magnus protocol season 1 part 1 praise and credits
all right my lovelies, we are at our Magnus protocol hiatus and you know what that means?
Credit where credit is due, we do not get wonderful stories without wonderful storytellers, and storytellers don’t get to tell stories without the people working tirelessly to bring the story to the audience. So thanks to everyone at Rusty Quill who makes these stories possible! I also want to shout praises to our part 1 guest writers: Graeme Patrick, Cole Weavers, Jamie Petronis, Shaun Pellington. Stellar work everyone!
All credits and my thoughts on each episode are below, so SPOILERSSSSSSSSS, you have been warned.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 1 – First Shift
CAT1RBC5257-12052022-09012024 Reanimation (Partial) -/- Regret [Email] CAT23RAB2155-10042022-09012024 Transformation (eyes) -/- Trespass [chat log]
Written by Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall
Script Editing by Alexander J Newall and Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: stunner of a first episode, juggling meeting literally everyone and setting up the huge diversity of case styles we will be seeing. Also shout out to Alex for making sure we got such a banger of a line: ‘Canaries should stay above ground’.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 2 – Making Adjustments
CAT3RBC1567-23092022-18012024 Transformation (full) -/- dysmorphic [video call]
Written by Alexander J Newall
Script Editing by Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: Like walking down a stone spiral staircase, you never know what the next thing is going to be (but you know it'll be dark and make your stomach drop a little). Enjoying the twist on accurate CS terminology (yes, contractors ARE called Externals).
The Magnus Protocol Episode 3 – Putting Down Roots
CAT2C8175-03042009-22012024 Infection (full body) -/- arboreal [journal entry]
Written by Graeme Patrick (for more of his work visit https://www.aintslayednobody.com)
Script Editing with Additional Materials by Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall
Thoughts: absolutely now a fan favourite, compelling gruesome body horror, with an intriguing backstory. The slow unravelling of a mind. Brings to mind horrors like Kafka's The Metamorphosis and the film The Ruins (not because they are similar stories necessarily, but, well, vibes). Definitely need more Graeme Patrick in my life!
The Magnus Protocol Episode 4 – Taking Notes
CAT3C7494-19111831-29012024 Collection (blood) -/- musical [letter]
Written by Cole Weavers (for more of his work visit https://www.thetownwhispers.com)
Script Editing with Additional Materials by Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall
Thoughts: A curious tale, that gets more curious in the re-hearing. Sure, an instrument plays the player. But how was the teacher driven wild BEFORE the pupil got the special violin? Maybe the chaos was from him, and the violin was a conduit? Got to hear more Cole stories! Dear grandpa Augustus does always tell such lovely stories, if Tim Fearon can narrate my life, that would be great thx. Also - need a promotion? get your windows NT to tattle on your boss! Lena giving Gertrude vibes with the killing-my-assistants theme.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 5 – Personal Screening
CAT2RB2377-10012023-05022024 Disappearance (undetermined) -/- Invitation [internet blog]
Written by Alexander J Newall and Jamie Petronis (for more of his work visit https://www.thecellarletters.com/)
Script Editing with Additional Materials by Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall.
Thoughts: I really love this one, it is such a brilliant thrilling story that genuinely has me shouting 'WHAT? WHAT HAPPENED? I need more details!!' - which is a hallmark of all good mysteries honestly. Will be on the hunt for more Jamie stories.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 6– Introductions
CAT1RB4824-09022024-12022024 Injury (needles) -/- intimidation [999 call]
Written by Jonathan Sims
Script Editing with Additional Materials by Alexander J Newall
Thoughts: Needles is a lame tryhard. I love him. Also Alice referring to Lena as 'Big Bird' is hilarious. Also, yay, Celia!
The Magnus Protocol Episode 7 – Give and Take
CAT2RC3338-03022016-12022024 Agglomeration (miscellany) -/- congregation [email]
Written by Alexander J Newall
Script Editing with Additional Materials by Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: I really hope that Mr Clayton turns up again. As the remains of a crime scene. Also, worldbuilding: hello Oxford. hello people in what is essentially an antique shop repeating the same phrases. Getting déjà vu. And Gwen, you know the Civil Service is really easy to move around, right? You can get a secondment, a loan, a transfer, there's internal job adverts... are you sure you want a promotion?
The Magnus Protocol Episode 8 – Running on Empty
CAT2RBC3366-12072023-28022024 Architecture (liminal) -/-hunger [coursework]
Written by Alexander J Newall
Script Editing with Additional Materials by Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: I feel like I just experienced a TMA/Backrooms crossover and I can dig it. Interesting repetition of ... repetition as a theme ('people' repeating phrases over and over). I like this one a lot, I feel that it communicates a great deal about the way this universe (or at least, its spooky experiences) works. Also, I really really hope Gee Gee is a villain in this story, just so Sue Sims can be the tiny cackling witch she was destined to be.
Interestingly, the official transcript has the name Hostile Workplace - an early title perhaps?
The Magnus Protocol Episode 9 – Rolling With It
CAT3RB3354-14101998-08032024 Dice (bone) -/- fate [Magnus Statement]
Written by Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall
Thoughts: This is a fun one, and does put an interesting twist on the idea of owning an artefact, that one could compel others to take the negative consequences. Can't decide if the ending (oh one last time) is too predictable - but definitely immensely satisfying. Also, I'm not sure if the truck/diner death is a direct reference to a final destination movie ending, but I noticed some similarities.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 10 – Saturday Night
CAT1RB2275-06082021-09032024 Mascot (kids) -/- murder [TV interview]
Written by Jonathan Sims
Script Edited with additional material by Alexander J Newall
Thoughts: appropriately named! The sound design for this episode gives me intensely-visual mental images of the TV interview, and I really want a YouTube video unpacking the Bonzo Butcher and his crimes, timelines, arrest, everything.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 11 – Marked
CAT23RC5246-06012020-11032024 Tattoo (corpse) -/- compulsion [email exchange]
Written by Jonathan Sims
Script Edited with additional material by Alexander J Newall
Thoughts: Shirley Jackson Susan Hill called, she wants to know when she can have her haunted typewriter back.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 12 – Getting Off
CAT1RB4728-09032024-13032024 Mascot (kids) -/- frenzy [insurance claim]
Written by Alexander J Newall
Script Edited with additional material by Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: Possibly my favourite so far. Alex is bringing the gory horror and it's perfect. Excellent descriptive storytelling - opening a guy's head like a book is a visual I did not know I needed.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 13 – Futures
CAT3RB4622-17092023-14032024 Gambling (application) -/- murder [voicemail]
Written by Alexander J Newall
Script Edited with additional material by Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: Can someone get Alex in as a writer for Black Mirror? The series might actually get good as a result. Also can someone start a series tally for died in a hospital bed due to wickedly cool sound design? Thanks. Death by personal adjustment is giving TMA season 5 Mortal Garden vibes.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 14 – Pet Project
CAT1RB4426-01081995-15032024 Transformation (snake) -/-horde
Written by Shaun Pellington (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14461505/)
Script Edited with additional material by Alexander J Newall and Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: Sometimes well-written characters come and punch you in the gut. Character writing isn't always prioritised in horror, as the characters can just be the vehicle through which horror happens. But the transition from report to last message to dad really hit hard, and the story was creepy af. Shaun writes podcasts and voice acts, so check out his stuff.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 15 – Well Run
CAT1RB-6451-22062023-22032024 Hunt (aristocratic) -/- compulsion
Written by Alexander J Newall
Script Edited with additional material by Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: the real horror is being forced to be the monster. Yet you had a choice, you chose the monster, before anyone else could. I will always praise the sound team, though it is amazing how a shot through a window also kinda sounds like a brick wall falling down. I enjoyed Alice's run-in with the drowned woman, great writing, sound design and authentically chaotic. Also, let us all simp for Lady Mowbray, purely because it disgusts Jonny.
The official transcript also has an alternate name Good Show
I know exactly what Jonny means about disgust for the aristocracy, but his reaction is too funny to not do it.
PSA - nellie the elephant was dropped as a CPR technique bc you need to depress a chest by 2 inches to pump someone's heart, and compressions were too shallow when people used that song. Another One Bites The Dust and Stayin' Alive are better rhythms to use.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 16 – Anti-social
CAT1RB1565-30102023-25032024 Tattoo(influencer)-/- Cardiac
Written by Alexander J Newall
Script Edited with additional material by Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: I genuinely really like this case and the character. Sure, cringy, but she's young, overexcited, and wants attention, like every other human being on the planet. I think she's quite a compelling character to follow, as she trips headlong into abject misery. Spectacular sound design on the death scene.
Also, a lot of people were complaining about the slang, but given the load of cringy slang that the fandom made the cast read out: this episode was 100% deserved. You want them to call their characters dummy thicc? You made your cringy slang bed, now lie in it (I say with love, affection, and sarcasm).
I am aware part of the complaints were that non-AAVE characters were using AAVE - but unfortunately, that is how real life, and real slang use, works. For example, the word 'cool' meaning good, has been around since the 1930's, and originated from Black Americans in the Jazz scene. Now, everyone uses it. I can't comment on whether this is good or right (and I don't think the show does either), only that the show's use/misuse of slang is accurate to real life.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 17 – Saved Copy
CAT2RC1147-30111997-04042024 Doppleganger (interdimensional) -/- murder
Written by Alexander J Newall
Script Edited with additional material by Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: Alex and Jonny are very good at twisting existing formats. Evil Twin/Doppleganger? Oh he'll want to kill you, replace you, drain your life, steal your existen- oh he wants a friend to play in his murder dungeon? That's new! Also, the receptionist and orchid-pervert - stop being a tease Alex!
The Magnus Protocol Episode 18 – Solo Work
CAT1RC2374-20032024-10042024 Memory (derelict) -/- compulsion
Written by Jonathan Sims
Script Edited with additional material by Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: How can a body speak without lungs? Autopsy reports are some of my favourite horror (see The Mortuary Assistant game and the autopsy of Jane Doe film). A house full of fog and forgotten poems.
Also, I got the credit details from the official transcript, so I'm not sure if Jonny writing and editing his own script is an error or deliberate, but it is kind of funny on an episode called 'Solo Work'.
Everyone complains about the AQA Anthology (2004) we had to read for English GCSE, but I loved it intensely.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 19 – Hard Reset
CAT13RBC1137-21031684-11042024 Transformation (canine) -/- growth (Crystalline)
Written by Alexander J Newall
Script Edited with additional material by Jonathan Sims
Thoughts: Alex writes the word 'Christendom' in a story and is immensely happy about it. I get the deep suspicion that Alex and Jonny have 'Edward-Kun'-ed the boys into a horrific electronic chimera a la Full Metal Alchemist. Excellent world-building. Wonder if the 'Protocol' is going to be 'yeah, we find people acting sus, and we teach them what the second part of 'fuck around and find out' actually entails'. Also COLIN ISN'T DEAD YET. YAYYYYY.
The Magnus Protocol Episode 20 – Social Stigma
CAT1RAB2534-12042024-12042024 Transformation (tattoo) -/- Social Media (influencer)
Written by Jonathan Sims
Script Edited with additional material by Alexander J Newall
Thoughts: Talking to a supernatural person... in person. I love it. Interesting dialogue on parasocial relationships and Gwen trying and failing to be an authority figure is hilarious (I am very similar!). Gwen's playlist is just RESPECT covered by Aretha Franklin on repeat. She can't get no respect ever.
Created by Jonathan Sims (@jonnywaistcoat) and Alexander J Newall (@rqbossman) Directed by Alexander J Newall Executive Producers April Sumner, Alexander J Newall, Jonathan Sims, Dani McDonough, Linn Ci, and Samantha F.G. Hamilton Associate Producers Jordan L. Hawk, Taylor Michaels, Nicole Perlman, Cetius d’Raven, and Megan Nice Produced by April Sumner Featuring (in order of appearance) Billie Hindle as Alice Dyer
Kazeem Tosin Amore as Teddy Vaughn Anusia Battersby as Gwendolyn Bouchard (@anouchard) Shahan Hamza as Samama Khalid Sarah Lambie as Lena Kelley Alexander J Newall as Norris Jonathan Sims as Chester Kate Sketchley as Daria Jenny Haufek as Therapist
Tim Fearon as Augustus Paul Schmidt as Klaus
Hattie Quinlan as Operator 1 Harry Roebuck as Needles Tom Park as Operator 2 Joe Bence as Police Operator Lowri Ann Davies as Celia Ripley
Jon Gracey as Gerry Keay Sue Sims as Gertrude Robinson
Catherine Luff as Geraldine Hardy Steve Newman as Nigel Dickerson
Uncredited as Mr. Bonzo Beth Eyre as [Error]
Zena Carswell as Answerphone Euan Shedden as DarrienEp
Jesse Hawke as Voicemail Danny Scarre as Caterer Ellie Dickens as Lady Mowbray Yanick Ghanty as Luke Dyer Lara Sawalha as Drowning Victim
Vera Chok as Ink5oul Ki Griffin as Madam E
Sasha Sienna as Georgie Barker (@sashasienna)
----
Dialogue Editor – Lowri Ann Davies Sound Designers – Tessa Vroom, Katharine Seaton, Meg McKellar, Mastering Editor - Catherine Rinella
Music by Sam Jones (orchestral mixes by Jake Jackson) Art by April Sumner Fabulous work everyone! Can't wait for the next part!
Official transcripts:
Rusty Quill is an industry leading independent production company and podcast network.
