Channel Zero S4E01 - “Ashes On My Pillow” - Episode Discussion
Posted Oct 2, 2018, 3:36 AM UTC
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DAMN. I HATE THAT WE GOTTA WAIT 4 WEEKS FOR THE REST. THAT WAS EXCELLENT.
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They are showing one episode per day, don't have to wait 4 weeks :)
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You misunderstand. I need to wait 4 weeks for episode 2 to air.
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The way u/Zendoku put it, it seems like they might have been thinking that it was airing every day starting now instead of the end of the month.
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[deleted]
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This was great! Really loved the theme of paranoia/paranoid atmosphere throughout. And I'm excited to see how the story unfolds, since I have a lot of questions already: I want to learn more about Barbara Crampton and Discount John Krasinski, along with Pretzel Jack, obviously, and what exactly is going on with the house.
As an aside, I'm always shocked when I remember how small the show's budget is. The production values and cinematography is better than a lot of big name shows airing right now.
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Spot on. The show looks expensive. Especially for SyFy. The premiere was shot so well. Love the use of color. And they picked a really nice house to use.
No End House was more weird than scary, but it also looked amazing.
I hope this show does not get cancelled now that I am into it.
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So Pretzel Jack seems a childhood protector/self manifestation? Could it turn on her, maybe as she tries to save her marriage/husband? There will be some unfortunate poor souls in between her and Pretzel Jack going forward.
Went to www.syfy.com/feedback to express admiration and appeal for many more years. I’m in no way associated with the show but have been with it since the beginning like I imagine many of you. It couldn’t hurt to chime in!
I’d honestly love to see a future season where extradimensional spaces of prior seasons are tied in somehow. Maybe the void of CC, the House world of NEH, the home of the Pestilence King in BB, and now this new bubble universe we’re just scratching upon — all generate from some strange, eerie quantum space. Some future season seeing characters encounter incomprehensible moments from prior seasons. Could be hacky but I love the idea of connective tissue, even if lightly insinuated.
And now, the long October fugue until episode 2.
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I also think the dog might be some sort of manifestation of some childhood source of comfort too? She also said she had a stuffed dog that looked exactly like the one they found in the basement. Also, the dog appeared similarly to Pretzel Jack - popped up out of nowhere and then ran past Jillian up the stairs.
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That's pretty much where the show is deliberately leading us to believe. It's apparent that episode 1 heavily implies the doors, the dog, and Pretzel Jack are solely tied to Jillian, likely manifestations of her traumatized psyche. The problem will likely be exacerbated by Jillian's trust issues and the tension in her marriage, leading to a climatic confrontation.
I'm a bit concerned that this season is being a bit too obvious, but hopefully there will be a layer of complexity that will continue to capture interest. I don't feel that the same level of "mystery" that existed in the other three seasons. Except maybe the neighbor, who I felt was a murderer that killed the previous owners, but I don't think that's likely anymore. Just some weirdo that has some connection to Jillian or Tom or that lady Tom spoke with in the store.
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I wrote a little bit of positive feedback as well. Can't hurt to share our appreciation with them. Thanks for posting the link. Made it simple to do
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Maybe they could do this connected-universe thing somehow related to actor Bradley Sawatsky, who has appeared in every season thus far (1-3) & I really hope makes a cameo of some level in this season.
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just wait ; )
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I’ve finished the first 3 episodes of the new season, did I miss his appearance (if there is one)? BTW, I LOVED Mrs Booth returning, my mom & sister audibly gasped they were so excited
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Keep waiting...
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That final exit!!! I burst out laughing. Anyone have a screenshot of the letter she ripped up? I’m assuming it’s from her dad?
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I started laughing when he did the first back flip thing immediately afterward... it was so wrong but so right.
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I bursted out laughing too. Pretzel Jeff is the best kind of scary clown.
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#pretzeljackdidnothingwrong
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Pretzel Jack
FTFY
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She ripped that up? I though she just stuffed it in her purse, wonder if they're going to elaborate on that.
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Jesus Christ that ending scene was absolutely brutal. The music is just fucking creepy as all hell too.
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Alright that ending scene was fucking amazing
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This episode was absolutely incredible. I watch a lot of horror films and i'm not easily frightened but something about this concept though really creeped me out. I jumped and even yelped in surprise at least 3 times. I look forward to this series every year.
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I’m probably completely wrong, but I’m getting the weirdest vibe that the neighbour is Pretzel Jack somehow. Totally BS I know, but can’t shake the feeling every time I see him.
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I’m thinking the neighbor will be a red herring & end up helping them near the end. But the fact that he makes a point of saying he’s never seen the owners of the house & they’re supposed to be in Florida is pretty suspicious.
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I watched an episode of forensic files where a guy had killed someone and started living in their house. I could see this being where the story is going.
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I felt that was a little too obvious & generic for horror mediums that the weird neighbor just happens to be involved, I expect something better & more original from this show & am hoping he has nothing to do with it
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He'll likely be some sort of empath.
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Ok seriously finding a dog in your basement is weird.
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Hopefully that’ll come up later in the season. I want answers!
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Minor Spoilers Below
That was... Incredible and unnervingly terrifying. I hope I don't have nightmares of Pretzel Jack. I think that the episode had a great start. The appearance of the door and the slow degradation of the two main character's relationship appeared natural, as was the dialogue. I loved the quip about the "Berenstæn Bears or that movie Shazam with Shaq" that was hilarious!
I just can't shake that last scene. I feel pretty shaken and I truly wasn't expecting that (especially how fast Jack is and how he does his tricks). All around, 5 stars. Extremely scary. Does the original story justice and even world builds around it. Can't miss TV.
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Funny, up until he mentioned the Mandela effect, I'd been on Tom's side in all the disagreements he'd had with Jillian. After that, I was all "don't give me any more reason to side against you".
The Mandela effect is quite honestly the most ridiculous and overrated conspiracy theory in my opinion.
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I 100% believe in the mandela effect.
I used to love that sinbad genie movie and even thought about how i should watch it again over the years then i read about the berenstein bears one and saw the sinbad one with it and freaked the fuck out
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Well, they could've done it without jumpscares! As if it wasn't scary enough as is.
Still, so great. Channel Zero never stops impressing me. I love the characters this time and I'm truly interested in their storylines.
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I've noticed a great opposition against jump scares. I love them. I know that its kind of cliche, but I feel a truly scary film should have a few of them.
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Jumpscares are good so long as the horror doesn't solely rely on them.
There are many horror shows/movies/games that do jumpscares well. The main thing is there has to be proper build, have them make sense, and not overuse them or make them feel cheap.
The massive opposition is mostly due to the fact that so much horror media within the last decade has relied more and more on cheap jumpscares that just don't make sense and are unrelated to what's going on.
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Glorious premiere. Fucking epic ending... I think this one's going to rival Candle Cove.
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DUDE right after the first appearance of Pretzel Jack the player stopped and said "Video Engine Error," freaked the shit out of me. So right now the plot seems straight forward, but I know Nick Antosca said himself to not go where he first thinks of. She probably knew what the door meant already but Pretzel Jack is going to protect her based on her distrust and suspicion, and she'll either learn to deal with it or she and her husband will have to end up owning their faults if they have any secrets. Still have mixed feelings on Pretzel Jack since he's kinda too humorous for me like the schizo monster from Butcher's Block, but the overall style of the season is damn great. Anyone remember what movies inspired this season again?
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Anyone remember what movies inspired this season again?
IIRC, Hitchcock, Polanski, De Palma, and Cronenberg are the inspirations for this season
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The stabbing was very Psycho
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That ending was scary and funny at the same time.
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i am shoooooketh
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Her husband's best friend is getting murdered.
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A) Attack the crazy guy and save him.
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B) Run away and save yourself.
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C) Stand there and watch.
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Ever read the about the Milgrim experiments? people often do nothing in such moments.
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Americans
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Seen all the seasons, S4E1 was absolutely amazing. How can we get more people to watch so we don't lose the series?
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Also, her husband's friend was a dick.
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Agreed.
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Ahh. Sneaky "wine cellar" reference. I see what you did there.
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That premiere rivals the creature reveal in Candle Cove. Jesus, that was amazing.
For me the whole episode was nice, slow-burn story buildup & paced-out reveals dolled out kinda like Candle Cove, then Pretzel Jack’s creepy little moments (trying to avoid spoilers) doubled as additional buildup to that incredible last scene. The contortionist actor for PJ has the most unsettling, perfect timing I’ve ever seen
I'm pretty sure that's Twisty Troy, the same guy who played the spider-walking Schizophrenia Monster in Butcher's Block.
You are correct
That is awesome, that thing was definitely one of my favorite moments from last season
I want to avoid spoiler territory too, and I totally agree with you.
Yeah, this episode was incredible. The pacing was excellent and I jumped a few times throughout it. Toward the end of the episode, I knew I was gonna be freaked out by the creature hiding in the doorway. Something about unnatural movement REALLY terrifies me. There is some serious promise in this season and I truly hope it isn't the last.