ByGANDHINAGAR: The Richland siblings, Eleonore (voiced by the ever-reliable Gillian Jacobs) and Michael (played by the versatile Josh Gad), find themselves adrift in a sea of grief after the untimely demise of their parents in a plane crash.
Yet, amidst the mourning, a disquieting truth emerges – their father, a revered surgeon lionized for his medical prowess, harbored a darkness that threatens to tarnish his legacy.
This is the gripping premise of “Blood Ties,” a fictional podcast from Wondery, the network that brought us chilling narratives like “The Shrink Next Door” and “Dr. Death.” Here, the genre bends towards a more personal exploration, inviting listeners into the intimate world of Eleonore as she grapples with the complexities of her father’s past.
The trailer opens with a sense of foreboding as Eleanor Richland, played by Gillian Jacobs, recounts receiving a troubling text message from her mother: “something’s wrong your dad is my dad is what exactly mom what is he from”. This mysterious message sets the stage for the investigation into the life of their father and the unsettling discoveries that emerge after his passing.
Eleanor, along with her brother Michael, portrayed by Josh Gad, begin their journey to uncover the reality behind their father’s life, which appears to extend beyond his public persona of doing “many great things”. They are approached with an offer to “help me tell the truth about it,” suggesting that there are significant, potentially damaging, aspects of their father’s past that are yet to be revealed.
The trailer hints at prior attempts to bring these secrets to light. The offer to Eleanor is described as “the same chance I offered your mother”. Furthermore, the siblings learn about another individual, Connie from The Times, who had also met with both their mother and Eleanor, indicating a pre-existing investigation or awareness of these hidden truths. Connie identifies herself as the father’s daughter, stating, “so no one’s really telling me rumors like this I know”, suggesting a personal stake in uncovering the facts.
As Eleanor and Michael dig deeper, they encounter significant resistance. Connie mentions, “they’re really pushing back now they’re really pushing back hard they’re using his death as a reason to kill the story once and for all”.
This resistance reflects the gravity of the secrets being protected and the powerful forces attempting to suppress the truth. The urgency of their quest is palpable as Michael declares, “we need to find out what the hell’s happening”.
Adding another layer of intrigue is the show’s connection to Wondery’s established true-crime repertoire. As Jacobs herself points out, “Blood Ties” draws upon the thematic threads explored in the network’s non-fictional hits, weaving them into a compelling work of fiction.
For Jacobs, the transition to audio acting presented a unique challenge. Self-described as averse to the sound of her own voice, she had to overcome this personal hurdle to fully inhabit the role. Thankfully, the in-person recording sessions with her co-stars proved to be a saving grace, fostering a dynamic that translates beautifully into the final product.
“Blood Ties” has resonated with audiences, garnering a coveted 4.5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. The journey alongside Eleonore promises to be a captivating one, filled with unexpected turns and revelations. While a second season remains shrouded in mystery, one can’t help but echo Jacobs’ sentiment – the world of “Blood Ties” begs for further exploration.
