MacGyver meets the Blair Witch Project

I've only seen one episode of "Destination Truth", the one ominously called "Alien Invaders/Swedish Lake Monster". I admit I laughed quite a lot, sometimes with Josh and his team, sometimes at them (or rather at the concept). But sure, this should get higher ratings than the incredibly boring "MonsterQuest" over at History Channel.

After a positively bizarre visit to the ex-Soviet republic of Kazakhstan (complete with Cold War kitsch and sputniks falling from the sky), Josh Gates and his indefatigable investigators make a landfall in Sweden - of all places. Somehow, paranormal phenomena isn't something you would normally associate with the land of The Welfare State and the Polkagris!

But yes, folks, Sweden has its very own version of the Loch Ness monster, called Storsjöodjuret (try pronounce that). It supposedly lives, breathes or perhaps snorkels in the cold waters of Storsjön, a lake outside the Swedish town of Östersund in the county of Jämtland.

For decades, the monster was protected by law, but in 2005 the local authorities were forced to rescind the protection, since higher authorities found it to be "frivolous" - after all, there *is* no Great Lake Monster, and you can't legally protect a species that doesn't exist. Ah, the Swedish red tape, don't you just love it! According to urban legend, the decision to protect the monster was taken by the county office at April Fool's Day, but I haven't been able to confirm this.

Frankly, I didn't know people in Jämtland took their little monstrosity so damn seriously. Josh isn't kidding - there are cameras rigged all around the lake, to catch the monster on tape if it ever shows up above the waterline, a project financed by both the Swedish government (or rather by an obscure outfit of the vast Swedish government bureaucracy) and the European Union. So *that's* alright, but legal protection's a no-no?!

I think Storsie, as English-speaking forteans call the monster, and "Destination Truth" go together very well, LOL. This show could be described as MacGyver meeting the Blair Witch, complete with team members screaming "OH MY GOD, WHAT IS THAT?" and constant cliff hangers (and commercial breaks) keeping the viewers on the edge...well, sort of. Josh & The Team certainly made an impression - they are still mentioned at the official website of Storsjöodjuret, where Josh is affectionately referred to as "The Boss".

OK, let me guess, this show is...well, scripted?!

That being said, I still feel a bit too old for this concept, but I'm sure the little people around 12 years of age will love every minute of it. As a crazy local patriot, I naturally have to give the episode five stars. But, as all monster shows, even "Destination Truth" ends inconclusively. After all, the Great Lake Monster might simply be...a pike.

They are not protected by law.