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Mindy Thomas
Hey, Wowzer fams. Mindy here. And before we start the show, I've got a question for you. Are you ready to make It Wow? Okay, here's the deal. My buddy Carlie Q and I are hitting the road to make it wow with you in the DC area. That's right, we'll be making it wow. In Bethesda, Maryland on Saturday, March 29th. Make it wow is a live bonkerballs competition game show where real little kids are the star of the show. Two teams of wowzers will turn their wildest and weirdest ideas into jaw dropping inventions live on stage. Tickets are on sale now. Grown ups. Visit Tinkercast.com events to get your ticket today. That's Tinkercast.com events. We can't wait to make it wow with you this spring. But until then, let's get on with the show.
Guy Raz
Wow in the world.
Carlie Q
It's wewow week.
Guy Raz
Hello and welcome to wewow mystery week.
Mindy Thomas
A hands on crash course in fun fun 101 for science seekers and inventoritos everywhere. I'm Mindy.
Guy Raz
And I'm Guy Raz.
Mindy Thomas
And it's my grandma GeForce's birthday this week and we still haven't tracked down the set of golden fake teeth that I was gonna give her as.
Guy Raz
Do you have any clue who might have taken them?
Mindy Thomas
Not yet, but we're about to find out. Follow me to the parlor, Guy Raz.
Guy Raz
Parlor?
Mindy Thomas
Yeah, it's the best kind of room for a dramatic reveal.
Carlie Q
All right, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk.
Lewis
I've got so many questions.
Mindy Thomas
Hello, everyone. As you know, I was going to give my Grandma G Force a set of golden fake teeth, but someone took them out of a locked set.
Guy Raz
And the only clue at the scene of the crime was a smear of applesauce.
Mindy Thomas
So the question is, who took the golden teeth? Was it Dennis who loves shiny objects?
Lewis
I'm a mischievous little magpie.
Mindy Thomas
Or was it Thomas Fingerling who eats applesauce every day?
Lewis
I can't get enough of it.
Mindy Thomas
Or was it Reggie who always wanted teeth of his very own?
Grandma GeForce
I can hear y'all from outside. What's going on in here?
Lewis
Nice choppers, G Force. Ooh, shiny.
Guy Raz
Grandma G Force.
Carlie Q
You took the teeth?
Grandma GeForce
Well, yeah. It's my birthday present, but they were.
Mindy Thomas
In my locked safe. Grandma GeForce.
Carlie Q
Yeah.
Grandma GeForce
No, it made for some real tough wrapping. Lucky I had the applesauce to loosen up the lock and get them out.
Mindy Thomas
That's my grandma. Happy birthday, Grandma GeForce.
Guy Raz
Okay, well, mystery solved, I guess. Wowzers for Full instructions on today's activity go to tinkercast.com wewow and we want.
Mindy Thomas
To see what mysteries you solve. Send photos and videos to tinkercast.com and.
Guy Raz
Now an episode of who and wow. Mystery Edition.
Carlie Q
Hit the play button, Reg. Hey, it's your favorite secret host here from your favorite secret podcast. Today we've got special sunrises, weird rock sounds, ancient archaeology, and surprise special guest along for the ride. Stay tuned. I'm Carlie Q. And this is who When Wow. Mystery Edition.
Guy Raz
Our past is vast and wild. Many things have brought us to this day. As history has been compiled, some important details have slipped away. Spectacular shared existence. We consider it our business to recognize a few folks you may not know. Made important inventions, asked all the right questions. History will never be the same.
Carlie Q
When I got into work this morning, I did something highly unusual. I went looking for my co worker, Lewis. Good morning, Lewis. Lewis. Has anyone seen Lewis? See, I never really had the chance to talk with him since he saw me coming out of the time elevator and I didn't want him blabbing to anyone, so I had to find find him quick. Linda, do you know where Lewis is? Want me to give him a message? No message. Thanks. Nothing is up at all. Everything is totally cool and totally perfect. But I also had to play it cool with our other co workers. Lewis did not catch me doing something that could get me fired from my job. Why would you even think that? No way. I gotta go. Phew. Luckily, as soon as I got downstairs.
Lewis
Oh, hi, Carly Q. I found Lewis.
Carlie Q
There waiting for me. Lewis, hi. So about the.
Lewis
Yeah, I'm gonna cut right to the chase, Carli Q. Now that we both know you're secretly using the time elevator on your lunch breaks, I think it's time you bring me along with you.
Carlie Q
What? No.
Lewis
Yes. If you're going back in time, I wanna go too.
Carlie Q
But you don't even know why I'm going back in time.
Lewis
Well, I don't know for sure, but my. My guess is you're going back to investigate time sealed mysteries.
Carlie Q
You are so wrong. How does he know me so well? Lewis? How do you know me so well?
Lewis
Because you're not the only one who gets curious about all of the bleeped out files around here.
Mindy Thomas
And the light clockwork event, April 1920 in Wiltshire, England.
Carlie Q
Blue stones at.
Lewis
Well, look at that.
Carlie Q
Any idea what it's referring to?
Lewis
Hmm, I'm not sure I should say. Is this a test?
Carlie Q
No. Maybe.
Lewis
Yes, you say first.
Carlie Q
Okay, so you have no idea either. Hmm. Hdad.
Hdad
Hdad Powering up.
Carlie Q
I entered in the keywords from the event and this file most likely refers.
Hdad
To the megalithic site Stonehenge. A prehistoric circle of stones whose purpose remains unclear.
Carlie Q
Whoa.
Lewis
Tell us more, tell us more.
Hdad
Analyzing, analyzing, analyzing.
Lewis
Is he always like those?
Carlie Q
Unfortunately, yes. But wow, a mysterious stone circle. I wonder what it's for. Maybe predicting the future.
Lewis
Oh, oh.
Carlie Q
Or teleportation. Or maybe it has something to do with aliens.
Lewis
Aliens? Seriously?
Carlie Q
Ugh. You sound like Nibbles.
Lewis
Who?
Carlie Q
Speaking of Nibbles, just then she popped up from the potted plant by my desk. I could tell by the way she was that she wasn't exactly thrilled about this whole Lewis situation. I know, I know, Nibs. But maybe he'll be helpful.
Lewis
Uh, first off, of course I'll be helpful. And B, why are you talking to a rat? It can't understand you and it's gross.
Carlie Q
She can definitely understand me. When we go back in time, she talks like human English talks. M'kay.
Lewis
When we go back in time. I sure hope that includes me, Carli Q. Otherwise, I'm probably gonna have to tell the bosses about this.
Carlie Q
Okay, fine. I'll let you come this one time. Come back down at lunch and I'll bring you along. Yay.
Lewis
Sounds great. See you then. I'm going on an adventure.
Carlie Q
Once he left me alone, I was finally able to get some work done before lunch. All right, files. Let's file some files. And a quick three and a half hours later.
Mindy Thomas
Attention, Butt Head employees, chow time is now time.
Carlie Q
Lunch.
Lewis
I'm here. We doing this?
Carlie Q
Is that a suitcase? What are you doing?
Lewis
What, this old thing? I just wanted to be prepared. I've got snacks, a hydro flask, camelback lip balm, sunblock, change of clothes, first aid kit, personal flotation device, butterfly net, more snacks.
Carlie Q
You do realize we are only going for lunch break, right?
Lewis
Fine. I'll leave the suitcase here. But I'm bringing the lip balm. Nobody likes to be chapped.
Carlie Q
Obviously. Wait, have you tried their coconut flavor?
Lewis
It's amazing.
Carlie Q
And finally, along with Nibbles and H dad, we took off for the elevator. I find that it feels like an actual sea breeze upon my lips.
Lewis
Oh, maybe I should try.
Carlie Q
Maybe just give it a second chance. Hi, Odie.
Odie
Hello, basement companion. Oh, Lewis.
Lewis
Hello, Odie. Hi.
Odie
My arch nemesis from the company bowling party two years ago.
Carlie Q
Wait, Lewis is your arch nemesis? That's so weird. He's my arch nemesis too. High five.
Odie
I don't high five.
Carlie Q
I respect your boundary.
William
Ahem.
Lewis
I'm Your arch nemesis.
Grandma GeForce
Shh.
Carlie Q
Never mind. You didn't hear that.
Odie
Basement Companion. What is this?
Carlie Q
Lewis figured out I've been secretly using the elevator, and he told me I have to bring him back in time with me today or he's gonna tell the bosses.
Lewis
Just to be clear, I would never rat you out, Odie. Just her.
Odie
I don't approve of anyone ratting out.
Carlie Q
Anyone, but folks, Nibbles is right here. Words matter, people.
Odie
My apologies.
Carlie Q
Nipple.
Odie
Louis, if Basement Companion wants you to come along, I won't stop you. But you must heed the rules. When you go to the past, you can't try and change or stop anything. You can observe witness, ask questions, but that's it. And remember that you can always return to the elevator to fast forward to another date on the file.
Carlie Q
Got it. This is where you also say, got it.
Lewis
You can't tell me what to say. I can say whatever I want. Got it.
Carlie Q
There you go.
Odie
So when and where are you going?
Carlie Q
England, 1920. Stonehenge.
Odie
Ah, yes, the mysterious stone circle in Wiltshire.
Carlie Q
Know anything about it?
Odie
Not much. It's a fascinating monument, but it inspires many questions. How was it built? By whom and why?
Carlie Q
Mmm. Questions we are gonna answer today, thanks.
Lewis
To me, I'm sure.
Carlie Q
Oh, brother.
Odie
Just remember, you two sharing the sun can move stone.
Lewis
I'm sorry, what? Okay.
Odie
Here you go.
Lewis
Ooh, Shiny.
Carlie Q
Don't touch anything.
Odie
Be careful what you wish for.
Lewis
Lew.
Carlie Q
I made it. We're here.
Lewis
Oh, boy. Is the elevator ride always so bumpy?
Carlie Q
You get used to it. Are. Are you okay?
Lewis
Oh, I'm fine. I'm fine, I think.
Carlie Q
Just concentrate on your surroundings. Look at all the interesting grass around us. And the rain clouds.
Grandma GeForce
It's clammier than a summer in San Francisco.
Lewis
The rat can talk.
Grandma GeForce
Ah, he can talk.
Carlie Q
Believe me now?
Lewis
Okay, so your rat friend can really understand you. Point taken. And we also just went back in time. This is a loft.
Grandma GeForce
Smells like the 1920s to me.
Carlie Q
All around us was an empty plane. There wasn't anything very exciting, except for the big stone structure off in the distance. Okay.
Lewis
Feeling better, I think. But that's it. That's Stonehenge. It's so basic, it looks like caveman ikea.
Carlie Q
Things in the past don't always look like you expect them to.
Lewis
Well, even if that's all there is, I guess we should go take a look. Yeah.
Grandma GeForce
Look at this guy, thinking he's running the show.
Carlie Q
Right?
Lewis
Okay, so.
Carlie Q
So I guess we should go take a look.
Grandma GeForce
Great idea, Carly.
Carlie Q
As we got closer, we Were able to make out more details. The site was made up of an outer ring of giant stone pillars, Some of them with horizontal cross beams on top, and then more stones in a circle in the center.
Grandma GeForce
Whoa. Where did they get all those rocks from? They're so big.
Carlie Q
Some of the center pillars were even bigger than the outer ones. But there were a lot of smaller rocks scattered around, too.
Lewis
It's not exactly in great shape. Why are so many of the stones all collapsed or falling over?
Grandma GeForce
Ooh, I don't know, inspector. Maybe because it's thousands of years old.
Carlie Q
Okay, you two play nice.
Grandma GeForce
How about if I just play possum and take a nap in the backpack?
Carlie Q
Hey, that guy's waving us over.
Lewis
I don't like talking to strangers.
Carlie Q
You do today.
William
Hello. You must be the additional crew sent over by the office of work.
Lewis
Uh, what?
Carlie Q
Oh.
Lewis
Ow.
Carlie Q
Yes. Yes, we are.
Lewis
Why did you just pinch me?
Carlie Q
Please excuse my associate here. It is his first day on the job.
Lewis
Ah.
William
Welcome.
Carlie Q
I'm Carly. This is Lewis. And you must be William.
William
Holly, of course. The archaeologist.
Carlie Q
Right, right, right. Yes, of course. Now, okay, could you remind us of what exactly you are archaeologizing out here?
William
This land was recently transferred to public ownership. The government hired me to restore the falling stones and conduct some excavations.
Lewis
Okay, so you work with rocks. Got it.
Carlie Q
You're saying that Stonehenge now belongs to all of us, the people, and that the government hired you to fix the broken parts?
William
That's right. I've just mostly been doing it alone. Here, let me show you where to get started.
Carlie Q
William took us to a ditch over by the outer ring of stones. He gave us shovels and told us to start digging to see if there were any other stones buried under the soil.
Lewis
Carly, what is happening? We're working over lunchtime in dirt.
Carlie Q
Shh. We are investigating. It's thrilling.
Lewis
I just don't get it. This whole thing, it's just rocks.
Carlie Q
You are hopeless. Oh, the archaeologist is coming back.
William
So, what do you two know about the bluestones?
Carlie Q
Um, the what?
William
The bluestones. Those heavy stones you're working next to. They're not from anywhere around here.
Carlie Q
Where are they from?
Lewis
How about the earth? Duh.
William
These rocks came from hundreds of miles away. At least the ancient people who built this place had to laboriously drag them here. It would have taken months.
Carlie Q
Why go to all that trouble? I mean, what exactly was Stonehenge even built for?
William
Some archaeologists think the Romans built it as a temple to worship the gods. Others think it was the druids.
Lewis
I'm Sorry, Druids. Are they like a band or something?
William
Ha. Um, no. The Druids were the people who lived here earlier, around 300 BC. But I suspect all of this is even older.
Carlie Q
How much older?
William
I believe construction here began more like 3000 BC.
Carlie Q
What? That is old.
William
And based on my recent discovery of cremated human remains here, I'm wondering if it wasn't a temple so much as a symmetry.
Lewis
Ooh, ooh, spooky.
Grandma GeForce
Maybe that's what's been time sealed the sky's discovery of the human remains.
Lewis
Weren't you napping, Ratso?
William
And just yesterday I found this antler pick buried in the soil.
Carlie Q
He held up a deer antler about the size of my arm.
Lewis
It looks like a stick.
Carlie Q
No, a pick.
William
It was used as a shovel to cut into the chalky ground. It's an old construction method. Very. It was used even before the Druids, helping prove my theory of how old this place is.
Lewis
Okay, all of this old druid antler talk is super interesting, and I'm obviously loving all this hard digging work you're having us do. But we're still unclear. Why was all this built in the first place?
Carlie Q
Right. Like, if it was just a cemetery, why drag the heavy blue stones from so far away?
William
Well, the other main theory is that Stonehenge may have been an astronomical observatory.
Carlie Q
An observatory? Wait, what do you mean?
William
Stonehenge is laid out in a very particular way, matching up to the sun and other stars. For instance, the layout of the stones perfectly lines up with the sunrise on the summer solstice.
Lewis
The summer solstice? Like in June?
Carlie Q
The longest day of the year.
William
And a magical day here at Stonehenge it is. On that one day, the sun rises right next to the heel stone. That's the big stone over there, just outside the main circle, with the sun's rays shining right into the heart of Stonehenge itself.
Lewis
Wow.
Carlie Q
Uh, could you excuse us a minute, Lewis, over here.
Lewis
What's happening?
Carlie Q
I think we gotta go see that summer solstice for ourselves.
Lewis
Oh, so another trip in the elevator. Fun.
Carlie Q
William, thank you for telling us all about this place, but we have to get going.
Lewis
What?
Carlie Q
I think there was a mix up back at the office, but good luck with your work here.
Lewis
Thank you.
Carlie Q
You're welcome. Lewis and I ran back to the elevator where I punched in the date for the next summer solstice. Okay, so we're here in April 1920. So the summer solstice is just a couple months away. June 21st, 1920. Here we come. Let's go.
Lewis
Wait, Carly, I think it's.
Carlie Q
Whoa.
Lewis
Oh, boy. Okay. I'm maybe starting to get used.
Carlie Q
I'm proud of you. After Lewis's stomach stopped gurgling, we started making our way back Stonehenge. We could see a crowd of people gathered there. Locals and tourists and a few kids.
Lewis
Is that.
Carlie Q
Everyone looked very excited. That's it. That's the solstice celebration. Come on, let's take a look and see if we can collect some more evidence.
Grandma GeForce
Speaking of evidence, got any more info yet from your dad? Machine.
Carlie Q
Hmm. Good call. Let's check. Hdad theories on why Stonehenge was built.
Hdad
Theory one, a symbol of peace and unity between warring tribes. Peace sign emoji.
Carlie Q
Mmm. A peace monument. I love it.
Hdad
Theory 2, a holy site for healing that ancient people would make pilgrimages to. Dr. Emoji. He works on my mainframe.
Carlie Q
A pilgrimage. It's like a religious journey to a special place.
Grandma GeForce
Like me. When I go to the cheese store.
Carlie Q
Exactly.
Lewis
Oh, come on. You don't go to the cheese store.
Grandma GeForce
Well, not anymore. Now I just order online.
Carlie Q
We had finally arrived back at some Stonehenge, but we still had a few minutes before sunrise. Great theories, Hdad, but the problem is none of those explain why it has to be here. Even if this area is special, like with how it lines up with the sunrise, why drag those heavy blue stones from so far away?
Lewis
Maybe it's something about the stones themselves.
Carlie Q
We maneuvered our way through the crowd until we found a stone. We inspected it very thoroughly, but it just felt like a regular rock.
Grandma GeForce
Let me take a sniff.
Carlie Q
Hmm.
Grandma GeForce
Nothing unusual there.
Carlie Q
So it doesn't look weird or smell weird or feel weird or.
Grandma GeForce
Don't look at me. I'm not tasting it.
Lewis
What about the sound?
Carlie Q
He picked up a small rock and tapped it against the bluestone. And to our surprise. Whoa. Good call, Lewis.
Grandma GeForce
Did that rock just ring like a bell?
Lewis
Yes.
Carlie Q
Let's go test some more.
Lewis
They all do it.
Grandma GeForce
This is incredible.
Carlie Q
Oh, this one does it, too. This actually sounds kind of beautiful.
Lewis
Oh, this one, too.
Grandma GeForce
Bingo. Bongo.
Lewis
Wow.
Carlie Q
Will we release an album? I'm just. I'm just curious.
Lewis
Oh, my gosh. Well, I want to be the lead of the band.
Carlie Q
Hdad. What is this? How are these rocks ringing?
Hdad
Lithophonic stone. Rocks that resonate like a bell when struck. Sometimes used for healing purposes in holistic medicine or religious ceremony.
Carlie Q
I. I wonder if this is the answer to why this is all here. You know, if. If the location is special because of the sunrise alignment and the Rocks are special because of the ringing. Lewis, are you following? Maybe this explains why they were brought here.
Grandma GeForce
It would also explain explain Odie's riddle.
Carlie Q
That's right.
Mindy Thomas
Of course.
Lewis
Wait. Riddle? What riddle?
Carlie Q
You know, that little glorious nugget of wisdom that Odie dropped on us before sending us back in time?
Grandma GeForce
He's really got a lot of catching up to do, huh?
Odie
Sharing. The sun can move stones.
Lewis
Oh, that riddle.
Carlie Q
Hey, look. Sunrise.
Lewis
Look at it.
William
It's beautiful.
Carlie Q
And it matches up perfectly to Stonehenge. The rays of sunlight are lining up directly with the stone pillars.
Lewis
This light is absolutely incredible.
Grandma GeForce
For once, Lewis, I actually agree with you.
Lewis
It really makes my skin glow. Look, I'm not washed out or anything.
Grandma GeForce
Well, that didn't last long.
Hdad
Incoming message from Butt headquarters.
Grandma GeForce
Uno.
Mindy Thomas
Lunchtime ends in five minutes. Finish the chowing, chewing and chomping and.
Hdad
Get back to work.
Carlie Q
All right, time to go.
Lewis
That's it?
Carlie Q
That's it. We hightailed it back to the elevator, and moments later, it looked like it.
Lewis
Was gonna be a fun party, though.
Carlie Q
Oh, come on. There'll be more parties.
Lewis
All right, here we go. Oh, no.
Guy Raz
Why didn't I take any pictures?
Odie
Basement Companion.
Carlie Q
Hi, Odie.
Odie
Louis.
Lewis
Hi, Odie.
Odie
How was Stonehenge?
Carlie Q
It was incredible. And archaeologists taught us all about its history and how it lines up with the summer solstice.
Lewis
We saw a beautiful sunrise. Like, truly one of the most amazing sunrises ever. Top 10. Definitely.
Carlie Q
And we figured out that the bluestone rocks all have a special ringing ability, like a bell. I would never have thought to think about listening to the rocks.
Lewis
Yeah, the idea just came to me.
Carlie Q
And it was totally the right idea. Honestly, Lewis, I am impressed. You broke the whole thing open.
Lewis
I know.
Carlie Q
Okay, Relax.
Odie
What a good team you two seem to make.
Lewis
Who, us?
Carlie Q
There's lots of theories for Stonehenge's true purpose, but I think he. You might have had an inkling yourself.
Odie
Who, me?
Carlie Q
Yeah. With your riddle, sharing the sun can move stone. You meant that building Stonehenge to align with the sun could have been what motivated the Builders to drag the stones from so far away, Huh.
Odie
I guess I did say that, didn't I? I wonder what else I meant by that. Well, you two should probably be getting back to work now, eh?
Lewis
Do we have to?
Carlie Q
Yes, we have to. Come on, Lewis.
Odie
Have a pleasant rest of your day.
Lewis
Wow. What a fun lunch break. I mean, not like the most fun I've ever had, obviously, but a pretty okay time, I guess.
Carlie Q
Nice try, Lewis. I can see straight through you. And I know you had the best time.
Lewis
I mean, not the best best time.
Carlie Q
You know, if you want, I guess you could come with me again sometime.
Lewis
Wait, really?
Carlie Q
Yeah. It's like Odie said, right? Sharing the sun can move stone. The thing about her riddles, Lewis, is that they mean more than one thing. So it's not just about Stonehenge. It's also about how a shared experience means you can do things together that are otherwise impossible.
Lewis
So?
Carlie Q
So maybe by sharing in these adventures, we can do some cool things together. Like as a team.
Lewis
Huh? I guess that does sound pretty cool. But you're making me feel really bad for threatening to tell the bosses on you. That was not the coolest thing I've ever done.
Carlie Q
Agreed.
Lewis
I'm sorry. I guess I should probably get back to work now. But your secret is safe with me, Carli Q. I'm glad to hear it.
Carlie Q
See you later, Lewis. Well, that's what I call an adventure with a capital A people. I can't believe I spent the whole day with Lewis and I actually kind of liked it. I guess it just goes to show you never really know someone until you go back in time with them to explore an ancient megalithic monument. Anyway, I wonder what we'll get into next time. Until then, this is Karlie Q and Lewis. Where'd you come from? Signing off. Signing off. And remember, you never heard this, but.
Lewis
They did hear it. You know that doesn't make any sense, right?
Carlie Q
Louis, just don't. Don't interrogate every inch of this. Come on.
Lewis
Oh, Carli Q.
Mindy Thomas
Grown ups. If you like.
Carlie Q
Wow.
Mindy Thomas
In the world, you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.
Guy Raz
Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts. Prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.
Mindy Thomas
And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey@wondery.com survey.
Carlie Q
HD. Initiating end credits mode.
Lewis
Who went? Wow.
Carlie Q
Mystery Edition is an original Tinkercast production with help from Gen Z Media. Handshake emoji High five emoji for Tinkercast. The executive producers are Guy Raz, Mindy Thomas and Meredith Halpern Ranzer. The shows are written by Aaron Weissman, Danielle Nikki, Tom Van Kalken, Kenny Curtis and Mindy Thomas. Carly Shiraki is a producing consultant. Big shout outs to Jed Anderson, Steph Sosa, Henry Moskal, Jessica Boddy, Natasha Crandall, Rebecca Caban, Sona Ali Mohammed, Anna Dannecker, Anna Zagorsky and the rest of the team at Tinkercast Megaphone emoji applause emoji who WentWow's theme song was composed and performed by the Pop Ups. For more information on their three time Grammy nominated all ages music, find them at thepopups.com Producers for Gen Z Media are David Kreizman, Ben Strauss, Chris Terry, Claire McClanahan and Amy Cervini at gzmshows.com sound design and editing is by Chris Terry and Oded Lev Ari. Voice editing by Yoni Recko Headphones emoji, microphone emoji, thumbs up emoji. Original music was created by Jennifer Rocap and voice direction is handled by David Kreizman. Our main cast features Carly Shiraki as Carli Q, Brandon Salerno as Lewis, Melissa Vandershiff as Nibbles the Rat, Kenny Curtis as Hdad, and Angela Desai as Odie. Want to explore who Went wow's mysteries even further? You can find free activities and resources to extend the wow@whowenwow.com and if you have a time sealed mystery you want Carli Q to explore, email us@helloinkercast.com HDAD Powering off.
Grandma GeForce
Who Roam? Wow was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.
Guy Raz
Shh, it's starting.
Lewis
GZM shows imagination amplified.
Wow in the World: WeWow Mystery Week – Day 5: Whodunnit?!
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Produced by: Tinkercast | Wondery
The episode kicks off with Mindy Thomas addressing the "Wowzer fams," introducing an upcoming live event called "Make it Wow" in Bethesda, Maryland. However, the main adventure begins when Mindy reveals a personal mystery: she planned to gift her Grandma GeForce a set of golden fake teeth, but they have gone missing from a locked safe.
Notable Quote:
Mindy Thomas [00:00]: "We still haven't tracked down the set of golden fake teeth that I was gonna give her."
Mindy and Guy Raz delve into the mystery, presenting three suspects:
The only clue at the scene is a smear of applesauce, pointing suspicion toward Thomas Fingerling.
Notable Quote:
Mindy Thomas [02:11]: "So the question is, who took the golden teeth?"
The mystery takes an unexpected turn when Grandma GeForce herself confesses to taking the teeth, citing the use of applesauce to loosen the lock. This playful resolution wraps up the initial mystery quickly, transitioning the hosts into the main adventure.
Notable Quote:
Grandma GeForce [02:54]: "No, it made for some real tough wrapping. Lucky I had the applesauce to loosen up the lock and get them out."
The core of the episode revolves around Carlie Q and Lewis using a "time elevator" to travel back to April 1920 in Wiltshire, England, to investigate the ancient Stonehenge. Along the way, they interact with various characters, including the enigmatic Hdad and Odie the Rat.
Key Highlights:
Meeting William the Archaeologist: They encounter William, who explains the significance of the bluestones at Stonehenge.
Notable Quote:
William [14:48]: "This land was recently transferred to public ownership. The government hired me to restore the falling stones and conduct some excavations."
Discovery of Lithophonic Stones: By tapping the bluestones, Lewis discovers that the rocks emit a bell-like sound, suggesting they are lithophonic. This leads to theorizing about Stonehenge's purpose beyond mere construction.
Notable Quote:
Carlie Q [21:56]: "Lithophonic stone. Rocks that resonate like a bell when struck."
Alignment with the Summer Solstice: As the summer solstice approaches, the alignment of Stonehenge with the sunrise is highlighted, reinforcing its potential role as an astronomical observatory.
Notable Quote:
William [18:06]: "Stonehenge is laid out in a very particular way, matching up to the sun and other stars."
Throughout the adventure, the relationship between Carlie Q and Lewis evolves. Initially portrayed as a mischievous and antagonistic character, Lewis gradually becomes more cooperative and integral to solving the mystery.
Notable Quote:
Carlie Q [25:24]: "The thing about her riddles, Lewis, is that they mean more than one thing. So it's not just about Stonehenge. It's also about how a shared experience means you can do things together that are otherwise impossible."
By combining their efforts and insights, Carlie Q and Lewis deduce that the unique properties of the bluestones and their alignment with the sun likely motivated the ancient builders to transport these stones from afar. This collaboration not only sheds light on Stonehenge's purpose but also bridges the gap between the characters.
Notable Quote:
Carlie Q [22:20]: "Maybe this explains why they were brought here."
The episode concludes with Lewis expressing regret over his initial antagonism and showing interest in future adventures with Carlie Q. This newfound partnership underscores the episode's theme of collaboration and shared discovery.
Notable Quote:
Lewis [26:02]: "I'm sorry. I guess I should probably get back to work now. But your secret is safe with me, Carli Q."
"WeWow Mystery Week – Day 5: Whodunnit?!" skillfully blends humor, mystery, and educational content to engage both kids and their grown-ups. The exploration of Stonehenge not only provides fascinating historical insights but also illustrates the importance of teamwork and curiosity in uncovering the unknown.
Key Takeaways:
Educational Value: The episode offers a deep dive into the history and theories surrounding Stonehenge, making complex topics accessible and entertaining.
Character Development: The transformation of Lewis from a skeptic to a collaborator highlights the show's emphasis on personal growth and friendship.
Interactive Engagement: Listeners are encouraged to participate by sending in their own mysteries, fostering a sense of community and active learning.
For more adventures and to participate in future "Make it Wow" events, visit Tinkercast.com/events.