Ghost Hunters Recap 10.03.07: Episode 314: Spirits of San Francisco

Posted by Ron Martin on 10.04.2007

This week the TAPS team investigates in San Francisco. The Presidio and the Lullaby Lane Baby Store are on the agenda. Also a mysterious guest recapper takes over the haunted halls of the the Ghost Hunter recap.

Oh baby! It's that time! It's the time of the week that you wake your mother up for. It's your weekly recap of…



Who is Kris Williams? Isn't that what we all really want to know? The newest ghost hunter who seems to know not even the basic skills of ghost hunting was on everyone's mind last week. Especially Steve's. We do know two things – she looks better than anyone else in the TAPS t-shirts and she has bad choice in men.

Oh, there is the whole "she's actually an actress" angle. I was tipped off by a reader and confirmed on several forums. Don't believe me?



Kris is our center Lady in Red there. While she has very few credits to her on her imdb page and Jason is on record as saying she's only had a few parts and all as extras, it's still not a favorable light cast on TAPS. It's possible that Kris is just an interested paranormal rookie who got the chance of her life. It's also possible that in search for the all important ratings, SciFi or TAPS itself wanted to get somebody camera pretty. Also suspect is the firing/quitting of Brian, who isn't so pretty as Kris.

Why would SciFi or TAPS challenge the scifi/paranormal community with something like this? While I am on the fringe of the community, I know enough to know that these guys live to bust this stuff and will research until their fingers are scraped to the bone and they're bleeding all over their keyboards. Sigh.

DELETED SCENES FROM LAST WEEK

In the deleted scenes from last week, two very important things were revealed.

1) Kris did have a paranormal experience as a child. She tells Steve about a weird feeling she got at certain spots in her friends house. It felt like a small child was going to tear at her clothes. It just so happens that her friend's younger brother died in the very spot Kris was creeped out in when he was eight. I have no idea why they would delete a scene involving Kris and her clothes ripping off. They also did some weird dramatization with the story that was kind of gay, so maybe it's better it was on the cutting room floor.

2) There's a new ghost hunter! Maybe. It appears as if Tango wasn't ghost hunting alone all of last week. A guy named Darren or Derrick (hey, if he can't make the main show, I can't be bothered to remember his name) was ghost hunting with him. He just isn't camera pretty like Kris, so he doesn't get TV time. Or maybe it was a ghost?

The time is nigh, my gruesomely haunted children. It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that I will not actually be able to provide you with your weekly dose of me! I am on "vacation" actually doing some ghost hunting of my own right here in Salem, Ma – which has got to be in the top ten most haunted cities in America, just behind Savannah, New Orleans and Gettysburg – right? The Days Inn apparently sees no need for the SciFi channel.

Don't worry, though. Stop knotting up that noose – there is no need for violence, people! I'm not going to leave you hanging (get it?). What kind of recapper would I be if I were to do that? I went out and got a guest recapper. Not just any guest recapper. This man has much more writing experience here at 411 than I do. And much more experience in love. But that's okay, I'm not bitter.

I'm filling your trick-or-treat bags early this year, kiddies, because I bring to you the only man who can understand me, the master of the macabre, the purveyor of perverseness (I have no idea if either of those words exist), the only one who understands me, the creator/writer/general agitator of Misunderstood Masterpieces, the one and only Mr. WILL HELM, ladies and gentleman! That was a long sentence, I know, but if anyone deserves it, it's Will.

So without further ado, the same TAPS team from last week heads down the left coast to hippie haunted town of San Francisco to investigate:


It's week two of the sort-of second part of the third season – these are seriously the LONGEST seasons on TV – of Ghost Hunters on Sci-Fi. Standing in for Ron Martin this week – who's sadly sans Sci-Fi due to circumstances that may or may not be beyond his control – is I, purveyor of all masterpieces misunderstood, Will Helm. As a note of full disclosure, I am indeed a fan of Ghost Hunters and have been since I was hooked by the live Halloween special last year – and, no, I didn't just watch it because CM Punk was on. I am, as far as I can tell, caught up from Season One to the present day and, more importantly, ready to recap this exciting episode!

According to the pre-credits segment, the TAPS gang is invading San Francisco! Don't call it "Frisco," folks, or you'll end up in Alcatraz to find out exactly what the "San Francisco Treat" really is. Meanwhile, I don't know what happens if you call it "San Fran" . . . and I really don't want to find out. Tonight's episode features investigations at the Presidio – but no Mark Harmon – and a local baby store. And now, on to the credits . . .

Dramatis Personae:

Jason Hawes, TAPS co-founder
Grant Wilson, TAPS co-founder
Steve Gonsalves, TAPS technical manager
Donna Lacroix, TAPS case manager (though I can't remember her actually appearing in the episode)
Dave Tango, TAPS investigator
Kris Williams, TAPS investigator-in-training
Clients . . . and maybe some ghosts as well

Case #1: The Presidio

Along the way to The Presidio, rookie investigator Kris provides some exposition on the facility. According to Kris, The Presidio was a long-time military base – even stretching back to the Spanish occupation of California. It was adopted by the U.S. military in 1848 and in use until being decommissioned in 1995. In addition, the Spanish history of the facility comes into play as Kris mentions that there may be the ghost of a Spanish woman residing therein; as well, the U.S. military even contends, officially, that The Presidio is indeed haunted.

At The Presidio, Jason, Grant, and Steve meet with Dr. Thomas Smith, their liaison at the facility. Dr. Smith explains that, according to staff accounts, the site is quite busy with paranormal activity, with a few specific locales for TAPS to investigate. First, the facility's lounge is noisy and visitors there smell mysterious wafts of tobacco in the air. The building's ballroom contains the legendary "Spanish woman" and a witness even attests to hearing disembodied footsteps in the room. The kitchen suffers from unexplained cooking sounds, while the air in the "viewing room" – where war casualties and dignitaries would lie in state – is often corrupted by the scent of flowers and the sounds of weeping. In the fact of all this hearsay, however, Dr. Smith is still skeptical regarding any possible haunting.

With all of this information in mind, the TAPS crew sets up for the night's investigation, with particular focus on the named areas.

The Investigation

Jason and Grant, viewing room: While Jason tries to make contact with any residing spirits via Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP), Grant discovers a nearby closet full of heavily perfumed cleaning supplies. Grant surmises that this could provide a logical explanation for the mysterious "flowery scents."

Dave and Kris, kitchen: Dave hears noises from all over the kitchen, but nothing totally out of the ordinary. Kris, meanwhile, requests a sign from any residing spirits . . . and they respond with a metallic clang! And a commercial break!

After the break, Dave explains the clang that he and Kris heard after her request and then the source of the sound is revealed to be . . . an ice machine. Whew.

Jason and Grant, lounge: Jason, like many before in that room, does smell the sweet scent of tobacco. After a bit of careful investigation and, literally, following their noses, Jason and Grant notice that the odor seems to emanate from the woodwork within the room, absorbed a long time ago.

Dave and Kris, lounge (with Col. Mustard and the lead pipe): While Steve listens in at the command center – since he's the odd man out on this investigation, Kris tries to get any undead soldiers' attention, as they wouldn't, logically, be used to a woman in their presence. Dave, after asking for a sign, hears some faint tapping on a fireplace mantle and then Kris encounters a cold spot centered below her knees! Hmm . . . naughty ghosts.

Jason and Grant, ballroom: Jason and Grant make a final search for the "Spanish woman," but they only hear some music for their troubles. With the night's work done – in TV universe; usually the investigations are three nights, Jason has the crew wrap up; Grant, meanwhile, is optimistic with the proceedings.

Analysis

For the uninitiated, Jason explains why it's crucial for the team – though usually neither him nor Grant – to pore over all of the recordings in search of even the most remote piece of evidence. Of course, Steve and Dave are tasked with the duty of studying the recordings, among which Steve finds a strange EVP and, more significantly, Dave discovers a mysterious shadow in the lounge.

Findings

With their work done, Steve and Dave present the fruits of their labor to Grant and Jason. First, Jason and Grant discern that the EVP is, perhaps, saying "chap." In addition, Dave shows Grant and Jason the shadows in the ballroom and Jason is quite impressed by the development. Moments later, Kris arrives on the scene with a bit of exposition thanks to her tireless research: the U.S. military has actually, officially documented The Presidio as haunted, confirming the story from earlier in the episode.

The Reveal

After another commercial break, Jason and Grant meet with Dr. Smith and Jason explains, matter-of-factly, the possible sources of the tobacco and flowery scents. He also recounts Dave's faint tapping and Kris's cold spot for Dr. Smith. Grant introduces the EVP and, while somewhat inconclusive, it does pique Dr. Smith's curiosity. Jason, after, goes to the videotape and Dr. Smith sees the shadow, which he actually refers to as if it were the "Spanish woman." Though Dr. Smith is amazed by the evidence, Jason and Grant can't, in good conscience, call The Presidio truly haunted, comparing it to Eastern State Penitentiary. Therefore, The Presidio has to go with a MythBusters-style "PLAUSIBLE."

Case #2: Lullaby Lane Baby Store

The second case pertains to a baby store in San Francisco that may or may not be haunted by an old employee. It's truly a family affair as all of the employees of the store are somewhat related . . . except for, strangely, the supposed spirit.

The Investigation

Jason, Grant, and Steve meet with the establishment's current owner – and daughter of the original owners, Debra Gevertz-Licolli. Ms. Gevertz-Licolli explains some history of the place and states that most of the activity takes place in the upstairs stockroom, where lights go out, chairs spin, and even big band music plays . . . which is all corroborated by a witness.

After another commercial break, Grant mentions that he's actually amazed by the clients on this investigation because they're neither afraid nor skeptical; they just want to identify exactly who the spirit is. With that in mind, the TAPS crew sets up yet again and Steve, expert that he is, has all of the proper hot spots covered with the infrared video. Unfortunately, the locale proves to be a problem for the thermal-imaging camera, as the massive amount of windows and other reflective surfaces force Jason to switch the camera to black-and-white, which isn't as sensitive as color. I do believe that's a Ghost Hunters FUN FACT to kick off the investigation proper.

Jason and Grant, stockroom: Grant, much to his surprise, finds that the bookkeeping area of the stockroom is lined with electrical conduits which throw off massive amounts of electro-magnetic frequency (EMF). Jason and Grant even have a nickname for an electrical set-up like this: a "fear cage," as the high EMF concentration can induce feelings of paranoia and even nausea in people.

Steve and Kris, showroom: Steve, as technical manager, teaches Kris the proper methods of handling a camera so that every shot counts, which is definitely an important skill in the blink-and-you-miss-it world of ghost hunting.

Jason and Grant, stockroom: Jason does some EVP work as he and Grant try to rile the spirit by name.

Steve and Dave, stockroom: Steve and Dave sit up by the bookkeeping area and they intently watch a chair that, supposedly, moves of its own accord . . . but they're rudely interrupted by disembodied voices and a commercial break!

After the break, Dave reveals that he is indeed hearing voices . . . from outside the building. Not only that, but there's a wide chink in the wall that extends all the way to the alley next to the structure. With a little help from Steve stomping and chattering outside the crack, Dave scores a possible debunking. D-A-V-E! Go, Dave!

Jason and Grant, showroom: Jason is still trying to get a signal through the EVP and he even wants a few signs of paranormal presence. With no signs to satisfy his request, Jason makes the call to wrap up, but he's optimistic about the night's investigation.

Analysis

Dave and Steve check out all of the recordings from the Lullaby Lane case and, almost immediately, Dave sees a heat anomaly on the thermal-imaging footage. Steve, meanwhile, finds a bizarre, almost inhuman EVP on the digital recorders. But that's not all, as Steve also discovers a better EVP with Jason and Grant, another voice, and a commercial break.

Findings

With Jason and Grant present, the heat anomaly is quickly debunked as a reflection, one of the major problems with the thermal-imaging camera. With the lone piece of visual evidence out of the way, Dave and Steve move on to the EVPs and Jason is rightly freaked out by the sinister first voice. If that wasn't enough, Grant and Jason discern that the second voice, eerily, actually states that the named spirit ISN'T there! And then, just to be even more exciting, Dave and Steve pull out a third, surprise EVP wherein the mysterious voice just wants to be left along. And, no, I'm not going to do a Greta Garbo joke.

Even though I guess I just did.

The Reveal

Jason and Grant meet once again with Ms. Gevertz-Licolli and her father, Hal Gevertz. Before getting to the evidence, Jason and Grant state that the stockroom noises are, for all intents and purposes, debunked due to the chink in the wall. With that out of the way, Jason introduces the EVPs and Ms. Gevertz-Licolli and Mr. Gevertz calmly translate the first and are mystified by the second. The third, however, raises more questions than it answers as Mr. Gevertz deduces that, as the voice states "us," there must be more than one spirit inhabiting the building. As the spirits are neither angry nor harmful, Ms. Gevertz-Licolli is grateful for the TAPS team's work there, but Grant is sure to warn her about the EMF issues in the stockroom and its possible effects on employees up there. As a denouement, Jason and Grant state that, unlike The Presidio, Lullaby Lane is nearly definitively haunted.

Next week, the TAPS crew heads to Seattle, Washington, and Ron Martin returns! Until next time, don't be afraid of no ghosts.





And why wasn't Donna in this episode? Because she's already left TAPS. They're not going to give her extra exposure. I'm glad Tango didn't have to ghost hunt by himself again this week. Once again, there was no sign of the Derrick/Darren ghost guy.

Big ups to Will for stepping in this week. I will be back next week as he said so no matter how many e-mails you send me clamoring for my resignation, it ain't happening! There are only four episodes left in this season, anyways. Certainly you can put up with me for that long. What if I paid you?

Make sure to check out Will's Misunderstood Masterpieces. I wouldn't pimp it if I didn't think it was a good column. Look through the list of columns, there has to be a movie or two on the list that you like that none of your friends do. Click it. Read it. Caress it.

Check out the Ghost Hunters on SciFi website for deleted scenes and also to vote on which amateur ghost hunter you want to see ghost hunt with TAPS in the Halloween episode.

Check for my A Fool's Utopia on Sunday. Also, I've been participating in The Office over in the Sports Section and of course, you can find me right here next week with another Ghost Hunters recaps.