Old Gods of Appalachia Episode 70: The Burden of Proof Release Date: May 30, 2024

Introduction and Setting

In this gripping episode of Old Gods of Appalachia, listeners are plunged deeper into the dark and foreboding world of Alternate Appalachia. The story centers around Lee Underwood, a healer struggling to protect his family from malevolent supernatural forces that invade their home. The Underwoods' abode, once a sanctuary, becomes the battleground for a terrifying confrontation with ancient, otherworldly entities.

The Encounter with the Creature

The episode opens with Lee Underwood witnessing a horrifying creature breach his home:

Steve Schell (Narrator) [00:00]: "The front door of the house Lee Underwood had built for his bride exploded inward in a shower of busted wood and icy wind."

The creature, resembling a monstrous yet eerily beautiful figure, taunts Lee with unsettling familiarity, questioning his role as a father and protector. Despite Lee's desperate attempts to repel the entity, the creature systematically destroys their home’s protective wards, leaving Lee and his wife, Marigold, in constant fear and despair.

Marigold's Intervention and Lester Graves' Arrival

As the supernatural torment intensifies, Marigold Underwood seeks help from Lester Graves, her father, who possesses the rare ability to banish spirits. Lester, trained in the ancient arts of exorcism by his own father, arrives to assist Lee in combating the relentless entity. Their efforts focus on identifying the source of the curse plaguing the Underwood household.

The Curse and the Ring

A pivotal moment occurs when Marigold discovers a cursed tiger's eye ring that Lee has been unknowingly wearing. This ring, imbued with dark magic, binds a malevolent force to its wearer, exacerbating the supernatural assaults:

Marigold Underwood [26:29]: "Or a ring you never want to take off."

Lester successfully removes the ring, neutralizing its immediate threat and sealing it away to prevent further harm. However, this act sets the stage for a confrontation with Jack Fields, an old associate involved in the ring's dark origins.

Confrontation with Jack Fields

Seeking closure, Lee travels to Kingston, West Virginia, to confront Jack Fields about the cursed ring. Their meeting is tense, with Lee asserting his desire to leave behind his past life of deception and magic:

Lee Underwood [31:29]: "We're done. No more jobs, no more secrets."

Jack, reluctant but respectful, acknowledges Lee's decision and warns of continuing dangers linked to the ring. This encounter foreshadows the reemergence of old alliances and the lingering threats of their shared dark past.

The Trial and Marigold's Testimony

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Marigold Underwood testifies in a tribunal regarding the true cause of Lee's deterioration and eventual death. Initially blaming Jack for the horrors that befell her family, Marigold undergoes a profound realization:

Marigold Underwood [47:22]: "I never got the full story. Lee's memory of those days was fuzzy and it upset him to talk about it, so I let it be."

Her testimony shifts the blame from Jack to the true dark forces at play, challenging the tribunal's preconceived notions and stirring the assembly to question long-held beliefs.

Chaos in the Tribunal

As Marigold delivers her heartfelt account, the tribunal descends into chaos. The Harbinger, an antagonistic figure, unleashes fury upon the chamber, leading to violent confrontations and the destruction of the court's structural magic:

The Harbinger [Earlier in the Tribunal]: "We have come too far to turn back now. We will find this creature guilty of his crimes, or I will bring this mountain down..."

Jack Fields seizes the moment to expose deeper truths about the ancient dark forces and the role of the Harbinger, further destabilizing the already volatile environment. The tribunal is eventually dismissed amid turmoil, leaving lingering tensions and unresolved conflicts.

Conclusion and Aftermath

In the aftermath of the tribunal, Jack Fields seeks an alliance with Lee Underwood, urging him to join forces to reclaim stolen artifacts and combat the pervasive darkness threatening their world:

Jack Fields [39:11]: "I need you to help me get it all back. We're done."

Lee, torn by loyalty and the promise he made to his wife, reluctantly agrees, setting the stage for future confrontations and the continued battle between light and darkness in the Appalachia mountains.

Marigold's final reflections underscore the personal cost of these supernatural battles:

Marigold Underwood [45:33]: "Lee was never the same. I tried every way I knew to heal him. He was dead within a year."

Key Themes and Insights

• Legacy and Ancestry: The episode delves into how family legacies and ancestral curses shape the present, particularly through the cursed ring and the Harbinger's influence.

• Redemption and Responsibility: Lee's journey reflects his struggle for redemption and his sense of responsibility to protect his family and community from ancient evils.

• Truth and Perception: Marigold's testimony highlights the complexities of truth and the impact of perceptions shaped by fear and trauma.

Notable Quotes

• Lee Underwood [06:29]: "Shut your mouth, spirit. I know you not. And you know nothing of me and mine. I'll abide no more of your lies again."

• Marigold Underwood [46:44]: "Is that what I said? Hiram Cook, I think you need to clean out your ears, boy. No, it wasn't Jack who attacked Doc..."

• Jack Fields [37:39]: "This is no laughing matter, Doc Underwood."

• Marigold Underwood [48:02]: "I ain't giving that man over there benefit or nothing. We ain't never gonna be friends."

• Marigold Underwood [50:02]: "I think maybe it's time I start honoring that instead of being angry at old Jack about it."

Conclusion

Episode 70, "The Burden of Proof," masterfully intertwines horror with deep emotional narratives, exploring themes of family, legacy, and the relentless struggle against unseen evils. Through Lee and Marigold Underwood's harrowing experiences and their confrontation with Jack Fields, the episode sets the stage for future turmoil and the enduring battle between light and darkness in the shadowed hills of Appalachia.