Ep 3. Ghost Rider

In Oddities season 3 episode 3, titled "Ghost Rider," the Obscura team finds themselves facing a unique challenge as they try to acquire a rare item. The episode opens with Evan Michelson and Mike Zohn, the co-owners of the famous Oddities antique shop, discussing the potential purchase of a ghost rider arcade game.

The ghost rider arcade game is a vintage game that has not been produced for decades. The game is not just rare, but it is also highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of rare arcade games. The game features a ghost rider on a motorcycle that travels along the track while encountering obstacles and jumping over ramps. The game is notoriously difficult to beat and has become a quirky classic among collectors of rare arcade games.

Evan and Mike set out to track down the game and meet the owner. They discover that the owner is a woman named Ann Marie, who has lived in the same house for most of her life. She inherited the arcade game from her brother, who was an avid collector of rare games. Ann Marie has kept the game in pristine condition, along with a sizable collection of sports equipment and other antique items.

As Evan and Mike inspect the ghost rider game, they learn more about Ann Marie's life and her passion for collecting rare items. She shares her stories with them, including how her brother passed away from cancer and how his collection helped her grieve his loss. Evan and Mike quickly recognize the deep emotional attachment that Ann Marie has to the game and the other items in her collection.

Evan and Mike try to negotiate with Ann Marie to purchase the ghost rider game, but she is reluctant to part with it. They offer her a higher price, but she insists on keeping it. The situation becomes complex when Ann Marie needs money for a family emergency, and she reluctantly decides to sell the ghost rider arcade game to the Obscura team. However, before the sale is complete, Ann Marie has second thoughts and decides to keep the game. Evan and Mike are disappointed but show their respect for Ann Marie's decision.

Throughout the episode, we see other customers and collectors who come to Obscura to buy or sell their treasures. The shop features a diverse range of items, including taxidermy, Victorian furniture, and medical oddities. One notable customer is a woman who brings in a large collection of preserved insects, including a rare butterfly that catches Evan's eye. The Obscura team is always on the lookout for unique items and is ready to buy or trade for any new finds.

Overall, Oddities season 3 episode 3 is an entertaining and heartwarming episode that showcases the eccentric world of antique collecting. The ghost rider arcade game serves as a symbol of the passion that collectors have for unique items, and Ann Marie's emotional connection to the game reminds us that material possessions can hold deep sentimental value. The episode highlights the importance of respecting collectors' stories and attachments to their possessions, even if it means losing out on a rare find. The viewers are treated to a glimpse into the world of antiques and oddities that can be both fascinating and touching.