1899 Season 1 Episode 5-8 Review: The Calling, The Pyramid, The Storm, The Key

While 1899 Season 1 Episodes 1-4 build the foundational lore of the world viewers see, 1899 Season 1 Episode 5-8 completely undoes it all.

With a series of twists and turns introduced during the final four hours, you will question everything these characters have been through thus far.

While Maura, Eyk, and the others begin to investigate what is happening throughout the ship upon a horrifying event triggered by the clock ticking in Episode 5, “The Calling,” those who are left alive must work together to survive it.

Mass Hysteria and Mob Mentality

With the tragic and uncomfortable fate most of the ship faces in “The Calling,” Tove and Krester’s family play a pivotal role as their mother and father bring their faith to the fore in a way that makes for a compelling, if frustrating, watch.

The subtle escalation of Iben’s power to the point where she can tell her followers that they must find The Boy and throw him overboard is terrifying. But in those moments, the show’s narrative finds a parallel and connection to our world.

The willingness with which those around Iben must do unspeakably despicable things to a young boy because their leader tells them to do it for salvation is something. And the way it’s done throughout the second half is admirable and one of its better storytelling qualities.

Not to mention the absolute heartbreak over the entire family’s plight. From Ada to Krester to Tove, watching their arc unfold throughout the season makes for an enthralling watch, hitting all the emotional beats with such force that you feel it from your seat.

If 1899 gets a season 2, I would love to see that kind of focus on other characters and their emotional arcs.

The Protagonist Becomes the Villain…Or Does She?

For the better part of the season, viewers only have what Maura can remember to have us believe that she is a victim in the whole situation and that her father is the villain, playing with these defenseless people’s minds for his experimental gain.

It’s this premise that makes the reveal of who the Creator is more shocking. With such a big reveal, the question becomes, can a victim be a victimizer without any memory of why the simulation exists?

What Is Even Going On?

The final reveal in the last moments of Episode 8, “The Key,” does nothing to provide a picture of what is happening. It’s interesting that despite the predictability of this reveal, introduction of a new setting, and answer to keep viewers assuaged for the hiatus, there’s no understandable reasoning. Whatsoever.

It truly is a shame that despite the solid bones of the story, characters, and premise, the narrative takes a few too many turns for my enjoyment. Though “The Key” offers insights into the bigger picture, there are still too many questions to make the experience anything more than frustrating with no payoff in sight.

Why was 1899 chosen? What do these people all have in common? What is Project Prometheus trying to prove?

What did you think of this episode of 1899? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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1899 Season 1 is streaming on Netflix now!

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