'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch' Episode 1: Astrophysicist-led team's investigation unravels strange phenomena
The mysteries of Skinwalker Ranch have baffled many for years. There have been reports of unexplainable other-worldly happenings on the site such as encounters with strange creatures, UFO sightings and flashing lights across the sky, dating back to the early 1800s.
A new series on History Channel is delving into the mysteries surrounding the infamous paranormal site in a new non-fiction series titled 'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch'. In 2016, the site was bought by Adamantium Holdings, a shell corporation of unknown origin. In March this year, it was revealed that Utah real estate tycoon Brandon Fugal is the owner of the ranch.
A new team is assembled
In the first episode of the series, viewers are introduced to Travis Taylor, an astrophysicist with multiple degrees who has been brought on to join the investigation team to understand the occurrences at Skinwalker Ranch. Taylor has written more than 25 technical papers, 14 science fiction novels, and two textbooks, and has appeared in multiple television documentaries.
Taylor is introduced to the rest of the team assembled by Fugal. There is Erik Bard, the principal investigator, Jim Segala, a scientist, Thomas Winterton, the ranch superintendent, Jim Morse, the ranch manager, and Bryant "Dragon" Arnold, the head of security.
The Skinwalker Ranch was named after the skinwalkers — ancient demonic entities from Navajo legends. The ranch encompasses the Skinwalker Ridge, an area known as the path of the skinwalkers.
Taylor is added to the team so that they follow more stringent protocols during their study of the ranch. Bard notes that the team is there merely to observe and not "to believe or disbelieve." Bard shows Taylor around the control center which receives all the information from equipment monitoring activities around the ranch.
The first tour
Then, Taylor is shown around the ranch. When the team heads to the ridge and climbs it, Taylor notes that their instruments are picking up strong levels of electromagnetic radiation — levels that are dangerous for humans.
The team then devises a plan for how to proceed with their study. When Winterton informs that the Uintah Basin in Utah — where the Skinwalker Ranch is located — lies downwind to the Nevada base where nuclear testing took place in the 20th century, Taylor suggests that many of the strange events could be explained by the radioactive material that may have settled on the ranch.
The team then plans to conduct a slew of tests to detect radioactive materials. Taylor suggests digging and Segala agrees. However, Dragon, the head of security disagrees and says that "cr*p starts to happen" when people start digging.
Secrets come to light
We also find out that Winterton, the ranch superintendent had tried to dig in the past. Three days later, he ended up with a mysterious medical emergency that doctors could not explain. A "goose egg" formed on his head and his scalp separated from his skull.
When Fugal is called to make the decision whether to dig on the ranch or not, the owner tells Taylor that there are still things he needs to know. The scientist in Taylor is understandably upset — he needs all the information available to be able to proceed smoothly. However, this mystery information which will supposedly explain some of the strange phenomena will only be revealed in the next episode.
History Channel's 'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch' is sure to be a treat for fans of conspiracy theories and those who are interested in the strange UFO sightings that have been reported across America. However, other viewers may need to suspend their disbelief long enough to wonder whether the show will reveal any actual secrets of the strange ranch.
'The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch' will air on History Channel on Tuesday nights at 10 pm ET/PST.
