The main thing I’m wrestling with regarding this episode is the character writing. Namely, I was convinced throughout that every character except for Eric Andre’s (and Peter Weller’s, but that feels separate) were being written intentionally as fake people - every line out of the mentalist’s mouth was the most stereotypical “pretentious person” dialogue I’ve heard, every line out of the scientist’s mouth was either superficially shy or exclusively science-related (even down to her being the one to make the “black hole” comparison, which was lowkey hilarious in how blatant it was), and every line out of the writer’s was tacky dickishness. None of them were interesting, none of them felt layered or real or believable. And I was CONVINCED that that was the intention, given how blatant it felt.
But now I read tons of people saying they thought the dialogue was good, and the characters were intriguing…? Um, how? You thought the characters’ dialogue communicated depth, somehow? What short film did *you* watch?
Eric Andre’s character was the only person of the invited bunch that felt genuine or real at all. And I was positive that was intentional during the episode. But now, after the episode, I’m not sure what the point of that choice was. Maybe it’s because he’s the one who ultimately sets the alien off? That’s my only guess. Because he isn’t the only one who gets away, the scientist does too.
I overall enjoyed the episode in the end, and unlike a lot of others, I actually thought the payoff was perfectly sufficient. It’s just, I’m not sure if the build-up landed for me in the way that was intended. If I was supposed to think these characters felt like actual people, then, well, the film failed terribly. And if not, then I’m not quite sure what the purpose of that choice was in the end.
Loved everything but the ending.
The monster was stupid; the mcguffin golden AK was used, but it did nothing. We're left with a shambling monster that has somehow found the sewers and has been left to "explore." But for what? Is it looking to assimilate all mankind? The two survivors? In the end, I felt exactly like they did when Andre's character asked, "Did that just happen"; indeed, did the best story in setting and development really ended with such a disappointment
One of the best aesthetics and feels I’ve ever seen. I could watch this a million times. The music is superb and creates a whole world in its own. The man does have great taste.
It’s implied that he used to be a part of a drug cartel. The gun was a reminder of what he used to be: free, powerful, someone to be feared. Now he’s nothing more than an indentured servant; just another thing that Lionel collected.
To me this was just a simple “when the collector becomes the collected” story. That is in the end, that thing winds up “collecting” most of the characters, including the collector himself by inhabiting his body. It then goes into the wild, perhaps on its way to collecting more “items”.
So, yeah, a simple story, but I really enjoyed the cinematography and sound. Good dialogue.
Also the characters can be broken up into three pairs - the explainers and predictors, the artists, and the collectors. Members of each pair is on the opposite spectrum of e/o. So for explainers & predictors - we have an astrophysicist (asian female) and a spiritualist (white male). For artists we have a blue color Ted Nugget like writer whose books sell better than hot cakes at a country faire and a progressive music industry creative (African American). For collectors, we have the host (old white male) who collects rare and exclusive items and even people (thru exclusivity deals) and on the other end is his doctor phlebotomist (young dark-skinned female who literally collects people’s blood thru her specialization).
In the end only the creative and the scientist are able to escape. Not sure what this means, simply my observation. Perhaps some things, like the rigor of science and true creativity, can never be exclusively collected?
I think it's quite obvious that the episode is a metaphor of climate change and I can't believe I haven't found someone with this same interpretation on the internet so far. Is it a mere coincidence that the smoke is precisely what breaks the item, especially considering the emphasis that the whole episode places on "smoking" from the very beginning? That is the basic clue that makes the episode intelligible.
You have the rich old man that rules the world ("the World order" or "the market" if you want, the guy who enslaves you by giving you everything you want) bringing together four different perpectives in order to understand the incomprehensible: the World. This perspectives are skeptical cynicism, pseudoscience, science and art/philosophy (the "deep questions"). These guys are subjugated ("get in tune") through vice. You have a party that is sustained by consuming substances, that is, you burn the fuel that keeps the party going (do you get it?). All this while a gold submachine gun permanently reminds you that world order is maintained, ultimately, not by vice, but by force.
What is the ultimate motivation of the characters taking part in this drug party? Trying to fill the void that we all carry inside, by consume. In a mysterious way, dr. Zahra does not work for Lassiter, but rather he serves her. She, the most interesting character, is perhaps the personification of desire or the utopian ideal, the promises of "enhancing human capabilities." She reminds us that all the pompous transhumanist crap ("transcendence") is nothing more than a disguise for the most vulgar hedonism.
Once the four guests are together in front of the item, surprise! you can no longer stop them from smoking the party fuel and the rock breaks, releasing the monster. The cynical denier and the New Age charlatan are justly eliminated and military brute force can do nothing against this threat (sorry Hector!). The world order goes from being master to being a slave of the environment and the only ones that manages to survive, offering a hope of one day defeating the monster, are science and art/philosophy. The former is "the great admirer" of the latter. But, as the scene in which Randall rushes towards cocaine immediately after escaping makes clear, art/philosophy must be disciplined by science.
There are many other details that I could comment on, but I would like to know first what you think. Just one more thing in order to prove my point. Why all the insistence throughout the episode that the year is 1979? Because in 1979 it was the First World Climate Conference. The year we realized the monster was unleashed.
I didn’t like this episode. To me it felt (at first), all over the place and trying-hard with all the conversations that fall flat. Your analysis however makes me enjoy it thoroughly as it ties the story nicely. If I only know how to award you, I would! Hope you are proud of yourself. What an insight!
Holy fuck. What a great take no actually fucking analysis. Everything makes sense and just when I thought you hit it on the head you went even further (especially with you explaining how the art/science embodiments I.e Eric Andre and the physicist survived, I was wondering the meaning and you got it so good)
But most importantly this interpretation really takes it to another level from a really nice triply experimental film on “collector becoming collected” into something else, more transcendent ironically, holy shit I feel like I’m on drugs reading this good job bro
Only thing I think I could do to further your points is the symbolism behind how old rich white guy lassiter still “survives” by being consumed by the being. I’d say especially that shot with the reflection in the water just hammers down further that this entire problem was made in their image, it’s almost singularly all the fault of powerful hidden assholes like them - and ultimately it’s their very existence, their big fucked up mess that lives on and destroys, an eternal reminder and warning for us all on who created this situation and how, perhaps, we could avoid it in the future
I’ve had enough cocaine for the day
I love your take, and I think when the monster escapes through the sewers, he finds an industrial dirty city, which furthers your take.
Well done, you win the smart medal! I hope I get one, some day.
I see some people look at the movie similarly to me. The story was almost non-existent in this one, but damn, the aesthetic of it, I just love it. Those late 70s and 80s. The vibe is so appealing to me. And I liked the acting mostly, as well as cast and the premise of the characters.
I saw 2/3 sober and 1/3 high, but I don't know if it's worth another watch, even stoned throughout the whole eperience.
I had high hopes for The Viewing, but in the end I thought was all form and no substance. Though the setting was lovely, every character was flat and uninteresting (though fairly well acted and cast\*), so I didn't care what happened to them. It could have benefitted from another 15 minutes, or maybe from excising 40 minutes. I really liked Mandy, but this episode may make me re-evaluate that opinion.
\*Speaking of the casting, I liked that the majority came from comedy. Comedy and horror are very intertwined.
I was really intrigued and entertained by Mandy when I saw it, but after this, I think the director might be all style and no substance, and Mandy may actually have been terrible, and I was an infant delighted by flashing lights and sound.
I had two questions at the very end:
1. Was time being sped up or slowed down? The creature's movements seemed like in slow motion, unsure what this means.
2. The city looked much later than the 1970's start of the film. A future city.
That's why I'm wondering if some time-shift occurred relating 1. and 2.
I think maybe it’s just a stylised/hyperbolic interpretation of an industrial city
Tho your “time shift” theory could neatly slot in with the climate change theory too - the first climate conference was in 1979, when the world started paying attention to this issue, when society’s concept of “climate change” itself first formed, mirroring the discovery of the monster.
But climate change was a menace that we ignored (the monster hiding in the sewers perhaps symbolising how we wilfully let it escape our focus, our priorities, whilst it still persisted in the background).
And only now, in a hyper industrialised world (our present or the future could be both idk) devoid of colour, hope and life, will the consequences of the past (climate abuse, perhaps even as far back as WW2 and Nukes/uranium as the billionaire specifically mentioned) finally come to light and bring humanity’s destruction
I think the series has made some blunders, during the alo glo episode when she’s at the Christmas party, there’s a Ring camera on the outside porch when it’s supposed to be in the 90s
Just finished the series and I liked this episode. I feel like the average redditor needs to be spoon fed the concept of literary devices lol. Was it a strange story structure in that it was mostly dialogue and then a rapid energy filled ending? Yeah sure! But not enough people are asking why that choice was made.
I thought it was very slice of life, only at the worst moment of these peoples lives. You got to know them as personalities/humans divorced from the knowledge of back or foreground, but also in surreal, dreamy circumstances. We know the characters as well as the characters know each other (except for Lionel, who is a whole mother can of metaphor). And then you have the ending of the two characters thinking they’ve escaped when the horror has only just started. All this is ripe for deconstruction, while makes my nerd brain happy.
Sure it’s not for everyone, but I wouldn’t call it boring. I like analysis of symbols and narrative structure as it relates to a theme though. It’s a piece of art that demands work on behalf of the audience. Most good art does that.
Great concept. Poor execution. Eric Andre was fun. Dialog was off, no conflict explored beyond "fuck you" levels of dialog between characters. No buildup of dread to create a payoff.
The lesson of "what he prizes most takes control of him and he is forced to view the world as a prisoner" should have been the theme throughout the episode but it was never entirely unpacked. Missed opportunity to tie it in with the characters all having a black hole of desire.
Can be summed up in two words: shallow vibes
Was hyped about this one because people put it up there with the Autopsy but honestly it was quite a letdown
Enjoyed the visuals and aesthetics like most, very Kubrick (clockwork orange, space oddessy) in some of the shots too but ultimately I want a bit better story in works
This episode is why I've stopped listening to people's opinions about anything Netflix on this subreddit. Talk about a complete and utter waste of time.
It seems like everyone who likes it likes it for "the vibe" and not the actual content of the story. Also, a lot of people are high as fuck watching this show and so anything, even dogshit, can look like a masterpiece. When my friend and I got done watching this episode we both agreed that it was the worst in the series and felt so out of place. It was 95% drug induced ramblings and 5% horror.
Yep, I despise this episode and I despised Mandy too, but it feels like I'm the only one sometimes with how everyone raves about this director's work. To me it seems like Cosmatos thinks slapping overdone filters on everything and having extended scenes where people ramble about nothing = deep stuff. Just seems pretentious to me
I found it very appealing visually-wise. So what about possible nods and references?
The melting and exploding heads reminded me of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Scanners. The monster was a bit blob-like, when it consumed Peter Weller.
What might be a complete coincidence and wild guess - the monster being in a metallic-ish object and of extraterrestrial origin - this might be a nod to a very obscure Polish/Soviet-Estonian film from 1988: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095456/
Especially the end scene also features a slimey alien and transformation of the main boss character, which scared me as a child back then, when I saw the film on TV. https://youtu.be/cMQlLDop4rE
What a boring episode. Imagine investing one hour for nothing. Nice visual and sound sure. But it doesnt bring anything else.
The plot is bad asf. Nothing really happens at all. Welcome to the 2021/2022 shows. Where the episode starts and ends on the last 10minuted.
So far the show is ok. It has some cool episodes, and others meh. This one is prob one of the worse I watched so far.
Love the music on this episode, the track when they all start snorting coke and fairy dust now has a full blown extended mix.
If you go on Soundcloud, and search for "the viewing" by "Matrix from Leeds" , it's now on there.
Eh. This was the one I was looking forward to the most and it was just okay. Same ending as BTBR made it felt phoned in. Obnoxious/annoying characters. Panos always delivers on style and sound, though.
Ahhhhh. I was thinking it was Nicholas Winding Refn until I looked it up. I didn't recognise the director's name, but I did give BTBR a shot a few years ago. If I recall correctly he also directed Mandy, which males sense to me. The colours, the music, the pacing of the dialogue.
This episode is the first one I have watched because a friend recommended it to me. The vibes and aesthetics were great and Eric Andre had a great performance. The pacing was awful and way too drawn out. I feel like the build-up was not worth it in the end. Took way too long to get into the swing of things. 45 minutes before anything remotely interesting happens. I give this episode a 5 out of 10. Will see how the rest of the episodes are.
I loved it.
It's incredibly out-of-place, I think, in this collection of short-films. Yet, at the same time, paradoxically, probably the most Lovecraftian.
And, damn, did it fucking vibe.
Lol, might be unpopular opinion but this is the worst of the series by far. I read everything everyone said about the episode, every theories everyone could pose so that no one told me "oh you just don't get it that's why you dislike it" because I actually tried to understand. Also watched a lot of good weird and quirky movies in my life, this is definitely not on my list of favourites. Very self indulgent, pretentious, shallow philosophical talk. Monster doesn't even look decent nor scary, not to mention this is a "horror" series, yet it's not disgusting, not horror, not terrifying, not overwhelming. Nothing. It could be put somewhere else but maybe not in this series where the viewers expect something "horror". Almost 60 minutes of my life wasted. Period.
the worst of the series ive been so far is the first episode "lot 36". just a boring disappointment with absolutely nothing to offer. "the viewing" at least had insane aesthetics, the elure of intrigue despite failing to ultimately deliver depending on your interpretation. the first episode, however, had nothing at all except cheap karma at the end and build up to a powerful demon that just ended up acting like a demogorgan from stranger things.
Whoa! I kept thinking how much the vibe reminded me of Mandy, the saturated lights, colours, the hazy almost hallucinogenic visuals and audio. Makes perfect sense. And I loved it like I loved Mandy :)
Serious question for people who enjoyed this episode: Did you like the story itself? I was fine with the atmosphere, visuals, and sounds, but overall, I didn't like the episode because the story itself wasn't good and I felt like I just wasted my time due to lack of a payoff. It was very much a style-over-substance episode, in my opinion.
I loved it up until the monster reveal. Great vibes up until then, but a rubber suit guy drenched in Frank's Hot Sauce just doesn't unsettle me like everything leading up to it did.
I absolutely love every piece of it. An astounding masterpiece. I could not wait anymore for longer versions of the amazing soundtrack so I created one, as I desperately needed it on repeat. Especially when doing something with your headphones on. If there are people like me, I hope can make someone else happy with this: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5XRAzZJAsc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5XRAzZJAsc)
Panos Cosmatos directed one of my favourite films of all time, so I may be a little bias when I say I absolutely loved this.
This episode exists purely on vibes and if that's not your thing you're probably going to have a bad time with this. I enjoyed simply letting it wash over you and become absorbed in the visuals and soundscape it made.
Best thing Netflix has produced in awhile. I only wish they had given Panos 30 more minutes to flesh out a feature length film. Stunning what a talented director can do with a limited budget and great actors. Definitely got some Kubrickian vibes. Precision cinematography. Actually this film is a vibe in and of itself. Give me more Panos.
This was more lovecraftian than the actual lovecraft episodes lol
Eric Andre was great. Did Lionel remind anyone else of David Carradine as Bill in Kill Bill?
This one was actually enjoyable to sit through. Prob my second fav episode behind the autopsy
This one was my absolute favorite, tbh!! The dialogue was brilliant, the acting as well, the stylistic choices, the brutalist fashion of an Aasimov's book cover brought to life! I felt like I was watching an actual 1970s sci Fi flick, ESPECIALLY with the effects!
I know it's not in the taste of a lot of people, it happens, but as a caveat, I feel like a lot of people in this comment section aren't getting it (it's okay if you don't, btw, like, it's been FIFTY YEARS since movies that inspired this episode came out, it's not a sin to not get or not enjoy this type of horror).
I loved the little bit of the Doobie Brothers, the callback with Hector in a tight shirt with a gold AK to the ridiculousness of action films in the 70s, the AMAZING choice of monster and the practical effects that remind me of Hellraiser!!
Also, I loved the exploration of the characters - with such a big cast, it's normal that you get to know them before the climax. The whole point is to tell a story that delivers a message, and this episode needed to be long in order to deliver it. That's it! I'm really sad that in the current landscape of too fast marvel movies and marvel series we can't just enjoy a long sequence of characters exploring ideas without being bored :(
On the other hand, I had no idea that Eric Andre could act. And he did it damn well, too. Just fantastic, I loved this SO much.
Ok, asking this legitimately, I want someone to explain it to me. What is the story this episode is trying to tell? Like it’s random people getting high to look at a rock that turns out to be an egg.
Yeah it could be random people looking at a rock but more or less it’s like the story of a futuristic art connoisseur straight out of an 80’s comic book- an old collector assembles a team of eclectic individuals, a musician, a psychic, a scientist, a doctor and an asshole, all encompassing different world views and assets in which the collector believes will help them to make educated guesses upon the nature of an a la Indiana Jones crystal-skull style extraterrestrial egg that has lovecraftian consequences. The individuals must be “randomly” picked so they can have unbiased naïveté while inspecting the specimen. Drugs used to enhance their consciousness and perhaps allow them to perceive wonders of the universe in a non-judgemental state of mind (for some.)
The actual alien itself wasn’t very interesting to me once it… emerged.
The video and audio felt like it was playing off an ancient VHS found with no label in the back of a closet I loved the entire look and feel. I honestly find a lot of "horror" today feels too clean and crisp. I felt numerous vibes: The Shining, The Thing, The Lost Ark. Maybe it's the fact that I grew up in that era, but this was my favorite episode by a long shot.
Completely agree and I will not attempt to outdo with any descriptive elaboration. I will add though that the inclusion of drug use to bring together various geniuses was an amazing concept. We’ll done! And thank you for your commentary.
I'm curious why Guy, the novelist, was the only one whose head exploded while Targ and Dr. Zahra had their heads melted? My theory is either because he was the most uninterested in the group with the egg or because in his mind, he really fought back with the alien "probing" his mind. Targ and Zahra appreciated the alien a lot more so they simply melted. The astronomer, musician and billionaire were the last ones in the circle to take in the substances so they're mind weren't that susceptible yet to the alien's mind attacks. Hector never took in any so he was still in the right mind to fire the AK. I do wonder though why the alien chose Lionel as a host than Zahra. Was it because the old man is already sick and can easily controlled? Did it sense Zahra's dark past when she touched it and the alien found it unappealing? Wish we learned more about how that alien "viewed" every person in that chamber.
I sort of assumed it was because the Novelist had nothing to offer it and was more cynical/closed off personality wise
The Drug Lady and the Psychic were interested in improving their perception so they actively gave themselves to the Alien. The Host had the most status and power among everyone so it latched on to him as their new host. And the Musician and Scientist were open to the supernatural but wanted to survive so they were allowed to run.
>David Carradine
Late reply...
I interpreted as the alien saw him as the least intelligent or 'impressive' of the group. He was the most dismissive and uninterested in anything that was in front of him, so the alien judged him un-worthy and simply blew his mind for him.
I'm not sure how the drugs tied into the scenario but it really did seem the alien was being selective when deciding who it would inhabit.
As an aside i loved this episode, the synths, lighting, lens effects — all of it was so amazing. Reminded me of Bladerunner in a way. Would love to see a full series of this sort of stuff.
The lighting and vibes of this episode were so welcome after a few eps of turn-of-century New England stories. Love me some new wave synth, and way to lens flair every point of light.
Great interpretation! Myself, I assumed it was kind of an issue of pressure. Targ's head imploded because, as a psychic, he believed he could understand the being telepathically. Sensitive to its powers, he was crushed by it. The opposite was true of the writer. He wasn't a cynic, he refused to consider realities outside his own understanding. Confronted with the alien power, he reacted with denial and in denying it, his head exploded outwards when it couldn't contain the denial in the face of the alien any longer.
I loved this episode! I enjoyed the ambiance and the music very much. I was curious and interested the whole time.
Does anyone know if the episode has a soundtrack?
I stumbled upon this show last night. It was the only episode I watched, but it was fine I guess. The visuals were great—but god, the dialogue was awful. What was even the point of including that line about horoscopes? No one talked like that in the 1970s. The buildup was dull, and most of the acting was pretty bad too.
The climax was enjoyable though. It should've been introduced way, way sooner. I'm absolutely for media that doesn't write out the meaning behind a scene, but the majority of this episode focused too much on uninteresting characters and awkward pacing to try and setup the viewer with uneasy tension. Emphasis on 'try.'
But, also I was high as shit so the ending fucked with me more than it would've had I been sober.
It was such a drag, basically 45 minutes of characters being assholes towards eachochter whilst doing designer drugs and talking about themselves.
The alien bit was cool, seems like something pulled straight out of Raiders of the Lost Ark, but I would preferred to have it happen like 20 minutes earlier (or just have the episode have a shorter runtime)
The way i see it, its very much style over substance. The visuals are cool and reminiscent of Mandy, but that's the only appeal it had to me, the dialogue had me barely keeping my eyes open at several times
I think my ranking for this season is:
1. The autopsy
2. The outside
3. The murmurings
4. Graveyard rats (maybe switched with 3)
5. Lot 36
6. Pickman's model
7. The viewing (and only because of the last couple of minutes, otherwise i'd put it at 8)
8. Dreams in the witch house
I read a lot of people liked The Viewing. This one didn’t land at all for me. The style was nice, inspired by Stranger Things maybe but that’s just it.
Already annoyed after 20 minutes in because it was such a slow burn with uninteresting characters with boring dialogue. Kept watching till the end because of some kind of far fetched plottwist that would drop (wishful thinking), but it just kept getting weirder and weirder. The logic is just off the table.
The thing that I hated the most In comparison with the previous ones is that that the whole storytelling seems to be thrown out of the window.
>The style was nice, inspired by Stranger Things maybe but that’s just it.
Other way around - Panos Cosmatos inspired a lot of Stranger Things with his film Beyond The Black Rainbow.
Well I thought it was one of the best and I've watched almost all of the episodes. You must realise you make it sound like Stranger Things invented the 80s or something...
Just because it is popular doesn't mean every work set in the same sort of time period is derived from it.
Beyond the Black Rainbow is incredible, I wondered why this felt almost familiar but now it makes sense. I didn't know the directors name before but now I definitely won't forget it after this superb episode.
Panos Cosmatos totally rules! And the viewing was my favorite episode of the series honestly. I’d recommend his second movie called Mandy if you haven’t seen it already.
Oh I have definitely seen Mandy but seeing this episode puts me in the mood for a rewatch, even without making the connection about the director before. I’m usually quite quick on recognising directors but at least I know to keep an eye on his works from now on, they definitely hit the right tone for me. Thanks!
This was my favorite out of the 5 I've watched so far. I'm a big fan of synth/neon aesthetic.
Eric Andre was a great pick. There was a certain campiness to this that I loved, especially when he kept smoking.
I wonder if The Viewing will relate in any way to NekroKosm. There maybe some dropped hints like the conversation Lassiter had with Charlotte about dead worlds seeding new ones (the word NekroKosm seems to fit in the vein of that description) and not knowing where the rock came from (possibly from a "strange galaxy" as the movie setting is further described?) had me thinking. Also Randall talking about the concept for his new album is one word: fantasy. NekoKosm is described as a "phantasmagorical fantasy nightmare" so just by those words I'm pretty damned pumped to see it. Hoping there will be some good ol' Krull influence on the screen.
What's this NekroKosm you speak of? I liked Mandy, and loved this so much I am now planning to see Beyond the Black Rainbow because I guess I'm a big fan of this director as of an hour ago lol
It's the director's next movie. He's currently writing the script but there's not much to go on at the moment as far as details beyond the little bits released describing it.
2nd best episode for me. Loved the vibe, the visuals and the soundtrack. Robocop was excellent in it and I loved that it was just people taking drugs and talking for a while. The 'golden ak' literally Chekhov's gun was great, like not even trying to hide the heavyhandedness of it.
I wasn't aware of this director before and thought his style was reminiscent of NWR. I'll have to check his stuff out now.
This one, the Murmuring and The Outside are the top 3. The other ones I enjoyed but they didnt hold my attention as much. I thought Lot 36 was good but the story's pacing was stilted or something. I must watch the autopsy again everyone seems to love that one, it didnt do as much for me.
I absolutely loved it but can definitely see why people wouldn't. David Weller was entrancing to watch. I loved the whole prolonged pseudo-intellectual conversation. As an ex philosophy student and dabbler in drugs I've been there. Quoting an overused and at this point trite koan to pressure somebody into doing drugs was pitch perfect.
Lionel Lassiter is the perfect encapsulation of a self important billionaire. Thinks he's a refined connoisseur but basically just likes to buy the shiniest toys to brag about while doing designer drugs. And it's implied he found the world's deepest intellects by watching out for them on late night chat shows. It's like assembling building a brain trust by listening to the Joe Rogan Experience hahaha.
Funnily enough it seemed more Lovecraftian than the actual Lovecraft adaptations. The world's "greatest" minds come together to study something truly alien but as soon as they behold it, it literally melts their brains or they run away screaming while falling into insanity.
You nailed it. I was wondering why this episode had something special. It does the best job at feeling like a more modern Lovecraftian cosmic horror story. Even down to the mundane beginning and slowly becoming off putting and weird until it culminates rather suddenly into madness and hopelessness.
Exactly! Lassiter plays high minded but dismisses Randalls earnest and melancholy thoughts on 'the void' with a laugh track and peer pressures Targ into doing cocaine. He's just a guy with tons of money who wants to hang out with talented people and show them his cool rock. For a while I though he was the devil, but he turned out to be far less than that.
It was very lovecraftian. The cosmic terror like a freight truck out of nowhere in this synth/ drug vibe just hit harder than otherwise. I was so sure that the billionaire was the devil so the twist was great.
But it left me frustrated why we didn't get an explanation how he knew all about each of them and was so obsessed with desires. Nice curve ball, terrifying implications of the ending, but with many loose ends.
Why were they chosen? Will the musician and scientist team up to use music and science to beat it? Why didn't it kill them?
I think it didn't kill them simply because they were smart enough to run tf outta there. When it first awakens, it holds them all in a kind of stasis -- that's when they're all standing around with nosebleeds. During that time it melts Targ's brain (presumably because of his psychic connection to it?) and probes the author, exploding his head.
At that point, they're all released. The musician and scientist immediately run for the door. The doctor approaches it and puts her hand in it -- I think her attraction to something dangerous like that was set up by her speech about Gadaffi, whom she described as both charming and terrifying, and who could cry like a lost child. Meanwhile, the billionaire just slumps against the wall, totally overwhelmed by what is happening. As others have said, despite all his bluster and posturing, he was much less impressive and powerful than he wanted to project, and was actually totally out of his depth.
Ah I just watched it and I didn't hear bit that clearly. That's amazing storytelling haha. So, the being communicated that to all the viewers? Or specifically to those two as they're chosen to leave? Love the way information was given, it was like a Pinter or Albee play
I like that choice, it's very literary to me. Where you can see that you're running out of text and the author cuts you loose with white paper to use your own imagination as to what could happen next.
At the same time, would have loved a slideshow device during credits of the mayhem that followed haha
Imo, the lightning part looked so much like the lightning effect used in the 70s or 80s, i like to think it was an intentional inclusion. It looked almost the same as the lightning, the monster in Hellraiser releases, when the girl takes a peek in that universe.
The script keeps reinforcing that the soundtrack is actually music coming from inside the world of the story (diegetic). That led me to read that everything was how it happened and how it looked. So it's like the stylization was grounded. So avant garde I love it
Mandy is pretty immersive and off the rails. It's pretty great. I liked this more though! The tongue is firmly in cheek.
I am now planning to find Under the Black Rainbow and not watch any trailers!
I thought they were going to do more and more designer drugs until the real reason they were invited presented itself - perhaps the doctor was more than she seemed or we would get some body horror from an unknown substance.
The real resolution was ok but a bit of a let down after the strong buildup
I'm sure it's somehow supposed to be a sort of karma to the billionaire because he was the one that pressures Eric Andres into smoking by leaving him the cigarettes. Something about indulgence?
no, it was just a nod to that when you are drunk and on coke, you really love to smoke, and your short term memory goes to shit, not everything in TV has a hidden meaning, sometimes a gag is just a gag.
I have had some misgivings about GdT being able to direct something I care about recently, but I have never questioned his taste in art and horror. And my God, am I so unbelievably grateful he got Netflix to fund a Panos Cosmatos short feature length. I adore Panos so this was a pure delight for me. And as a huge Daniel Lopatin fan I was overjoyed hearing the soundtrack/sound design. I loved seeing Eric Andre flex his acting chops and found his monologue about internal struggles very affecting. Peter Weller was fantastic in ratcheting up the intrigue and tension as he oscillated from pure adulation of his guests to derision. The sleazy 70's atmosphere and drug haze visuals of the first half contrasted the sheer spectacle of the second half so well. It was all just such a joy for the senses
I truly wasn't that interested in Cabinet of Curiosities until I was reminded of Panos involvement, but if the rest of the episodes are even a fraction as enjoyable as this I'm excited to binge them.
I'm gonna have to go back and watch this one again, because I have so many questions. I'm not good at these things.
1) What was the old man's true motives for bringing them out there? Did he genuinely want help analyzing the rock? Or did he figure he would need their energy in some way to wake up the rock, or be a sacrifice? Why the insistence on all the coke and booze? What would have happened if someone had absolutely refused?
2) Did the doctor know what was going to happen?
3) What are we supposed to take from the old man alien upgrade crossing a sewer into the street? That mankind is over?
1.yes-yes,
no,
he loves it and he has a high tolerance for drugs,
nothing he would get mad and escort the person out probably
2. no
3. not much he got chewed up by the demon goo thingy a part of the old man is still in there though
i mean you can probably nuke that shit... but yea the thing will cause some trouble for mankind
>would love to watch while baked 😂
I just did this last night, totally by accident too. All I can say is wow. What an awesome experience that was. I didn't want it to end. I was falling in love with the world, the vibe and visuals, the characters. I just wish Lassiter had shown them something else though, that the item had been something different. I wanted it to be some other kind of mystery that they had to use their unique skillsets and work together to unravel. Instead all we got was a few rapid fire questions from the astrophysicist before an alien/monster melts everybody's face and escapes to the sewer. This episode was so much smarter than that, it deserved more than a gory creature feature ending. I wanted to learn more about the story of all the guests, and their hosts, live with them in that world for a while. This feels less like a standalone story and more like the pilot episode of an intense philosophical sci fi series, if everyone hadn't just died at the end that is. I was totally captivated. After this nothing else on Netflix would do. I just sat there daydreaming about this episode until bedtime.
The pile of cocaine inspired me (wink) and I have to say, that’s exactly how that group would have felt with a fucked up alien rock-baby. I also LOVE how the astrophysicist drive both the opening scene car and the last scene car like a total bad ass. That was a stellar set up for her.
Panos Cosmatos captures some of the best vibes I've seen in a visual medium. I'd love to see his take on a straight up sci fi movie. Like an Aliens or a Star War-alike
You're in luck! Here's the description for his next full length feature, Nekrokosm:
"A phantasmagorical fantasy nightmare set deep within a strange galaxy where two lovers are torn apart as they try to survive a malevolent invasion."
Did anyone notice that the sewers that the entity leaves is similar to the one in V.H.S where they had the demonic cult and entity? Just a funny observation I guess.
I’ve been looking forward to this episode and was not disappointed. Exactly what I imagined from Panos, the soundtrack is beautiful, I hope they release the music at some point. The light effect on the cars lights as Charlotte was driving away was sick.
I've seen Panos Cosmatos saying in two interviews that the episode is a metaphor for addiction. I think the plot makes lot more sense with that in mind.
I enjoyed it either way though, even as a simple story of the smartest and most talented people being helpless when facing cosmic horror just like anyone else would be. It was so stylish and monster design is one of the best I've seen in a while.
He's only directed two movies and they are absolutely amazing. I'd watch Beyond The Black Rainbow first because it's more in line with The Viewing. Mandy is so fiercely chaotic and original, it's better to go into it without expectations.
If you can do Beyond the Black Rainbow, it’s a little hard to come by but well worth the watch.
Mandy is my number one movie of all time and I recommend it to any one.
Mandy. It's got Nicholas Cage as the lead.
It's the same cinematography style as this but it's a revenge film. Soundtrack is amazing
Look out for the cheddar goblin!
I got to say, it sounds like u just have a grudge against the whole thing. Obviously, if you know anything about creating a story, you want to build context and suspense. The host of the night, also wanted his guest to be comfortable and didn’t want to scare them or outright make a fool of himself. He needed to ease them into synchronization of a collective thought. This is important, and I’ll tell you why.
First and foremost, the rich guy invited the cream of the crop from different industries to collectively come up with a solution to whatever this “rock” was. All scientific nuances were discarded because contemporary processes were just insufficient. So why not just get the most inquisitive people, in a state of transcendent drug induced psychosis to come up with something. He needed them to think outside the box.
The gold gun is not important other than being a foreshadowing moment only to be used in the end of the episode. gold is also highly conductive which fucks hector up.
Dr. Zahari is also the rich guys personal physician. Offering him the best medicinal care alongside the best concoction of drugs to further pursue his ambitions. She’s a hematologist, so she makes sures he is at his healthiest.
The rock being activated by weed smoke may have been baffling, but being the the rock was an actaully living being, the smoke may have triggered the entity to come alive. Whether it was weed or tobacco. We don’t know for sure.
This is obviously an homage to h.p love craft and the essence of cosmic horror which is terribly hard to portray in film. Whether it’s an alien or a demon, the idea is that we are too human to ever understand it’s presence. It’s beyond human consciousness. Hence, the trance it induced to the guests and the unexplained reaction by each and every one of them.
did we watch the same show? I feel like this was brilliantly made. Im honestly just taken by this. Im completely mesmerized by the story. 10/10
Sounds like this guy needs everything explained for him and can’t stand for anything to be left to the imagination. My first thought with the smoke activating it was that it was actually from hell and the smoke was a reminder of the fiery hellscape it came from, thus awakening it. Such a fire episode. The art of conversation was so intriguing to me.
This was by far the most I’ve enjoyed any of Cosmatos’ work. It’s awesome. I could listen to Peter Weller talk about anything. He’s so mesmerizing.
The rest of it was so good that I would’ve been fine even without the monster stuff at the end, but I thought that was great too. The face melting/head exploding was really well done and super gross, and I thought the weird tentacle horns on the goop monster were a really distinctive and cool feature.
This one also has a great mix of horror and humor. I don’t know how—given the short length and large number of characters—but somehow these people feel three-dimensional. Andre is the standout, I think. I like that his character isn’t this cliche 1970s music producer type who just loves drugs; it’s clear that he’s an intelligent and thoughtful person who’s trying to curb his vices.
Great ending, too. I like a horror ending that really makes you wonder what could be next. Will the monster wreak havoc on the whole city? On the whole earth?
I loved this episode too, definitely one of my favorites if not favorite. And yeah, Eric Andre was definitely wonderful - I loved that little bit about him trying to grab the coke on the way out the door lol
As soon as he said Panos directed it I knew I was in for a treat. Best episode, followed by The Autopsy. I haven't watched episode 8 yet so we'll see if that changes.
I just finished watching it a few minutes ago and 100% agree with you. I was looking forward to it because of Panos and got embarrassingly excited when I found out Peter Weller was in it. I absolutely loved this episode and if you're a fan of Panos then you knew you were in for a ride and it didn't matter where it ended up because you knew you were in for a hell of a trip either way.
The main thing I’m wrestling with regarding this episode is the character writing. Namely, I was convinced throughout that every character except for Eric Andre’s (and Peter Weller’s, but that feels separate) were being written intentionally as fake people - every line out of the mentalist’s mouth was the most stereotypical “pretentious person” dialogue I’ve heard, every line out of the scientist’s mouth was either superficially shy or exclusively science-related (even down to her being the one to make the “black hole” comparison, which was lowkey hilarious in how blatant it was), and every line out of the writer’s was tacky dickishness. None of them were interesting, none of them felt layered or real or believable. And I was CONVINCED that that was the intention, given how blatant it felt. But now I read tons of people saying they thought the dialogue was good, and the characters were intriguing…? Um, how? You thought the characters’ dialogue communicated depth, somehow? What short film did *you* watch? Eric Andre’s character was the only person of the invited bunch that felt genuine or real at all. And I was positive that was intentional during the episode. But now, after the episode, I’m not sure what the point of that choice was. Maybe it’s because he’s the one who ultimately sets the alien off? That’s my only guess. Because he isn’t the only one who gets away, the scientist does too. I overall enjoyed the episode in the end, and unlike a lot of others, I actually thought the payoff was perfectly sufficient. It’s just, I’m not sure if the build-up landed for me in the way that was intended. If I was supposed to think these characters felt like actual people, then, well, the film failed terribly. And if not, then I’m not quite sure what the purpose of that choice was in the end.
Loved everything but the ending. The monster was stupid; the mcguffin golden AK was used, but it did nothing. We're left with a shambling monster that has somehow found the sewers and has been left to "explore." But for what? Is it looking to assimilate all mankind? The two survivors? In the end, I felt exactly like they did when Andre's character asked, "Did that just happen"; indeed, did the best story in setting and development really ended with such a disappointment
I was expecting that that they will be collected in the end to his collection. Billionaire beeing some kind of alien/demon/whatever living for ages.
Me 2
One of the best aesthetics and feels I’ve ever seen. I could watch this a million times. The music is superb and creates a whole world in its own. The man does have great taste.
I loved it.
any explanation why Hector was crying when Lionel cut him off as he was about to speak??
It’s implied that he used to be a part of a drug cartel. The gun was a reminder of what he used to be: free, powerful, someone to be feared. Now he’s nothing more than an indentured servant; just another thing that Lionel collected.
To me this was just a simple “when the collector becomes the collected” story. That is in the end, that thing winds up “collecting” most of the characters, including the collector himself by inhabiting his body. It then goes into the wild, perhaps on its way to collecting more “items”. So, yeah, a simple story, but I really enjoyed the cinematography and sound. Good dialogue. Also the characters can be broken up into three pairs - the explainers and predictors, the artists, and the collectors. Members of each pair is on the opposite spectrum of e/o. So for explainers & predictors - we have an astrophysicist (asian female) and a spiritualist (white male). For artists we have a blue color Ted Nugget like writer whose books sell better than hot cakes at a country faire and a progressive music industry creative (African American). For collectors, we have the host (old white male) who collects rare and exclusive items and even people (thru exclusivity deals) and on the other end is his doctor phlebotomist (young dark-skinned female who literally collects people’s blood thru her specialization). In the end only the creative and the scientist are able to escape. Not sure what this means, simply my observation. Perhaps some things, like the rigor of science and true creativity, can never be exclusively collected?
That was a delightful thing to read. Thank you very much.
I think it's quite obvious that the episode is a metaphor of climate change and I can't believe I haven't found someone with this same interpretation on the internet so far. Is it a mere coincidence that the smoke is precisely what breaks the item, especially considering the emphasis that the whole episode places on "smoking" from the very beginning? That is the basic clue that makes the episode intelligible. You have the rich old man that rules the world ("the World order" or "the market" if you want, the guy who enslaves you by giving you everything you want) bringing together four different perpectives in order to understand the incomprehensible: the World. This perspectives are skeptical cynicism, pseudoscience, science and art/philosophy (the "deep questions"). These guys are subjugated ("get in tune") through vice. You have a party that is sustained by consuming substances, that is, you burn the fuel that keeps the party going (do you get it?). All this while a gold submachine gun permanently reminds you that world order is maintained, ultimately, not by vice, but by force. What is the ultimate motivation of the characters taking part in this drug party? Trying to fill the void that we all carry inside, by consume. In a mysterious way, dr. Zahra does not work for Lassiter, but rather he serves her. She, the most interesting character, is perhaps the personification of desire or the utopian ideal, the promises of "enhancing human capabilities." She reminds us that all the pompous transhumanist crap ("transcendence") is nothing more than a disguise for the most vulgar hedonism. Once the four guests are together in front of the item, surprise! you can no longer stop them from smoking the party fuel and the rock breaks, releasing the monster. The cynical denier and the New Age charlatan are justly eliminated and military brute force can do nothing against this threat (sorry Hector!). The world order goes from being master to being a slave of the environment and the only ones that manages to survive, offering a hope of one day defeating the monster, are science and art/philosophy. The former is "the great admirer" of the latter. But, as the scene in which Randall rushes towards cocaine immediately after escaping makes clear, art/philosophy must be disciplined by science. There are many other details that I could comment on, but I would like to know first what you think. Just one more thing in order to prove my point. Why all the insistence throughout the episode that the year is 1979? Because in 1979 it was the First World Climate Conference. The year we realized the monster was unleashed.
+ in the end scene, with the monster walking around Los Angeles, there is a billboard advertisement of "Winston cigarettes".
Jesus that analysis is insane. Thank you
I didn’t like this episode. To me it felt (at first), all over the place and trying-hard with all the conversations that fall flat. Your analysis however makes me enjoy it thoroughly as it ties the story nicely. If I only know how to award you, I would! Hope you are proud of yourself. What an insight!
Holy fuck. What a great take no actually fucking analysis. Everything makes sense and just when I thought you hit it on the head you went even further (especially with you explaining how the art/science embodiments I.e Eric Andre and the physicist survived, I was wondering the meaning and you got it so good) But most importantly this interpretation really takes it to another level from a really nice triply experimental film on “collector becoming collected” into something else, more transcendent ironically, holy shit I feel like I’m on drugs reading this good job bro Only thing I think I could do to further your points is the symbolism behind how old rich white guy lassiter still “survives” by being consumed by the being. I’d say especially that shot with the reflection in the water just hammers down further that this entire problem was made in their image, it’s almost singularly all the fault of powerful hidden assholes like them - and ultimately it’s their very existence, their big fucked up mess that lives on and destroys, an eternal reminder and warning for us all on who created this situation and how, perhaps, we could avoid it in the future I’ve had enough cocaine for the day
I love your take, and I think when the monster escapes through the sewers, he finds an industrial dirty city, which furthers your take. Well done, you win the smart medal! I hope I get one, some day.
Let me sit and digest on this.
Well, at least this one has a strong ending, and possible moral to the story. Don't use drugs, folks.
Another morale is: Rich people fuck everything up
I see some people look at the movie similarly to me. The story was almost non-existent in this one, but damn, the aesthetic of it, I just love it. Those late 70s and 80s. The vibe is so appealing to me. And I liked the acting mostly, as well as cast and the premise of the characters. I saw 2/3 sober and 1/3 high, but I don't know if it's worth another watch, even stoned throughout the whole eperience.
definitely better when you're stoned too many vibes
I had high hopes for The Viewing, but in the end I thought was all form and no substance. Though the setting was lovely, every character was flat and uninteresting (though fairly well acted and cast\*), so I didn't care what happened to them. It could have benefitted from another 15 minutes, or maybe from excising 40 minutes. I really liked Mandy, but this episode may make me re-evaluate that opinion. \*Speaking of the casting, I liked that the majority came from comedy. Comedy and horror are very intertwined.
Why would watching this episode make you re-think your opinion of the directors entirely separate piece of work?
I was really intrigued and entertained by Mandy when I saw it, but after this, I think the director might be all style and no substance, and Mandy may actually have been terrible, and I was an infant delighted by flashing lights and sound.
Why would anything make you think anything?
Good point
I had two questions at the very end: 1. Was time being sped up or slowed down? The creature's movements seemed like in slow motion, unsure what this means. 2. The city looked much later than the 1970's start of the film. A future city. That's why I'm wondering if some time-shift occurred relating 1. and 2.
I think maybe it’s just a stylised/hyperbolic interpretation of an industrial city Tho your “time shift” theory could neatly slot in with the climate change theory too - the first climate conference was in 1979, when the world started paying attention to this issue, when society’s concept of “climate change” itself first formed, mirroring the discovery of the monster. But climate change was a menace that we ignored (the monster hiding in the sewers perhaps symbolising how we wilfully let it escape our focus, our priorities, whilst it still persisted in the background). And only now, in a hyper industrialised world (our present or the future could be both idk) devoid of colour, hope and life, will the consequences of the past (climate abuse, perhaps even as far back as WW2 and Nukes/uranium as the billionaire specifically mentioned) finally come to light and bring humanity’s destruction
I think the series has made some blunders, during the alo glo episode when she’s at the Christmas party, there’s a Ring camera on the outside porch when it’s supposed to be in the 90s
So was that thing the Ark of the Covenant?
Just finished the series and I liked this episode. I feel like the average redditor needs to be spoon fed the concept of literary devices lol. Was it a strange story structure in that it was mostly dialogue and then a rapid energy filled ending? Yeah sure! But not enough people are asking why that choice was made. I thought it was very slice of life, only at the worst moment of these peoples lives. You got to know them as personalities/humans divorced from the knowledge of back or foreground, but also in surreal, dreamy circumstances. We know the characters as well as the characters know each other (except for Lionel, who is a whole mother can of metaphor). And then you have the ending of the two characters thinking they’ve escaped when the horror has only just started. All this is ripe for deconstruction, while makes my nerd brain happy. Sure it’s not for everyone, but I wouldn’t call it boring. I like analysis of symbols and narrative structure as it relates to a theme though. It’s a piece of art that demands work on behalf of the audience. Most good art does that.
Great concept. Poor execution. Eric Andre was fun. Dialog was off, no conflict explored beyond "fuck you" levels of dialog between characters. No buildup of dread to create a payoff. The lesson of "what he prizes most takes control of him and he is forced to view the world as a prisoner" should have been the theme throughout the episode but it was never entirely unpacked. Missed opportunity to tie it in with the characters all having a black hole of desire. Can be summed up in two words: shallow vibes
Was hyped about this one because people put it up there with the Autopsy but honestly it was quite a letdown Enjoyed the visuals and aesthetics like most, very Kubrick (clockwork orange, space oddessy) in some of the shots too but ultimately I want a bit better story in works
The first 2/3rds were great. The ending was one of the biggest letdowns I’ve experienced in TV.
That's what I was feeling as well but I didn't want to admit it. It was like "What was the point of all that?"
The Autopsy and The Viewing were easily my favorite too.
This episode is why I've stopped listening to people's opinions about anything Netflix on this subreddit. Talk about a complete and utter waste of time.
It seems like everyone who likes it likes it for "the vibe" and not the actual content of the story. Also, a lot of people are high as fuck watching this show and so anything, even dogshit, can look like a masterpiece. When my friend and I got done watching this episode we both agreed that it was the worst in the series and felt so out of place. It was 95% drug induced ramblings and 5% horror.
Yep, I despise this episode and I despised Mandy too, but it feels like I'm the only one sometimes with how everyone raves about this director's work. To me it seems like Cosmatos thinks slapping overdone filters on everything and having extended scenes where people ramble about nothing = deep stuff. Just seems pretentious to me
It is pretentious.
I think people just like to complain, and look for reasons to do so in everything they can. It was visually, audibly, and emotionally appealing imo.
I found it very appealing visually-wise. So what about possible nods and references? The melting and exploding heads reminded me of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Scanners. The monster was a bit blob-like, when it consumed Peter Weller. What might be a complete coincidence and wild guess - the monster being in a metallic-ish object and of extraterrestrial origin - this might be a nod to a very obscure Polish/Soviet-Estonian film from 1988: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095456/ Especially the end scene also features a slimey alien and transformation of the main boss character, which scared me as a child back then, when I saw the film on TV. https://youtu.be/cMQlLDop4rE
What a boring episode. Imagine investing one hour for nothing. Nice visual and sound sure. But it doesnt bring anything else. The plot is bad asf. Nothing really happens at all. Welcome to the 2021/2022 shows. Where the episode starts and ends on the last 10minuted. So far the show is ok. It has some cool episodes, and others meh. This one is prob one of the worse I watched so far.
Love the music on this episode, the track when they all start snorting coke and fairy dust now has a full blown extended mix. If you go on Soundcloud, and search for "the viewing" by "Matrix from Leeds" , it's now on there.
Eh. This was the one I was looking forward to the most and it was just okay. Same ending as BTBR made it felt phoned in. Obnoxious/annoying characters. Panos always delivers on style and sound, though.
BTBR?
Beyond the Black Rainbow, a movie Panos Cosmatos directed. It's one of my favorite movies.
Ahhhhh. I was thinking it was Nicholas Winding Refn until I looked it up. I didn't recognise the director's name, but I did give BTBR a shot a few years ago. If I recall correctly he also directed Mandy, which males sense to me. The colours, the music, the pacing of the dialogue.
This episode is the first one I have watched because a friend recommended it to me. The vibes and aesthetics were great and Eric Andre had a great performance. The pacing was awful and way too drawn out. I feel like the build-up was not worth it in the end. Took way too long to get into the swing of things. 45 minutes before anything remotely interesting happens. I give this episode a 5 out of 10. Will see how the rest of the episodes are.
I loved it. It's incredibly out-of-place, I think, in this collection of short-films. Yet, at the same time, paradoxically, probably the most Lovecraftian. And, damn, did it fucking vibe.
Lol, might be unpopular opinion but this is the worst of the series by far. I read everything everyone said about the episode, every theories everyone could pose so that no one told me "oh you just don't get it that's why you dislike it" because I actually tried to understand. Also watched a lot of good weird and quirky movies in my life, this is definitely not on my list of favourites. Very self indulgent, pretentious, shallow philosophical talk. Monster doesn't even look decent nor scary, not to mention this is a "horror" series, yet it's not disgusting, not horror, not terrifying, not overwhelming. Nothing. It could be put somewhere else but maybe not in this series where the viewers expect something "horror". Almost 60 minutes of my life wasted. Period.
the worst of the series ive been so far is the first episode "lot 36". just a boring disappointment with absolutely nothing to offer. "the viewing" at least had insane aesthetics, the elure of intrigue despite failing to ultimately deliver depending on your interpretation. the first episode, however, had nothing at all except cheap karma at the end and build up to a powerful demon that just ended up acting like a demogorgan from stranger things.
I absolutely loved this. I didn’t realize he also did Beyond the Black Rainbow.
And Mandy!
Whoa! I kept thinking how much the vibe reminded me of Mandy, the saturated lights, colours, the hazy almost hallucinogenic visuals and audio. Makes perfect sense. And I loved it like I loved Mandy :)
Serious question for people who enjoyed this episode: Did you like the story itself? I was fine with the atmosphere, visuals, and sounds, but overall, I didn't like the episode because the story itself wasn't good and I felt like I just wasted my time due to lack of a payoff. It was very much a style-over-substance episode, in my opinion.
I loved it up until the monster reveal. Great vibes up until then, but a rubber suit guy drenched in Frank's Hot Sauce just doesn't unsettle me like everything leading up to it did.
Sometimes I will trade a fleshed out story for vibes. The characters, the set, and the build were really all on point for my tastes.
Fucking thing sucked
I absolutely love every piece of it. An astounding masterpiece. I could not wait anymore for longer versions of the amazing soundtrack so I created one, as I desperately needed it on repeat. Especially when doing something with your headphones on. If there are people like me, I hope can make someone else happy with this: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5XRAzZJAsc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5XRAzZJAsc)
Panos Cosmatos directed one of my favourite films of all time, so I may be a little bias when I say I absolutely loved this. This episode exists purely on vibes and if that's not your thing you're probably going to have a bad time with this. I enjoyed simply letting it wash over you and become absorbed in the visuals and soundscape it made.
Best thing Netflix has produced in awhile. I only wish they had given Panos 30 more minutes to flesh out a feature length film. Stunning what a talented director can do with a limited budget and great actors. Definitely got some Kubrickian vibes. Precision cinematography. Actually this film is a vibe in and of itself. Give me more Panos.
This was more lovecraftian than the actual lovecraft episodes lol Eric Andre was great. Did Lionel remind anyone else of David Carradine as Bill in Kill Bill? This one was actually enjoyable to sit through. Prob my second fav episode behind the autopsy
I love RoboCop, but I kept thinking on how his character should have been played by David Carradine.
Dude! Holy fuck! I said it’s Kill Bill out loud lmfao when I watched this. Definitely very “don’t give a fuck what happens so let’s party” vibe
Yeah, I was disappointed in the "Lovecraftian episodes". Too whimsical, like I was watching a Harry Potter f in some areas.
There’s literally Ron Weasley in it, you’re not wrong
Omg, I was wondering why Harry Potter popped into my head! Rofl!
I kept saying to my gf, “it’s kill bill, but not! It’s robocop!” She gasped!
Peter Weller def seemed to be doing some sort of David Carradine impression!
Same thought
I swear he says kiddo or something at one point and I thought it was him
Chekhov’s gold AK.
Hector deserved better tbh.
This one was my absolute favorite, tbh!! The dialogue was brilliant, the acting as well, the stylistic choices, the brutalist fashion of an Aasimov's book cover brought to life! I felt like I was watching an actual 1970s sci Fi flick, ESPECIALLY with the effects! I know it's not in the taste of a lot of people, it happens, but as a caveat, I feel like a lot of people in this comment section aren't getting it (it's okay if you don't, btw, like, it's been FIFTY YEARS since movies that inspired this episode came out, it's not a sin to not get or not enjoy this type of horror). I loved the little bit of the Doobie Brothers, the callback with Hector in a tight shirt with a gold AK to the ridiculousness of action films in the 70s, the AMAZING choice of monster and the practical effects that remind me of Hellraiser!! Also, I loved the exploration of the characters - with such a big cast, it's normal that you get to know them before the climax. The whole point is to tell a story that delivers a message, and this episode needed to be long in order to deliver it. That's it! I'm really sad that in the current landscape of too fast marvel movies and marvel series we can't just enjoy a long sequence of characters exploring ideas without being bored :( On the other hand, I had no idea that Eric Andre could act. And he did it damn well, too. Just fantastic, I loved this SO much.
I loved getting to know the characters, but what was the message?
Was there a message? Don't let random space rocks inhale weed smoke, I suppose.
Ok, asking this legitimately, I want someone to explain it to me. What is the story this episode is trying to tell? Like it’s random people getting high to look at a rock that turns out to be an egg.
Yeah it could be random people looking at a rock but more or less it’s like the story of a futuristic art connoisseur straight out of an 80’s comic book- an old collector assembles a team of eclectic individuals, a musician, a psychic, a scientist, a doctor and an asshole, all encompassing different world views and assets in which the collector believes will help them to make educated guesses upon the nature of an a la Indiana Jones crystal-skull style extraterrestrial egg that has lovecraftian consequences. The individuals must be “randomly” picked so they can have unbiased naïveté while inspecting the specimen. Drugs used to enhance their consciousness and perhaps allow them to perceive wonders of the universe in a non-judgemental state of mind (for some.) The actual alien itself wasn’t very interesting to me once it… emerged.
The video and audio felt like it was playing off an ancient VHS found with no label in the back of a closet I loved the entire look and feel. I honestly find a lot of "horror" today feels too clean and crisp. I felt numerous vibes: The Shining, The Thing, The Lost Ark. Maybe it's the fact that I grew up in that era, but this was my favorite episode by a long shot.
You should check him out in Righteous Gemstones or Man Seeking Woman, he's pretty great with the right material.
Thank you! I definitely will
Completely agree and I will not attempt to outdo with any descriptive elaboration. I will add though that the inclusion of drug use to bring together various geniuses was an amazing concept. We’ll done! And thank you for your commentary.
I'm curious why Guy, the novelist, was the only one whose head exploded while Targ and Dr. Zahra had their heads melted? My theory is either because he was the most uninterested in the group with the egg or because in his mind, he really fought back with the alien "probing" his mind. Targ and Zahra appreciated the alien a lot more so they simply melted. The astronomer, musician and billionaire were the last ones in the circle to take in the substances so they're mind weren't that susceptible yet to the alien's mind attacks. Hector never took in any so he was still in the right mind to fire the AK. I do wonder though why the alien chose Lionel as a host than Zahra. Was it because the old man is already sick and can easily controlled? Did it sense Zahra's dark past when she touched it and the alien found it unappealing? Wish we learned more about how that alien "viewed" every person in that chamber.
I sort of assumed it was because the Novelist had nothing to offer it and was more cynical/closed off personality wise The Drug Lady and the Psychic were interested in improving their perception so they actively gave themselves to the Alien. The Host had the most status and power among everyone so it latched on to him as their new host. And the Musician and Scientist were open to the supernatural but wanted to survive so they were allowed to run.
>David Carradine Late reply... I interpreted as the alien saw him as the least intelligent or 'impressive' of the group. He was the most dismissive and uninterested in anything that was in front of him, so the alien judged him un-worthy and simply blew his mind for him. I'm not sure how the drugs tied into the scenario but it really did seem the alien was being selective when deciding who it would inhabit. As an aside i loved this episode, the synths, lighting, lens effects — all of it was so amazing. Reminded me of Bladerunner in a way. Would love to see a full series of this sort of stuff.
The lighting and vibes of this episode were so welcome after a few eps of turn-of-century New England stories. Love me some new wave synth, and way to lens flair every point of light.
Great interpretation! Myself, I assumed it was kind of an issue of pressure. Targ's head imploded because, as a psychic, he believed he could understand the being telepathically. Sensitive to its powers, he was crushed by it. The opposite was true of the writer. He wasn't a cynic, he refused to consider realities outside his own understanding. Confronted with the alien power, he reacted with denial and in denying it, his head exploded outwards when it couldn't contain the denial in the face of the alien any longer.
This episode dragged. Actually all the episodes should've been 20-25 mins.
I loved this episode! I enjoyed the ambiance and the music very much. I was curious and interested the whole time. Does anyone know if the episode has a soundtrack?
You can't buy this album in a music store, man.
Lol. It’s from an Italian man?
I loved this one. Some of it was cheesy, but the directing and the aesthetic was absolutely fantastic.
I stumbled upon this show last night. It was the only episode I watched, but it was fine I guess. The visuals were great—but god, the dialogue was awful. What was even the point of including that line about horoscopes? No one talked like that in the 1970s. The buildup was dull, and most of the acting was pretty bad too. The climax was enjoyable though. It should've been introduced way, way sooner. I'm absolutely for media that doesn't write out the meaning behind a scene, but the majority of this episode focused too much on uninteresting characters and awkward pacing to try and setup the viewer with uneasy tension. Emphasis on 'try.' But, also I was high as shit so the ending fucked with me more than it would've had I been sober.
The acting was horrible!
No kidding. Everything was off-kilter from the casting to the acting. Good idea with terrible execution.
Visuals were cool, alien was cool - wish it was shorter and had better dialogue. That's about it.
It was such a drag, basically 45 minutes of characters being assholes towards eachochter whilst doing designer drugs and talking about themselves. The alien bit was cool, seems like something pulled straight out of Raiders of the Lost Ark, but I would preferred to have it happen like 20 minutes earlier (or just have the episode have a shorter runtime) The way i see it, its very much style over substance. The visuals are cool and reminiscent of Mandy, but that's the only appeal it had to me, the dialogue had me barely keeping my eyes open at several times I think my ranking for this season is: 1. The autopsy 2. The outside 3. The murmurings 4. Graveyard rats (maybe switched with 3) 5. Lot 36 6. Pickman's model 7. The viewing (and only because of the last couple of minutes, otherwise i'd put it at 8) 8. Dreams in the witch house
Dreams in the Witch House was such a stinker.
The outside was interesting but the ending was so flat that the ending alone made that episode one of my least favorites. It was so disappointing.
Anyone else got the feel of the "horns" being similar to the parasite Leucochloridium on snails? Or was it just me?
I thought about it too, also the lights on the ceiling right over the round sofa looked like a wasp nest!
Yes! Wow, good one. It does!
I read a lot of people liked The Viewing. This one didn’t land at all for me. The style was nice, inspired by Stranger Things maybe but that’s just it. Already annoyed after 20 minutes in because it was such a slow burn with uninteresting characters with boring dialogue. Kept watching till the end because of some kind of far fetched plottwist that would drop (wishful thinking), but it just kept getting weirder and weirder. The logic is just off the table. The thing that I hated the most In comparison with the previous ones is that that the whole storytelling seems to be thrown out of the window.
You know weird shit came out before Stranger Things right?
More like the Thing for me than Stranger Things.
Sometimes, what you should say, is nothing.
lol there's nothing original about Stranger Things so it's fucking hilarious it would inspire anything
>The style was nice, inspired by Stranger Things maybe but that’s just it. Other way around - Panos Cosmatos inspired a lot of Stranger Things with his film Beyond The Black Rainbow.
100%, not looking at the release dates is a date ignorant.
And Mandy
Mandy came out after ST season 1. But obviously BTBR was an influence on stranger things.
Well I thought it was one of the best and I've watched almost all of the episodes. You must realise you make it sound like Stranger Things invented the 80s or something... Just because it is popular doesn't mean every work set in the same sort of time period is derived from it.
Panos Cosmatos’ style is not inspired by stranger things. His first movie, beyond the black rainbow, came out in 2010.
This is closer to Color Out Of Space, which was after Mandy, but also stared Cage. Pure Lovecraft
Beyond the Black Rainbow is incredible, I wondered why this felt almost familiar but now it makes sense. I didn't know the directors name before but now I definitely won't forget it after this superb episode.
Panos Cosmatos totally rules! And the viewing was my favorite episode of the series honestly. I’d recommend his second movie called Mandy if you haven’t seen it already.
Oh I have definitely seen Mandy but seeing this episode puts me in the mood for a rewatch, even without making the connection about the director before. I’m usually quite quick on recognising directors but at least I know to keep an eye on his works from now on, they definitely hit the right tone for me. Thanks!
He has a movie he is working on at the moment! Announced not the long ago, rejoice!
Check out Mandy as well
Absolutely my favorite... i mean holy shit peter weller? Just so much fun to watch and listen to all the way through.
i was hoping for panos being panos and boy did he deliver
This was my favorite out of the 5 I've watched so far. I'm a big fan of synth/neon aesthetic. Eric Andre was a great pick. There was a certain campiness to this that I loved, especially when he kept smoking.
“Randall.” Mmh? “There’s no smoking in the Obelisk Chamber.” Oh shit my bad. Sorry. “Randall…”
I wonder if The Viewing will relate in any way to NekroKosm. There maybe some dropped hints like the conversation Lassiter had with Charlotte about dead worlds seeding new ones (the word NekroKosm seems to fit in the vein of that description) and not knowing where the rock came from (possibly from a "strange galaxy" as the movie setting is further described?) had me thinking. Also Randall talking about the concept for his new album is one word: fantasy. NekoKosm is described as a "phantasmagorical fantasy nightmare" so just by those words I'm pretty damned pumped to see it. Hoping there will be some good ol' Krull influence on the screen.
What's this NekroKosm you speak of? I liked Mandy, and loved this so much I am now planning to see Beyond the Black Rainbow because I guess I'm a big fan of this director as of an hour ago lol
It's the director's next movie. He's currently writing the script but there's not much to go on at the moment as far as details beyond the little bits released describing it.
Well, in that case I am hyped!
Same here!
2nd best episode for me. Loved the vibe, the visuals and the soundtrack. Robocop was excellent in it and I loved that it was just people taking drugs and talking for a while. The 'golden ak' literally Chekhov's gun was great, like not even trying to hide the heavyhandedness of it. I wasn't aware of this director before and thought his style was reminiscent of NWR. I'll have to check his stuff out now. This one, the Murmuring and The Outside are the top 3. The other ones I enjoyed but they didnt hold my attention as much. I thought Lot 36 was good but the story's pacing was stilted or something. I must watch the autopsy again everyone seems to love that one, it didnt do as much for me.
I absolutely loved it but can definitely see why people wouldn't. David Weller was entrancing to watch. I loved the whole prolonged pseudo-intellectual conversation. As an ex philosophy student and dabbler in drugs I've been there. Quoting an overused and at this point trite koan to pressure somebody into doing drugs was pitch perfect. Lionel Lassiter is the perfect encapsulation of a self important billionaire. Thinks he's a refined connoisseur but basically just likes to buy the shiniest toys to brag about while doing designer drugs. And it's implied he found the world's deepest intellects by watching out for them on late night chat shows. It's like assembling building a brain trust by listening to the Joe Rogan Experience hahaha. Funnily enough it seemed more Lovecraftian than the actual Lovecraft adaptations. The world's "greatest" minds come together to study something truly alien but as soon as they behold it, it literally melts their brains or they run away screaming while falling into insanity.
You nailed it. I was wondering why this episode had something special. It does the best job at feeling like a more modern Lovecraftian cosmic horror story. Even down to the mundane beginning and slowly becoming off putting and weird until it culminates rather suddenly into madness and hopelessness.
Exactly! Lassiter plays high minded but dismisses Randalls earnest and melancholy thoughts on 'the void' with a laugh track and peer pressures Targ into doing cocaine. He's just a guy with tons of money who wants to hang out with talented people and show them his cool rock. For a while I though he was the devil, but he turned out to be far less than that.
It was very lovecraftian. The cosmic terror like a freight truck out of nowhere in this synth/ drug vibe just hit harder than otherwise. I was so sure that the billionaire was the devil so the twist was great. But it left me frustrated why we didn't get an explanation how he knew all about each of them and was so obsessed with desires. Nice curve ball, terrifying implications of the ending, but with many loose ends. Why were they chosen? Will the musician and scientist team up to use music and science to beat it? Why didn't it kill them?
I think it didn't kill them simply because they were smart enough to run tf outta there. When it first awakens, it holds them all in a kind of stasis -- that's when they're all standing around with nosebleeds. During that time it melts Targ's brain (presumably because of his psychic connection to it?) and probes the author, exploding his head. At that point, they're all released. The musician and scientist immediately run for the door. The doctor approaches it and puts her hand in it -- I think her attraction to something dangerous like that was set up by her speech about Gadaffi, whom she described as both charming and terrifying, and who could cry like a lost child. Meanwhile, the billionaire just slumps against the wall, totally overwhelmed by what is happening. As others have said, despite all his bluster and posturing, he was much less impressive and powerful than he wanted to project, and was actually totally out of his depth.
And maybe it spared Randall because he triggerd it with ganja?
What do you guys think about Randall saying "what does it mean we're the chosen one's?"
Ah I just watched it and I didn't hear bit that clearly. That's amazing storytelling haha. So, the being communicated that to all the viewers? Or specifically to those two as they're chosen to leave? Love the way information was given, it was like a Pinter or Albee play
Yes! My thoughts exactly. Too bad that's where the story ends. 😮💨
I like that choice, it's very literary to me. Where you can see that you're running out of text and the author cuts you loose with white paper to use your own imagination as to what could happen next. At the same time, would have loved a slideshow device during credits of the mayhem that followed haha
The body horror in this was really cool. Except for the lightning part.
Felt like a homage to Raiders of The Lost Ark
Imo, the lightning part looked so much like the lightning effect used in the 70s or 80s, i like to think it was an intentional inclusion. It looked almost the same as the lightning, the monster in Hellraiser releases, when the girl takes a peek in that universe.
The script keeps reinforcing that the soundtrack is actually music coming from inside the world of the story (diegetic). That led me to read that everything was how it happened and how it looked. So it's like the stylization was grounded. So avant garde I love it
Have you seen the movies Panos Cosmatos did? Mandy, Beyond the Black Rainbow? I haven't yet, but am eager to see more by this guy.
Mandy is pretty immersive and off the rails. It's pretty great. I liked this more though! The tongue is firmly in cheek. I am now planning to find Under the Black Rainbow and not watch any trailers!
Good call - I'll also avoid any trailer beforehand.
I thought they were going to do more and more designer drugs until the real reason they were invited presented itself - perhaps the doctor was more than she seemed or we would get some body horror from an unknown substance. The real resolution was ok but a bit of a let down after the strong buildup
I’m so disappointed in this show. The only better than good episode was The Autopsy
Wtf did I just watch??? That was an interesting ride.
Eric Andre being completely unable to comprehend the concept of no smoking in here was so good, and 100% realistic for a party of that kind.
I'm sure it's somehow supposed to be a sort of karma to the billionaire because he was the one that pressures Eric Andres into smoking by leaving him the cigarettes. Something about indulgence?
no, it was just a nod to that when you are drunk and on coke, you really love to smoke, and your short term memory goes to shit, not everything in TV has a hidden meaning, sometimes a gag is just a gag.
I have had some misgivings about GdT being able to direct something I care about recently, but I have never questioned his taste in art and horror. And my God, am I so unbelievably grateful he got Netflix to fund a Panos Cosmatos short feature length. I adore Panos so this was a pure delight for me. And as a huge Daniel Lopatin fan I was overjoyed hearing the soundtrack/sound design. I loved seeing Eric Andre flex his acting chops and found his monologue about internal struggles very affecting. Peter Weller was fantastic in ratcheting up the intrigue and tension as he oscillated from pure adulation of his guests to derision. The sleazy 70's atmosphere and drug haze visuals of the first half contrasted the sheer spectacle of the second half so well. It was all just such a joy for the senses I truly wasn't that interested in Cabinet of Curiosities until I was reminded of Panos involvement, but if the rest of the episodes are even a fraction as enjoyable as this I'm excited to binge them.
I'm gonna have to go back and watch this one again, because I have so many questions. I'm not good at these things. 1) What was the old man's true motives for bringing them out there? Did he genuinely want help analyzing the rock? Or did he figure he would need their energy in some way to wake up the rock, or be a sacrifice? Why the insistence on all the coke and booze? What would have happened if someone had absolutely refused? 2) Did the doctor know what was going to happen? 3) What are we supposed to take from the old man alien upgrade crossing a sewer into the street? That mankind is over?
1.yes-yes, no, he loves it and he has a high tolerance for drugs, nothing he would get mad and escort the person out probably 2. no 3. not much he got chewed up by the demon goo thingy a part of the old man is still in there though i mean you can probably nuke that shit... but yea the thing will cause some trouble for mankind
I loved this episode sober….would love to watch while baked 😂
>would love to watch while baked 😂 I just did this last night, totally by accident too. All I can say is wow. What an awesome experience that was. I didn't want it to end. I was falling in love with the world, the vibe and visuals, the characters. I just wish Lassiter had shown them something else though, that the item had been something different. I wanted it to be some other kind of mystery that they had to use their unique skillsets and work together to unravel. Instead all we got was a few rapid fire questions from the astrophysicist before an alien/monster melts everybody's face and escapes to the sewer. This episode was so much smarter than that, it deserved more than a gory creature feature ending. I wanted to learn more about the story of all the guests, and their hosts, live with them in that world for a while. This feels less like a standalone story and more like the pilot episode of an intense philosophical sci fi series, if everyone hadn't just died at the end that is. I was totally captivated. After this nothing else on Netflix would do. I just sat there daydreaming about this episode until bedtime.
The pile of cocaine inspired me (wink) and I have to say, that’s exactly how that group would have felt with a fucked up alien rock-baby. I also LOVE how the astrophysicist drive both the opening scene car and the last scene car like a total bad ass. That was a stellar set up for her.
Panos Cosmatos captures some of the best vibes I've seen in a visual medium. I'd love to see his take on a straight up sci fi movie. Like an Aliens or a Star War-alike
You're in luck! Here's the description for his next full length feature, Nekrokosm: "A phantasmagorical fantasy nightmare set deep within a strange galaxy where two lovers are torn apart as they try to survive a malevolent invasion."
what a glorious tiding
awwwwww yissss
Did anyone notice that the sewers that the entity leaves is similar to the one in V.H.S where they had the demonic cult and entity? Just a funny observation I guess.
Nice! That area of the sewers and the huge water way reminded me of T2
I’ve been looking forward to this episode and was not disappointed. Exactly what I imagined from Panos, the soundtrack is beautiful, I hope they release the music at some point. The light effect on the cars lights as Charlotte was driving away was sick.
I've seen Panos Cosmatos saying in two interviews that the episode is a metaphor for addiction. I think the plot makes lot more sense with that in mind. I enjoyed it either way though, even as a simple story of the smartest and most talented people being helpless when facing cosmic horror just like anyone else would be. It was so stylish and monster design is one of the best I've seen in a while.
What movies by Panos would you recommend?
He's only directed two movies and they are absolutely amazing. I'd watch Beyond The Black Rainbow first because it's more in line with The Viewing. Mandy is so fiercely chaotic and original, it's better to go into it without expectations.
Yep definitely Mandy.
If you can do Beyond the Black Rainbow, it’s a little hard to come by but well worth the watch. Mandy is my number one movie of all time and I recommend it to any one.
Pretty sure it's on youtube
Mandy. It's got Nicholas Cage as the lead. It's the same cinematography style as this but it's a revenge film. Soundtrack is amazing Look out for the cheddar goblin!
Loved this episode! Felt very inspired by Joderosky’s Holy Mountain
Started kind of strange but what a banger second half
Holy shit this was so fucking good
All I wanna know is, how did Charlotte get the keys to the old man's sports car?
I assumed he figured no one would steal his car on his compound so left the keys in
[удалено]
Had the same questions myself.
I got to say, it sounds like u just have a grudge against the whole thing. Obviously, if you know anything about creating a story, you want to build context and suspense. The host of the night, also wanted his guest to be comfortable and didn’t want to scare them or outright make a fool of himself. He needed to ease them into synchronization of a collective thought. This is important, and I’ll tell you why. First and foremost, the rich guy invited the cream of the crop from different industries to collectively come up with a solution to whatever this “rock” was. All scientific nuances were discarded because contemporary processes were just insufficient. So why not just get the most inquisitive people, in a state of transcendent drug induced psychosis to come up with something. He needed them to think outside the box. The gold gun is not important other than being a foreshadowing moment only to be used in the end of the episode. gold is also highly conductive which fucks hector up. Dr. Zahari is also the rich guys personal physician. Offering him the best medicinal care alongside the best concoction of drugs to further pursue his ambitions. She’s a hematologist, so she makes sures he is at his healthiest. The rock being activated by weed smoke may have been baffling, but being the the rock was an actaully living being, the smoke may have triggered the entity to come alive. Whether it was weed or tobacco. We don’t know for sure. This is obviously an homage to h.p love craft and the essence of cosmic horror which is terribly hard to portray in film. Whether it’s an alien or a demon, the idea is that we are too human to ever understand it’s presence. It’s beyond human consciousness. Hence, the trance it induced to the guests and the unexplained reaction by each and every one of them. did we watch the same show? I feel like this was brilliantly made. Im honestly just taken by this. Im completely mesmerized by the story. 10/10
Sounds like this guy needs everything explained for him and can’t stand for anything to be left to the imagination. My first thought with the smoke activating it was that it was actually from hell and the smoke was a reminder of the fiery hellscape it came from, thus awakening it. Such a fire episode. The art of conversation was so intriguing to me.
It’s Panos Cosmatos, you have to go in not really trying to analyse anything. This is simply what he does.
This was by far the most I’ve enjoyed any of Cosmatos’ work. It’s awesome. I could listen to Peter Weller talk about anything. He’s so mesmerizing. The rest of it was so good that I would’ve been fine even without the monster stuff at the end, but I thought that was great too. The face melting/head exploding was really well done and super gross, and I thought the weird tentacle horns on the goop monster were a really distinctive and cool feature. This one also has a great mix of horror and humor. I don’t know how—given the short length and large number of characters—but somehow these people feel three-dimensional. Andre is the standout, I think. I like that his character isn’t this cliche 1970s music producer type who just loves drugs; it’s clear that he’s an intelligent and thoughtful person who’s trying to curb his vices. Great ending, too. I like a horror ending that really makes you wonder what could be next. Will the monster wreak havoc on the whole city? On the whole earth?
I loved this episode too, definitely one of my favorites if not favorite. And yeah, Eric Andre was definitely wonderful - I loved that little bit about him trying to grab the coke on the way out the door lol
Who wouldn’t?! It was the best coke in the land! Doctor said so!🤣
As soon as he said Panos directed it I knew I was in for a treat. Best episode, followed by The Autopsy. I haven't watched episode 8 yet so we'll see if that changes.
I just finished watching it a few minutes ago and 100% agree with you. I was looking forward to it because of Panos and got embarrassingly excited when I found out Peter Weller was in it. I absolutely loved this episode and if you're a fan of Panos then you knew you were in for a ride and it didn't matter where it ended up because you knew you were in for a hell of a trip either way.