Archive 81

LiquidDeath · Jan 19, 2022

4.00 star(s) Rating: 4.00/5 4 Votes

Title: Archive 81

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

First aired: 2022-01-14

Creator: Rebecca Sonnenshine

Cast: Mamoudou Athie, Dina Shihabi, Evan Jonigkeit, Martin Donovan, Matt McGorry, Julia Chan, Ariana Neal

Overview: An archivist takes a job restoring damaged videotapes and gets pulled into the vortex of a mystery involving the missing director and a demonic cult.

LiquidDeath · Jan 19, 2022

Attention all H.P. Lovecraft fans, this show is for you.

I'm halfway done with this series, and it is just fucking fantastic. It is a very slow burn. Weird, eerie, mysterious. It feels like a Lovecraft story but written from a modern perspective. The camera work is great, the sound work is great. Honestly, I'm going to be severely disappointed if they fuck up the end. And by that, I mean that they stray from what is working half way through. I can honestly care less exactly how it ends as long as it remains Lovecraftian and true to tone.

TLDR: half way through this is a must watch for any Lovecraft fans.

Blazin · Jan 19, 2022

Enjoying this after a few episodes and I'm not trying to figure it out, sometimes shows like this can be tough to stick the landing but been a good watch so far.

Animosity · Jan 19, 2022

Intrigued about this one. I need something to wash the taste of Lovecraft Country out of my mouth.

jayrebb · Jan 19, 2022

Heard only good things about it. Horror buff friend binged the entire thing without checking the trends on popularity. Afterward said he's not surprised about the high rating.

Caliane · Jan 19, 2022

yeah, started this this morning. very slow burn. Very intriguing.

LiquidDeath · Jan 19, 2022

Again, halfway through, but I can't get over how decidedly Lovecraft this feels. So much of the show is just mundane, normal stuff that all the sudden, inexplicably, becomes not mundane for no apparent reason. And the way this is shown is through odd camera work, lighting changes, or subtle shifts in background scenery or music. It wholely encompasses the Lovecraftian idea that all of the otherworldly, fantastic, and horrible things that are barely imaginable lie just a hair outside the normal scope and rhythm of the world; how even the slightest alteration can reveal the inescapable cosmic infinity.

Caliane · Jan 19, 2022

Im not certain I would say that really. there is suspence, intrigue, and mystery. lies.. cults, super suspect secret company, etc. so far nothing overt at all.

yes. true detective s1 does come to mind. so yeah, that almost noir investigation into something wrong feeling is there for sure. but I wouldn't really describe every investigation into x uncovering a cult as Lovecraftian.

I suppose the main guy losing himself in time, etc, certainly fits.

LiquidDeath · Jan 19, 2022

I'm genuinely surprised that the whole thing doesn't feel very "thin veil between reality and other worldliness" to you, the ultimate Lovecraft staple. I certainly get that impression, especially with the unreliable narrator aspect of him not knowing if things are really happening, if he is dreaming, or if his dreams are affecting reality.

Caliane · Jan 19, 2022

yeah, I feel like I was trying so hard to say this is just occult, ghost story, time bending/physics, demonic, dreaming, witchcraft, etc, etc... but, all those things don't make it Lovecraftian... to just say, ok. Lovecraftian applies just fine. and is probably more that then most other things.

Xevy · Jan 19, 2022

Watched it all over last few days. It was alright, the main dude felt like Black Adam Driver, which isn't a bad thing. The CEO dude is pretty good too. Some of the Visser people are kind of cheesey, but I suppose they're supposed to be. I'd probably watch a season 2, but I don't think it'd be anything I'd be marking my calendar for.

Gutterflesh · Jan 20, 2022

LiquidDeath said:
Again, halfway through, but I can't get over how decidedly Lovecraft this feels. So much of the show is just mundane, normal stuff that all the sudden, inexplicably, becomes not mundane for no apparent reason. And the way this is shown is through odd camera work, lighting changes, or subtle shifts in background scenery or music. It wholely encompasses the Lovecraftian idea that all of the otherworldly, fantastic, and horrible things that are barely imaginable lie just a hair outside the normal scope and rhythm of the world; how even the slightest alteration can reveal the inescapable cosmic infinity.

I just started watching this because of your comment and yup I’m getting the Lovecraftian vibe too.

So far I’m getting into it, but I’m not liking any of the characters. I’m not sure if it’s the writing or acting, but I’m already rooting for a cosmic horror to drag all of these people into another dimension.

LiquidDeath · Jan 20, 2022

Gutterflesh said:
I just started watching this because of your comment and yup I’m getting the Lovecraftian vibe too.

So far I’m getting into it, but I’m not liking any of the characters. I’m not sure if it’s the writing or acting, but I’m already rooting for a cosmic horror to drag all of these people into another dimension.

Just wait. I'm through 6 episodes now and it only gets more Lovecraftian as it goes. Here's hoping the last 2 episodes hold the line.

mkopec · Jan 20, 2022

Binged this last night. Good shit.

Gutterflesh · Jan 21, 2022

Episode 5 and I'm really digging this, but final decision may come down to how they end it.

I've even settled into appreciating the characters.

LiquidDeath · Jan 21, 2022

I finished last night. For me, the ending was unexpected and more abrupt then I was expecting. I think I appreciate it, but I haven't had time to fully think it over. I really wish we'd get more series in this vein, though. I definitely think it is one of the best modern Lovecraft adaptations.

Gutterflesh · Jan 21, 2022

Ok this is what Lovecraft Country should've been. Probably not for everyone, but it's a genre that hits me right in the nostalgia.

Animosity · Jan 21, 2022

This was excellent. It had a few slow moments in episodes 6/7 but the ending was well done. We need more stuff like this. At times it felt like it was just a longer episode of Black Mirror.

Khane · Jan 22, 2022

Add another +1 for this show. Good show is good.

TJT · Jan 23, 2022

So this is really good. But I am unclear why Melody decided to research the Visser apartments in the first place.

Archive 81

Magnus Deadlift the Fucktiger

Magnus Deadlift the Fucktiger

Creative Title

Silver Baronet of the Realm

Naxxramas 1.0 Raider

Avatar of War Slayer

Magnus Deadlift the Fucktiger

Avatar of War Slayer

Magnus Deadlift the Fucktiger

Avatar of War Slayer

Log Wizard

Parody Account

Magnus Deadlift the Fucktiger

Parody Account

Magnus Deadlift the Fucktiger

Parody Account

Silver Baronet of the Realm

Got something right about marriage

Mr. Poopybutthole