Podcast Summary: Snap Judgment - Episode "Howl"

Introduction

In the "Howl" episode of Snap Judgment, listeners are taken on a gripping journey to the remote North Slope of Alaska. The story intertwines real-life experiences with eerie supernatural elements, creating a cinematic and dramatic narrative that challenges perceptions of isolation and the unknown.

Setting the Scene: The Isolation of North Slope

The episode opens with the narrator describing the desolate and unforgiving landscape of the North Slope, Alaska. Forrest, an engineer for a gas company, frequently travels between Seattle and this remote region, where he and thousands of other workers reside in a large facility designed to feel like a small, self-contained community.

“The north slope is remote, hundreds of miles away from any city, just tundra and mountains for as far as the eye can see.” [05:08]

The facility is equipped with amenities such as dormitories, gyms, movie theaters, and cafeterias, which aim to provide a semblance of normalcy despite the harsh environment.

The Storm and Initial Strange Encounters

One chilly Saturday marks the beginning of the narrative. Forrest arrives back on the North Slope during a severe storm, triggering a phase three storm alert that brings the entire facility to a complete shutdown. With winds exceeding 60 mph and temperatures plummeting below -20°F, the workers are confined indoors, leading to extended periods of isolation.

“It's a complete whiteout. You can't see your hand in front of your face.” [06:13]

As days pass, the monotony of being snowed in takes a toll on the workers. Forrest becomes restless and notices unusual tapping sounds on his window, which he initially dismisses as ice or debris caused by the storm.

Mysterious Figures in the Snow

The tapping persists, and upon further investigation, Forrest and his colleague discover a lone figure under a yard light in the facility’s parking lot.

“I can't make out any details other than a head and some shoulders and some legs. But there's just somebody out there. What the hell.” [09:25]

This sighting is corroborated by other workers, including Forrest’s supervisor, who reports seeing a second figure. Attempts to involve security are thwarted by the extreme weather conditions, as doors are buried under waist-deep snow.

“How could these guys get outside if the security forces have to dig their way out?” [11:52]

Despite efforts to locate the mysterious individuals, no physical evidence—such as tracks or traces—can be found, leaving the workers baffled and unnerved.

Legend of the Tuniat: A Supernatural Explanation

During a conversation in the mess hall, Forrest shares his unsettling experiences with his friend John, a local Inuit. John introduces the legend of the Tuniit, an ancient people who mysteriously vanished after conflicts with the Inuit.

“After they left and they went wherever they did go, they will periodically come back and pull pranks on the local Inuit. Sometimes you'll even have people disappear from the villages.” [15:07]

This folklore provides a haunting backdrop to the unexplained phenomena the workers are witnessing, suggesting that the Tuniit may still be present, lurking in the harsh Alaskan wilderness.

Escalation: Damaged Equipment and the Black Wolf

As the storm subsides, the workers begin the arduous task of digging out their vehicles and resuming their operations. However, they encounter disturbing signs of tampering:

• Vehicle Damage: Radiators crushed as if punched through, tires slashed, and cabins destroyed without any logical explanation.

  “It looked almost like a fist went through it, like somebody was sitting there and punching it.” [18:47]

• Supernatural Encounter: Forrest and his team encounter a massive, jet-black wolf with a missing eye and torn skin, exhibiting unnaturally aggressive behavior.

  “He's got a big toothy smile on the right side of his face. His left eye is bright red, and he's massive. He's probably about 6 or 7 feet long.” [19:28]

The bear police are summoned, but the wolf remains unnervingly focused on the truck, leading to its eventual demise after being hit by a beanbag gun.

Climactic Confrontation and Unanswered Questions

The tension peaks when an associate, Eric, describes a terrifying encounter with the wolf—now standing on two legs—before it vanishes without a trace. Despite the bear police finding only vague hind tracks that lead nowhere, the evidence suggests something beyond the ordinary is at play.

“I do not want to believe what he's saying, but also, I can't deny what my eyes have seen.” [30:53]

Equipment malfunctions and inexplicable data readings further deepen the mystery, leaving the workers questioning the very reality of their experiences.

Conclusion: Open-Minded Skepticism

In the aftermath of these events, Forrest reflects on the possibility of supernatural phenomena. While he maintains a skeptical outlook shaped by his engineering background, the unexplainable occurrences challenge his belief system, opening him to the idea that some elements of the world may remain beyond human understanding.

“I'm still a skeptic on most things, but I now have a little bit more of an open mind on what could possibly be out there.” [33:38]

Forrest's journey underscores the profound impact of isolation and the unknown on the human psyche, leaving listeners to ponder the thin veil between reality and the supernatural.

Notable Quotes

• “We know that isolation from our familiar, it changes us. We adapt, we transform. We understand this. What we may be less aware of is that isolation forces us to see, to really see and experience our environments in wholly new ways.” - Narrator [05:06]

• “How could these guys get outside if the security forces have to dig their way out?” - Forrest [11:52]

• “He goes into this legend of... some people think they just went to the other world.” - John [15:09]

• “I'm an engineer. My whole life is based on hypothesis testing, theories, you know, proof of execution, things like that.” - Forrest [13:03]

Final Thoughts

The "Howl" episode of Snap Judgment masterfully blends narrative storytelling with atmospheric soundscapes, immersing listeners in a tale of mystery and the supernatural. Through Forrest's experiences, the episode explores themes of isolation, folklore, and the quest for understanding in the face of the inexplicable. For those seeking a story that dares to see the world through another's eyes—complete with a compelling beat—"Howl" delivers a haunting and thought-provoking experience.