Old Gods of Appalachia – Episode 88: Good Times
Podcast: Old Gods of Appalachia
Host(s): DeepNerd Media
Release Date: August 21, 2025
Episode Overview
Episode 88, "Good Times," interweaves the stories of Miranda Coffey, a young vampire on the run, and a group of teenagers on a road trip through the haunted heart of alternative Appalachia. Set against the gritty backdrop of Knoxville’s underground music scene, the episode explores themes of longing, regret, and the pull of old lives faced with the darkness of the present. Miranda’s struggle to find belonging and avoid destruction collides—by fate or curse—with a group of friends, perhaps setting the stage for tragic convergences in the show’s final story arc, “Run Like Hell.”
Main Storylines & Key Discussion Points
1. Miranda Coffey's Flight and Hunger
[03:59 – 17:15]
- Miranda’s Current State: Newly turned vampire Miranda hides in an HVAC work van, describing the discomfort, filth, and her wounded, sunburned state (“It felt like there were tiny ants crawling over her face and arms...” [05:00]).
- Vampire Physiology and Hunger: The mechanics of healing—feeding on blood, specifically “fresh” blood versus unsatisfying IV bags—are explored, emphasizing Miranda’s desperation for real sustenance (“Drinking blood not only nourished her kind, but healed their wounds and renewed their dark gifts...” [06:50]).
- Reflections on the Past: Flashbacks to Miranda’s happier times with her partner Mikey in Knoxville set a tragic foundation. Mikey’s death—and Miranda’s exile by the vampire Cyrus—haunt her every move.
- Predatory Instinct vs. Humanity: Quelled by hunger, Miranda’s self-control breaks when the van’s owner unexpectedly returns. She loses control and kills him to feed (“The tenuous hold Miranda had on self control snapped like an overstretched rubber band…” [15:16]).
2. Teen Road Trip: Denise, Lori, Micah, Brendan
[17:29 – 21:53]
- The Group Dynamic: Denise is determined to get the group to Knoxville on time for a much-anticipated show while navigating personal doubts about her future after graduation.
- Dialogue Key Points:
- Brendan receives a college acceptance letter and credits friend Laurie for her support ([18:38]).
- Denise’s anxiety about her own path in life, worried about being stuck doing hair for “old ladies in Esau County” ([19:29]).
- Mutual reassurance and reflections on inevitable change within the friend group.
3. Miranda's Search for Allies
[23:36 – 27:22]
- Payphone Attempts: Miranda uses a string of payphones in a desperate attempt to reach friends in hopes of getting help (“God damn it, Tony.” [23:36]), revealing her deep isolation, and that her history in Knoxville is shadowed by violence and unresolved trauma.
- Revelation of Her Crimes: Jessamine, a genuine friend, bluntly tells Miranda to leave town because she's wanted for killing two girls and maiming another after a traumatic, bloody incident she had nearly forgotten ([26:09 – 27:22]).
4. The Party with Cyrus & the Forgetting
[27:23 – 32:45]
- Flashback: The infamous party that led to Miranda’s downfall—Cyrus’s ostentatious vampiric celebration, drugged donors, Mikey’s death, and Miranda’s violent blackout—segues into her permanent sense of loss, guilt, and being hunted.
5. Road Trip Crosses Miranda’s Path
[33:39 – 41:52]
- Converging Destinies: As Denise’s group gets lost, they stop at the same gas station where Miranda seeks help, setting up an accidental meeting. Lori and Denise spot Miranda crying at the payphone, approach her with kindness, and offer her a ride ([37:16 – 41:03]).
- Mutual Recognition: They bond over shared goth/punk aesthetics and mutual destination—the Violent Fears release show at The Mercury. For the first time in the episode, Miranda feels the possibility of safety and belonging.
6. The Group Gets Together
[41:48 – 42:30]
- Miranda Joins the Group: She accepts Denise and Lori’s invitation, rides along to Knoxville, and the group welcomes her, oblivious to the darkness trailing behind.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Miranda’s Isolation:
- “It felt like there were tiny ants crawling over her face and arms, though even as she watched she could see the burns healing...” ([05:00])
- Struggle to Resist Feeding:
- “...she willed herself not to move. If she lost control of herself, he would lose control of the van and wreck them in the middle of the interstate. That would be very bad for her. Very bad indeed.” ([10:54])
- Snap of Control:
- “The tenuous hold Miranda had on self control snapped like an overstretched rubber band...” ([15:16])
- Friendship & Uncertainty:
- “Do I really want to spend my life doing hair for old ladies in fucking Esau County?” (Denise, [19:29])
- “Your grades weren’t bad. You could always put in a couple years over at the community college in Mavisdale...” (Lori, [20:07])
- Jessamine’s Dreaded Warning:
- “You killed two of the girls in the bathroom at the Underground. The third one won’t ever walk again. You can’t just roll into town and go to a show after something like that.” (Jessamine, [26:33])
- “If you have half a brain in your head, you’ll get gone and stay gone.” (Jessamine, [27:17])
- Kindness at the Payphone:
- “Hey, honey, I know it’s probably none of my business, but are you okay? Do you need some help?” (Lori, [37:45])
- “I got concealer and eyeliner in here somewhere. You can fix your makeup on the way.” (Denise, [41:58])
- Miranda’s Hopeful Realization:
- “That’s where I was headed, too. That would be amazing.” ([41:48])
Key Segment Timestamps
- Miranda’s Hunger & The Killing: [03:59 – 17:15]
- Teen Road Trip & Character Development: [17:29 – 21:53]
- Miranda’s Failed Phone Calls: [23:36 – 27:22]
- Cyrus Flashback (The Party & Aftermath): [27:23 – 32:45]
- Gas Station Convergence: [33:39 – 41:03]
- Miranda Joins the Group: [41:48 – 42:30]
Tone & Atmosphere
The episode is laced with Southern gothic melancholy, gallows humor, and sincere portrayals of frustrated youth. Dialog naturally captures regional personality—alternately haunted, sharp-witted, hopeful, and bleak. The supernatural horror of Miranda’s condition is embodied through corporeal, visceral detail and an ever-present sense of impending doom.
Conclusion & Cliffhanger
The episode closes with Miranda joining Denise, Lori, and the others on their trip, all headed toward Knoxville and the show—unaware of the supernatural dangers and personal reckonings on the horizon.
Host Outro ([42:40 – 44:18]): The narrator teases the “final arc of season five,” building anticipation for when “the paths of all these folks converge,” with a full cast and reminders for listeners to learn more or subscribe for additional stories.
Cast & Credits
- Miranda Coffey: Andy Marie Tillman
- Jessamine Rogers: Cam Collins
- Denise Raimi: Autumn Boguman
- Lori Powers: Allison Mullins
- Michael Raimi: Aaron Bentley
- Brendan McDaniels: Craig Rice
For New Listeners
Episode 88 is an ideal starting point for those drawn to character-driven horror and southern gothic atmosphere. The intersecting narratives, grounded in regional culture and music, create a suspenseful tapestry of youth on the brink—caught between escape, nostalgia, and ancient Appalachian dangers.