Into the Unknown

Expedition X will never find anything, and it’s by design

Those waiting for Expedition X to find anything will be bitterly disappointed. After seven seasons it is safe to say nothing meaningful will ever be found, and it’s on purpose.

What made shows like Mythbusters work (at least the original Mythbusters) was the attempt at some scientific testing.

But Expedition X has their proverbial thumb on the scale, and can never be scientific or have any credible investigation.

What it is, is juvenile entertainment, only believable to Josh Gates, Phil Torres and recent addition, Heather Amaro.

Which is a missed opportunity.

Everyone watching the show, is not expecting the most bizarre theories to be true, but rather wants to see them explored, and scientifically tested (or at least an attempt to do so).

For example, we have all thought about the possibility of life on Mars. If we finally figure out interplanetary travel, we would want to found out if whether or not there is indeed life on this orange-red planet.

This, together with dozens of myths, legends and superstitions like the Loch Ness Monster, the fountain of youth, Atlantis and countless others, are all part of investigations that all inquiring minds think about.

And would want these many myths, legends and superstitions explored, with an amount of intrigue and interest, but also a dose of skepticism and scientific inquiry.

Play-pretending, as in the case of Expedition X, and suggesting that obviously fake things are true, when they aren’t, is unnecessary theatre that takes away from the show’s potential.

This makes us feel as if we are watching Scooby-Doo rather than a Discovery show. The dialogue on Expedition X is also insufferable, the chemistry between the cast is concocted and trite.

The gadgets used on the show are a rag-tag collection of debunked, hocus pocus nonsense, whose only purposes is to validate obviously bogus findings and build unwarranted suspense.

I guess it is all by design. The show is meant to entertain yes, but also offers an opportunity to educate. But Expedition X is neither entertaining nor informational, let alone educational.

It is really just about the individuals and their useless and unnecessary banter, coupled with oohs, ahhs and everything in between, all to build up their credentials and audience.

Only for them to move on with their newly found fame and fandom to establish new shows, spinoff shows and even merch.

And we, as the audience are suckers for it. For having entertained, even for a tiny percentage, the possibility that the show would finally address our childhood obsessions.

Sometimes lifelong questions we have had of the most vexing wonders and interests of mankind.

Perhaps in our collective naiveté we erroneously looked to shows like Expedition X, which almost by design are not meant to find anything.

But basically, have enough ‘watch bait’ or material to have us glued for 40 minutes for commercials during the gazillion commercial breaks.

And before you know it, it is eight seasons later, and you are none the wiser, but have gone grayer.