Ghost Hunters Academy Episode Review: Schooled at Shawshank

After seeing last night's episode, I have to wonder why TAPS doesn't visit the Ohio State Reformatory more often (at least with a camera crew). Considering the GHA cadets found evidence there, I would love to see Ghost Hunters return there too (the last time they were there, I believe, was 2005).

I want to take a minute to applaud the fact Dave and Steve stayed in the background once the investigation began rather than being shown on camera every five minutes or interfering. This was one of the first investigations where I felt we really got to see what the cadets had to offer simply because they were on their own.

I will admit, being a skeptic, I though they were interfering when Adam got that image that looked like someone running on the thermal imaging camera. I expected them to investigate and find Steve hiding in the corner of one of the cells or something.

Speaking of unexplained things caught on film, what was up with that pair of legs on camera when they set up central command and Vera was explaining where the cameras were? My wife and I ended up doing a double take and re-watching that just to be sure we really did see something. I'm guessing it was just one of their crew members rather than a ghost but it would have been nice to have someone mention something about it.

Of all the people who have been team leader, Vera was, by far, the worst. She set herself up for disaster (and elimination) by not giving credit where credit was due (making herself seem dishonest) and being totally clueless about how to conduct an investigation. If it weren't for Adam pointing out a potential central command spot and giving her a game plan, they probably would have never been able to even start the investigation.

I think she also hurt herself even more by picking Eric to team with her rather than a weaker investigator like Michelle.

On that note, I was once again wrong about Michelle being the one sent home. But, in all fairness, she really hasn't done anything to really deserve making it to the final episode. If it weren't for Rosalyn missing evidence last week and Vera's horrible performance this week, she wouldn't be around.

Next week is the season finale (really?). If I had to pick a winner, I would say Adam. Michelle is obviously the weakest of the final three and has too much ground to gain. Eric is a stronger investigator than Adam. But, I feel Adam is better when it comes to working as a part of a team and, unless he really screws up next week, I think that will put him over the top.