Sci Fi Investigates: Is it More Show Than Tell?

"The vast cover-ups. The big lies. The stubborn mysteries. The stories have been told, but the truth remains hidden. Finally, for the first time ever, a series that does not just ponder the questions, it hunts for the answers". Or is it more show than tell?

In his blog on the Sci-Fi website, Dr. Doleman states, "In each episode of SCI FI Investigates, we will uncover new evidence and subject old evidence to the newest forensic investigative technology for fresh analysis. We will interview eyewitnesses for new insights and recruit the foremost scientists and historians, skeptics and believers to uncover new clues and reveal new perspectives of legendary mysteries".

With 3 episodes completed, I have yet to see the investigation team uncover any new evidence, or find new insights from eyewitnesses. It is my feeling that it is completely fair to say that the Sci Fi Network has put together a show that merely rehashes the myths of unexplained subjects.

Viewers looking for a true scholarly investigation aren't going to find it here. And the experts don't tend to amaze viewers with their skilled analysis, either. Rather, SCI FI Investigates depicts some rather normal folks looking into an interesting subject. With the access that TV cameras bring, this can be engaging. But it can also be disappointing for people who want to see a real investigation.

In my opinion, what makes this show even more disappointing is the unused skills and talents of the investigation team. I liken it to a show about a 5 star chef that washes dishes. I'm talking about each member being experts in their field, but their collective talents disappear under the weight of the humorous investigations they portray.

The teams consists of Deborah Dobrydney (crime scene investigator), Dr. Bill Doleman (Archaeologist), Richard Dolan (Paranormal investigator and author, best known for the book UFOs and the National Security State), and Rob Mariano (the "jack of all trades", and best known as "Boston Rob" from Survivor).

Deborah Dobrydney, in the episode of "Bigfoot" at least showcased her skills as a forensic investigator during the plaster cast of the footprints segment. However, it almost seemed to me as if she was learning about the process as I was watching it. In my mind, I was thinking, isn't this something a forensic investigator would know about? She is no doubt intelligent. I take nothing from her. However, at this point she strikes me as the token "babe" on the show with her nice eyes and her attractive figure having been more displayed than her intelligence.

Dr. Doleman has not really done much either, in my opinion. Although, being an archaeologist, there has not yet been much use for his talents. The problem I have with Dr. Dolemans participation is that he seems more like a child that's willing to believe anything on the slightest, most minute detail. Instead of using a scientific mind and applying it to legend and folklore, he has set off on this documentary journey as a child sets off on his first exploration of the woods behind his house. Most notably, the "Voodoo" episode actually made me feel embarrassment for him. The way he was seen to be carrying on and then to report that he was drawn in by the mysticism.

Richard Dolan should be the most scientific expert of the group. The one with the most keen mind in the matters they are investigating. He is, after all, a paranormal expert. It seems, though, that he spends most of his time admonishing the rest of the group for acting like children and then hiking off by himself, as seen in the Bigfoot episode. His expertise to this point has been limited to merely telling the cameras what we already know of each of the myths and legends that are being investigated.

When I first heard of the show, before it's first episode, hearing that Rob Mariano was on the team was actually turning me off to the show. Upon watching the show, however, my feeling now is that Rob Mariano is the only thing saving the show and making it worth watching. His antics and his skepticism keep the show humorous and interesting. When he donned the bigfoot costume in an attempt to recreate one of the bigfoot films and took off running, just to fall after about 10 feet, well I thought that was just hilarious.

In truth, watching Rob on the show displaying his skepticism in the face of the rest of the teams willingness to believe in whatever they're told without proof reminds me of watching American Idol and listening to Simon criticize a singer while the rest of the team disagrees with him. It is widely agreed that 9 times out of 10, Simon is right on. In my opinion, Rob is showing himself to be the Simon Cal of the Sci Fi Investigation team.

One thing I would have liked to see on the teams blog, which is apparently only written by Dr. Doleman, is the conclusions the team came to on their investigations. Watching the show, you get about 5 minutes of the team sitting around a table talking about the investigation results. My impression of those 5 minutes are the team trying to keep myth and legend alive while trying to say they didn't find any evidence to do so.

As I mentioned before, if you want to watch a show that investigates folklore, legends, and paranormal happenings, this show does that with humor, but not much serious investigation. Given that the "Bigfoot" episode was done in just a single weekend, there could not have been a very serious expedition into the legends viability.