Old Gods of Appalachia – Episode 77: Brothers in Arms

Release Date: March 6, 2025

Summary

Old Gods of Appalachia Episode 77, titled "Brothers in Arms," delves deep into the dark and tumultuous dynamics of the Barrow family in central Appalachia during the year 1944. This installment masterfully intertwines corporate intrigue with supernatural horror, painting a vivid picture of power struggles both mundane and otherworldly.

1. Introduction and Setting

The episode transports listeners to Log Hill, Barrow, Pennsylvania, in 1944, establishing a chilling atmosphere where the lines between corporate ambition and ancient dark pacts blur. The Barrow family resides in Barrow Mineral Resources, a formidable company headquartered in the ominous Barrow House.

2. The Barrow Family Dynamics

At the heart of the narrative are the three Barrow siblings: Conrad, Binuel, and Polly. Their father, E.P. Barrow, has bound the family to a sinister covenant anchored in the mountains' dark secrets.

• Conrad Barrow (voiced by Cecil Baldwin) is portrayed as cold, strict, and meticulously controlling, embodying his father's expectations with unwavering dedication. His management style is ruthless, ensuring that company policies are adhered to with an iron fist.

  [05:46] Cecil Baldwin (Conrad): "No perceived slight or minuscule violation of the most trivial detail of company policy escaped him."

• Binuel Barrow (voiced by Brandon Bentley), the younger brother, serves as the company's enforcer. Transformed into a spectral entity bound to the family's dark legacy, Binuel employs horrific violence and supernatural force to maintain the company's dominance in the mining industry.

  [08:19] Binuel Barrow: "Folks who had the ill luck to encounter the entity that the men in the CO fields called Old Man Beara's Dog were left changed by the experience and never for the better."

• Polly Barrow, the youngest sibling, is introduced as the emissary and the favored child. Unlike her brothers, Polly operates with grace and deadly efficiency, making strategic deals and enforcing their father's will. Her prowess breeds jealousy and resentment in Conrad and Binuel, who struggle to undermine her standing within the family and the company.

  [15:25] Description of Polly: "She was cunning and beautiful, charming and remorseless."

3. The Supernatural Pact and Roles

The Barrow family's existence is tethered to a sinister pact made by E.P. Barrow decades ago. This covenant grants them dark powers in exchange for unwavering loyalty and obedience. E.P.'s ascension to a higher, otherworldly plane has left Conrad as the de facto leader, overseeing the company's operations while secretly managing the family's supernatural obligations.

> *[07:57] Cecil Baldwin (Conrad):* "When Conrad's father had bound the family to the darkness that sang under the mountain decades ago, Conrad, the eldest of his two sons, had been designated his heir."

4. The Sibling Conflict: Conrad and Binuel vs. Polly

As Polly flourishes in her role, Conrad and Binuel find themselves jealous and threatened by her efficiency and favor with their father. Determined to discredit and undermine her, they hatch a plan to assign her a perilous task that could lead to her downfall.

> *[21:27] Cecil Baldwin (Conrad):* "She had been handcrafted as a perfect emissary and weapon for their father's cause."

5. The Plot to Assign Polly a Deadly Task

Conrad and Binuel collaborate to craft a convincing assignment for Polly: retrieving a rare portrait of their father from the decaying Babylon building in Tourniquet, West Virginia. This mission is fraught with supernatural dangers, intended to be Polly's undoing.

• Conrad approaches Binuel with a deadline-driven plea, reflecting their desperation to weaken Polly's influence.

  [16:22] Cecil Baldwin (Conrad): "O bloodbound sibling of mine, hear me and hear me well."

• Binuel's response is laced with both reluctance and adherence to their dark obligations.

  [17:07] Binuel Barrow: "Do not play with me, boy. You will come when called."

The brothers meticulously draft a letter to be delivered by Dolores, an emissary poised to carry out their directive without raising Polly's suspicions.

> *[25:49] Cecil Baldwin (Conrad):* "Dearest Sister, we have been alerted by our agents in what was once the town of Tourniquet..."

6. Conclusion: Setting Up the Trap

The episode culminates with the delivery of the letter to Polly, setting the stage for her fateful journey into the heart of Babylon. Conrad and Binuel's scheme encapsulates the family's entangled relationships and the pervasive influence of their father's dark legacy.

> *[28:09] Binuel Barrow:* "There are days I'm almost glad Daddy left you in charge, Conrad. And this might be one of them."

Notable Quotes

• Conrad Barrow on Responsibility:

  [07:21] "He was needed behind a desk, keeping the drones working hard in the hive so that their masters below would have all the sweet, dark honey they needed."

• Binuel Barrow on Enforcement:

  [09:15] "If that didn't do the trick, he'd send a couple of hollow men to the area in question, which was usually more than sufficient to see the matter closed."

• Conrad Barrow on Polly's Role:

  [20:32] "The presence contained within those walls is degrading and has become unpredictable and unstable."

• Binuel Barrow's Defiance:

  [19:04] "If you call me a dog again, office boy, I'll show you the things Daddy's partners left me in charge of."

• Conrad Barrow's Strategic Mind:

  [23:11] "But I think she would go anywhere her daddy asked."

"Brothers in Arms" adeptly explores themes of power, jealousy, and familial duty within a supernatural framework. The intricate character development and the looming threat of ancient dark forces create a compelling narrative that promises further twists and horrors in the unfolding saga.

Creators and Cast:

• Written by: Steve Schell and Cam Collins
• Voices:
  • Conrad Barrow: Cecil Baldwin
  • Binuel Barrow: Brandon Bentley

Production: DeepNerd Media
Distribution: Rusty Quill

For more information and to support the show, visit www.oldgodsofappalachia.com.