Thread by @OneShotRPG

So I made it to the end of #MagnusArchives by @TheRustyQuill and I need to say some things!

(Don't worry, no spoilers)

I found Magnus after some frustrating experiences with other horror podcasts.

Any show telling a new written story every episode is taking on a monumental challenge. Especially with horror.

Horror, really good horror, is a delicate thing. There are many of points of failure.

Every episode needs a compelling story, carefully paced introduction of ideas, a well crafted atmosphere, a reason to care about the characters, and good performers to deliver everything.

I have listened to alot of horror/thriller/suspense shows. The vast majority don't hook me.

Pacing, atmosphere, and performance are so critical and I have gotten legit mad when people sent me shows where one of these was weak. It kills the whole experience.

Shows that do hook me often can't hold it together for more than a season before the plot makes all of the horror too common to be really effective.

Magnus just in format is brilliant. It is almost always delivered from the perspective of a character who is discovering horrible things for the first time.

Even if the audience and the main characters know what is going on, the statment characters mostly don't.

This allows them to pace almost every story the way a horror story *needs to be paced* in order to really hit hard.

There are exceptions– episodes building the universe and characters– but I feel like Magnus earns those and never truly abandons the format that drew me in.

On top of that, Magnus has an absolutely stellar cast. They maintain complex and human stories underneath pulpy larger-than-life circumstances.

I never disbelieved or rolled my eyes at a performance in Magnus, which is almost impossible.

Podcasts are an extremely intimate way to consume horror. If something is off in a performance– if someone isn't good or can't make you feel their character– it ruins everything. You feel at worst embarrassed for them and at best disengaged.

The Rusty Quill team is so talented and their directors and producers use that talent so well.

Choosing when to deploy "emotionally authentic performance" vs "presentationally effective performance" is not easy and you need real chops to pull it off consistently.

I can't do this whole thread without specifically calling out @jonnywaistcoat's versatility specifically. He captures so many different characters without abandoning his core personas (plural because "Jon" and "The Archivist" are really well defined.)

Of course you also need to credit his writing. I could go on about his horror work specifically, but I think that is well praised pretty often.

Instead I'd rather focus on his versatile command of character voice and his fantastic ability to represent different perspectives.

People from all different walks of life and experience make statements over the course of the series and I believe them all.

Jonny captures little details about butchers, sailors, academics, and so many more that feel authentic.

That ability to present a character as a real person with real experiences makes the horror so much more effective. On top of that it's just good writing!

The Magnus Archives is not just my favorite horror podcast. It's my favorite horror anything.

If you haven't listened (and you can deal with some real scary stories) do yourself a favor and give it a shot.

To everyone on the @TheRustyQuill team I offer hearty congratulations and thanks for a spectacular series

If there were any justice you could float off on a cloud of decadent luxury and self-indulgent personal projects after this for what you achieved with this show.

Well done!