Werewolf by Night is a fun, campy Marvel show that disappointed me because of its marketing and presentation. If you wanted to see a horror movie done in the Marvel universe with a Deadpool level of R-rated gore, then you’re in for an unpleasant surprise.
Hello, dear reader. The Halloween season has claimed our storytelling, it has infested our tales: and you shall have so many horrors to enjoy.
And, with that in mind, with the intention set, we have a beginning. A windup—before the gory conclusion.
Oh, the horror stories are here now, friends. As October continues, Brandon Scott has nightmarish short tales every Friday for you to enjoy.
This time, we visit a world with one big difference. Something called “The Nightmare” is part of their society. It’s unopposed, unstoppable.
And it picks people. Randomly.
I’m simply calling this episode “Epilogue” for the sack of clarity—and this isn’t going to be a long review. All told the actual episode’s content is around six minutes. And, in those six minutes, it feels like we didn’t get an epilogue at all.
Time affects us all, dear reader. I hope you agree. And if that concept is then mixed with a cursed clock, well, things get strange very quickly.
“Dead End Job” is kind of a bad episode. Surprisingly, it’s subpar. I had been all geared up for a big reveal, an answer for what is happening. A nice little exposition moment. And while we got one—and I didn’t guess it beforehand—it wasn’t even that big of a revelation. Also, it’s not a revelation I particularly like.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, may I have your attention, please?! You’ve been patient! You’ve been diligent! You’ve been loyal! Now, for demonstrating such tremendous qualities, such incredible attributes, such unbelievable resolve, you shall be rewarded! Friends, bloggers, Earthlings, lend me your ears! The time has come, yet again, for you to get your proper dose of excitement,…
“Keyed In” is a weird episode. Not a lot of it is explained or even seems to follow much of a plot. I more mean this for the anthology story, but even the other stuff is kind of odd for a Magnus Protocol episode.
“Interruptions” doesn’t interrupt in the way I had expected. Given that the episode, for a time, kept flitting to different moments around the office, I had assumed that the entire runtime would take place there. No statement. No anthology elements. A true interruption from the status quo.
“Driven” is such an interesting episode because of how much it’s a different subgenre than is typical of The Magnus Protocol. Yes, the events are horrific in concept. Yes, there are some obvious parallels to the very first episode of Archives. Yes, it has cosmic elements. But the nature of the narrative is more like reading a paranormal investigation story.
“Catching Up” is such an improvement from the last two episodes. It’s weird and horrific and takes its time to build to the horror. And the horror story both informs the overall story and works on its own. It’s an excellent entry.
I didn’t like “Gut Feelings” all that much. I can’t say since “Pet Project” has an episode been this much of a dud. The premise is strong, the ideas—in theory—scary, and the writing certainly got across the ideas the episode wanted to achieve…but I just didn’t like it.
