FORSGREN: Netflix Treasure Shows Are Stoking My Inner Indiana Jones
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The enormous hinges creaked and wailed like a pack of banshees as the ancient stone door slowly opened. I stepped into the chamber and surveyed the scene. Tree roots cris-crossed the floor of the stone room, climbing the walls and pushing through the ceiling. Aside from the threat of the ceiling caving in, there didn’t look to be anything to fear. That’s what scared me.
At the back of the room rose the glorious golden shrine, upon which sat the object of my search: the Honjo Masamune, an elegant ancient katana blade said to possess supernatural powers, as well as the ability to discern right from wrong. It was so close now, I could almost feel the cold folded steel blade in my hands. I made my move.
No sooner had I taken my first step toward the shrine, then I was swarmed by dozens of demons, spirits of the deceased monks sworn to protect the sword. They filled me with an icy fear I can hardly describe, but I remembered what the wise old man had told me on his deathbed: the Honjo Masamune would stay hidden until the hand it wanted to wield it stepped forth. I was the first person to see the sword in decades, so obviously I was the one the sword wanted to be with.
The demons pushed me back, but I knew I had to press forward. I drove the demons back with the only weapon I had on my person, a bullwhip. I lashed out and the whip cracked and I eventually was at the foot of the shrine. I reached forth and retrieved the sword from its cradle, crying the sacred words “Klaatu Verata Nikto.” I pulled the katana from its sheath and held the gleaming blade in the air. I had done it!
And then I woke up.
It was just another dream. I’ve been having them a lot lately, each one a blend of old-school adventure movie, my own over-busy imagination, and one more thing … yeah, I blame Netflix.
I recently became obsessed with two shows, “Myth Hunters” and “Expedition Unknown”, that are currently available on Netflix. Both concern modern adventures in search of evidence confirming the reality of ancient myths. Both shows break down the history of these myths. Best of all, both shows detail the lengths that people have gone to to find the treasures associated with the myths.
”Myth Hunters” (currently titled “Raiders of the Lost Past”) is a British-produced series that takes a more historical slant to great treasure hunts associated great myths of the modern world. Episodes have covered the search for Noah’s Ark, the quest to find the Lost Dutchman’s gold mine in Arizona, and several stories about the Heinrich Himmler and the Nazis chasing artifacts they thought would help them take over the world.
The show calls in the assistance of dozens of scientists, historians and mythology experts to fill in story details. Dramatic recreations of scenes depicting the real-life figures and their exploits also help tell the tale. The show usually ends by teasing the idea that the treasure, or at least a significant chunk of it, may still be out there, waiting to be discovered.
”Expedition Unknown” also doles out plenty of historical information, but the main attraction here is seeing host Josh Gates go looking for treasure himself. Gates is constantly spelunking around through old tombs, military bunkers and dank sewers, where danger and possibility lurk around every corner. Gates doesn’t often find much, but he looks like he’s having a blast. And I’m sure he has the best stories to tell at parties, so there’s that, too.
Both of these shows stir the Indiana Jones wanna-be inside of me. Who doesn’t want to dig up some fabulous, long-lost trove of valuables? Or discover new evidence that further illuminates our development as a species? And if I have to punch a few Nazis in the jaws along the way, well, that has some appeal, too.
I want to believe these stories are more than just myths. I want to believe there’s at least some truth to them. I think it makes the world a lot more interesting place. Plus it gives something to dream about at night, besides being trapped at an assembly at my high school wearing only my underpants. Stories like these are important to keep the flame of imagination alive and burning.
So, until all these stories get proven to be hoaxes or all the treasure all gets found, the desire inside me to go treasure hunting will remain strong. Just let me get my hat and whip.