With regards to this former Soviet prison in Latvia the most burning question I have for GHI is: What the hell was that on Barry's head? A hat or a Dolly Parton wig?!! I never thought I'd have a reason to say it, but I'd rather see Dustin wearing his "bass-ackwards, upside down" sun visor than Barry's winter head gear!!

Beyond that the only bit of collected evidence that I found impressive was the EVP of the female screaming voice, assuming it was not faked, of course. The EVP of the alleged voice saying "lazy" just sounded like more static to me. As far as other reported "stuff" goes, I don't know what Rob & Angela thought they saw next to the bookcases in the one room, but when the cameraman aimed in that direction I couldn't see jack squat!! Later on, when Dustin "The Impeccable Hair Man" felt his pants getting jerked and eventually showed it from a stationary camera view, I thought, "Well, maybe that was paranormal, but not as impressive as if he had been shoved against the wall, or knocked flat on his lower 40!"

My last critical comment for this episode is aimed directly at Rob's absurd remark about something referred to as the "universal theory on language usage beyond the grave," or whatever it was he said. Simply put (and I think this was a CYA attempt by Rob as a defense against past criticizm from us skeptics against them for not speaking the local language often enough during investigations), when a person dies and their spirit hangs around they can suddenly and naturally understand ANY of the world's spoken languages!! I wonder if that includes any languages that might not have even existed during the decease's lifetime, in case they croaked more than 500 – 1000 years ago, or one of the more than 1000 dialects that are used in the Phillipines, for example. (The preceding was typed with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek!)

Well now, at least, GHI can take a vacation, during which time they will probably dream up more credible-sounding theories to cover their bovine fertilizer explanations and Barry can discover new investigative toys to impress us with and, hopefully, find a winter hat that normal men wouldn't mind wearing!!

To be fair (which I hate doing), I believe it was Dustin who came out with that universal language drivel.

Yea, I don't know what Robb and Angela were looking at, but the one time Pilgrims actually points a camera in the direction someone is looking – there's nothing. Probably why Pilgrims doesn't do that very often. And agree, the screaming female voice was interesting.

I actually thought Barry's provoking in the office was pretty good – assuming, of course, that there are ghosts and they can be provoked.

BTW why was Dustin doing all the talking at the reveal?

Robb, Robb, Robb, why harangue Angela(I believe) on her hat and give Barry a pass on the dead possum on his head.
When Barry got out of the van I was stunned speechless,I mean wth.
I momentarily thought they had channeled Davy Crockett.

Dustin's universal language statement may be able to stand on it's own.
He just forgot to include the theory that the main vortex between this world and spook-o-land is located in the Rosetta Stone warehouse.

As for the female screams…..I think that Angela may have finally caught a glimpse of her booty in a mirror.

Remember when it was somewhat frowned upon by both GH and GHI to use personal experience as evidence of a haunting? I guess those times are behind us now. The actual evidence gathered were several EVP's and film footage of the EMF meter going off by itself. Is this enough to determine a place is haunted? From previous shows, by their own "standards" the answer would be no. So let us see what is also used to make this determination:

A) Robb and Dustin seeing a shadow on the stairs. No film evidence.
B) Robb and Angela seeing a shadow near the bookcase. No film evidence.
C) Joe Chin being tapped on the shoulder. No physical evidence seen on film.
D) Dustin's pants being grabbed. No physical evidence seen on film.
E) Angela claiming the same thing in same location. No film evidence.

So…personal experience is now a valid method in which to determine whether or not a location is "haunted?" Outstanding. That will certainly quiet the critics and skeptics of the show and the paranormal in general. I feel bad now for even questioning whether or not Joe Chin was tapped twice on the shoulder. Afterall, his experience is now "evidence" of the paranormal. It is being used as "proof" that paranormal activity exists in Karoata. And they wonder why skeptics question the show…

As for Dustin's "Universal Consciousness" theory…wow. Just wow. Last week it was Robb's "Time Slip" and this week…"Universal Consciousness." Wow…seriously? I mean, I try to be open-minded, but only to a certain point. Time Slips and Universal Consciousness go far beyond that point…

Through all this, I believe it is Logisti I feel sorriest for. He actually has to write reviews about this stuff – another good job, though.

I had forgotten about Dustin's 'tug on the pant leg'. The couple of times he retold the story, I kept thinking about the 'telephone game' you've mentioned before (except this time he was doing it by himself; which, I guess, would make it more of a "the one that got away" fish story). I kept telling my wife, "That's not what happened" or "That's not what he said happened."

Good call on the "screaming woman". I didn't even consider the possibility of the voice belonging to Brandy, or any other female. (Hey! Maybe I could get on GHI!)

Exactly on target with Dustin –

He also states that " Joe had felt that someone had tapped his leg ", moving Joe's shoulder tap to a location that's closer to the story the client wants.

During the Reveal the laptop is showing a sequence that appears to be from a production camera. The rules of the game might have changed.

Could it be that Pilgrim is warming us up, knowing what the viewers will be asked to swallow when GH returns ?

The return of the twin psychic demonologists and the dousing rods ?

"Universal Consciousness"????? LOL!!

When I heard that, my first thought is that it was a ridiculous answer to the many people on the internet and perhaps writing to SciFi as to why most of these evps from GHI are in English.

I has to rank up there with the 10 lb limit of ghosts' ability to lift or move things, the fear cage, eating green olives etc.

If anyone buys into the Universal Consciousness bit I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

The best part of the last few episodes has been the absence of Dustin's upside-down duckbill hat. Though Barry's "possum on the head" headgear, as so well stated by bullerspoke, comes close, at least he doesn't wear it all the time. And just what was so weird about Angela's hat? Unfair, Rob, when you've never said anything to Dustin about his cap.

If someone purporting to be a professional investigator came to my house with that on his head, no way could I not laugh and, even worse, question just what kind of people have I invited into my home?

Sorry, I meant blindog re: the possum hat. My brain isn't awake yet.

This halfseaseon really went from bad to worse and ended on a new low. Universal Conciousness Theory, you say? It's so stupid it's not even funny. They truly have thrown everything out the window, I mean MH:s insistance on orbs is more scientific than UCT. UCT implies a whole regiment of assumptions, that in themselves are far out. First, it implies ghost have consciousness, that they are aware they are and what they are (that is they have has intelligence and the ability to use it), second not only that they are able to manipulate recording media but also in an intentional way, with the imprint of a language they did not know when they were alive. It also implies they understand and can recoqnize the language they are being asked in without prior knowledge, and respond accordingly. Not even a living human can do that. Do we suddenly get superpowers after death and hook up to hive-mind a la Borg of Star Trek, where everyone knows what everyone else knows? In fact, UCT has more in common with the universal translator in Star Trek or the linguistic ability of Regan in The Exorcist, in short, with fiction more than anything else.

I am inclined to believe we are in fact dealing with a bastardised version of the characteristics of the myth of demonic possession and subsequent exorcism rites. To be deemed possessed you must speak a language you do not know, and someone might have translated the alleged powers of one alleged supernatural creature, demons, to another, ghosts.

Of course, the theory also implies telepathy, psychokinesis, that ghosts can manipulate the physical world and actually receive and understand what we call talking. And so on.

It's so stupid it's not even funny. Though, I would love to see Dustin's arguments behind the validity of UCT… or not.

The only piece of evidence I think worthwhile is the non-evp recording of what seems to be the cell doors opening and closing.

At that point carefull investigators might have actually spent a few minutes to open and close each of the doors – I would be impressed if that cell 18 made exactly the same sound.

If none did, perhaps a search for any other possible source of the sound – a homeless guy going back into the basement for the night through an outside door maybe ?

Andy … why did you leave us ?

BTW – Found this very interesting narative of the type of tour they give of the prison
http://www.esn.lv/escape-liep%C4%81ja-22nd23rd-october

Agreed that Logisti gets a gold star for reviewing this season's GHI …

Good news this season: seems like we had less "I just saw a shadow" moments, which seemed to fill approximately 98 percent of last season's air time.

Bad news: that's probably the only good news.

When they first mentioned that Universal Consciousness Theory I immediately felt it was a response to discussions on this site (and others like it, I imagine). It seemed almost forced into the conversation (not that many of the conversations on that show seem natural to begin with). As much as I would like to believe in the connectedness of everything, I just can't buy it. And this theory doesn't explain why they get EVPs in other languages when they were only speaking English. Are some ghosts better than others and they are let in on all the secrets of the universe?

The woman's voice in the hallway was interesting. First of all, it was interesting that I heard it (meaning the production crew caught it). I was surprised that either at that instant or during the reveal, no mention was made to see where the girls were. Usually they say something like "you hear a woman talking, but none of the women were in the area at the time". Second, I thought it sounded similar to pipes creaking or whistling when the heat turns on (but they commented earlier that there was ice on inside walls, so maybe that was their excuse, but they could have reiterated the point). But the suggestion that it was Brandy's voice doesn't seem so far fetched.

It is amazing how personal experience now has the importance of documented evidence. Joe's shoulder tap and Dustin's leg pull were caught on camera, well at least their reactions were. Hey, at least they didn't try to insult us by making Dustin's pants actually move (maybe Grant hasn't taught them that trick yet)!

And lastly, when the tour guide was saying how easy it was to get sent to prison, didn't we all think "Dustin, your backwards upside down hat it stupid – off to prison!"

I don't understand why Barry would place the 360 mic on a radiator for one (pipes carry sound) and leave it near a hole in the wall where he detected a source of airflow. Granted, I don't recall the team saying that mic picked up anything…or was it that mic that grabbed the cell door sounds?

I'm doing the best I can to write this review but it's very difficult with someone or something pulling at my pant leg. Wait! I just saw a shadow. My $42,000.00 camera, the NightShadowIdentifier will catch it.

I just got touched again. Leave my pants alone.

I'm taking photos now with the InterGalaticDigiImageMaker which captures the 43rd dimension.

There goes my pant leg again. If you're a male, stop it. if you're a woman at least move up an inch or two!

I'm evp-ing. The Uni-lateral Language Identifier Theory states that even though you only spoke a rare dialect before Christ, you'll understand me & reply in english. The voice-alizer just picked something up. (Playback)Me: Say something so I know you're here. (EVP): dsfdtywhsbyeywhwnsssbt.

Did you hear that? It was a woman's voice. She said, " You had jelly on your pant leg and I was trying to wipe it off."

Damn! That Joe Chin and his late night snacks.

Ironic how visual evidence is not…visual. They've never captured anything that is without question an entity or shadow. Most often they never capute a-thing.

Garbel aka GarBULL is now standard fare for gh/ghi evp evidence.
If they don't see shadows, feel cold spots, hear voices, or aren't touched, that leaves you watching them walking around in the dark. Because that is all they're doing.

Take the personal experiences out of these shows and you have? NOTHING.
The ultimate test would be to allege a location just by it's nature, i.e. a prison is haunted. Feed them stories of paranormal activity. Wanna bet they experience the very same when there is NOTHING there.

There is a drinking game I've heard played by GHI fans. Everytime Barry or anyone says, 'Full Spectrum Camera' they take too take a "shot."
Imagine how intoxicated this country would be if the same drinking game were played each time one or more of the words/phrases below were heard on GH or GHI:
Shadow
EVP
Cold Spot
The phrase "Show us a sign…you're here."
K2
DVR
The only good from this game is you'd be so smashed you too would see & hear the same claims as GH & GHI. You'd have to be drunk to believe any of it were true.

Lar: thank you for starting off my day with a laugh!

About the UCT–Dustin probably read it in Steve's ghost hunting book–the only book he ever claims to have read (what an educated guy).

I know that people involved with these shows are reading boards across the internet. It is obvious they subsequently respond to many points or even suggestions that posters make. It happens too often to be coincidence. The Manson FLIR mess is perhaps the most obvious, but there are other instances as well. That's fine if it gets rid of Dustin's hat, but not so good when it makes someone spout nonsense, and both GH and GHI are guilty of this.

BTW, Prof. Sheldrake bases quite a few of his claims re: telepathy on a similar theory, but he doesn't go as far up the coconut tree as Dustin did. The latter's was absolutely ludicrous. I think the damage inflicted by wearing that hat upside-down for so long has permanently affected his thinking processes.

I do think the sound of the prison door(s) were impressive, IF no one were actually moving them. OK, so they say a camera was trained on them during the night, but we have only their say-so. I'm sorry, but thanks to GH it's so hard to trust what anyone says now.

I also miss Andy. So a lot of people didn't like his personality etc., but hey, I'm not going to marry the guy. He was probably the best debunker that GH and GHI ever had, and Rob was actually a lot better when Andy was around. As usual, we will never know the real reason why he left, though in his case I can believe that with a new baby plus the fact I believe he truly loves his job (something to do with autistic children) he may have had a legit reason for leaving.

And now Angela is gone. GHI is sort of like a paranormal musical chairs show.

P.S. To Logisti: On another board someone mentioned that Donna supposedly spilled the beans on her MySpace and then quickly deleted it, one of the complaints about GHI was that they were never given proper directions to a lot of the places, among many other complaints. Don't want to start rumors but when Rob made that remark, he might actually have been telling the truth, if the informant is to be believed.

well at least the 'personal experience' is taking over from the wellworn trick of " did you see/hear that?" ….of leading the viewers imagination.

instead of simple (feigned) facial expressions of amazement, we're now getting into advanced technique of improvisational acting.

If GH/GHI are reading this board, then I have a message for any one of them.
Show me a shadow. Not an inter stellar 27th dimension picture taken with Barry's FSN, full spectrum nonsense. She me a sign of an actual entity.

The best is their worst. A prison shadow which runs up to the camera only to turn around (sneaker intact),running from it. FLIR images of someone walking down a hall. Isn't it a bit odd that the FLIR images are always just that. Some yahoo walking away from the FLIR itself. Never towards it. Or, one from a distance which pops it's head out of a room, looks at the FLIR, only to pull back inside the room.

People wanna' believe therefore they are able to capture the one thing that matters most, ratings. Eventually the shows popularity, like their lack of evidence will cease to exist.

Show me a sign that won't happen!

I can't say I will miss Angela. She really did not contribute much at all, if anything, but got quite a lot of screen time due to her photogenic appearance (on other's expense I presume). Now, I like pretty women (hell, I like women, period) but I don't like getting doll-faces pushed in my face when I am watching a show that is about the paranormal. The presumption that I will watch and like the show more if there is pretty women around is downright insulting in my opinion. It rubs me, but the wrong way…

Speaking of girls on GH/GHI, this might be overly suspicious, but I get the feeling the inclusion of Amy Bruni in the new season of GH is primarily a promotion for the college-GH-spin-off (weird wording, but you get the drift). It is likely she will be featured on both and act like a bridge. She does have that college-girl vibe…

The UCT still have me spinning, not only do we have a consciousness that survive death but we gain mental and physical superpowers on the other side. If that is true, I'd never leave the Swedenborgian "in-between". Dustins theory is not only ludicrous it is also steeped in spiritualism, in fact, it fits like a glove into MH or any other medium/spiritualist show. It was almost a Kafer Kreed-moment for me. Kafer Kreed killed MH for me, I used to find it fun as pure entertainment, but the deliberate hoaxing and stupidity in that episode, killed the buzz, killed the fun.

The girls are all coming out of central casting now. Notice that, other than Brandi, the ladies tend to have long hair, ala Kris Williams. Seems she has sort of set the mold, so to speak, since apparently she has attracted quite a large male following.

bullerspoke, you are coming from an intelligent and scientific approach. But for a large male segment of these shows (female too, though what any woman sees in Steve is beyond me), a pretty face brings in a lot of viewers. There's a bunch of comments on message boards about certain camera angle shots of Kris Williams

If you haven't already, take a look at a paranormal reality show cattle call:

***********************************

Casting Call Information
City: Any City
State: National

The producer of MTV's hit docudrama "Laguna Beach" seeks attractive women with expertise/interest in paranormal research for new reality tv show. Our new show will feature the women conducting paranormal research and LOOKING FABULOUS DOING IT (My caps)

http://www.realitywanted.com/call/4074-now-casting-female-paranormal-investigators-wanted

Applicant Requirements:

–Must be between the ages of 18-45

–Must have strong, compelling on-screen persona

–Must love the concept of the show.

–Must have expertise/ interest in paranormal research

If you meet the application requirements, please send us an e-mail with the following formation:

–Background info about you

–Include picture/headshots if possible

–Any prior on-camera experience

–Explanation your expertise/interest in paranormal research

–Contact information

*************************
As someone pointed out, the paranormal experience/interest ranks at the very bottom of the requirements.

I've never believed that "long time friend of TAPS" BS. I also think that Joe Chin (who for some reason, I like, maybe because he's usually serious) is the "affirmative action" member.

These shows are becoming so transparent.