I like Lovecraft mythology a lot, to be honest, I have one of his books, unread, but still. I’m also a fan of the old American climate. Adding HBO to it, which, lately, makes a large quantity of great TV, encouraged me even more to give this series a try. Of course, I’m satisfied with the result, I wouldn’t talk about it otherwise. And since just two episodes have aired, I’m gonna go just over those two.
*SPOILERS* ahead.
We meet our hero, Atticus, when he comes home from the war, to search his father, who has gone missing. At the same time, we meet his cousin, aunt, and uncle, from which the last one will be an essential part of these two episodes. The scenes taking place in the first city are pretty dull compared to the rest. After a while, we also meet Leti, another addition to the main squad, and Tic’s hinted love interest. Together they go on a life-changing adventure 1950s racist America. For like 40 minutes. At that time, they get threatened and almost shot dead. Unlike some internet users, I’m not overwhelmed with shows taking time to criticize racism. I can even say that I like how Lovecraft Country (2020-) showed this problem because it just was entertaining. The overdrawn racism just added to the bizarre situations that came next.
And that’s when it hits. When the creators go all in and kill the cops with a bunch of monsters. I have to say, I was surprised and sat on the edge of my chair. I don’t know Lovecraft lore, but I know it’s weird. I had my mind open and hoped for the best. I don’t want to talk about the CGI, since I’m not an expert, and I know that this technology can be expensive. The monsters, as few, as they were, looked well for a TV Show. Even the change seemed convincing. When our heroes finally fought their way to safety, we meet the group that will be killed and ends the episode with a cliffhanger. At this moment, I was hooked. You can clearly say that he was somehow related to the girl that saved them earlier.
As it turned out in, the second episode was filled with open plots and left me with more questions than I had before. I’m gonna start with the cult. It was unsatisfying, how quick they were brought and how soon we told them goodbye. We didn’t get to know anything more, besides some basics of their plan. Any interesting members? I don’t know, cause we just met two. And none of them got enough screentime. I could agree that Mr. Braithwhite got some scenes, which carved his character, but he died too soon to grow. Although, I’m curious how Christina will turn out. She made a big impression on me throughout those two episodes, and I gladly watch, if she could take Leti’s place as the love interest.
The same problem goes with the locations. The house got a lot of attention, which turned out very well for it. The little things, like magic or secret cult rule books, those details shaped the incredible, mysterious atmosphere, that this show stands on. But if you give something too much attention, other stuff will hurt because of it. It was a problem with the main characters and the villains, and it’s visible here in some way. We get just a glimpse of the village, which would be an exciting place to explore. Contrarily, it wasn’t too important, because the story didn’t need it to be. And I can’t say the same about the ritual and the apogee of these episodes. It got barely any context, added even more uncertainties, and kills a bunch of important characters that haven’t had the time yet, to impress the viewer.
As for the main characters, which I didn’t go into earlier, I like them. Every one of them had a place in the story, had time to add something of their own, interact with others. Each has a place in the group, they complete each other. Tic is the muscles, Leti is the hearth, and Uncle George was the brain. The fascinating task for the writers will be how to change George to Tic’s father. If he won’t be the brain, then what duty will he be attached too?
Spoiler-free sum up, coming up.
The first episode, with the too-long entrance, manages to be a very pleasing one. It succeeds in keeping the viewer on the edge of his chair, even before the leashes let go in the third act. At the beginning of the show, I said to myself, either they go for a full-on sneaky horror ar they go all-in with the monsters, magic and other. I’m glad to see they didn’t stint on the special effects and gave an entertaining series. In the second episode, we get even more staggering lore. Of course, this isn’t a show without flaws. The second episode lacks in exploring their side characters and makes a lot of stupid decisions. It also leaves the viewer with a bunch of unanswered questions, which I hope they will explain in the future since it’s HBO. In the end, I liked the mysterious atmosphere, Lovecraft mythology, and I’m engaged in the story. So much so that I even decided to buy the book. I, personally, give it a tentacle up.
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Pic. 1 Lovecraft Country (2020-) promotional thumbnail, Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett, Courtney B. Vance, Lovecraft Country (2020-), creators Misha Green and Jordan Peele, HBO
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Pic. 2 Tic, Leti and Uncle George, Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett, Courtney B. Vance, Lovecraft Country (2020-), creators Misha Green and Jordan Peele, HBO
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Pic. 3 The cult ready for the ritual, Jonathan Majors, Lovecraft Country (2020-), creators Misha Green and Jordan Peele, HBO
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Princess with Pancakes 