“Previous Administration” Is Mostly Getrude’s Tale

The big question I have for “Previous Administration” is how much of what happens in this story is connected to The Magnus Archives’ version of Getrude? Is this, more or less, her origin story? I suppose there might’ve been some clues back in the original series I’ve forgotten, but up until she actively starts killing people (who are not her family members), this does seem like a valid way she could’ve ended up the archivist before John. Sure, she may serve The Eye in Archives, but John got started with The Web, so why not her first exposure to The Fears being The Hunt or The Slaughter? Makes enough sense to me.

But what’s got big lore implications for both series is what we learn about Gerry. Back in Archives, there’s a somewhat throwaway line (by Gerry, funny enough) explaining that there are no gods of love or happiness, but—apparently—it’s possible for Externals in Protocol to have mostly positive powers (though, I’d argue this power is still morally messed up). Does this mean there might be others, or even some of our cast might be able to do things? Obviously, this tells us way more about what was happening with Sam when he was a kid—and saw that horrible skeletal thing—but does he have powers, too? It’s all a little pulpy superhero fiction for my taste, if so, but the series does consistently surprise me with its interesting takes on its core concepts, and “Previous Administration” is only our first look.

The Last Bit Feels Like Aggressive Foreshadowing

In contrast, though, a plot point that’s been going for a little is Gwen’s continuous arrogance pushing the Externals to rush down the OIAR. She seems wildly overconfident that she can control them just by cutting them off from their services. I know I already predicted there would be a massacre, and, at least from what I can tell, there’s been a decent amount of time in-universe since then—with no hint of invaders—but even Jane Prentis took her time attacking. An invasion’s still my working theory, especially with how easily people can get into the building. Either that, or the lack of stabilized, categorized fear will anger something worse than a bunch of Externals. There is a third season planned after all, and the trajectory should only go bigger.

As to how this episode is as a horror podcast episode, it’s basically not one. That’s why I’ve avoided talking much about how scary it is. It’s all lore; the point isn’t really horror. This can never be on a list of great standalone episodes because it would be extremely confusing. Though “Previous Administration” is a great episode for a re-listen, once this is all done, and I consider that more important. Sue Sim’s is an amazing voice actor, and having everyone talk like they’re overjoyed, even when held at gunpoint, is hilarious and makes for a great side-by-side comparison with the also excellent previous episode, “Oversight.” Be it informative, lore-heavy, silly, heartbreaking, or anything else, I think the takeaway is that The Magnus Protocol is great at monologs and I’ll happily hear the next one.