Review: Monsterquest 9-17-08

This episode takes a look at the Lake Crescent, Newfoundland monster eel, with a team of scientists and witnesses, who swear they have seen a large lake monster of some sort. It appears to have a snakelike head and serpentine body, and has been seen quite a bit by local residents of the town of Roberts Arm. Dr. John Casselman has investigated the Algonquin Tribe's legends of large lake monsters, called "pond devils" or "swimming demons." He seems interested in their legends and traditions. A British tourist was attacked by an eel off the coast of Thailand in 2005 which bit through his thumb. A witness named John Rorabeck is interviewed (he is a commercial eel fisherman) and he claims in 1974 he saw a large eel. He attempted to capture the large eel, but was unable to get a good grip on it. A lady named Effie Colbourne is also interviewed about the stories she has heard from previous generations. There is a story of a team of divers who were attacked and surrounded by a group of eels. Joe Nickell of the Skeptical Inquirer is brought in to make an attempt to explain away all the sightings, and a forensic artist is also brought in to sketch the lake monster based on descriptions. A biologist named Richard Haedrich also is profiled on his search for the giant eel. Effie has also had a sighting of "Cressie" and cooperates with a forensic artist on her experience. Several more witnesses are interviewed, and it takes a turn which...well, watch the episode to see for yourself. The next new Wednesday night episode airs Wednesday night, profiling large prehistoric bears, beginning at 9:00 EST/8:00 Central on History. Check local listings for time and channel.