1. Due to the increased amount of spam bots on the forum, we are strengthening our defenses. You may experience a CAPTCHA challenge from time to time.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Notification emails are working properly again. Please check your email spam folder and if you see any emails from the Cantina there, make sure to mark them as "Not Spam". This will help a lot to whitelist the emails and to stop them going to spam.
    Dismiss Notice
  3. IMPORTANT! To be able to create new threads and rate posts, you need to have at least 30 posts in The Cantina.
    Dismiss Notice
  4. Before posting a new thread, check the list with similar threads that will appear when you start typing the thread's title.
    Dismiss Notice

Who are watching Lovecraft Country? :D

Discussion in 'Television' started by Angelman, Aug 29, 2020.

  1. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    Hey all,

    So, at the time of writing we're 2 episodes into this very promising show. Any of y'all watchin'? :cool:

    Even though the tone and genre were a bit off and inconsistent at times, I really, really loved the first episode. I guess the juxtaposition between hardcore social realism and lighthearted romp was sort of the point of the project, and it sure is interesting. :)

    As for the second episode, I thought that was a step-down in terms of quality and interest, and the juxtaposition this time around was enormous! On one hand you had hardcore social realism again and on the other, the episode was a silly teenage supernatural high-school drama which wouldn't have felt out-of-place in Buffy the Vampire Slayer or early Harry Potter films. The ending was pretty good however, and I have definitely not lost interest in this show yet. Can't wait for the 3rd installment! :D

    What about the rest of y'all?



    PS: Also, to quote Howard Stern; "First, a political statement, if I may. Kill, Kill, Kill... The White Man" ;)
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Great Post Great Post x 1
    • Informative Informative x 1
  2. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    So, just watched the 3rd episode, which was a huge step up from episode 2; interesting, punchy, and great! :D

    I still struggle with the structure and have trouble understanding why it is put together the way it is... Actually, I'm starting to suspect that a feature with this show is that they'll explore a different genre with each episode; the first was a road movie, the second a teen drama, the third a haunted house... I wonder where we'll go from here, and I can say one thing for sure, Lovecraft Country sure is interesting and fresh! :D
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Informative Informative x 1
  3. Embo and His Pet Anooba

    Embo and His Pet Anooba Jedi Commander

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2020
    Posts:
    1,127
    Likes Received:
    10,131
    Trophy Points:
    88,717
    Credits:
    9,500
    Ratings:
    +11,194 / 9 / -5
    I've been thinking of watching it, is it good?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  4. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    It is darn strange, but yes, it is better than 99% of what's on TV. Probably one of my to 10 favorite TV shows, despite finding much of the 2nd episode a little weak. Watch it!
     
    #4 Angelman, Aug 31, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2020
    • Friendly Friendly x 3
  5. Lazarus Dei

    Lazarus Dei Tree Dodger Extraordinaire
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2015
    Posts:
    3,526
    Likes Received:
    28,966
    Trophy Points:
    153,527
    Credits:
    18,687
    Ratings:
    +33,810 / 8 / -0
    the weird thing was that the 2nd ep kinda already concluded the arc which the show launched with... my father is missing and i have a secret destiny/heritage, all done by the time the credits rolled. i may give ep3 a go and see where things end up, but i'm going to have to be in the right mood for it when there's other options like The Boys s2 available now.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  6. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    That is correct. I'm very confused by the structure of this show, and the loose genre concept. But the acting and atmosphere is superb, and so far the 2nd ep. has been an anomaly. The 3rd ep. is sort of a new begining a while later, so it should be no problem picking the show up again later.

    Also, a total guess on my part, but I sort of wonder if the 2nd ep. is a setup for something weird down the line, something that makes it make more sense later... like a timejump (personally I hate those) or some other weirdness. I for one find it an, at least, very interesting show to follow and analyse.
     
    #6 Angelman, Sep 7, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2020
    • Like Like x 5
  7. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    So, watched episode 4 last night, and the show is definitely continuing to change genres with every episode. At first, I thought this was going to be a SciFi episode, but it soon found its footing as an action adventure romp. It was a bit dumb, like action adventures inevitably are (I'm looking at you, Indy), but I liked it a lot; lots of great character moments and a thrilling tale.

    Thought: So far, Lovecraft Country has been much more similar to True Blood and those kinds of paranormal teen-fest shows than the horror series I was expecting, but I like it well enough and am looking forward to the rest of it :D
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Informative Informative x 1
  8. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    Got to watch episode 5 last night, which was pretty much a filler episode, although it introduced some new magics which will probably be put to some plot point/story arc use later on. It was a decent episode with some great acting and loads of weirdness, and another thorough examination of the Afro-American experience, but by itself it was a somewhat forgettable filler episode. And this week's genre? Body horror! :D
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Cute Cute x 1
  9. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    This weeks episode, the 6th out of 10, was a mytological tragedy of Korean origin. MAN, this show is all over the place and I cannot even begin to fathomn what is going on or where this is going to end. Either this is the cleverest thing ever written for TV, or it is a huge mess of a show; I hope it's the first :) As for enjoyment, this episode was low on action yet strong in drama; very good, with powerful performances and an interesting premise.


    ....man, I'm confused... :p
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Funny Funny x 1
  10. Jayson

    Jayson Resident Lucasian

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2015
    Posts:
    2,160
    Likes Received:
    6,601
    Trophy Points:
    16,467
    Credits:
    8,696
    Ratings:
    +9,540 / 39 / -14
    How's the VFX?
    I'm not watching it, but my friend's company did the VFX for the show. Always curious on what others think!

    Cheers,
    Jayson
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Cool Cool x 1
  11. cawatrooper

    cawatrooper Dungeon Master

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2016
    Posts:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    21,980
    Trophy Points:
    149,167
    Credits:
    19,951
    Ratings:
    +26,705 / 65 / -37
    I'm really enjoying his show for what it is.

    I was hoping more for a show that was a little more true to Lovecraft's tone, and how it could fit into the racism of the country during that time. For instance, I think the "sundown county" scene captured that brilliantly- the race against time, while also being held back as if you were running slowly in a dream, as the sun sets against the threat of horrible but unknown atrocities. It was horrifying, frustrating, and frankly educational too... the American education system never taught me about that kind of thing, but now I see they were real.

    Lovecraft's tone of absolute madness slowly unraveled from under a more subdued yet uncanny veneer fits perfectly with the Jim Crow era, and sometimes the show manages to capture this.

    But more often than not, it feels more like a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode than a Lovecraft story. Which is fine, I love Buffy (named one of my puppies after her, even)- but it's not quite what I wanted from the show.

    I think it's pretty good! It's really amazing how far technology has come over the last decade. Stuff like Game of Thrones and Mandalorian had movie-quality visuals, but even smallerish shows like this look great now.

    Not even ten years ago we got Terra Nova, if you wanna know how far we've come...
     
    • Like Like x 4
  12. Jayson

    Jayson Resident Lucasian

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2015
    Posts:
    2,160
    Likes Received:
    6,601
    Trophy Points:
    16,467
    Credits:
    8,696
    Ratings:
    +9,540 / 39 / -14
    Especially for era shows.

    There's a lot of VFX now that's just completely "background".

    Cheers,
    Jayson
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Great Post Great Post x 1
  13. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    I agree with all of this. The show, thus far, is bonkers, but in a good way. Although, it doesn't quite deliver what the name and blurb promises... it is just a different show from the racism and Lovecraft thing; much more Buffy, as you say. Still, once you get over the fact that this isn't Escape from Innsmouth but with MORE racism, and accept that the show is never going to do anything even remotly how you expect or can wrap your head around, well then it is pretty good, I think.

    I'm REALLY curious to see where this show goes in the end. I have exactly 0 idea what the show is really about or what we are moving towards, and that's kind'a interesting :)

    Very good for TV :D Be proud of your friend!
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Great Post Great Post x 1
  14. Jayson

    Jayson Resident Lucasian

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2015
    Posts:
    2,160
    Likes Received:
    6,601
    Trophy Points:
    16,467
    Credits:
    8,696
    Ratings:
    +9,540 / 39 / -14
    I'll pass the word along, as well as @cawatrooper's feedback!

    And I am! He's come a long way from back when we set up a multimedia lab for school (which we had to do because the school didn't see a point, but allowed it if we self-funded) to setting up and running his own company doing major industry work, and now Craft Apes leads the way in the industry migration to Atlanta!
    Hometown pride! <3

    Cheers,
    Jayson
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Cool Cool x 1
  15. Alamact

    Alamact Rear Admiral
    1030th Commander *** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2016
    Posts:
    1,250
    Likes Received:
    24,672
    Trophy Points:
    159,227
    Credits:
    16,708
    Ratings:
    +31,065 / 0 / -0
    I just want to chime in here and say that the special effects for the body horror episode were something else - positively grotesque in all the right ways. It was the perfect blend of practical effects and CGI.

    Yet despite all that, still the most disgusting scene in that hour of television was when the boss was trying to force himself onto Tamara outside the bar.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Great Post Great Post x 2
  16. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    Episode 7 - I Am.
    This week's genre: SciFi (the pure, speculative fiction kind that they did so well back in them olden days).
    Judgement: Great episode with some marvelous character work. (They get every ounce of awesome out of these actors!)

    The plot? I haven't the foggiest idea... I'm so confused by this story, but I can tell y'all this; Lovecraft Country is amazing! #ConfusedAndLovingIt
     
    • Funny Funny x 2
    • Informative Informative x 1
  17. cawatrooper

    cawatrooper Dungeon Master

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2016
    Posts:
    4,818
    Likes Received:
    21,980
    Trophy Points:
    149,167
    Credits:
    19,951
    Ratings:
    +26,705 / 65 / -37
    I love stories that deal with transcendent consciousnesses.

    Honestly, I would've liked to have seen Hippolyta live countless more lives- entire worlds even where every organism is her at one point in time. That'd be some great cosmic horror in the show, for once.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  18. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    So, I sort of forgot to keep up with the weekly updates, but I've now finished Lovecraft Country. First of all, this show had very little relation to Lovecraft's works/The Cthulhu Mythos; apart from borrowing "shoggoth" for a creature name, name-dropping Lovecraft, name-dropping "Arkham" (which turns out to be Ardham instead), and possibly one or two other minor things, there's little that makes this show "Lovecraftian" in any shape or form. I personally feel that was both a missed opportunity and an un-delivered promise from the show's set-up, and I'm a little bit disappointed by this; the show would be more aptly named "Crazy Horror Country" or some such.

    Disregarding the non-Lovecraftian thing, the show is a decent-to-excellent horror anthology show with a set of core characters and plot arcs that keeps it all together. It does have a monster-of-the-week flavor to several episodes, varying quite a bit in tone and genre, but that's all very fitting for a horror show. The acting is also spot on throughout, sometimes leaning towards astounding work (by the women actors in particular). Overall, the ride is a fun one and well worth consuming on the merits of the story alone; I maintain that Lovecraft Country, despite not being quite what it presented itself as, is still better than 99% of what is on TV.

    Where the show really shines is in the racial tensions and explorations of racism. THIS is what Lovecraft Country is really about, a racism-exploring drama with a veneer of Buffy-flavored magic on top, and it does the racism parts really, really well. On the surface level, the actors are great here and the story really drives home the issue. On a deeper level, the writing supports this beautifully, too, portraying white people as one-dimensional cardboard villains (the likes of which suppressed people around the world must arguably view their white overlords most of the time) existing in their own high-school drama show far removed from the gritty evil experienced by the main characters. This is the core, and I daresay point, of the show, and it does it really, really well.

    I would recommend Lovecraft Country to anyone. It is a high quality TV show, in parts familiar and easily accessible (i.e. Buffy-ish/high school level drama), and in other parts heavy, important, and pretty darn unique*. I give it 8/10 for general quality, and 9/10 for personal enjoyment :D

    *It is CERTAINLY unique from a white dude's perspective! Black protagonists are rare enough, and black female protagonists even more so, but black female pulp-SciFi comic book creator was not on my radar at all; how refreshing this show is! :)
     
    #18 Angelman, Oct 21, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2020
    • Like Like x 2
    • Informative Informative x 2
  19. Jayson

    Jayson Resident Lucasian

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2015
    Posts:
    2,160
    Likes Received:
    6,601
    Trophy Points:
    16,467
    Credits:
    8,696
    Ratings:
    +9,540 / 39 / -14
    Just an FYI there - that term has evolved more in the American media zeitgeist towards meaning a sort of mythical and/or noir-esque sense of horror - usually involving fantastic forces so grand that it forces one to ontologically come to grips with their mortality in a terrifying manner.

    For instance, another film which is 'Lovecraftian' is "The Endless", which arguably has next to nothing to do with Lovecraft at all if by that we mean to employ Lovecraft's canon, however, it is Lovecraftian in the way it's evolved in application because it applies the narrative concepts of Lovecraft.

    So I suppose when America shouts "LOVECRAFT!" and it's not literally a work by Lovecraft, I would translate it to "In the ilk of Lovecraft".

    Cheers,
    Jayson
     
    • Like Like x 4
    • Great Post Great Post x 1
  20. Angelman

    Angelman Servant of the Whills -- Slave to the Muses
    1030th Grand Admiral ***** (Mod)

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Posts:
    3,548
    Likes Received:
    40,321
    Trophy Points:
    161,967
    Credits:
    20,749
    Ratings:
    +44,455 / 76 / -20
    Oh, I'm absolutely aware of this. I would say that "The Endless" has a distinct Lovecraftian flavor, though, something which Lovecraft Country hardly has. LC is Buffy, with black protagonists and truckloads of rasism, and very little of the gargantuan and/or unknowledgable evil; it did have one episode of strong body horror, however, and one SciFi'y speculative fiction episode which, perhaps, count as fringe Lovecraftian'y.

    But yeah, LC is great despite this :)
     
    • Like Like x 2
Loading...

Share This Page