Hysterical: Episode 3 – "We Have Another One"

Release Date: July 25, 2024
Host: Dan Tabersky
Produced by: Wondery & Pineapple Street Studios

Introduction

In the third episode of Hysterical, titled "We Have Another One", host Dan Tabersky delves deeper into the perplexing outbreak of a mysterious illness affecting high school girls in LeRoy, New York. This episode not only explores the escalating crisis within the town but also juxtaposes it with historical accounts of mass hysteria, drawing parallels that suggest the phenomenon might be more intricate and widespread than initially perceived.

Recap of Previous Events

Dan begins with a brief recap of Episode 2, highlighting the dramatic increase in cases from whispers of a single afflicted girl to multiple students exhibiting alarming symptoms. He sets the stage for the current episode by emphasizing the growing concern and the community's escalating anxiety.

Dan Tabersky [00:00]: "Hysterical has been named the Apple Podcast's show of the Year... an impeccably crafted and creatively structured investigation that sets a new standard for immersive audience experiences."

Rising Tensions in LeRoy

As the episode unfolds, Dan presents a vivid picture of LeRoy’s transformation amidst the crisis:

• Media Invasion: The town witnesses a surge of media presence, with cameras and news vans swarming the school, exacerbating the situation and fueling speculation of a cover-up.

  Jessica, Senior Student [03:10]: "I remember exactly where I parked, getting out and just standing there staring at the cameras like, holy shit, what the hell is going on?"

• Community Impact: The illness leads to tangible disruptions—canceled basketball games, reluctance to use water fountains, and the emergence of rumors about chemical dumping.

• Social Media Activity: Students resort to platforms like Facebook to track and share information about who is affected, reflecting the modern dynamics of information dissemination during crises.

Historical Context: Mass Psychogenic Illness

Dan takes listeners back to the late 19th century in Paris, drawing parallels between the current events in LeRoy and historical instances of mass hysteria:

• Salpetriere Hospital: Highlighting Dr. Jean Martin Charcot’s work, who staged public exhibitions of patients exhibiting hysterical symptoms, laying the groundwork for understanding psychogenic illnesses.

• Sigmund Freud’s Contributions: Contrasting Charcot’s physiological approach with Freud’s psychological interpretations, emphasizing the search for underlying trauma and the role of the unconscious mind.

  Marge [08:44]: "Tics, paralysis, loss of consciousness... different multiple personalities, emotional fits of all different kinds."

Personal Stories Amidst the Crisis

The episode shifts focus to individual experiences, offering a human perspective on the epidemic:

Marge: A Mother's Ordeal

Marge, a 36-year-old nurse, narrates her harrowing experience:

• Onset of Symptoms: Marge begins experiencing unexplained "hiccups," progressing to severe physical manifestations that mimic neurological disorders.

  Marge [17:09]: "I started what I called at the time. I started losing time."

• Medical Challenges: Despite seeking help, she faces dismissal from medical professionals who attribute her symptoms to psychogenic causes without substantial evidence.

  Marge [20:07]: "I felt like nobody could help me."

• Emotional Toll: The lack of understanding leads to isolation and profound emotional distress.

  Marge [22:05]: "I would have headphones on so that I wouldn't hear any of the outside world."

Alicia: Teens Facing Disbelief

Alicia, a teenager, shares her struggle with similar symptoms:

• Symptoms Manifestation: Convulsions, tics, and seizure-like events disrupt her daily life and academic pursuits.

  Alicia [17:48]: "My head would just randomly move, just randomly move one side or the other."

• Diagnostic Dilemmas: Despite undergoing extensive testing, Alicia receives a diagnosis of conversion disorder, a term she vehemently rejects.

  Alicia [31:51]: "I hate that phrase because that is a term... it's used when doctors don't know the diagnosis."

• Voices of Doubt: Alicia highlights the inherent mistrust in medical explanations, especially when her supportive background contradicts the notion of underlying trauma.

  Alicia [33:12]: "It just didn't make sense. Like, then how does this explain everything else that's happening to me?"

Community Divisions: Psychogenic vs. Environmental Causes

The episode delves into the polarized beliefs within LeRoy:

• Support for Mass Psychogenic Illness: Some, like Marge, find the psychogenic explanation more palatable, viewing it as less threatening than environmental toxins.

• Skepticism and Search for External Causes: Others remain unconvinced, suspecting undisclosed environmental factors such as chemicals in the water or air.

  Alicia [37:20]: "I couldn't work with that because when it's an environmental thing, it's like it's a cancer... I'm like, no, the environmental to me was terminal."

• State’s Reassurances vs. Public Distrust: Despite state assurances about the safety of the environment, widespread distrust persists, fueling conspiracy theories and public panic.

Interconnecting Cases and Expanding Impact

Dan reveals that similar symptoms are surfacing beyond LeRoy, notably near Albany, suggesting a possible connection:

• Common Activities: Both affected groups in different towns share a commonality of having visited a restaurant in LeRoy over the summer, raising questions about potential environmental triggers.

Dan Tabersky [25:08]: "Both girls did eat at a restaurant in Le Roy over the summer. Their softball team had recently passed through leroy and ate lunch at a cafe on Main Street."

The Quest for Answers

The episode culminates with an impending investigation led by nationally known environmentalist Erin Bonocovich, who arrives in LeRoy to uncover the truth behind the mysterious illness.

Dan Tabersky [37:20]: "Nationally known environmentalist Erin Broncovich sent a team to leroy yesterday to dig for answers about a mysterious medical condition there."

This sets the stage for future episodes, promising a deeper exploration into the origins of the outbreak and the possibility of uncovering hidden truths.

Conclusion

Episode 3 of Hysterical, "We Have Another One," masterfully intertwines personal narratives with historical context to paint a comprehensive picture of the ongoing crisis in LeRoy, NY. By highlighting the emotional and psychological toll on individuals like Marge and Alicia, and juxtaposing it with historical instances of mass hysteria, the episode invites listeners to ponder the complex interplay between mind, body, and environment in unexplained medical phenomena.

As the investigation intensifies with external experts entering the fray, the episode leaves listeners eagerly anticipating subsequent installments that promise to unravel the mystery further.

Notable Quotes

• Dan Tabersky [00:00]: "Hysterical has been named the Apple Podcast's show of the Year... an impeccably crafted and creatively structured investigation that sets a new standard for immersive audience experiences."

• Marge [08:44]: "Tics, paralysis, loss of consciousness... different multiple personalities, emotional fits of all different kinds."

• Alicia [31:51]: "I hate that phrase because that is a term... it's used when doctors don't know the diagnosis."

• Dan Tabersky [25:08]: "Both girls did eat at a restaurant in Le Roy over the summer."

Credits

Producers:

• Henry Malofsky (Lead Producer)
• Marie Alexa Kavanagh (Associate Producer)
• Sophie Bridges (Producer)
• Erin Kelly (Managing Producer)
• Lena Masitzis (Senior Producer)
• Zandra Ellen (Additional Production)

Editorial Team:

• Diane Hodson (Editor)
• Joel Lovell (Executive Editor)
• Natsumi Ajisaka (Fact Checking)

Sound and Music:

• Hannis Brown (Mixing)
• Raj Makhija (Head of Sound and Engineering)
• Dina Maccabee (Original Music)

Executive Producers:

• Pineapple Street Studios: Max Linsky, Henry Malofsky, Asha Saludja, Jenna Weiss Berman
• Wondery: Morgan Jones, Marsha Louie, Jen Sargent

Written and Executive Produced by:

• Dan Tabersky

Listen to "We Have Another One" and other episodes of Hysterical on the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.