Ep 3. Raising The Dead

The show Oddities is a fascinating documentary series that takes you behind the scenes of one of the most unique shops in America, Obscura Antiques & Oddities. In season 2 episode 3, titled "Raising The Dead," we find ourselves immersed in the world of antique medical devices and death-related artifacts.

The episode begins with co-owner Mike Zohn arriving at the shop with a rather macabre package in hand. He has purchased an antique electrotherapy machine that was used for medical purposes in the late 19th century. This device was used to treat a variety of ailments, including nervous disorders, headaches, and even paralysis, by passing an electric current through the patient's body.

The machine is beautifully crafted, with intricate wiring and glass tubes that glow with an eerie green light. And despite its age, it still works. Mike and fellow co-owner Evan Michelson marvel at the device, discussing its history and the various ways it was used in the past.

Next, we meet a new customer named James, who has an unusual request. He is looking for real human bones to use in one of his art projects, and he has come to Obscura to see if they can help him out. Mike is hesitant at first, as the shop does not typically deal in human remains. However, he decides to take a chance and see what they can find for James.

Evan takes on the task of finding bones for James, scouring the shop's inventory and contacting various collectors and sellers. Meanwhile, James browses the shop's other oddities, including a collection of antique funeral ephemera and a vintage child's coffin. He is clearly fascinated by all things death-related and has a deep appreciation for the macabre.

As the episode progresses, we are introduced to other fascinating objects in the shop's collection, including a 19th-century bloodletting tool, a Victorian-era skull jar, and a taxidermied two-headed calf. Each item has its own unique story and history, and the staff at Obscura take great pride in sharing these stories with their customers.

One particularly interesting artifact is an antique embalming machine. Evan and Mike discuss the gruesome but necessary process of embalming a body after death, and the various techniques and tools that have been used throughout history. The machine itself is a marvel of engineering, with a series of pumps and tubes that are used to inject embalming fluid into the body.

As the episode nears its end, we see Evan and Mike continuing to work with James to find the human bones he needs for his art project. They scour the city, making calls and visiting various sellers and collectors, until they finally come across a set of real human vertebrae. James is thrilled with his find and purchases the bones on the spot.

Throughout the episode, we also get to see the personal lives of the shop's owners and employees. We learn about Evan's passion for vintage fashion and her collection of antique clothing, as well as Mike's love of music and his band, The Great Unwashed. We also meet shop employee Ryan, who has a particular talent for finding valuable items at estate sales and auctions.

Overall, "Raising The Dead" is an intriguing and fascinating episode of Oddities that takes us deep into the weird and wonderful world of antique medical devices and death-related artifacts. We are treated to a glimpse of the shop's impressive collection and get to see the staff's passion for these unusual objects first-hand. It's a must-watch episode for anyone with an interest in the macabre and obscure.