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Miniatures Adventure => Call of Cthulhu => Topic started by: Irishrover13 on February 25, 2014, 03:45:08 PM
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Hi all,
So I just watched the first Episode of HBO's True Detectives and I am quiet taken by it, though I warn you it is slow burn and not for those who want gun fights or fancy gagets. I don't want to give too much away but there are hints of things beyond the scope of normal reality and gods better left sleeping in reality. Great fuel for morden Cthulhu or even pulp because the name to True Detectives is a nod to the pulp genre that shares the name. I recommend it to those who like slow burn detective dramas, Cthulhu flavoured TV or shows that make you think.
Cheers
Irish
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Sounds like my cup of tea! Thanks for the heads up Irish.
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Very satisfying television so far. Pushes all the right buttons without going too far or way over the top.
The show has managed to walk a very fine line on the Mythos; probably the best job I've seen yet. Maybe it's just ironic, the writers are mixing stuff in a bag and pulling it out again, but it's working.
Give it a go and see for yourself. I don't want to give anything away or impose my impression of the storytelling, but I'm diggin' it.
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Really great show. I watched most of it over a couple days. Kind of sucks waiting for the next one to come on now.
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Kind of sucks waiting for the next one to come on now.
Sign of a great show
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Sadly I do not get Sky here in the UK. They seem to be showing it. One to mark for the DVD collection I suppose.
I see in the Wikipedia entry a reference to the 'Yellow King' in episode two. Interesting. There is a certain something there I fear I should not name...
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Sadly I do not get Sky here in the UK.
Its pretty easy to download shows if you don't have direct access to them
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Been watching it, and caught the YK reference too. Great atmosphere, cinematography, scenery, whatever you want to call it.
No spoilers, but the last 10 minutes of episode 4 was like ... wow. MM's character has some big brass ones...
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Just finished the second episode, and was really surprised at how overt the mythos references were. King in Yellow and Carcosa, in mainstream programming? Very cool.
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Judging by the TD writer Nic Pizzolatto interviews I've read, the actual Lovecraft link looks to be twice removed at best. The horror author he most often refer to is Thomas Ligotti, who in turn admits being inspired by HPL, to the point of even writting a Mythos pastiche/story (but then again, rare is a modern horror writer who has avoided HPL's shadow completely).
All the same, the series does look to be more interesting than your average cop show and I hope it's going to shown in Finland shortly. The local state broadcasting company does have a deal with HBO so I'm optimistic in that regard.
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Having watched it all along and getting ready to watch the final episode, I am still impressed. In addition to some great writing and characterization, there are some scenes that are just technically impressive you read some of the behind the scenes bits.
Regardless of the intent, this series is one of the best examples of how to run a Mythos story.
-Eli
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Regardless of the intent, this series is one of the best examples of how to run a Mythos story.
-Eli
So very true. The Mythos, especially when starting out a new campaign, is best delivered as a trickle. Let it build to a torrent slowly.
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In my opinion it never even needs to build up to something big, just bigger than the characters involved.
Far too many mythos games I hear about end with some face off against one of the Great Old Ones.
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Just watched the first couple of episodes off the back of this thread and really enjoying it. Rust remind anyone else of Rorshach? Sure I read somewhere that it was heavily influenced by Alan Moore and Grant Morrison so could be a bit of a homage.
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We are totally addicted here. Outstanding performances all round and the tantalising drops of Mythos just add to a great series.
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the big geek in me keeps hoping for a "tantacle" at the end but doubts that will be the case ;)
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Still trying decide which I should be more disturbed by: the content, or the fact I agree with nearly everything Cohle says...
Very curious to see how this gets resolved. The mythos content has been pretty tangential up until now (which is a good thing), and I kind of hope it stays that way - just a hint, lurking menacingly in the shadows.
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Very curious to see how this gets resolved. The mythos content has been pretty tangential up until now (which is a good thing), and I kind of hope it stays that way - just a hint, lurking menacingly in the shadows.
The old CoC GM in me imagines it appropriate that even a small revelation at this point would cause some significant psychological break.
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Well, colour me satisfied! I shall say no more until everyone has had a chance to watch the finale. :-X
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No spoilers for the rest of the week... 8)
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Watched finale last night...great stuff. Sorry to see the season end.
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Watched finale last night...great stuff. Sorry to see the season end.
Wholeheartedly agree, pacarat. One of the most interesting pieces of television I've seen in very long while.
The Carcosa references may look tangential but were heavily related to the corruption and decline of the Tuttle bloodline. This was madness writ large.
"We got ours."
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Watching the non-mythos-aware general public's attempts to claim there was no 'supernatural' element afoot is interesting. It's being boiled to down to nothing more than serial killers and some drug-induced hallucinations, so there's an enormous amount of complaining about all the perceived red herrings and unrelated subplots, most of which actually are related if you're aware of the larger picture. People are missing out on so much depth if they view the show as a simple whodunit.
Not aiming to sound snooty or superior here - I'm actually a bit saddened that so many weren't able to appreciate the full scope and impact.
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Fully agree with you Lidless.
But if the story can work for both the initiated and the unenlightened then all the better.
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Hi all,
So I just watched the first Episode of HBO's True Detectives and I am quiet taken by it, though I warn you it is slow burn and not for those who want gun fights or fancy gagets. I don't want to give too much away but there are hints of things beyond the scope of normal reality and gods better left sleeping in reality. Great fuel for morden Cthulhu or even pulp because the name to True Detectives is a nod to the pulp genre that shares the name. I recommend it to those who like slow burn detective dramas, Cthulhu flavoured TV or shows that make you think.
Cheers
Irish
The occultism is not supernatural, though, just perverted. The series is more like ... Wickerman. Fucking great show, though, I just watched the last episode. Woody Harrelson and Mathew Mcconaughey, what a pair...
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I see sales of Chambers' "King in Yellow" are up on Amazon. Fresh blood... ;D
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I just watched the last episode. Outstanding. Don't think I've enjoyed a show that much in years.
I see sales of Chambers' "King in Yellow" are up on Amazon. Fresh blood... ;D
Fresh sentient meat. :D
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I believe the true genius of this series is that it really allows you to read it on both levels. If you want to assume a supernatural undertone, you can definitely find the connections. If you want to have a purely mundanely twisted story, you can. But the wonderful thing for me is that they leave room for doubt. Were they just visions and hallucinations or were they REALLY visions and such. It's a fine line and, like a good Lovecraft story, the viewer is left with questions in the end.
I do feel that the last little bit of the final episode was a little soft and seemed to be an addendum to make American audiences feel a little bit "better" about what they had just experienced. But, it did not wreck the rest of the series for me.
-Eli
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You sum it up for me perfectly Eli.
Glad to have been along for the ride on this one.
Bring on Season 2.
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I have been told, but not verified for myself, that this series may be an anthology with each season involving new characters and stories that are not dorect tie-ins with the first.
Again, I haven't taken the time to look into this myself but the source I heard it from is generally pretty reliable. Has anyone heard anything similar?
-Eli
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I've heard something similar, third hand... :)
Also that season two writing is in the works, but details won't be released anytime soon.
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I have been told, but not verified for myself, that this series may be an anthology with each season involving new characters and stories that are not dorect tie-ins with the first
That is my understanding as well. The next series is supposed to be set in the railway industry
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Yup, same writer, new directors, new cast, new story. What I like about this sort of format is its more likely to attract top-tier talent, as they don't have to commit to much more work than they might for a film.
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Yup, same writer, new directors, new cast, new story. What I like about this sort of format is its more likely to attract top-tier talent, as they don't have to commit to much more work than they might for a film.
Exactly... With MM taking the big O for a dramatic role, i can see alot of doors being opened to him for additional $eriou$ films... TV might take a back seat for the future. (having said that, I'd stack the TD series against 98% of the big screen cr*p that gets produced...)
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Yup. That's pretty much what I understand. Different story, but many of the same players will play different roles. A modified repertory company approach.
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I am glad it was not a one off. Truly I am enjoying this series more than anything else I have ever seen.
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True Detectives was one of the best US TV Series I have seen in ages. Very good actors, great story, great location and I am convinced it was a Mythos story too. Could specify it here but that would spoil it for those who havent seen the show yet.
Cheers
Björn
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The whole series is now available on demand on Sky....
So its easy to re-watch. Also makes it easy to watch it in one hit, back to back no adverts.
( which, does give a slightly different skue to some episodes and i think re-enforces the mythos undertones... )
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Yeah, what a great show. I was similarly disappointed when it ended too.
Look forward to the new incarnation. Anyone know when it's due to be released? Have they even started writing it yet?
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Writing is definitely underway (two scripts already submitted to HBO), and there's supposed to be a casting announcement coming this week. Fairly safe to assume it'll air next January, as HBO seems to be in the habit of placing their series in the same time slot each year.
If you're looking for a similar feel in your mythos reading while you wait, try out Laird Barron or Thomas Ligotti.
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Thoroughly enjoyed it. If you haven't read John Connolly yet then try and catch some of his work. Very similar style and sometimes much heavier on the weird.
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Finally broke down and bought the series...watched two episodes last night. Fantastic. Very light on the mythos but very engaging. Great acting and a well told story. Can't wait to see where this goes. And (it pains me to say it...) Matthew McConaughey is absolutely riveting. Go watch this!!!
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Yeah, the guy is just perfect for the part.
Glad you are enjoying the ride, it's a good one! :D
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I loved it. I watched it twice already. The acting and writing are superb. The mythos thing is a red herring that never really goes anywhere, but it's an interesting allusion to the tiny minority of people, like LAFers, who recognize it. What I found even more interesting (and substantive) was the inspiration from the Courir de Mardi Gras, or Creole Mardi Gras, which is based in reality. Definitely a Cthulhu scenario in there somewhere.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courir_de_Mardi_Gras
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Much as I loved the show it seems the script involved a fair amount of lifting, not least from some lesser known Alan Moore.
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/03/10/swipe-file-finale-of-true-detective-and-alan-moore-and-gene-has-top-ten/
(http://cdn.bleedingcool.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tt11-600x586.png?9098e0)
(http://cdn.bleedingcool.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tt21-600x345.png?9098e0)
The ligotti connection I *thought* was voiced often, however it seems the timeline belies a slightly less honest ethic according to some observers. Given the awards it was nominated for it does appear a lot of the 'famous' dialogue is so close to Ligotti's that it almost seems wrong to award the show's writer....
http://lovecraftzine.com/2014/08/04/did-the-writer-of-true-detective-plagiarize-thomas-ligotti-and-others/
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http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/08/06/true_detective_plagiarized_no_nic_pizzolatto_did_not_plagiarize_thomas_ligotti.html
Much as I loved the show it seems the script involved a fair amount of lifting, not least from some lesser known Alan Moore.
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/03/10/swipe-file-finale-of-true-detective-and-alan-moore-and-gene-has-top-ten/
(http://cdn.bleedingcool.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tt11-600x586.png?9098e0)
(http://cdn.bleedingcool.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tt21-600x345.png?9098e0)
The ligotti connection I *thought* was voiced often, however it seems the timeline belies a slightly less honest ethic according to some observers. Given the awards it was nominated for it does appear a lot of the 'famous' dialogue is so close to Ligotti's that it almost seems wrong to award the show's writer....
http://lovecraftzine.com/2014/08/04/did-the-writer-of-true-detective-plagiarize-thomas-ligotti-and-others/
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before I stumble blindly in and buy the wrong thing can I check this is the thing with Woody from Cheers?
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before I stumble blindly in and buy the wrong thing can I check this is the thing with Woody from Cheers?
That's the one!
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Thanks