File #58 (S2-18) - The pioneer spirit

[Oneiros]

A mysterious letter has wended its way from the frozen paths of the Oregon Trail to the Archives as we hear tell of mysterious happenings in the American wilds. And in doing so doubles up on US-based statements involving wilderness perils...

Personally, I really enjoyed this tale not just for the fact that it is NOT INSECT-BASED *ahem* but for also being a really interesting 'slice of life' story and insight into the women who also ventured out to settle the land. As for whether the red string joins up with the rest of the web, we shall have to wait and see.

[spooniermist]

I'm at the point now that I don't think there are any more isolated cases in TMA. For most of Season 1, there were a few that could be seen as one-offs but later proved to be part of a larger story, see Anglerfish.

As such, I think there must be links between this one and other episodes. I think that there are some links between this one and Desecrated Host, just because of the religious cannibalism, specifically the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I don't know Christianity that well, and I'll have to have a relisten to the two cases again. If only someone would write the damn Wiki page for this case it'd all come together *goes off to write wiki page*

[archangel1313]

I get the impression that this is somehow linked to MAG31, based around the American wilderness, and some form of hunting. Possibly even linked to Wendigo myths, a cannibalistic winter spirit who spreads to those who engage in the act themselves. There often considered to be the equivalent and linked to the European Werewolf tale.

Both of these elements make me wonder if Mr Sims has been reading Owod's werewolf the apocalypse by white wolf. If so, our Garou have really ignored the litany

[cannonlongshot]

Mar 30, 2017 9:17:22 GMT spooniermist said:

I'm at the point now that I don't think there are any more isolated cases in TMA. For most of Season 1, there were a few that could be seen as one-offs but later proved to be part of a larger story, see Anglerfish.

As such, I think there must be links between this one and other episodes. I think that there are some links between this one and Desecrated Host, just because of the religious cannibalism, specifically the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I don't know Christianity that well, and I'll have to have a relisten to the two cases again. If only someone would write the damn Wiki page for this case it'd all come together *goes off to write wiki page*

I'm of the opinion that you can draw links between pretty much any two "independent" statements - once you see three, you start to form your theory.

Like Spoons, I saw the comparison to Desecrated Host, but I saw it only after I noticed that we've previously met a Carlisle who was compelled to do weird things with meat in MAG18...

[danae149]

I have to say, I've really enjoyed all of the historical episodes so far. This one had nice atmosphere and some interesting ties to other cases, like Toby Carlisle and his meat-covered apartment and actual cannibal Father Burroughs. Also, more creepy stuff happening in the wilderness and caves is always a plus! I just hope Mrs. Carlisle's end wasn't too horrible, since I think she deserves something not-completely-awful after dealing with her husband's talking corpse for that long.

(And, on a completely personal note, I appreciated this episode as someone who grew up in Missouri and played way too much Oregon Trail as a child.)

[cannonlongshot]

Mar 30, 2017 18:11:02 GMT danae149 said:

actual cannibal Father Burroughs

I'm dying  

[Irry]

I'm sure Father Burroughs and Eugene Wick would've had interesting conversations about transubstantiation. Something is up with these "meat" threads -- there's a distinct whiff of ritualism about how "people" become "meat," even in MAG30.

Props to danae149. I didn't catch that connection to "Carlisle" last name. Coincidence?

[isengrim]

I found the podcast a little later than everyone else here, it seems. I'm finally caught up though and have to say that I'm absolutely enamored with it.

Mar 30, 2017 9:45:36 GMT archangel1313 said:

I get the impression that this is somehow linked to MAG31, based around the American wilderness, and some form of hunting. Possibly even linked to Wendigo myths

I thought the same thing. I didn't know if the connection between this and MAG31 was wishful thinking on my part (I'm a big fan of werewolves and as such, loved that MAG31 introduced what seem to be this world's version of them) but I definitely picked up the Wendigo vibe too. That and the pioneer setting put me in mind of the film "Ravenous"

[iamjoe500]

I'm in mind to put a few red strings pointing all the way back to MAG2 as well. "John" in that one was also described as short. Breekon and Hope were involved, as they were with Father Burroughs. Was it a meaty corpse singing in the mysterious coffin, calling for Joshua to open and eat it?

Breekon and Hope's possible connection with the Circus of the Other is interesting too. Perhaps it is a long process: people turned into meat turned back into not quite people, maybe.

[watch4rainbows]

Does anyone else find this reminds them of episode 25, Growing Dark, when Natalie makes a meal for Cathy? I've always had this horrible idea that Cathy was actually eating human flesh, and it would explain what Natalie meant when she told her she was 'worshipping as they spoke'. Also Mr Pitch has a similar name to Wick. Like, they are both things that burn.

[iamjoe500]

Apr 2, 2017 16:01:11 GMT watch4rainbows said:

Does anyone else find this reminds them of episode 25, Growing Dark, when Natalie makes a meal for Cathy? I've always had this horrible idea that Cathy was actually eating human flesh, and it would explain what Natalie meant when she told her she was 'worshipping as they spoke'. Also Mr Pitch has a similar name to Wick. Like, they are both things that burn.

That is a really good catch. I'm going to have to go back and listen to that episode again.