Notes From the Hiatus Bunker: Pre-Season 1 Materials

Realized I have been neglecting this blog, and thought it might be fun to revisit earlier episodes from the perspective of someone already broken by Mr. Sims a TMA veteran. No idea many how many of these I’ll manage before the hiatus is over, but feel free to say hey if this comes across your dashboard! Would love to hear if other folks are doing the same thing.

General warning: these notes are from the perspective of someone caught up to TMA as of the latest mid-season break (Nov 26th, 2020). There be spoilers ahead!

MAG 0.1 “Seed”

SUMMARY: “Viglio. Audio. Opperior” on repeat. I watch. I listen. I wait. 
ANALYSIS: Jonah, is that you?
While I still have an attachment to Web!Tapes as a theory, I’ll admit this could be a clue they were under Elias’ control all along. I’m not sold on the idea, but it could be corroborated by Jon’s opening “Elias […] if you hear this” at the beginning of the next trailer, and fits in with Orsinov’s “Can I call you Elias?” monologuing later on. Would make the birthday tape a real dick move, huh?

MAG 0.2 “Pre-launch Trailer”

SUMMARY: “Statement of Jacob, no second name given.”
ANALYSIS: This is potentially Leitner’s disappeared assistant. Potentially someone else with the first name Jacob. It happens. I’m more interested in who they’re being ominous at.

Is this a warning for Gertrude? Elias? Jon? At this time the statement’s given (July 15th, 2011) Gertrude is still alive and kicking, but 2011 is the year Jon starts working in research. Just how prescient is this doom and gloom herald? I mean…the world kinda is “all darkness and butchery now”. 
Also worth noting we have “distortions” (Spiral), “spins” (Web) and “beholding” (Eye) before the show even gets off the ground.

Jonny Sims: 1 - Audience: 0.

MAG 0.3 “Launch Trailer”

SUMMARY: Not much new in this one. Jon hears a thump. Leaves his desk. We’re treated to the spooky chant once more (priming the tapes for The Magnus Archives ritual?), and Jon makes a joke about peeling Martin. The Stranger would approve. We also learn that the Archives are full of cheap shelving. Cheap shelving that will collapse, causing a dent in the wall that will let Jane Prentiss into the building. Can anybody say foreshadowing?
ANALYSIS: All in all I’m just sore I skipped these on the first listen through. Rookie mistake.

SUPPLEMENTAL: The hiatus bunker seems nice and roomy. Had to sweep up a few cobwebs, but oddly no spiders in sight. I almost thought I saw a web that read ‘gone to Rusty Towers’ off in a corner, but I think I just read Charlotte’s Web too many times as a kid. Funny how your mind can play tricks on you in the dark.