Ep 1. Mummy Cat

In the first episode of season 1 of Oddities, titled "Mummy Cat," we are introduced to the unique world of Obscura Antiques & Oddities, a Manhattan-based shop that specializes in rare and bizarre objects. The show follows the eccentric and knowledgeable staff of the shop as they search for new items to add to their inventory and interact with collectors and customers.

In this episode, we meet co-owners Mike and Evan, along with their employees Ryan and Abby, as they attempt to acquire a variety of unusual and fascinating objects. These include a haunted jack-in-the-box, a shrunken head, a vintage medical device, and the centerpiece of the episode: a mummified cat.

The mummified cat is presented to the Obscura team by two collectors who found it in an upstate New York barn. Not much is known about its origins, but the cat appears to have been mummified using techniques similar to those used by ancient Egyptians. The collectors are seeking a buyer for the cat, and the Obscura crew is immediately intrigued.

Throughout the episode, we see Mike and Evan negotiate with the collectors and attempt to determine the authenticity and value of the mummified cat. They consult with experts in the field of Egyptian antiquities and even perform a CT scan of the cat to get a better look at its insides. The team ultimately decides to purchase the cat for their shop, and it becomes a popular attraction for visitors.

In addition to the main storyline of the mummified cat, we also see the Obscura team interacting with various characters who visit the shop. One such character is a man named Victor, who is seeking a human skull to help with his research on the effects of head trauma. The staff is hesitant to sell him a skull, but ultimately agrees to provide him with a replica.

We also see Ryan attempting to create a display featuring a preserved human brain, which proves to be a difficult task due to the fragility of the specimen. Abby, meanwhile, helps a customer create a custom necklace using a taxidermied bat.

Overall, "Mummy Cat" sets the tone for the rest of the series by showcasing the unique and fascinating world of Obscura Antiques & Oddities. The episode combines elements of history, science, and human curiosity to create a truly captivating viewing experience. With its quirky cast of characters and endless array of bizarre objects, Oddities is a show that's sure to delight anyone with a taste for the strange and unusual.