Ep 11. Trans-allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Destination Fear is a spine-chilling paranormal reality show that takes its audience on a rollercoaster ride of horror and fear. In the second season, the show's co-hosts, Dakota and Chelsea Laden, along with their team, explore abandoned places with a history of paranormal activity across America. In its eleventh episode, the team visits the Trans-allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia, USA, notorious for being one of the most haunted places in the country.

The Trans-allegheny Lunatic Asylum (TALA) was a mental health facility built in 1858 during the Civil War era to serve nine counties in Virginia. It was designed as a self-sufficient institution, complete with a chapel, farm, dairy, and waterworks. It was considered a model institution at the time, but as the population grew, so did the problems. TALA became overcrowded, understaffed, and underfunded. It's said that the patients suffered inhuman treatment, leading to many deaths and a legacy of unexplained phenomena even after its closing in 1994. It's now a tourist attraction open for public ghost tours, but very few dare to venture into its dark and spooky halls.

As the team enters the premises of TALA, they are greeted by the imposing Gothic architecture of the main building. The team must split up to cover more ground, and they begin their investigation with a comprehensive tour of the facility. They explore the infamous medical ward, where painful treatments and experiments were carried out on the patients. They also visit the spacious recreation areas and the chapel. Each location has a history of paranormal activity, and the team's equipment picks up unexplained sounds and movements. The team's psychic medium, Alex, senses a strong presence of spirits who seem to be upset, angry, and still suffering from the trauma of their past.

Next, the team conducts an overnight lockdown in the facility. They set up their base camp in the administration building, which was once the epicenter of the facility's power. The team investigates the various floors of the asylum, each with its own set of eerie stories. They use advanced equipment such as thermal cameras, SLS cameras, and spirit boxes to capture any paranormal activity. The team's equipment picks up strange noises, footsteps, and even full-bodied apparitions. They experience equipment malfunctions, cold spots, and spikes in electromagnetic fields.

One of the most terrifying experiences for the team is when they visit the solitary confinement cells, also known as the Hole. These cells were small, dark, and damp, with no windows, toilets, or access to clean water. Patients were often left here for days, even weeks, leading to unimaginable suffering and death. Dakota, Chelsea, and Alex enter the Hole, and within seconds, they experience something that shakes them to their core. It's an encounter that changes the team forever and puts their mental and physical strength to the ultimate test.

Throughout the episode, the team shares historical facts and stories about TALA, including the different types of patients, treatments, and even the staff members who dedicated their lives to the institution. The team also interviews local witnesses and experts on paranormal activity, shedding light on the unexplained phenomena that occur within the walls of TALA.

In the end, as the sun rises over the asylum, the team reflects on their investigation and the impact it has had on them. They've uncovered evidence of the paranormal, yet also gained an understanding of the humanity behind the patients who were once locked up and forgotten. The team leaves TALA with a newfound respect for the history and spirits that still reside within the walls of this infamous mental health facility.

In conclusion, Destination Fear season 2 episode 11, titled Trans-allegheny Lunatic Asylum, is a captivating and frightening journey into one of America's most haunted places. The team's investigation is comprehensive, informative, and sure to send shivers down the viewers' spines. The episode is a must-watch for fans of paranormal reality shows, history buffs, and anyone interested in the unexplained.