MovieChat Forums > Legion (2017) Discussion > Testing, testing!

Testing, testing!

posted 7 years ago by DreamersxDisease (817)
31 replies | jump to latest

*taps mic* Is this thing on?

I figured, maybe if someone took the dive and got the ball rolling here, more people would feel up to joining in and getting this place going. I know it's not perfect, but it's still quite new, and now that we'll be without the IMDb boards I know I'll take what I can get!

Legion is such a crazy, intricate, and wild show it deserves to have a place of discussion and analysis (yes, I know reddit is out there, but maybe there are others like me who don't prefer that as an option) where thoughtful, insightful, and fun conversations can begin and flourish.

So, I hope at least a few people come here and I'm not just typing into the abyss, and that a real community can form like it would've on IMDb. If I could transmit this to you all telepathically I would ;) Bring all your personalities, but maybe leave that children's book at home and let's jump in!

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

Always cool to see the perspective from a comic book fan, because that's not my arena at all, haha. I come into this show as just an ardent lover of tv, film, and character, especially the very weird and cerebral kind!

Do you care that they seem to be wanting to diverge from its canon universe and do their own thing? Or do you still feel like they'll head that way anyways?

[–] gun_will_travel@hotmail.com (65) 7 years ago

I am not a subscriber to the comic canon philosophy. Some things work well in comics that just don't translate well to the screen. It's much better to get a good show that's diverges from the comics than to have a crummy show that's 100% faithful.

I figure they might make some references to the X-Men/Wolverine/Deadpool cinematic universe, but bringing in too much of that is going to be a distraction from the current direction of the plot. Right now Legion is a great standalone series, and I'd much rather feel that X-files mystery vibe while watching than worry about continuity with 30-year-old comic book stories.

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

I agree, though I'm biased since I was never into comic books all that much. I like when things are determined to do their own thing and they're allowed more creative freedom that way anyways. Legion wants to branch out and be different and I wouldn't want them to feel limited from doing that just to hit certain comic milestones and such.

I very much like the more fantastical realism they're going for, and look forward to the new episode tonight and the rest of the season!

[–] Mahrez99 (236) 7 years ago

Hey guys! Nice to see others found their way in here!

This is definitely one of those shows one just will have a HUGE urge to discuss with others as it progresses. So far I like it a lot, with good choice of lead actor and great production. Just hope it doesn't become more confusing than it already is with the unreliable narrator and dream/real(?) dream stuff going on. As I haven't read the comic books it's not easy to understand well whats going at times.

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

Hey, Mahrez! So happy to see an uptick in posts! And yes, Legion, is a show that BEGS to be talked about and analyzed. I have hopes that after the new episode airs tomorrow people will be itching to do so and more of them will find their way here.

I'd love to see discussions on this take off! In a show filled with wild perspective, we could sure use as many to examine it, haha. I don't know if it'll get convoluted, I expect it'll stay as trippy even if it becomes more coherent in some way. I trust Hawley and Co. though, I'm in for the ride, totally!

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

New episode tonight, yay! I hope it brings in more people here :) I'm sure there will be plenty to talk about.

[–] beto (143) 7 years ago

I just watched the last chapter and oh, I hope the story gets darker as the show evolves. They MUST take advantage of the fat guy... really creepy. By the way, I'm still wondering what kind of parent would read that book to kids...

Now tell me people, was Dan Stevens (David) laughing his arse off in the kitchen scene (S01E03)? it seems to me but I'm not sure, hilarious anyway, made my night.

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

Hello! I think the show has no choice, BUT to go darker. I don't think they'll have a problem doing that. I trust Hawley. TDWYE will definitely be a feature, I mean he's already so prevalent even though he's seldom seen, we'll find out about him eventually...especially since he's such a presence in David's mind.

That book is the WORST! I can't imagine it was real, but obviously it left a mark on him and helped make him what he is today.

Which kitchen scene? I mean I know THE kitchen scene you're talking about, but which time? When he was arguing with Philly just in this last one? Or when he was doing the memory work earlier on?

[–] Mahrez99 (236) 7 years ago

I have a feeling that book is a key to what created the traumas that make him shut them out of his memories, linked with his father reading it - always in the shadows. This is for sure what he fears the most at least, apart from the yellowed eyed monster.

Horrible book for kids that! Craziest is that people read almost as bad stuff to kids still. Check out german illustrated book for kids classic: Max and Moritz. One of the stories summary: "Hiding out in the grain storage area of a farmer, Mecke, the boys slit some grain sacks. Carrying away one of the sacks, farmer Mecke immediately notices the problem. He puts the boys in the sack instead, then takes it to the mill. The boys are ground to bits and devoured by the miller’s ducks. Later, no one expresses regret." !!

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

Well, I suppose, just look at the Brothers Grimm's books and all that, right? All those original fairytales were fairly dark so I suppose it's not a stretch to imagine a parent reciting this kind of story....but this seems much more personal. Like he's basically commanding this to David or retelling of things David has done.

I'd be interested to see if they ever come upon that book in "real" life, whatever that is on this show...or it's just a creation in his mind. A place for him to keep that boy, almost like locking him away so he doesn't have to deal with him or whatever, I don't know.

The thing with the dad is weird too, parents man, it's always the parents :p I almost wonder if Melanie knows his dad or knows he's not David's actual dad, maybe? I have no idea if they'll incorporate Xavier in it at all or not, but they could still use the thread and mystery of that guy not being his biological dad....when David first mentions him it cuts to Melanie leaning back real quick, in almost an uncomfortable gesture, which is what lead me to wonder that.

Anyways, that book, seems to hold his secrets at least of childhood. And Melanie was getting a little too close to it last time....

[–] beto (143) 7 years ago

Xavier? Am I missing something important here? - Oh, right! The memory work one. He lays his head on the wall and cover his face for a while, half scared half amused? Oh, man! I don't know what I saw...

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

Oh, sorry, in the comic books (of which I'm not into, this is all from what I've learned from those who are) Charles Xavier is David's father. It is unclear whether this show will delve much into the actual X-Men universe or not though.

[–] beto (143) 7 years ago

I see. That explains a couple things, lol.

[–] moriarty (31) 7 years ago

Concerning Charles Xavier, I'm sure Melanie knows who he is. Not just for begin Davids dad, but for being a powerfull mutant and starting his own school for young mutants. It seems Melanie has done something of the same as Xavier, building a center for mutants, where they can learn and explore their abilities. Seems like Melanie is taking in mostly grow-ups though. Anyways, I think they know eachother well

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

I'm going outside my depth here since I'm not a big comic or superhero person, but I'd assume anyone within the X-Men universe would know Xavier for the reasons you stated. That said, like I sort of got to above, I don't know how close to all that this show will be.

Right now it seems like they're just trying to do their own thing, while also maybe, kind of leaving it open to incorporate things from the X-Men. I was listening to an interview with Dan Stevens about the show yesterday and he said there would be nods to stuff that X-Men fans or comic book fans would recognize, basically. So, that doesn't mean it'll necessarily be the substantial, meat of the show, but fun, little things for those fans to pick up on.

To me, it just sounds like they want their cake and to eat it too. In that, they're being a bit wishy-washy about how close to canon this all will be or not. So, it remains to be seen! Like I said, I'm not all into that anyways (I do like the X-Men though) so I'm totally fine with it distancing itself and think I'd prefer it really.

[–] Mahrez99 (236) 7 years ago

I hope they will leave it standing alone as much as possible. Big fan of the X-Men movies too, but it would complicate things if they include them in this world for me. It's a bit like Batman is awesome, but in a world where Superman also exist? Not quite the same..

Also it would bring on a stream of angry comic purists who will point out wrong timelines, interactions and such compared to the X-Men.

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

I agree with all of this. I'd like it to stand on its own because of everything you said as well as it gives the show more creative license and freedom to do what they want. If they stick with what they're doing now they won't have to always be asking themselves, "wait...is this in line with the comics/movies/canon? No? Then take it out!" It can be so very limiting and would water down its more unconventional feel.

It'd be cool to just have this be this weird, off-set, almost like estranged step-brother to the franchise without really being in it. Ya know? I'd like to think Hawley would be into doing this and by extension most of the others even if it wasn't a comic book or Marvel thing.

[–] beto (143) 7 years ago

I agree. They're better off without X-Men.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 7 years ago

Thanks for that!

[–] 9 (1235) 7 years ago

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

Thank you for saying so, my effort isn't for naught at least, haha

As for your question...hmm...it's been compared to Mr. Robot (which I know you're a fan of) and Hannibal in terms of style, weirdness, and artistry. It is loosely a part of the X-Men universe so there's a touch of that in there, but make no mistake, it is its own thing.

Really it's easier to just say that if you're into trippy, cerebral, stylish, somewhat abstract stories this is probably worth your time at least just to check out of curiosity. There are influences of Kubrick, Lynch, Wes Anderson and probably a few more auteurs, but at the same time it very much stands on its own unconventional ground. One critic said of the most recent episode that it was the weirdest hour of tv since Twin Peaks so take that as you will.

If you end up watching it or some of it, let us know!

[–] 9 (1235) 7 years ago

[–] DreamersxDisease (817) 7 years ago

We had an exchange on the Mr. Robot board, that's how I knew...I didn't want you to think I was stalking you or anything, creepy, lol!

We seem to have somewhat similar taste so we just keep bumping into one another ;) Maybe that's another good sign for you to check this out!

And yes, if you're down for that weird, unreliable POV stuff than Legion very well could be your thing. David's perspective is even more intense and worse than Elliot's! If you ever thought possible! I hope you dig it and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!