Line #18 Podcast/HeinousInvestigations


1	[[quoteright:1000:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hi_poster_5.JPG]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:The Main Cast in all of its chaotic, problematic glory. [[note]] L-R: Martin, Frank, Elliot, Liza, Ginnie, Algernon, Orville, Jack, Rachel, Miriam, Carlton. Not Pictured: Benji. [[/note]]]]
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4	In the small New England coastal town of Hanesbury, strange things have been happening—people claiming to be haunted by ghosts, unexplained tremors beneath town, and a legend of an old hidden treasure being just a few instances. All of this utterly confuses self-described skeptic [[TheEveryman Carlton]] as he begins his job at Hanesbury’s local law firm.
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6	Soon enough, however, Carlton’s natural curiosity leads him into encounters with some of Hanesbury’s strangest residents, including [[MamaBear weapons expert and single mother]] Miriam Prior; superpowered [[PolarOppositeTwins twins]] Jack and Algy Graham; [[GenkiGirl perky]] [[OurVampiresAreDifferent vampire]] Ginnie Kelly; [[TheStoic taciturn]] [[{{Telepathy}} tele]][[MindOverMatter kinetic]] Orville; [[BornOfHeavenAndHell doctor-with-a-dark-secret]] Elliot Quaid; [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} mad]] [[GadgeteerGenius inventor]] Frank Epstein; and mysterious GirlNextDoor Liza. Under the watchful eye of [[TheTeamBenefactor a member of the town’s wealthiest and most respected family]], this RagtagBunchOfMisfits unites to uncover and dispose of Hanesbury’s supernatural phenomena.
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8	In spite of their general lack of experience in the realm of paranormal investigation (a fact that often leads to awkward and/or humorous situations), the members of "Heinous Investigations" find a way to make their business work, even with constant threats from Delia Smythe, a particularly unstable [[BigBadWannabe wannabe villainess]] from Carlton’s past.
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10	''Heinous Investigations'' heavily follows a MonsterOfTheWeek format, parodying everything spanning the realms of Sci-fi, Fantasy, and the Supernatural; it also features overarching secondary plots throughout each season. It is popular for its zany cast of characters and its LGBTQIA+ and Neurodiverse representation.
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12	!! ''Heinous Investigations'' contains examples of:
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14	* AbhorrentAdmirer: Orville has one in the form of Lavinia Lavin, an ''extremely'' forward witch.
15	* AbnormalAllergy: Jack is allergic to orchids; the situation is made doubly strange by the fact that the ensuing allergic reaction causes him to lose control of his powers.
16	* AbsentMindedProfessor: Franklin "Frankenstein" Epstein certainly counts.
17	* AcousticLicense: As is common for an audiodrama; especially when it usually involves monster fights.
18	* ActionGirl: Miriam. Specifically an ActionMom.
19	* AffablyEvil: Lavinia, a southern belle who is fond of calling people "hun" [[spoiler: and who will [[WouldHurtAChild possess a child's body for the sake of increasing her own power]]]].
20	* AirVentPassageway: Done by Jack [[ItsALongStory in an attempt to escape mandatory team building and help investigate a mysterious pit]].
21	* AppropriatedAppellation: Frank is established to be known by locals as "Frankenstein" due to his status as a MadScientist; however, being Frank, he takes the nickname with pride, even explicitly stating that he prefers being called that over something more formal.
22	* AudibleSharpness: All of Miriam's bladed weapons, of which there are many.
23	* BadLiar: A trait of the Epstein family. Benji can't help but blurt out the truth out of stress and Frank has no filter, bordering on BrutalHonesty.
24	* BadassNormal: Carlton, Miriam, Martin, and Frank do not have powers and abilities like the other Investigators, but make up for it with extreme skill in their respective fields.
25	* BadGuyBar: The "No Holds Bar" is one that serves the more rambunctious of Hanesbury's resident and roving monster population.
26	* BelligerentSexualTension: Carlton and Miriam, no matter how much they try to deny it.
27	* BerserkButton: The Investigators have many:
28	** Carlton's [[EmbarrassingFirstName first name]].
29	** Threatening Rachel is a sure fire way to get Miriam to commit acts of violence.
30	** On that note, if you dare to hurt Liza in front of Elliot, run.
31	** Calling Ginnie "some innocent girl" will get you [[spoiler: punched through a window.]]
32	* BigBrotherInstinct: Frank will spring into action at even the slightest insinuation that Benji is in danger.
33	* BigDamnHeroes: Essentially happens [[OncePerEpisode Once Per Story Arc]].
34	* BigEater: Algernon has a habit of eating everything in the Investigator's very well-stocked kitchen.
35	--->'''Algy:''' I have a fast metabolism!
36	* BigFancyHouse: Heinous Investigations' base of operations is Martin's exceedingly large family home.
37	* BreakingTheFourthWall: Frank, as the Investigator's resident MetaGuy, does this quite a bit.
38	* ButtMonkey: On the side of villainy, Nate always gets the short end of the stick. As for the Investigators themselves, argument could be made for Algernon, although he brings the majority of it on himself.
39	* CastFullOfGay: Many of the Investigators are confirmed to be LGBTQIA+. Especially of note are Ginnie, who is openly attracted to both women and men, and Miriam, who has had a relationship with a man and [[spoiler: is currently dating Dulcie]].
40	* CasualDangerDialogue: Carlton and Miriam do this, often with each other and especially when they have the upper hand in a fight.
41	* {{Claustrophobia}}: Jack is afraid of enclosed spaces, but will brave them when there are no other options. [[spoiler: Including crossing through an air vent and facing off with an invisible man in a broom closet.]]
42	* CreepyMonotone: Orville speaks exclusively in this. But maybe [[InsistentTerminology don't call it "creepy" in front of him]].
43	* ConvenientEscapeBoat: The Investigators catch one [[spoiler: in the season 1 finale.]]
44	* DarkAndTroubledPast: Carlton and Miriam have outlandishly bizarre pasts that are also very upsetting. [[spoiler: Carlton was a child runaway and ward of a criminal organization; Miriam was raised in a cult that openly discriminated against her family for being racial minorities and shunned her because of her TeenPregnancy.]]
45	** Orville's description of his family history and his MyParentsAreDead moment with Ginnie hints that he has some dark baggage as well.
46	* DeconstructiveParody: What this entire series aspires to be.
47	* DifferentForGirls: [[spoiler: Jack]] has to deal with this in one arc as part of an elaborate scheme devised by Algy to get back at his ex. [[VampireEpisode This is actually the least of their problems.]]
48	* DraggedByTheCollar: Elliot tends to be on the receiving end of this, as much as one can be in an audio-exclusive medium.
49	* DrivesLikeCrazy: Frank, and it's not exclusive to cars.
50	* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: The first 6 episodes of the show are notably different in sound quality and editing. Some of the character voices, while still recognizable, are also different from the rest of the series.
51	* EccentricTownsfolk: Hanesbury is full of them. Includes a Sheriff constantly on the verge of retirement; his hyperactive Deputy; the local Bartender who is kind, but not the sharpest; and a Fisherman who is the walking personification of New England. Not to mention Chester and his wife Paula, a well meaning, albeit unsettling, old couple.
52	* EducationThroughPyrotechnics: Carlton believes in this, as evidenced by his setting Rachel's (a child) Junior Investigator obstacle course on fire.
53	* EmbarrassingFirstName: Carlton's first name is [[spoiler: Beverly]]. Any jokes about it come not from the name itself, but from the fact that Carlton [[spoiler: is embarrassed about having a [[GenderBlenderName "girl's name".]]]]
54	* EvilIsHammy: Delia. Just Delia.
55	* EvilSoundsDeep: CR-3TR, a murderous android with a serious grudge against [[spoiler: Frank]].
56	* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Delia and Nate are siblings, and for all of Delia's outright cruelty toward her brother, she still loves him. Probably. Meanwhile, Nate still cares enough for Delia and her safety to stand by her, even when he ''really'' knows he shouldn't.
57	* FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling: Algy is foolish, Jack is responsible.
58	* EveryoneCanSeeIt: A strange case in which there are ''multiple'' relationships where this occurs at the same time, with the only people ''not'' able to see it being the ones in the relationships themselves.
59	* FriendlyNeighborhoodVampire: Ginnie, to the point where the town of Hanesbury doesn't even believe she is a vampire until shown definitive evidence. It helps that she [[VegetarianVampire drinks exclusively from prepared blood bags]].
60	* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: Done by Liza to Martin during the "Odd Couples" arc, followed by her requesting him to slap her back...and then immediately slapping him again when he reluctantly complies.
61	* GibberishOfLove: Elliot to Liza. He gets better.
62	** Combined with SighOfLove: According to Ginnie, Elliot can't hear someone even mention Liza without "sighing like a lovesick idiot."
63	* TheGlomp: Ginnie is a hugger, but being a vampire with SuperStrength, her hugs produce some...slightly worrying sound effects.
64	* GhostShip: Apparently there is one off the coast of Hanesbury somewhere.
65	* GroinAttack: An attack maneuver of choice for Miriam. [[spoiler: Just ask Carlton.]]
66	* TheHero: Carlton is meant to be a parody of this, based on his "straight, white, able-bodied male" and AudienceSurrogate status, as referenced by Frank in Episode 2.
67	* HomeOfMonsters: Dubbed "The Scary Sphere" by Frank.
68	* HuntingTheMostDangerousGame: The plot of the season 1 finale, right down to the title.
69	* InevitableWaterfall: Crossed with NoEscapeButDown in the season 1 finale, much to Frank's delight, and Carlton's chagrin.
70	* ItRunsOnNonsensoleum: When asked how the CoolPlane he just invented for the team works, Frank's response is "magnets".
71	--->'''Frank:''' I just figured out a long time ago that instead of trying to explain the mechanical complexities of whatever I invent, it’s easier to say it’s all because of magnets. People understand magnets.
72	* JekyllAndHyde: [[spoiler: Elliot, as a consequence of being BornOfHeavenAndHell, has a [[TheMedic more prevalent]] "angelic" personality, but also a [[TheHedonist hedonistic]], [[AxCrazy violent]] "demonic" one. Algy at one point refers to him as "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hellspawn."]]
73	* KarmaHoudini: Invoked by Delia, who, being under the protection of sorcerous Circe, is able to attempt numerous villainous plots with little to no retribution.
74	* TheLancer: Miriam is this to Carlton, being the marginally more grounded of the two.
75	* LaughablyEvil: The main villain trio of [[LargeHam Delia]], [[ButtMonkey Nate]], and [[FantasticallyIndifferent Circe]].
76	* LetsJustBeFriends: Orville and Ginnie have done this not once, but ''twice'' in the series so far, in spite of their [[EveryoneCanSeeIt obvious attraction to each other]].
77	* LikeBrotherAndSister: Martin and Liza, who even have their own quirky traditions to back it up - anyone for Champagne and Lobsterfest?
78	* LoveAtFirstSight: The minute Elliot first meets Liza, he goes straight to awkwardly gawking at her and spouting GibberishOfLove.
79	* MadScientist: Comes in the form of Frank Epstein, a GenreSavvy {{Cloudcuckoolander}} who is also the one responsible for all of Heinous Investigations' technology.
80	* {{Manchild}}: Oh look, Frank again. However, many of the other Investigators have childish traits, contributing to the team's overall sense of disfunction.
81	* ManOnFire: Dulcie, an associate of the Investigators, does this as part of an offensive maneuver in her introductory arc. [[spoiler: Being essentially indestructible, it doesn't bother her much.]]
82	* MatureYoungerSibling: Benji is this for Frank, at least in terms of restraint.
83	* MissingReflection: Like in most media, a trait of vampires in this series. [[ReflectiveTeleportation Although probably not how you are thinking.]]
84	* MostDefinitelyNotAccompanyingUs: A regular occurrence with "Junior Investigators" Rachel and Benji. It goes about as well as you'd expect.
85	* TheNicknamer: Carlton has a tendency to call the people in his life by anything other than their actual names. This includes calling Miriam [[LastNameBasis by her surname "Prior"]], calling Rachel "half pint", and calling Frank "Frankenstein" more than any other member of the cast. He also calls Elliot "kid" [[spoiler: in spite of Elliot being a good 1,000 years older than him.]]
86	* NoIndoorVoice: Frank might as well be pictured speaking in all capitals.
87	* OneHeadTaller: Apparently Orville to Ginnie, if the latter's comments are anything to go by.
88	* OnlySaneMan: An interesting case wherein multiple characters take turns in this role, depending on the situation.
89	** Chances are if Carlton is NotSoAboveItAll at the time, Miriam will be more grounded, and vice versa.
90	** Martin, Liza, and Jack, while all capable of having their moments, can fit this role as well.
91	* OpenSaysMe: Carlton has a strange obsession with kicking down perfectly openable doors. This is a trait that has spread to other Investigators as well, solely on the principle that they want to know just why the act is so appealing.
92	* OpeningNarration: Carlton has one at the start of every story arc, done in the style of a PrivateEyeMonologue, sometimes played for laughs.
93	* OurMonstersAreDifferent: A staple of the show. Stories feature everything from [[OurGhostsAreDifferent ghostfish]] to a [[OurGnomesAreWeirder gnome]]-[[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame dwarf]] rivalry, [[OurCryptidsAreMoreMysterious massive tunneling worms]], [[OurVampiresAreDifferent rich kid party vampires]], [[OurWitchesAreDifferent southern belle witch cult leaders]] and [[OurMonstersAreWeird much, much more]].
94	* OverlyLongScream: How the Investigators often react in response to either a truly frightening threat, ''or'' Frank doing something almost as horrifying.
95	* PunchedAcrossTheRoom: Drunken troll, meet [[spoiler: Rachel]]'s fist.
96	* RealityWarper: [[spoiler: Rachel.]]
97	* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: [[spoiler: Dr. Elliot Quaid, who is over a millennium old and possesses angelic and demonic powers]], prefers to research various subjects and volunteer at the library.
98	* RedheadedHero: Liza is mentioned to have red hair and is one of the most upstanding Investigators. Also, Miriam and Rachel are established in promotional art to have merlot-colored hair.
99	* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: A recurring theme with ''Heinous Investigations'' villains.
100	** Delia, after being defeated by the Investigators ''one time'', and due to her baggage with Carlton, refuses to rest until they are destroyed, [[MurderIsTheBestSolution whatever it takes.]]
101	** CR-3TR, due to [[spoiler: being unintentionally abandoned in the multiverse by Frank]], will not rest until [[spoiler: he]] and everyone [[spoiler: he]] loves are destroyed.
102	* RunningGag
103	** Orville's StealthHiBye tendencies.
104	** Frank's...unusual naming conventions, for everything from his inventions to whole dimensions.
105	** "Shut up, Nate!" - shouted by Delia to her brother at least once per story arc.
106	* SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl: Orville and Ginnie, who bounce between this and BroodingBoyGentleGirl.
107	* ScatterbrainedSenior: Chester Albertson, Hanesbury's local "superstitious old coot" who, while often aware of the town's unusual occurrences, has a very...odd approach to communicating the information, let alone trying to do something about it.
108	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Algy's response when an investigation suddenly gets a little ''too'' out-of-hand.
109	* ShipperOnDeck: Ginnie and Frank are big proponents of Elliot/Liza.
110	* SignatureSoundEffect: Many Investigators have sound effects attributed to them and only them:
111	** Algy's "Thwip".
112	** Jack's ShapeshiftingSound.
113	** Orville's Telekinesis/Telepathy sound.
114	** Elliot's sound for [[spoiler: when he goes full demon and back again]].
115	** Rachel [[spoiler: has a cute little chime for whenever she uses her reality-warping abilities]].
116	* SmashCut: Often invoked by Frank for various purposes; since Frank is the only one aware that the Investigators are part of a podcast, the others are often confused by this behavior.
117	* SnipeHunt: Except in Hanesbury, they're real.
118	* TheSpeedster: Algernon.
119	--->'''Algy:''' Hello there. ([[SignatureSoundEffect 'thwip']]) Algernon Graham. (‘thwip’) [[FastestThingAlive Fastest Man Alive]]. (‘thwip’) How are you?
120	* SpicyLatina: Miriam is a more subdued example.
121	* StarterVillainStays: Delia, and by extension Nate and Circe. Solely because of Delia's tendency to put RevengeBeforeReason and her extreme {{Determinator}} status when it comes to destroying Carlton and Heinous Investigations in general.
122	* StrongFamilyResemblance: Miriam and Rachel, as shown in promotional artwork.
123	* SuperSmoke: An ability of vampires in this universe, Ginnie included. There comes a point where she encounters another person with the same ability, which leads to an awkward exchange regarding which smoke particles belong to whom.
124	* SuperZeroes: Most of the Investigators are gifted with powers that should make them formidable in their profession. Unfortunately, they are also [[DysfunctionJunction incredibly dysfunctional]].
125	* SupernaturalHotspotTown: Hanesbury, natch.
126	* TrustBuildingBlunder: Locking random pairs of your extremely distrusting and emotional employees in a room together is already problematic Martin, but [[IdiotBall trusting the locks to Frank]] is a whole other level of blunder.
127	* TreasureHuntEpisode: The pilot arc that brings the Investigators together revolves around finding a highwayman's underground TreasureRoom.
128	* ThemeTwinNaming: [[Theatre/TheImportanceOfBeingEarnest Jack and Algy's]] parents are fans of Creator/OscarWilde.
129	* ThreateningShark: The "Hanesbury Landshark", one of many outlandish threats the Investigators face in their first adventure together. It's ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin.
130	* TwinBanter: Jack and Algy have a tendency to argue; when they really get going, it takes someone else calling them out to get them to stop.
131	* VampiresAreRich: Subverted with Ginnie, who shows no indication of living a particularly wealthy lifestyle before joining Heinous Investigations. [[spoiler: On the other hand, Vera Goring, Algy's ex, met the Grahams though business interactions between their two wealthy families.]]
132	* WackySoundEffect: In this show, there are many.
133	** How many rubber duck squeaks have ''you'' been able to find so far?
134	* WeUsedToBeFriends: [[spoiler: Carlton, Delia, and Nate grew up together.]]
135	* WhoYouGonnaCall: The entire purpose of Heinous Investigations. Yes, there have been many in-universe references to the [[Franchise/{{Ghostbusters}} Trope Namer]].
136	* WouldHurtAChild: Since two of the series' central characters are children, this is a common characteristic among ''Heinous'' villains.
137	** Delia intends to destroy the whole of Heinous Investigations, Rachel and Benji included.
138	** [[spoiler: The Atlantic Exterminator worm from the "Odd Couples" arc, who shows no discretion in where it strikes, eventually does so in the playground of Hanesbury Elementary School.]]
139	** Todd [[spoiler: the corn demon]] tries to destroy all of Hanesbury, with Rachel and numerous other children still in it.
140	** Lavinia [[spoiler: outright tries to murder and possess Rachel's body]] in order to become more powerful.
141	** CR-3TR [[spoiler: attempts to kill Benji to get to Frank, and then swears that they'll have no problem doing it again]].
142	* ZanyScheme: What the Investigators often resort to at some point during their cases.
143	** Carlton tries to lure ghosts out into the open sea with chocolate cake.
144	** Algernon has his own brother impersonate his (fictional) date to a fancy party in a bid to make his newly-engaged ex jealous.
145	** Ginnie's plan to catch an invisible man involves placing a bucket of paint on a door ledge and events escalating from there.
146	** Frank tries to face off with dangerous man-hunters by making an impromptu cannon out of a log, rocks, and "conveniently combustable materials".

Context Podcast / HeinousInvestigations