Old Gods of Appalachia — Episode 89: Lost in the Shadows
Podcast: Old Gods of Appalachia (DeepNerd Media)
Date: September 4, 2025
Summary by Podcast Expert
Overview
Episode 89, "Lost in the Shadows," sinks listeners deep into the gathering darkness of central Appalachia—a region where ancient supernatural hunger clashes with the harsh realities of modern life. This chapter intertwines the primal pursuit of monster hunter Bird with the rising ambitions of new, power-hungry vampires, culminating in a deadly convergence at Knoxville's storied Mercury Theater. Themes of grief, legacy, and power underpin an episode that sets the stage for the season finale.
Key Discussion Points and Story Developments
1. Bird’s Haunted Hunt and Memories
- Bird is introduced driving through the Smoky Mountains, troubled by traumatic flashbacks about her family's legacy—especially the violent loss of her father, Boots.
- Her internal mantra for focus:
“You track, you hunt. You protect your kin. You track, you hunt. You do him proud.” (Bird, [06:15]) - She senses a supernatural "hum," which physically guides her towards her next vampire target—a newly-turned "baby" vampire picked up by unwitting teens.
- Bird prepares to stealthily tail the group, resolving not to endanger civilians. Her assessment of the vampire’s threat is chilling and efficient:
“How many lives you done robbed, little girl? ...You probably the trifling type to come in without a second thought, stir up trouble and grief, and leave nothing but corpses and a string of questions in your wake.”
—Bird ([09:24])
2. CB Radio Check-In: The Hunter Network
- Bird radios her fellow hunters, staking her claim:
"Breaker, breaker, this is Bird flying down to K town...you hear any talk about a parasit or two, don't worry about it. I got that. Y'all hear me? Hands off."
—Bird ([10:18]) - The camaraderie and mutual respect among hunters is quietly highlighted by their responses.
3. The Vampire Gathering – Troy’s Ascendancy
- Franklin Rutledge narrates entering a decadent, secret vampire court within a Knoxville warehouse, led by the mysterious and powerful Troy.
- Troy’s confidence and calculated challenge to vampire hierarchy electrifies the gathering:
“Is he? Because I don’t see him...I don’t see any of the great and mighty elders who claim dominion over this place. Them that require you to kneel at their feet...A well trained dog won’t reach for more than it’s offered.”
—Troy ([15:58]) - Troy exposes the lie of “peace” with witches, framing it as a move to keep vampires disempowered and claims the true power of Appalachia is being withheld.
“With the power that lies sleeping under those mountains, we could crush them. We could rule this land. Not just Appalachia...But from sea to shining sea.”
—Troy ([18:57]) - He offers his blood—cut with unfathomable dark power—to the assembled young vampires. The transformation is instantaneous and agonizing:
“Then the screaming began…The transformation was brief but visceral…When it was over...all of them were smiling.”
—Narrator ([22:15-23:27]) - Jessamine, the de facto group leader, sums up the scene’s ambiguity:
“All right, you proved you weren’t bullshitting us. So what now? You didn’t come here to give us this gift out of the goodness of your heart.”
—Jessamine ([23:27]) - Troy responds, setting his sinister plans in motion:
“Now, we show this city who’s in charge. I believe a show of force is in order, and I know just the place to start.”
—Troy ([23:42])
4. Convergence at the Mercury Theater
- Denise, her friends, and the new vampire Miranda arrive at the Mercury, Knoxville’s heart of underground music. The teens bask in anticipation outside the “Merc.”
- Bird tails her targets, infiltrating the venue with chilling focus and resourcefulness (forging permits and credentials in moments).
- Inside, Bird picks her vantage point, feeling the place tremble with supernatural energy:
“The mercury overflowed with that frequency. The humming had grown so intense, Bird felt like a wasper’s nest had replaced her flesh. Not only was the place crawling with parasites, but also that insidious energy she’d noticed earlier pulsed here. The source, she felt, was somewhere above.”
—Narrator ([31:15-32:36])
5. Teen Friendship, Confessions, and Tragedy
- Behind the scenes, the teens get backstage access, buzzing about meeting their favorite bands.
- Brendan pulls Laurie aside, confessing his romantic feelings:
“You were the one bright spot I looked forward to every day. I mean, all of you guys have been awesome, but you’re special.”
—Brendan ([36:15]) - A humorous and heartfelt mix-up follows, with Laurie revealing the group assumed Brendan was gay; Brendan clarifies and leaves open-ended possibility:
“That’s fair, I guess...And hell, who knows, Maybe I’m not totally straight. But what I do know is I like you.”
—Brendan ([38:18]) - They share a tender kiss. Laurie jokes back:
“I definitely think that’s something we can talk about, sugar tits.”
—Laurie ([39:18]) - Sudden Violence: As Brendan heads to the restroom, he’s accosted and killed by a vampire—his death described in visceral horror.
“He opened his mouth to scream, but the man, the monster, was too fast...the next thing he knew was more pain as those teeth ripped through his throat…”
—Narrator ([41:23]) - Laurie, searching for Brendan, is ambushed and killed by Jessamine, the recently empowered vampire.
6. Episode Ends in Blood and Darkness
- The band Foxhole Atheist’s music rises, masking Laurie’s murder.
- The Narrator teases the impending season finale and underlines the rising body count:
“We are closing in fast on the final episode of season five...Run like hell and the bodies are starting to hit the floor. Who will survive the night of Ye Olde Mercury?”
—Narrator ([44:21])
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- Bird’s Self-Motivation:
“You track, you hunt. You protect your kin. You track, you hunt. You do him proud.” — Bird ([06:15]) - Troy’s Call for Rebellion:
“With the power that lies sleeping under those mountains, we could crush them. We could rule this land. Not just Appalachia...But from sea to shining sea.” — Troy ([18:57]) - Jessamine’s Skepticism and Agency:
“You didn’t come here to give us this gift out of the goodness of your heart.” — Jessamine ([23:27]) - Tender Teenage Confession:
“You are beautiful, funny, kind and smart and I would really like to be closer to you.” — Brendan ([38:18]) - Death’s Suddenness:
“The next thing he knew was more pain as those teeth ripped through his throat, stealing both his breath and his voice.” — Narrator ([41:23]) - Dark Irony of “The Mercury”: A venue that represents hope and belonging for some, becomes a stage for horror and slaughter.
Timestamps of Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------| | 05:00 | Bird’s trauma and focus mantra | | 09:24 | Bird’s assessment of the “baby” vampire | | 10:18 | CB radio check-in, hunter camaraderie | | 15:38 | Troy’s arrival at the vampire court | | 18:57 | Troy’s speech—Vampire rebellion call | | 22:00 | Vampires drink Troy’s blood, transformation | | 23:42 | Troy plans a show of force | | 27:00 | Mercury Theater arrival, teen camaraderie | | 31:15 | Bird infiltrates Mercury, senses darkness | | 35:02 | Brendan’s confession to Laurie | | 39:18 | Laurie and Brendan kiss | | 41:23 | Brendan’s murder | | 43:32 | Laurie’s murder by Jessamine | | 44:21 | Narrator’s ominous outro |
Overall Tone and Style
The signature Appalachian gothic tone weaves sorrow, grit, horror, and fleeting moments of hope. The language is laconic, earthy, and evocative of the region’s desolate beauty and deep wounds. Dialogue and narration are peppered with regional color, dark humor, and fatalistic wisdom.
Final Thoughts
This penultimate episode masterfully draws together the fates of vampire and hunter, innocent teen and ancient evil. With bodies falling and ancient powers awakening, the season finale promises reckoning, heartbreak, and reckoning in the shadowed hollers of Old Gods of Appalachia.