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Blood and Myth

October 28, 2025·1 hr 16 min·5 clips

In northern Alaska, a former Marine actor shoots two brothers and claims mythical Inukins guided him.

This episode covers the Hulu documentary "Blood and Myth," hosted by Patrick Hinds and Gillian Pensavalle. The film investigates the case of Teddy Kyle Smith, an Inupiaq man and former Marine from Alaska charged with attempted murder. Hosts Patrick and Gillian are known for their comedic and passionate recaps of true crime documentaries. The documentary is narrated by James, an Inupiaq drummer and filmmaker from Kotzebue, Alaska, who becomes personally invested in Teddy's story. James explains that Teddy was an actor in the 2011 film "On the Ice," which was a landmark for Indigenous storytelling. After his mother Dolly Smith died in their home in the village of Kiana, Teddy allegedly fired shots at responders and vanished into the wilderness. The Alaska State Troopers recovered 59 rifles and guns from Teddy's residence during the manhunt. James discovers that during police interviews, Teddy claimed to have encountered mythical beings called Inukuns while he was missing. Inupiaq folklore describes Inukuns as short, strong, nomadic beings who speak an old language and avoid humans. James's own great-grandfather was a respected storyteller, and his stories of Inukuns were published in a 1975 book called "The Eskimo Storyteller." Teddy's claims, if true, would validate generations of these oral histories. James contacts an old friend known as Big Bob, who says Teddy started "big-timing" people and acting arrogant, or "anga," after his movie success. Annie Reed, a community member, found Dolly Smith's body and described Teddy as acting strangely calm, then agitated, before he fled. The village's public safety officer at the time was only equipped with pepper spray and an audio recorder. The documentary includes audio of Annie pleading, "Teddy? Can we talk? It's me, Annie," during the chaotic incident. The hosts are struck by James's visceral reaction—a dry mouth and taste of pennies—upon hearing Teddy discuss Inukuns. They highlight the documentary's exploration of how constant cultural caricatures, like a racist cough drop commercial James worked on, can psychologically impact Indigenous identity. The film contrasts these stereotypes with the authentic representation in "On the Ice," which Teddy promoted at Sundance. The tone is conversational and comedic, with the hosts frequently joking about their personal lives, like Patrick's love for drummers and Gillian's bar stories. Their style includes enthusiastic tangents and mutual praise for each other's work in selecting diverse stories. This episode would appeal to listeners who enjoy character-driven true crime blended with cultural anthropology and host camaraderie. Those seeking a straightforward, grim crime narrative might find the humorous asides and deep cultural context less engaging.

As heard by us

A chaotic Alaska case, recapped with brisk pacing and a steady eye for the panic.

The Alaska case unfolds in a fog of confusion: Dolly Smith is dead, Teddy is agitated, and the scene tilts toward danger before anyone can get a clean grip on it. The recap keeps the sequence moving, which helps the larger shape stay clear even when the details blur.

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Why you'd press play

You want a fast, in-the-room way into a messy Alaska case and its shifting timeline.

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