Leave skepticism at the door—or don't. But do be prepared for a little unnerving viewing with Paranormal State, a reality television show about a group of Penn State students who moonlight as the Paranormal Research Society: college ghostbusters who respond to cries for help from ordinary folks plagued by pests from the spirit world. Led by the seemingly unflappable Ryan Buell, the PRS team essentially moves into afflicted homes (just like the paranormal investigators in Poltergeist), tries to locate whatever spook is causing mischief, and then works on casting it out. If this sounds like a real-life episode of Scooby-Doo, none of the episodes actually end with a fake ghost revealed as some malcontent relative. Instead, in one of the 20 episodes from the 2007-08 first season compiled here, Ryan and company investigate an allegedly factual version of The Sixth Sense when they meet a little boy who is regularly visited by the restless spirit of a dead child named Timmy. In "Shape Shifter," a mother fears for her adolescent daughter's well-being, after a malevolent ghost with some animal attributes harasses the girl. "Dark Man" serves up a weird tale about a shadowy figure that somehow seems tied to the death of a boy, while "The Cemetery" concerns a gravedigger's wife who is troubled by a restive spirit. But the prize episode here is "The Haunted Piano," in which an upright piano given away free on Craigslist (online classified ads) terrorizes the poor suckers who brought it home. DVD extras include commentary tracks on select episodes, bonus footage, and featurettes (on the PRS members, the guest experts, and behind-the-scenes). A strong optional purchase. (T. Keogh)
Paranormal State: The Complete Season One
A&E, 3 discs, 460 min., not rated, DVD: $34.95 August 18, 2008
Paranormal State: The Complete Season One
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