The Unexplained Files
The Unexplained Files is a 2010s American television series, airing on Science Channel, which investigates Paranormal and other unexplained phenomena.
According to a King Features spokesperson, it was the most watched series on the Science Channel during its first season in 2013. The second season began July 29, 2014 and had 12 episodes planned.[1]
Reception
New York Times critic Neil Genzlinger criticized the show as covering a subject that has "long been overworked, and shows that examine the unexplained tend to focus on the same old esoteric mysteries rather than the practical ones right under our noses."[2] In a review for Skeptical Inquirer Stephanie Kemmerer writes that she had expected that a show on The Science Channel would "reflect science, logic, and reason." She was disappointed saying the show "cleverly and sneakily led viewers to a single conclusion." The only expert in the cattle mutilation episode, veterinarian Truman Smith was given 30 seconds to explain that the mutilations were made by predators, most of the show time was given to "outlandish theories". In conclusion Kemmerer writes that the show is biased and sensationalistic.[3]
Episode list
Season 1 (2013 - 2014)
| Episode | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Valentich & Texas Blue Dogs" | August 28, 2013 |
| 2 | "Freaky Fires & Ghost Yacht" | September 4, 2013 |
| 3 | "Livestock Mutilation & Curse of the Ice Mummy" | September 11, 2013 |
| 4 | "UFO, Mothman & Morgellon's Disease" | September 18, 2013 |
| 5 | "Alien Rain, Beach Boom & Voynich Manuscript" | September 25, 2013 |
| 6 | "Human Combustion & Carlos de los Santos" | October 2, 2013 |
| 7 | "The Yeti" | June 1, 2014 |
Season 2 (2014)
| Episode | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Real Exorcist and Elk Extinction" | July 29, 2014 |
| 2 | "Peruvian Alien Skull and Baltic Sea UFO" | August 5, 2014 |
| 3 | "Paranormal Highway of America" | August 12, 2014 |
| 4 | "Curse of Flannan Lighthouse and Aleshenka: Russian Mummy" | August 19, 2014 |
| 5 | "Death From the Sky and Mexican Chupacabra" | August 26, 2014 |
| 6 | "Siberian Lake Serpent and Mystery of the Bosnian Pyramid" | September 2, 2014 |
| 7 | "Are Aliens Attacking Our Nuclear Arsenal" | September 9, 2014 |
| 8 | "Lost Giants of Georgia and Bridge of Death" | September 16, 2014 |
| 9 | "Mysteries at 30,000 Feet" | September 23, 2014 |
| 10 | "Voodoo Zombies & Life After Death" | September 30, 2014 |
| 11 | "Shadow People The Sun Miracle" | October 26, 2014 |
| 12 | "Aliens, Monsters, and Demons: The New Evidence" | November 2, 2014 |
References
- Elavsky, Cindy (July 20, 2014). "Celebrity Extra". King Features. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
- Genzlinger, Neil (August 27, 2013). "Red Sea and Aliens Explored, Again 'The Unexpected Files' Comes to Science Channel". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
- Kemmerer, Stephanie (2014). "The Unexplained Files - TV Mystery - Mongering". Skeptical Inquirer. 38 (1): 59–61.
With the huge growth spurt in the acceptance, belief, and interest n the paranormal, an unsolved mystery is sure to make for good ratings, but the cost of that is in exponential increase in biased and unscientific ideas and theories. That is the greatest shame of all. Science has no fear of the paranormal community, while much of the parnormal community seemingly avoids and cowers in fear from science.