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Post by spacesquid on Dec 21, 2017 0:37:14 GMT
One other quick observation - this statement also helps make more sense of the penultimate episode of season two. Upon listening to that story originally, I'd struggled to understand how the archivist could jump from "the table is involved" to "the table must be destroyed!". The revelation that he's been haunted by the memory of this creature since childhood helps explain why destroying the table was his immediate reaction. I'm not sure it does - aside from the table being at Hill Top Road, I'm not sure if The Archivist necessarily links the Table to Mr Spider. He may just have leapt to the conclusion that it was the source of power for the Not!Them. Personally, I think it's more telling that he was primed earlier in the season - there's a point where Not!Sasha says that the table makes her uncomfortable and they should get rid of it, but The Archivist retorts that they're not in the habit of destroying artefacts. Will quote relevant bit here when I've found it again. I don't recall the conversation you mention, but you might well be right about it being a contributing factor. There's no reason both our theories can't be true, though; I would have thought anyone who watched someone snatched by a supernatural spider would probably have rather different reactions to web patterns to the rest of us. Actually, I'd go further, and argue that given this statement the suggestion Mr Sims learned of the existence of a supernatural artifact decorated with a web design and didn't at least consider the possibility it was linked to "Mr Spider" makes our beloved archivist seem more scatterbrained, rather than less.
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urchin
Right Honourable Poster
Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.
Posts: 52
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Post by urchin on Dec 21, 2017 17:04:28 GMT
The mess Gertrude left the archives in was most likely very deliberate to prevent Beholding and it's marked to string everything neatly together. She was able to read and understand everything that went on, misfiled and "misplaced" the statements, then conferred with Leitner. Until Elias noticed and - BAM - bullets to the chest for going against Beholding. Same result for Leitner once he was outside of his protective reading-bubble. This is a great point that problematizes Gertrude being on Beholding's good side at the end of her life. I've been thinking that she was hiding statements from Elias and working for Beholding, but hiding them from Beholding is a strong possibility that I cannot discount, and does turn things on their heads. I'm sticking with the theory that Elias has some other agenda that pits him against Jonathan for now. Partially because it's believable (though not definitive), and partially because that sounds like it the most exciting possibility to me, at least from where the story is now It's great trading notes and observations with you, we shall see what unfolds!
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Post by hyoscyamus on Dec 23, 2017 0:52:32 GMT
I'm sticking with the theory that Elias has some other agenda that pits him against Jonathan for now. Partially because it's believable (though not definitive), and partially because that sounds like it the most exciting possibility to me, at least from where the story is now Yeah, who knows what's up with Elias? It's really interesting. Another thought that I had sometimes (which is not what I think is the case, but popped up in my brain regardless) is that Elias might be possessed by Magnus himself. Since John mentioned Elias was kind of a pothead during his earlier years in comparison to now, actually not being the same person is a possibility. Especially since so many of those that fall victim to the forces at work end up losing themselves so thoroughly or get replaced like a pod-person. But like I said, this is just a tiny thought and not my favorite theory. What I think is more that Elias is some sort of lure and/or guardian for Beholding and his later found severity is due to his found knowledge and powers. His main task is to get more people into the archives, quite literally as his job to manage and hire new employees and also to give Beholding new possible marked and to get rid of useless and unfaithful ones. And, well, quiting the main Archives only seems possible by dying. All aspects are obviously equally possessive, albeit not necessarily as ruinous. Elias told John that he was very important and Gertrude mused in one of her recordings whether there always had to be an Archivist. I think this is the case. The Archivist as the main person who feeds Beholding it's infos and stories could well be an actual feeder for it. Or maybe this combined with the task to guard the archives and infos. So the Archivist could also be the guardian. Of another type as Elias maybe? In any case, the way the statements want to be read is as if they come from those who told them. And they need to be handled differently, by recording on tape mainly? Gertrude used the tape recorder as well, that's why it could be found in the archives. I guess being able to find a way to handle the statements properly is the requirement to become the Archivist in the first place. That's why Elias didn't tell John how the problematic files can be recorded. If John hadn't found a way, would he have been less unrelenting to do so, he may as well not have stayed in the position as head-archivist. Ah, thank you! *blushes* It's really great to talk to you about these things as well! (Damn, you can't know how much I missed talking about such stuff with people who're interested in the same obscure things, but let me tell you, I love it!) ♥
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urchin
Right Honourable Poster
Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.
Posts: 52
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Post by urchin on Dec 27, 2017 23:33:31 GMT
Another thought that I had sometimes (which is not what I think is the case, but popped up in my brain regardless) is that Elias might be possessed by Magnus himself. Since John mentioned Elias was kind of a pothead during his earlier years in comparison to now, actually not being the same person is a possibility. Elias being possessed by Magnus is a little out there are this point, but your point about his personality change is definitely not to be overlooked. I want to know what he's up to so much, but the slow reveal of clues keeps me hooked even more than finding things out. Do you recall how long Elias has been head of the institute? Do we know that?
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Post by hyoscyamus on Dec 28, 2017 3:33:47 GMT
Do you recall how long Elias has been head of the institute? Do we know that? Hmm, had to check the wiki and there isn't anything about his current station. But it lists File #29, in which Jon read a statement given in 1972. Elias was a filing clerk at this time. Given that he doesn't sound all that old (and I don't think he's supposed to be) t hat could even have been his first job. Even if not, he worked at least 45 years in the Archives by now, for most of his live probably. You're right, the slow reveal is thrilling! It's so much better than getting a huge info blurb in a few episodes and then nothing to think about after that, like a lot of other audio dramas. And it's always fun speculating about everything.
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Post by JustPassingThrough on Jan 3, 2018 7:44:59 GMT
There seem to be some discrepancies with Elias's time at the institute. Perhaps they're intentional?
According to #49, Elias became head of the institute in 1996. Jon states that Elias's rise to the top was quick as he only joined the institute in 1991 working in the artifact storage.
It doesn't seem to match up with #29 since Elias does recall a fuss in 1972 about someone self-harming while giving a statement. Jon also states Elias was working as a filing clerk at the time.
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