Gary Foster, a former student warden of Alanbrooke Hall, who had some eerily similar tales to tell about strange goings on with the lifts – which, it was later confirmed, in addition to having a mind of their own, weren’t located right next to room 6-11. Such a shame the tower block has been demolished, or I’d be queuing up for tickets. This doesn’t prevent Gary’s testimony coming across as scientifically analysed.

Ah, but the land the halls stood on, it transpires, has a tragic history. Why would that mean that one room six floors up would be haunted rather than the entire block though? This point was made on Twitter during the interactive Listen Live event and it’s a good one. I love these debates.

Scientifically spooky buildings, residual energy being left in the area, mass hysteria with different people over many years… then… don’t get me started on the pentagrams. I’m beginning to agree with Ciaran, you could see them anywhere if you’re looking for them.

Then we have Billy’s testimony, which is utterly terrifying to me, although as Danny points out in his ever-balanced way, the events described, while similar, seem a little less dramatic from the new points of view we’re hearing. But… a vision of someone in the room that Billy’s roommate (also called Bill) just sat there staring at? He apparently prayed that it would disappear… I’d have been joining in with those prayers!

How many trending Twitter hashtags has this podcast created now? Have records been broken yet?

Verdict: Never mind ‘bloody hell Ken’… bloody hell Gary & Billy! 8/10

Claire Smith