Walk on the Wyrd side
The Wyrd Side review
Rating – 
The Wyrd Side segues nicely from the other high strange shows I’ve been listening to recently. Shows like Where Did The Road Go and Strange Familiars. Folklore and high strange type investigations have been popular for ages now, with both real and fictional shows garnering recommendations online almost weekly.
So what separates this show from the others? Is it just more of the same, or is it some pioneering independent audiodrama?
So what’s it about?
Aiden Summers and Katherine “Kitty” Moore run a paranormal/folklore podcast. Aiden is the believer, and font of knowledge, and Kitty is the pragmatic skeptic. Together they explore the New Forest looking into local myths and legends of this ancient place.
From what starts out as a rather mundane, if not boring investigation, they get thrown into true folk-horror territory. This show has it all. Lonely pathways, dark woods, suspicious locals, and mysterious disappearances.
The show is one of those “real” fiction podcasts, like The Lovecraft Investigations, and Forbidden Cassettes, with the story split between “episodes” of the podcast, and the background investigation.
Is it any good?
I listened to the whole lot in just over a day (you know that’s how I roll), and I really wasn’t that fussed. While the writing was very good, the acting let the side down. I feel bad for picking on this, after all, it is made entirely by the two of them. Writers they are, actors they are not.
The character of Katherine also comes across as rather annoying. I get that she’s there as a skeptical counterpoint to Aiden’s more open minded position, but she’s bossy, arrogant and standoffish. There were many points in the story where I not only felt sorry for Aiden, but wondered how they got so far into their investigation without being told to get lost purely because of her attitude.
In the end of season Q&A, they said that their main influence was The Lovecraft Investigations and it shows. It wears this fandom on its sleeve, and there was a point in series one that I was dreading it would be some sort of TLI pastiche.
There is more to it than that though. The show reminds me of the 1970s and 80s BBC shows like Children Of The Stones, Dead Of Night and Beasts. There is a real “cosy”, nostalgic feel to it, and I can imagine seeing it as a black and white production on an ancient TV with Clive Swift guest starring.
Despite my criticisms, I should give Alexandra M. Barrow and Finn Cresswell a tip of the hat for undertaking such a project. I always admire the passion involved in projects like these, and I appreciate it is no easy task.
Final thoughts
If there’s a TLI itch that you absolutely have to scratch until the new series comes out later this year, then this show will do the job. If you’re looking for some edge of the seat, new favourite audiodrama, then you may be left wanting.
As I always say though. Give it a listen, and be sure to tell me I’m wrong if you like the show.
You can get The Wyrd Side here:
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