Paranormal shows have become more popular and more abundant over the last decade. I have been watching paranormal shows since MTV’s show FEAR. The genre has since grown and evolved into many different facets.
I have seen Ghost Hunters establish a blueprint for paranormal shows to follow. Then “Ghost Adventures” took that to another level by locking themselves in a location for the course of their investigation. Destination Fear really switches things up by taking things on the road. Literally.
The show follows Dakota Laden, his sister Chelsea, and their friends Tanner and Alex on a cross country road trip as they visit the most haunted locations.
The reason this show stands out, is the fact that no one but Dakota has had experience in investigating the paranormal. Dakota is alum of “Ghost Adventures.” “Destination Fear” focuses on how fear changes your perceptions of situation and how fear can effect intensity of paranormal experiences. Dakota, Chelsea, Tanner, and Alex are alone in a haunted location overnight. No camera crews, just the four of them in a building trying to catch the paranormal on camera.
At night the group chooses the top for scariest places in the location and they separate to try and sleep alone. This is the time when some of their best evidence and scariest moments have happened. Many unexplained noises and disembodied voices have been captured during their time alone.
I have been around the paranormal TV world for a long time and this show is what I had been looking for. It is a fresh new take on paranormal investigation shows and really ups the stakes as the team goes from one location to the next without much rest in between. The process is emotionally and physically taxing, the newest episode investigated the Statler Hotel in Buffalo, NY, and Tanner had to visit the hospital because of some lung issues.
I give major credit to the whole team for going through this process. Chelsea especially has shown growth since the first episode. She has braved many a scary hallway and even when given the option to trade sleeping locations, she didn’t back out.
Every Saturday night I watch this show with my mom and I have yet to be disappointed. I have a feeling the best is yet to come, and am gonna be sad when the season ends. Tune into Travel Channel Saturdays at 10 PM EST to watch. The show is also available on demand and via Travel Channel GO app.
Written by Melissa Rothman
