Scavengers Reign: The Signal
November 3, 2023 7:19 AM - Season 1, Episode 1 - Subscribe
After their deep-space freighter is damaged, the stranded crew of the Demeter must fight to survive on a beautiful yet dangerous planet. (series trailer)
The animation and design is exquisite - very reminiscent of Jean Giraud's work, as well as the wild bio-punk of the rebooted Prophet comic. It's interesting that they're releasing it in three episode bursts, which lets the audience savor each individual ep as part of a three course meal each week.
posted by FatherDagon at 8:43 AM on November 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by FatherDagon at 8:43 AM on November 3, 2023 [1 favorite]
Super good-looking.
I kind of hope it never ends though, sadly, I feel like the arc is pretty well defined.
However tv has evolved in the last dozen years, the trend of animation that is otherwise very 'niche' getting produced and finding an audience is pretty great.
posted by From Bklyn at 9:17 AM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
I kind of hope it never ends though, sadly, I feel like the arc is pretty well defined.
However tv has evolved in the last dozen years, the trend of animation that is otherwise very 'niche' getting produced and finding an audience is pretty great.
posted by From Bklyn at 9:17 AM on November 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
I was also reminded of Moebius' style -- smooth, clean, rounded lines and such. The flora and fauna of the planet and their strange metamorphoses also reminded me of Studio Ghibli style animation. What a great combo!
Only watched the first episode, but very psyched to see where this goes!
posted by Saxon Kane at 9:35 AM on November 3, 2023
Only watched the first episode, but very psyched to see where this goes!
posted by Saxon Kane at 9:35 AM on November 3, 2023
I've watched through episode 8 and I'm enjoying it, but the non-stop parade of new and weird lifeforms in every episode is getting tedious.
Although, it's clear that at least some of the weird lifeforms are not unknown to the survivors of the crash with their short time on Vesta - the vines used for power for the communication device, the creatures used as a respirator and the ones used as balloons to life them out of danger (or the writers were so keen on showing us the weird lifeforms that they didn't think how the survivors would already know how to take advantage of them).
posted by ShooBoo at 9:52 AM on November 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Although, it's clear that at least some of the weird lifeforms are not unknown to the survivors of the crash with their short time on Vesta - the vines used for power for the communication device, the creatures used as a respirator and the ones used as balloons to life them out of danger (or the writers were so keen on showing us the weird lifeforms that they didn't think how the survivors would already know how to take advantage of them).
posted by ShooBoo at 9:52 AM on November 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm still working through this show, but I'm reminded strongly of the Worlds of Aldebaran comic series by French/Brazillian writer/artist Léo. There's plenty of diverse aliens in this series, and there's even one, the iums, which are sort of panda shaped like the bad alien from Scavengers Reign. Léo's art style is a bit like a grounded version of Jean Giraud, the stories are full of wonder, adventure and cooperation. (I'd suggest looking at the wikipedia article and searching google for sites that might have the english translations of each chapter (Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, Antaries, etc,) online to read.)
The main problem I'm having with Scavengers Reign is the whole concept that they were going too close to the sun, yet they are in orbit around a planet teeming with life. The planet had to be the destination they were headed to, right? You wouldn't plot a course to go through one solar system to get to another. You'd want to get as many biological samples to take back with you, if the Demeter isn't there to establish a colony. If that could have been better clarified I'd appreciate it. Will probably binge through the rest this weekend though, maybe it's covered.
posted by Catblack at 2:18 PM on November 4, 2023
The main problem I'm having with Scavengers Reign is the whole concept that they were going too close to the sun, yet they are in orbit around a planet teeming with life. The planet had to be the destination they were headed to, right? You wouldn't plot a course to go through one solar system to get to another. You'd want to get as many biological samples to take back with you, if the Demeter isn't there to establish a colony. If that could have been better clarified I'd appreciate it. Will probably binge through the rest this weekend though, maybe it's covered.
posted by Catblack at 2:18 PM on November 4, 2023
Am up to 6 and for me the non-stop parade of new and weird lifeforms in every episode is not getting at all tedious, it's what I'm watching for!
I'm not sure enough happens plot-wise in a single episode to populate a per-episode fanfare. But I'm fully bought in on the show just on the art and vibes.
posted by BobInce at 4:57 PM on November 4, 2023 [7 favorites]
I'm not sure enough happens plot-wise in a single episode to populate a per-episode fanfare. But I'm fully bought in on the show just on the art and vibes.
posted by BobInce at 4:57 PM on November 4, 2023 [7 favorites]
like the bad alien from Scavengers Reign
I am fully of the opinion that the alien that teamed up with Kamen isn't 'bad' on its own, but has become so specifically because of the toxic loop that comes from interacting with Kamen's psyche. Each of the individual sets of survivors' experiences are colored by how they interact with the world they find themselves stranded in - fighting it, exploring and mastering it, giving in to the wonder of it all.
The psionic aliens operate in a kind of symbiotic work-delegation for food gathering, being fed and sustained by the particular beings of their biome by way of mental coaxing and rewards. Kamen's "partner" starts off actively trying to help and protect him, but the mental pathways of their communication slotted into Kamen's memories of his fairly crap relationship with Fiona and all that he projected onto it. As Kamen continues to find food in a manner reflecting his own repressed rage and loathing, the being continues to feed off of what it's being delivered, and changes because of that. At no point does Kamen come to terms with the fact that what he provides in a relationship is not healthy to either party...
posted by FatherDagon at 12:41 PM on November 6, 2023 [5 favorites]
I am fully of the opinion that the alien that teamed up with Kamen isn't 'bad' on its own, but has become so specifically because of the toxic loop that comes from interacting with Kamen's psyche. Each of the individual sets of survivors' experiences are colored by how they interact with the world they find themselves stranded in - fighting it, exploring and mastering it, giving in to the wonder of it all.
The psionic aliens operate in a kind of symbiotic work-delegation for food gathering, being fed and sustained by the particular beings of their biome by way of mental coaxing and rewards. Kamen's "partner" starts off actively trying to help and protect him, but the mental pathways of their communication slotted into Kamen's memories of his fairly crap relationship with Fiona and all that he projected onto it. As Kamen continues to find food in a manner reflecting his own repressed rage and loathing, the being continues to feed off of what it's being delivered, and changes because of that. At no point does Kamen come to terms with the fact that what he provides in a relationship is not healthy to either party...
posted by FatherDagon at 12:41 PM on November 6, 2023 [5 favorites]
Great video essay from Nerdwriter: Why Scavenger's Reign Actually Feels Alien
posted by gwint at 6:47 AM on November 20, 2023
posted by gwint at 6:47 AM on November 20, 2023
I definitely see the Moebius echoes, but it most strongly reminds of Brendon Graham’s Prophet comics. All the weird biostuff, using alien creatures as tools/accessories.
posted by rodlymight at 5:10 PM on November 25, 2023
posted by rodlymight at 5:10 PM on November 25, 2023
I'm obsessed with this show. Pure nightmare fuel, and I could not look away. The only criticism I have is that the storyline became more conventional around the halfway mark of the season, but it wasn't bad, just departed from pure weirdness. I would love to see this animation style applied to VanderMeer's Borne.
posted by Rora at 5:54 PM on November 26, 2023
posted by Rora at 5:54 PM on November 26, 2023
This is now available on Netflix. It's amazing.
posted by KaizenSoze at 7:12 PM on June 1 [1 favorite]
posted by KaizenSoze at 7:12 PM on June 1 [1 favorite]
I can't stop watching it, even though Godzilla: Minus One is right there. I love the combination of beauty with danger on the alien world and how certain species have additional value as a tool for this or that job.
I also appreciate, as I near the end, the use of geography to tie the location of individual characters toward their stated goal. Very beautiful animation and haunting music, too.
posted by Atreides at 2:11 PM on June 4 [1 favorite]
I also appreciate, as I near the end, the use of geography to tie the location of individual characters toward their stated goal. Very beautiful animation and haunting music, too.
posted by Atreides at 2:11 PM on June 4 [1 favorite]
This is engrossing.
On the other hand Kamen is so clearly Frank Smith from China, IL that I was shocked to discover that Brad Needly wasn't doing the voice.
posted by phooky at 7:15 AM on June 23 [3 favorites]
On the other hand Kamen is so clearly Frank Smith from China, IL that I was shocked to discover that Brad Needly wasn't doing the voice.
posted by phooky at 7:15 AM on June 23 [3 favorites]
This is just so precisely my shit. Of a piece with Annihilation, which I also loved in a way that comes back to me sometimes.
I loved how they managed to make extremely gnarly body horror kind of beautiful. The art was top notch across the board, and the animation hit a great balance between expressive and grounded choices in how the characters and creatures moved and navigated spaces.
I loved that basically everybody was making smart choices without enough information, and sometimes it worked out and sometimes it didn't. Even Kris, whose motivations were mercenary wasn't making bad calls. I can't entirely blame her for looking out for herself in a situation that harsh.
I loved that Kamen wasn't a sinister presence, unto himself. He'd be pitiable if he hadn't done so much damage with his bad choices.
Ursula and Azi were such great protagonists. I loved the feeling when they teamed up, like now we're going to see the two real centers of competence in this show work together, and they are going to handle this.
posted by Phobos the Space Potato at 12:10 PM on July 1 [2 favorites]
I loved how they managed to make extremely gnarly body horror kind of beautiful. The art was top notch across the board, and the animation hit a great balance between expressive and grounded choices in how the characters and creatures moved and navigated spaces.
I loved that basically everybody was making smart choices without enough information, and sometimes it worked out and sometimes it didn't. Even Kris, whose motivations were mercenary wasn't making bad calls. I can't entirely blame her for looking out for herself in a situation that harsh.
I loved that Kamen wasn't a sinister presence, unto himself. He'd be pitiable if he hadn't done so much damage with his bad choices.
Ursula and Azi were such great protagonists. I loved the feeling when they teamed up, like now we're going to see the two real centers of competence in this show work together, and they are going to handle this.
posted by Phobos the Space Potato at 12:10 PM on July 1 [2 favorites]
This is stunning. I’ve had to restart it a few times - it’s really not the kind of thing you can just have on in the background.
Anyway, one of my favorite things about this is the music. The theme music has a kind of Schubert/Brahms feel.
posted by bunderful at 8:25 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
Anyway, one of my favorite things about this is the music. The theme music has a kind of Schubert/Brahms feel.
posted by bunderful at 8:25 PM on July 11 [1 favorite]
One of my childhood buddies hit me up the other day.
posted by infinitewindow at 1:38 PM on July 19 [2 favorites]
Hey have you seen Scavenger Reign?He sent me a Netflix gift card just so I could watch the show with him. And it's the most engrossing thing I've seen since the Twin Peaks revival (which I worked on in a tertiary capacity, so, you know, biased).Nope, I don't have NetflixWhat's your email address?infinitewindow@etc.
Be sure to give Scavengers ReignHe is 100% correct. It's like Æon Flux meets Moebius meets Princess Mononoke meets Lost meets Station Eleven meets Jules Verne's novel The Mysterious Island.
two thumbs up so they'll renew it.
HBO sort of left it for dead
prematurely and it moved to Netflix
and has gotten a lot more visibility. It
also just got nominated for an Emmy.
It's very special and I think you'll like
it given what we grew up watching
posted by infinitewindow at 1:38 PM on July 19 [2 favorites]
I just noticed that the 8-minute short which preceded the show, Scavengers, is available to watch on YouTube. It's an interesting comparison, with no dialogue, much simpler/cartoonier art for faces, and even more elaborate biopunk tech. It features what seem to be prototype versions of Sam and Ursula, and the weird little flower guy who appears to Ursula in that strange forest of spines/rods.
posted by whir at 1:09 PM on July 24
posted by whir at 1:09 PM on July 24
It's such a crime that HBO didn't renew the series and sold it to Netflix, but maybe the larger potential audience will give it new life and a chance for another season.
It's fun every month or so seeing someone on social media lose their minds when they watch the show and become instant evangelists for it.
Also, recently I was introduced to the work of French animator René Laloux, specifically his little known (outside of France) film Gandahar, which (along with Moebius of course) seems like it must have been an influence.
posted by gwint at 5:43 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]
It's fun every month or so seeing someone on social media lose their minds when they watch the show and become instant evangelists for it.
Also, recently I was introduced to the work of French animator René Laloux, specifically his little known (outside of France) film Gandahar, which (along with Moebius of course) seems like it must have been an influence.
posted by gwint at 5:43 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]
It's like Æon Flux meets Mœbius meets Princess Mononoke meets Lost meets Station Eleven meets Jules Verne's novel The Mysterious Island.
…meets Cronenberg.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 6:43 PM on July 24 [2 favorites]
…meets Cronenberg.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 6:43 PM on July 24 [2 favorites]
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posted by gwint at 7:20 AM on November 3, 2023 [5 favorites]