# The Terror (AMC series) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 6, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933 "2018-04-06T17:54:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/1 "2018-04-06T17:54:22Z")
Anyone watching this? I enjoyed the book by Dan Simmons, and I’ve just watched a couple of episodes, but it’s in that very tip-top tier of historical shows so far that only shows like Deadwood and Rome meet, IMHO. Very, very highly recommended, though it’s certainly not for the squeamish. Great cast – Ciaran Hinds, Jared Harris, Tobias Menzies, and more. The basics: mid 19th century, two British ships are stuck in ice in an arctic expedition for the Northwest Passage. Things start to go badly for them, particularly when a massive polar bear that some of the crew start to suspect has supernatural powers stalks the crews. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/2 "2018-04-06T18:05:06Z")
I have so far watched the first three episodes, because I liked the lavish visuals. The thought that kept running through my head was, this was a real expedition, and the sailors all went through years of hell and perished to a man, right? The polar bear/offending the gods may be a powerful metaphor, but I keep thinking the real experience was probably even more horrible (cannibalism, lead poisoning, scurvy, etc.; polar bears may have been the least of their worries. ---
**Author:** ![Rough\_Draft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rough\_Draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rough_Draft)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2018, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/3 "2018-04-06T19:00:35Z")
I thought the novel was one of the best things I’ve read in years, and I was really excited to see that it was going to be adapted into a big-budget TV series (I don’t think a theatrical film would have enough time to address the story effectively). Unfortunately I don’t have access to AMC, so I’ll have to wait until it becomes available somewhere else to see it. I’ve been reading the episode reviews at [vulture.com](http://vulture.com), and it seems as though the TV show plot is diverging pretty strongly from the novel, but it still sounds like an excellent effort. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/4 "2018-04-06T19:37:02Z")
There’s no good way to stream AMC without getting another service, huh? I guess they make it to Netflix, eventually. Looks like E1 and E3 are free on their website, but not sure I want to start something without a way to finish it. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/5 "2018-04-09T12:54:44Z")
I watched the first 2 episodes and would have would have watched all that is available but I don’t have AMC, and though it looks like you can watch it by \* providing your log in for your cable subscriber, I cannot for the life of me remember what that is. Jared Harris and Ciaran Hinds are among my favorites and they don’t disappoint. In these roles, were I reading the script I would imagine them playing the other’s part. At first it was a bit jarring but I came to find it really effective. The only thing that feels slightly off the mark is the back story of JH wooing CH’s niece and her rejection supposedly causing his melancholy state. . I was kind of surprised at how graphic some parts are the autopsy scene made \* me \*a bit queasy and I watch a lot of horror) but it truly is the atmosphere that brings on the fear. - Does that mean I’ll be charged? It sounds like it’s free - I didn’t see anything in disclaimer that mentioned a price- but I don’t want any surprises on my bill. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/6 "2018-04-09T13:52:21Z")
I have enjoyed the series, so far! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/7 "2018-04-09T14:00:31Z")
I’ve liked it so far. My wife is all about it so I watch it with her; don’t know if I’d make time otherwise but I rarely watch TV. The atmosphere is great, especially the sound work with the constant creaking and groaning of the ice in the background. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/8 "2018-04-09T14:43:50Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > The only thing that feels slightly off the mark is the back story of JH wooing CH’s niece and her rejection supposedly causing his melancholy state. . That’s the thing- when a scene like that appears, or (let’s take the book) says something like “John Franklin had prayed that [his wife] would die”, or that Crozier polished off a bottle of whisky every evening, where is Dan Simmons getting that from? It is a bit distracting, and disrespectful if it isn’t true. ---
**Author:** ![Rough\_Draft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rough\_Draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rough_Draft)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/9 "2018-04-09T16:54:54Z")
It would be cool if they could incorporate the recently discovered ship locations into the plot of the TV show (they’re not at Simmons’ assumed locations). But I guess that would be asking a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/10 "2018-04-09T20:01:31Z")
Based on this thread’s recommendation, we binged the three episodes AMC has on demand. I think there’s a new episode on tap tonight (gotta check wifey set the DVR up). I REALLY like this show so far. I would like to see handsome Tobias Menzies be a “good guy” someday, but thinking of him as Evil Jack from _Outlander_ is fun. This show also makes me excited for when \*Taboo \*returns on FX – different plot, but same dark feeling. Are the doggie and monkey still alive? I’m anxious, cuz I know they’ll eventually be people food. Thus far I’m seeing a fun mash-up of _The Thing_, Poe’s “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym,” and something else that’s at the tip of my brain that I can’t recall at the moment – thusly I’m putting in a self-reminder here. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/11 "2018-04-09T20:28:23Z")
Oh hey, I guess I can ask this here. Episode Three Spoiler: Did Jared Harris (well, his character) resign his captaincy in a letter before the “real” captain got mauled by Monster Bear? I thought that he wrote a letter of resignation but then the mauling occurred before he could deliver it. My wife thought the letter was something else and said nothing like that was in the book (I didn’t read it). Did I just misread or misinterpret that part? Entirely possible. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/12 "2018-04-09T21:11:49Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Oh hey, I guess I can ask this here. Episode Three Spoiler: > > Did Jared Harris (well, his character) resign his captaincy in a letter before the “real” captain got mauled by Monster Bear? I thought that he wrote a letter of resignation but then the mauling occurred before he could deliver it. My wife thought the letter was something else and said nothing like that was in the book (I didn’t read it). Did I just misread or misinterpret that part? Entirely possible. I think the resig etter was unread on Commander’s desk? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/13 "2018-04-09T21:27:47Z")
> [@Rough\_Draft](#): > > It would be cool if they could incorporate the recently discovered ship locations into the plot of the TV show (they’re not at Simmons’ assumed locations). But I guess that would be asking a lot. Nothing simpler, I think: when Captain Crozier starts experiencing his _weird, freaky visions_ of the future, just splice in some brief shots of the underwater wreckage. Unlike the book, I don’t think the TV show yet has many specific counterfactual details like the final locations of the ships, that the men brought along the ships’ bells when in fact both were found on deck, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/14 "2018-04-09T21:58:32Z")
Is there a lot of CGI in this show or are they shooting at a snowy location/on an elaborate stage? ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2018, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/15 "2018-04-09T23:29:09Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I watched the first 2 episodes and would have would have watched all that is available but I don’t have AMC, and though it looks like you can watch it by \* providing your log in for your cable subscriber, I cannot for the life of me remember what that is. > > - Does that mean I’ll be charged? It sounds like it’s free - I didn’t see anything in disclaimer that mentioned a price- but I don’t want any surprises on my bill. I don’t think you’ll be charged, unless they specifically state it. What they’re trying to verify is that your cable package includes access to that channel. If it doesn’t, you’ll probably get a message to that effect and possibly some information on how to get access to episodes. > [@Jophiel](#): > > Oh hey, I guess I can ask this here. Episode Three Spoiler: > > Did Jared Harris (well, his character) resign his captaincy in a letter before the “real” captain got mauled by Monster Bear? I thought that he wrote a letter of resignation but then the mauling occurred before he could deliver it. My wife thought the letter was something else and said nothing like that was in the book (I didn’t read it). Did I just misread or misinterpret that part? Entirely possible. Don’t know if we’re spoilering or not, but just in case: Yes, he wrote a resignation letter, but Franklin died before reading it. Hickey (?) found it, however, which I assume will crop up later. I found Franklin’s death karmic. His behavior had been wholly inappropriate for the leader of the expedition, start to finish, and doomed them all. I don’t know why they wouldn’t let Silence look at her father’s body for herself and try to find whatever she was looking for (and it seems obvious what she was looking for). I’m enjoying the series. It’s been fun to watch this. It’s made me think about digging up my Horatio Hornblower DVDs. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/16 "2018-04-10T12:56:01Z")
I didn’t know this book was adapted to film. I have to watch it. Dan Simmons is a genius. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/17 "2018-04-10T13:12:55Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > Is there a lot of CGI in this show or are they shooting at a snowy location/on an elaborate stage? Looks like [stage and CGI](http://deadline.com/2018/01/the-terror-horror-north-passage-search-amc-tca19th-century-search-for-north-passage-1202242757/). > [@](#): > > Asked where they decided to shoot “what looks like the coldest place on earth without wrecking their cameras,” EP and co-showrunner Soo Hugh acknowledged it was shot on a sound stage in Budapest. Kajganich notes the arctic of 1845 does not exist anymore. Some shooting also was done off the coast of Croatia, he said. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/18 "2018-04-11T15:12:52Z")
I finally had a chance to watch a few more episodes. > [@Jennshark](#): > > Are the doggie and monkey still alive? I’m anxious, cuz I know they’ll eventually be people food. The monkey dies of lead poisoning in Ep. 6, even before everyone abandons ship. The mini-series seems to be following a more lurid, condensed plot than the book, which is not necessarily a good choice. Of course, like I said above, I really wonder what contemporaries of the expedition would have made of it all. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/19 "2018-04-11T18:16:42Z")
If you search carefully, or go to one of the exhibitions, you can see some of the artifacts and bits recovered from the expedition: [https://www.archaeology.org/slideshow/4567-canada-erebus-shipwreck-slideshow](https://www.archaeology.org/slideshow/4567-canada-erebus-shipwreck-slideshow) [http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections.html#!csearch;authority=subject-90627;exhibitionReference=subject-90627](http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections.html#!csearch;authority=subject-90627;exhibitionReference=subject-90627) [http://www.arabianbusiness.com/gallery/376006-in-pictures-franklins-death-in-the-ice-exhibition-in-london?page=4&img=4](http://www.arabianbusiness.com/gallery/376006-in-pictures-franklins-death-in-the-ice-exhibition-in-london?page=4&img=4) > **[Artifacts recovered from Franklin's HMS Erebus include cannon, dishes | CBC News](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/photos/artifacts-recovered-from-franklin-s-hms-erebus-include-cannon-dishes-1.3073949)** > > Artifacts, including dishes, buttons and a cannon recovered from the High Arctic wreck of the Franklin expedition's HMS Erebus came to the surface through an ice hole during a joint Parks Canada, Royal Canadian Navy mission in April 2015. It is all rather sombre. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933/20 "2018-04-16T12:58:27Z")
I watched a few more episodes over the weekend. Even though I knew it was coming, the captain’s death still kind of shocked and saddened me. The way it was done, with the ice hole and the burial of his leg; the whole thing - this whole show - is absolutely chilling (no pun intended ) One thing I didn’t quite get is the guy who got the top of his head torn off. We see him on the doctor’s table, his brain exposed, and I could have sworn they were saying something to the effect that none of his other vital functions had been affected (?) Did I mishear or were they speaking of someone else? Shortly thereafter we see a man in the doc’s office getting a bandage put on his head and it kind of looked like the first guy (though many of them look quite alike to me). They couldn’t be the same person(?) but then we never hear about brain guy again. I really like Hickey, or rather Adam Nagaitis, the actor playing him. That being said, does anyone else notice he always has a smirk / quizzical smile on his (adorable) face? Is that a deliberate choice in playing the character or is that just the way the actor naturally looks? His photo on IMDB shows the same smile so maybe that’s just his default expression. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terror-amc-series/811933.md?page=2)