THE MAGNUS ARCHIVES #22 - Colony

MAG022 - Case #0161203 - Martin Blackwood
Statement regarding an encounter with a being they believe to have once been Jane Prentiss.
The Magnus Archives tells the tale of one of its own archival assistants whose close encounter with some creepy crawlies apparently brought them into contact with a known problem.
Starring: The Archivist - Jonathan Sims; Martin Blackwood - Alexander J Newall
Writer: Jonathan Sims
Director: Alexander J Newall
Editors: Alexander J Newall, Mike LeBeau, Murray Porter
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The Magnus Archives is distributed by RustyQuill.com and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence.

[@trucetruce335]

During the first half every time Martin pauses I imagine he’s looking to Jon for approval but Jon’s just looking at him dull faced/unimpressed so Martin just awkwardly continues.

[@Nizati]

Yup.. And even raw self-cringe when he says the word 'spooky'

[@SingingSealRiana]

so true

[@shellolechello]

SAMEEE

[@scandicgamer3071]

Same

[@dilophosaurussk4333]

I like the fact that Johny Sins hates the word spooky. I imagine when halloween rolls around he is just stuck at home screaming in anger.

[@SunnyCapricious]

SPOOKY SCARRY SKELTONS-

[@tomcain1183]

Johny sins?💀

[@SunnyCapricious]

@@tomcain1183 pfffftt 😂😂 i didn't even notice that 😂😂😂

[@jaderush4141]

He's like Grinch: The Halloween Edition.

[@Hi-ul2gc]

Joe spooky regarding sinister happenings...

[@soup331emd5]

Martin: you can vouch for the soundness of my mind can't you? John: ... John: That's besides the point.

[@tuschman168]

Who knew I'd be having a really big laugh in a horror series.

[@sweetlikehunny]

literally the height of comedy

[@irca318]

Comedy gold

[@data6022]

Martin getting distracted and talking about tarantulas is a big mood

[@wyrmoffastring]

Tarantulas are adorable and I love Martin.

[@0nullnil]

Ikr

[@Matheus-ql7mn]

As a fan of spiders - they're lovely misunderstood creatures -, it made me smile 🙂

[@yeahok8259]

Same! As soon as he said that I instantly liked him. I love spiders too.

[@AutumnF]

I relate to Martin so much XD I just go off on tangents and forget the main topic

[@jorenvanderark3567]

Damn, Martin is a badass. The guy basically outlasted a siege by an eldritch horror through sheer force of will.

[@mimkyodar]

He's a cinnamon roll made of iron

[@jenjaminbenkins6075]

@@mimkyodar Having finished the series, no spoilers but yep. He sure is.

[@maggiem6209]

I didn't think much about him but GODDAMN I have respect for him after this. Few would have survived such an elongated seige.

[@atiredweeb8551]

I imagine at some point while running for his life he was like "I cant die Jon would think Im so cringe for that."

[@Abigail-hu5wf]

and peaches

[@scubatuba3294]

Jonathon sims: I hate Martin Also jon: sleep here you will be safe it is humidity controlled I will ask for extra protection for you please don't die

[@Calciumcarbonate27]

John: No Martin, don't get killed by worms, you're so sexy ahahaha

[@mari-zg9nq]

@@Calciumcarbonate27 NOOO LMAOOO

[@riotb4719]

jonathon simps

[@mxxnlight111]

omgomgomg so spoiler cuz i just found out something? apparently, jon and martin get mARRIED??? UHM. YES PLEASE JKDNAEGBG Edit: I was wrong. VERY. WRONG. ugh I wish

[@borealissystem5916]

Wait, what's a sims?

[@maryagrimm8412]

Martin: "you can vouch for my soundness of mind, can't you?" Jon: * 3 seconds of marked tape recorder silence*

[@Nizati]

Yeah I noticed that too. lol. You can almost see the glare as Jon thinks of a way to sidestep answering the question.

[@fays.p.5663]

Martin arrives at the archives like Worm: evaded Phone: lost Chill: out I am forcibly advised to stay in the premises

[@foxthemess518]

Hotel? Trivago.

[@lel1160]

i don't know why, but "i am forcibly advised to stay in the premises" has made me laugh so hard and i kind of want to see it on a t shirt ?

[@leonmayne797]

@@lel1160 A better t-shirt would be 'I am forcibly advised to leave the premises.'

[@lel1160]

@@leonmayne797 bahahahha perfect !

[@b-blythe6763]

Oh my god this whole time I was picturing Martin sounding like a college stoner or something and it turns out he's adorable??? Also this is very good character development on Jon's front. He's a crotchety old man who's always trash talking Martin, but it seems to be out of extremely high standards rather than personal malice. And the moment Martin indicates he's in danger Jon is thinking about how to keep him safe and comfortable. The fact he wasn't going to push Martin into making a statement says a lot, I think.

[@broblerone413]

same lol martin sounds totally different than i imagined him and it's adorable

[@alohahejahe___]

lmfao college stoner can't say I didn't think the same

[@fevre_dream8542]

Lol a crotchety old man in his 30s - ouch my soul

[@lemonace6695]

Spoiler: . . . . . . . Reading this coment session after finishing the show I'm convinced that Jon being 27 at the first half of S1 and therefore the Archieves' youngest is the biggest plot twist of the whole show. The man tricked everyone - including the audience - into thinking he was this very done surprisingly young looking 50yo and he is just late 20s anxiety man.

[@kaitlynmorgan4613]

@@lemonace6695 i thought he was in his 20s or 30s but hes the YOUNGEST???? oh my god 😭😭😭😭😭

[@Panneapple]

On one side the whole him losing his phone while Jon still receives his texts (which are obviously now not from him) is kinda expected but creepy, but on the other side it makes me ridiculously happy that Jon, who usually just doesn't take anyone really seriously (in the other episodes, but even at the beginning of this one when he says most people recording their stories are lunatics or something along those lines, I can't remember well), immediately suggests he stay in the archive room because it's well sealed, and takes this threat seriously even though almost every episode Martin is mentioned, Jon doesn't seem to hold him in high esteem.

[@illusionhong18]

Also the last text is so creepy

[@allenl5960]

Well, John _does_ take some things seriously. Like those books from the 'Jurgen Leitner' dude. Presumably, this 'Jane Prentiss' person is like that. Confirmed to be real and very, very dangerous. Probably helps that John, despite not liking Martin very much, knows he's not insane, doing drugs, or has any other conditions that might make him hallucinate or otherwise misinterpret things like this.

[@zealotoftheorchard9853]

Martin might be incompitent but he aint no liar

[@hamburgerdog25]

@@illusionhong18 honestly that was the scariest part of any episode I've heard so far, and this being the scariest episode imo. But then I wasnt paying a lot of attention to the others. But that part gave me shudders

[@Nizati]

The only line of physical description we get for Martian: "I'm not the smallest guy in the world, I know" The fanart community: Ah yes. He a big boy. Big roundy huggable boy. He tall and big and brimming full of love.

[@cyber_runner]

It's so cute 😭

[@Nizati]

@@communist_orangesHey I'm not disagreeing, it's just an observation that I find very entertaining.

[@TheBlaskowitz]

SPOILERS KEEP OUT IF YOU DONT KNOW Also NotSasha says he looks roomy lol

[@Atastyboiledegg]

@@Nizatireal, i imagined him like a chubby or just one of those slightly bigger guys in general😅

[@lunamoon1239]

Well we also know he’s tall because the worm thing had to jump “over 6 ft” to reach his _face_, not his head, his face. He a tall tall man.

[@klaushargreevesstanaccount8835]

I listened to Martin's voice for about 4 seconds and was like: yup, that's the one. That's baby.

[@dull_demon4717]

The entire fandom:

[@BackToBrazil]

LITTERALY I LOVE HIM HE IS MY FAVORITE I JUST STARTED THIS SERIES BUT HOW CAN JOHN SERIOUSLY HATE HIM???? SMH

[@dull_demon4717]

@@BackToBrazil don't worry, everyone had that reaction to martin. As for jon, well- just keep listening :3

[@just_going_mads]

​@@dull_demon4717 Istg if ships make their way into this series I will be so let down. I just want one spooky anthology series without pointless romance... Hopefully I'm completely wrong about that since I'm just going off comments at this point but it seems to be a trend in fiction with this type of audience. (Not shit talking that type of audience, just saying like it's not my thing and can be disappointing to find out halfway through a series)

[@dull_demon4717]

@@just_going_mads come back to this comment when you finish the series

[@cawareyoudoin7379]

I think this is my favourite episode so far. We've been hearing about Martin, yet never got to hear him. And when he does appear, boy oh boy, does he have a story to tell. I like Jon's voice, but even when he tries to emulate the emotions, he still reads it like a story. Martin told this honestly, with such emotion. There is something about his voice. Awkward, calming, unsettling at times.

[@elvingearmasterirma7241]

Jon's voice is like mine honestly, I also struggle with emotions. Even when Im not reading a story.

[@cawareyoudoin7379]

@@elvingearmasterirma7241 dude, have you listened to all of TMA?

[@elvingearmasterirma7241]

@@cawareyoudoin7379 Uh, not yet. Im currently on Season 1, Schwarzwald

[@cawareyoudoin7379]

@@elvingearmasterirma7241 Ah. Well, honey, you got a big storm coming. And emotions in abundance, also by Jon.

[@elvingearmasterirma7241]

@@cawareyoudoin7379 THANKS THATS NOT WORRYING AT ALL

[@piratehalfdroid7370]

I can imagine: Martin:i kmow you hate the word ...but its really spooky.. Jon: *gritting teeth*

[@Nizati]

I always imagined the biggest eyeroll.

[@irca318]

Jon: you may have Survived prentice but you won't survive me

[@reikenator]

oh, worm?

[@pianos4095]

This made me burst out laughing

[@Anna-archivist]

Worm on a string good sir?

[@pianos4095]

@@Anna-archivist yes plz

[@lucy-jc6pi]

WHEEEL MEE

[@errokoth]

i like your funny words magic man

[@klltsun_2576]

Poor Martin's surprise at Jon taking him seriously for once made me "Aww..." Ya know, like an abused puppy who was shown kindness by the owner for the first time? Poor Martin, Jon please continue not giving him so much shit

[@davv6628]

I mean let's be honest here; Jon is kinda a tsundere and only shows that he cares when it actually matters. I'm so glad that they get together in later seasons. First time watching but I've seen a fuck ton of spoilers so I know that much for sure. It's kinda cute.

[@superskh]

Martin: -recalling potentially traumatic events- Jon: -stirs macaroni and cheese for sfx-

[@jamns7128]

PLS-

[@thistleywistley681]

UWHDGUWEDV BAHAHAHAH-

[@ikahanim7939]

HOW DID YOU-

[@just_a_cryptid]

That's what good p------- sounds like

[@sofastuffing]

@@just_a_cryptid pasta

[@defme1]

martin's first appearance and he's already pining for Jon......i can't even handle this rn

[@riley._.5332]

he's been pining from the time he let a dog into the archives

[@АлександраГришина-с5р]

I am a person who gave you your 666xth like on this comment :p

[@tenacityxl]

I realize we’re all gushing over Martin but I love how this establishes how people view the Institute in the real world. It’s a public entity, this is a place people go to and work at that deals with the supernatural *openly*, which I imagine would make them look like crackpots to those who don’t know better. I really like this approach to a supernatural academic entity. They’re not interested in covering anything up like, say, the SCP Foundation. They are merely into studying it. It’s really cool :)

[@nastiatonkaia]

But they also don't try to advertise it to the public somehow or make known to everyone that paranormal exists. That is actually a disadvantage cause people don't believe them (as Martin said himself) and they don't try to be careful. Just look at that guy from rubbish episode. The one that decided keeping strange piece of a weird book and investigating that case were reasonable ideas. I know that some of it could be just compulsion of some sort coming from that paranormal thing. But the narrator had the power to resist it unlike that guy. And he hasn't even had funerals. Mb if institute informed the public, these cases wouldn't be so common

[@moonerz]

i had already read on the comments of the other episodes people saying how martin was sweet but i didn’t expect him to be THIS precious

[@SingingSealRiana]

same

[@duskadown6751]

fr

[@nellaruff9910]

I would die for this pure of a man. I wasn't prepped for how sweet he is

[@mjamin9124]

martin, after running for his life from the worm lady: wait, shit, maybe she was injured? maybe she needed help?

[@azulresendiz3359]

I always took John's unflattering description of Martin as him just being a sour puss. Since John doesn't seem like a people person I thought that Martin was probably a good guy. But I definitely underestimated how much of a sweet fella Martin was going to be. He just wants John's approval :'( So... Martin appreciation club anyone?

[@eusouabia2986]

Got here late, BUT WHEN'S THE MEETING?

[@emilybarclay8831]

Spoilers Jon is the president of the Martin Appreciation Club

[@avet9413]

@@emilybarclay8831 awww does he warm up to Martin? :D Please tell me Martin and Jon don’t die no one is answering this question for me-

[@lara8866]

@@avet9413 no spoilers but lets just say "warms up" is a bit of an understatement

[@midnights2631]

​@@avet9413 Sooooooo. In need of therapy?

[@AJ-pq5zx]

How whipped did Jon have this man that he broke into a building and headed back into the spooky death basement two times for fear of what Jon would say if he returned with nothing

[@rigulur]

keep forgetting that torch is another term for flashlight. the magnus lads just sound like the kind of people i'd expect to light an actual torch for this sort of job

[@BunnyLove5763]

God I love Martin so much! Tbh this whole time I took john’s word for it and thought that Martin would just be a bum or somthing but he’s so sweet, and not to mention thoughtful. When running away from a horrible creature full of worms that want him dead, all he wanted to do was get a picture of it that would impress John. He’s so good ;-; Also holy hell I’m scared for John now 0-o

[@nanahuatli2144]

You just know Jon's scolded him *so* much and now Martin wants to do a Very Good Job.

[@karenlinares7541]

Martins is like a puppy Wants to be praised

[@mjamin9124]

martin, after running for his life from the worm lady: wait, shit, maybe she was injured? maybe she needed help?

[@dannymern6425]

Martin is..... great??? I'm gonna cry

[@octoprince315]

It was nice of jane to keep in touch with jon so Martin wouldn't lose his job

[@someonessidechannel1485]

Aw, man, I feel so bad for Martin, he just wanted to make sure he did a good job for his boss :(

[@bluemrpony]

I will protect Martin with everything I have

[@pianos4095]

I will join in this protection

[@nanahuatli2144]

Ok but last episode there was a wet splattering sound and Jon went "What are these??" and that hasn't been explained and I'm freaking out.

[@nanahuatli2144]

@@brooke7789 Right? And was Martin carrying them or something?

[@b-blythe6763]

@@nanahuatli2144 You'd think he would have mentioned in the story if he'd captured any. I've got a bad feeling about this :(

[@fluffsnake]

I can only assume the episodes are out of order basically, so that scares me ;_; will Martin be ok??? AHHHH

[@Gooberpotomous]

I was wondering what they were too. As well as why Martin nor Jon said **absolutely nothing** about them

[@schmohobzsia7216]

Maybe it's his shoes/feet? He said he stomped a good deal of worms to death...

[@nunally]

I absolutely love the audio, it sounds so real, I can totally see Martin in front of the recorder while Jonathan sits at the other side of the room in another chair arms crossed and all, this is simply great! thank you so much!

[@dreamer3725]

Jon is that angry manager who seems like an angry older brother? If this is wrong, I'm listening to these for the first time, so no spoilers?

[@domrat1550]

I've been imagining Jon recording statements while he sits in front of an old desk in a big room filled with bookshelfs, high ceiling, big windows with stained glass... I don't know why would he sit in a gigant hogwarts like library, but, well i guess i haven't put much thought into it.

[@Mothman1992]

"I'm not exactly the smallest guy in the world" Who else is imagining this sweet cinnamon roll as a 6'6" mountain of muscle who could have forced the door off its hinges with one hand. But that would have been rude

[@jonaldjodonald1888]

Late, but me. I'm imagining that.

[@GoliathPyroson]

I would like to hug Martin please.

[@TheMan087]

me too ;w;

[@victornolan1583]

Same, he's precious!

[@user-qv2qf1jk5o]

I know there’s so much more than just this to consider, (in both Jon and Martin’s relationship and in the grand scheme of the story) but my favorite moment in this episode - maybe ever? - HAS to be: “I wouldn’t lie to you, I like- my job...”

[@soaring-comet]

i i love martin so much he better survive all of this shit also i want to see him more but he was so scared :((

[@jenjaminbenkins6075]

Well... He survived all the shit.

[@brunacastro5658]

I really really hate Jane's description, my trypophobia made this the worst episode for my nerves, BUT I LIKE IT SO MUCH, FINALLY WE HEARD MARTIN AND HE'S SO SWEET

[@Cambion_Heir]

Solidarity at last! (On a 2-year-old comment no less) Agreed on both accounts:: I hate Jane and her whole shtick but I do love this Martin fella! He's "just a lil' guy"

[@acidvolcano]

the comments on this one are so wholesome. Martin love gang.

[@mechengr1731]

The fact that Jon immediately offered Martin shelter at the institute was both wholesome and terrifying. Even before he mentioned the phone, I knew shit was about to go down.

[@mimkyodar]

Jon pretends to be a sceptic but he's as scared as the rest of them. Possibly more so

[@izzyliberty8720]

I'm not generally into horror. I have an overactive imagination and am prone to nightmares - these, generally, are so clinically reviewed that it is not that much of a problem. This one, however, feeds so directly into my paranoia, that I will most likely not sleep much tonight. Magnificently done.

[@aelyna.t.l.8755]

If there's a fear, there's an episode for it here

[@senormooples2354]

I also have a very active imagination also, in where I just close my eyes and everything I'm listening to would be clear as daylight, I love horror and I don't really scare easily anymore so I can imagine the most grotesque stuff without losing sleep but imaging Jane filled with holes and worms crawling out of her made me shudder

[@Hoid.]

Same... I have trypophobia. I tried so hard not to picture it but the descriptions are too well written. Traumatised

[@ayt3877]

Jon´s attitude towards Martin in the first season like homeboy you´re in for a surprise in the next couple of years

[@thistleywistley681]

rite?

[@St0nek]

Man.

[@strawsb3rry]

as someone who has finished the podcast, one, newcomers, youre in for a ride. this is where the fun starts. every name that was spoken before and will be spoken after this is important. two, the fact that martin traumatized himself for almost two weeks cause he was scared of jon's disapproval is honestly beyond me

[@leonstormmaster6133]

Ok so I have to start taking notes now? I am terrible at remembering names and details

[@midnights2631]

​@@leonstormmaster6133You can always look at comments ^^

[@aennakeen1737]

i made a notebook for this whole podcast and i'm already at the point where i'm scrolling back and think "OH i heard this name before....are there it is!" and i'm so investigated how all the next episodes will be. this is my current epsiode right now.

[@TopOceanKitty_Gacha]

​@aennakeen1737 ah yes I'm doing that now, only difference is I got to episode 56 and then decided to restart the podcast to do that

[@ayonixanimations]

I could _hear_ Martin's nervous glances towards Jon, and Jon's deadpan look back. Fucking talent.

[@rasheesaalea7805]

I actually had a dream last night about silver-transparent worms covering my whole bedroom. The ceiling, the walls, my bed, everything. Some of them managed to get on my legs and I tried to get them off but no matter what I did, I couldn't seem to shake them off of me. Anyways, congratulations, you guys have successfully given me a nightmare and I'm sure I will get another one tonight

[@aelyna.t.l.8755]

Now I'm glad I don't remember my dreams xD

[@jaderush4141]

...So did they manage to give you a nightmare in retrospect? Like, it happened before you listened to the episode? That's a freaky coincidence.

[@rasheesaalea7805]

@@jaderush4141 oh no it was only after i listened to this one, i guess it stucked in my mind so much that i dreamed about it :)

[@thistleywistley681]

dont die man

[@Chirpy-eo8jq]

UGH NO NO NO NO *NO*

[@SpaceAce13]

I'm literally cringing in my seat at the sound that plays when the worms are squirming. It's making my skin crawl. This episode is great.

[@universarea]

According to the q&a it was made with lots and lots of pasta

[@jaxsonadros2066]

Jon's just stirring some good Mac

[@ot7biasedmashups]

Martin: goes to a house where a magic spider haunted the dude that killed it Also Martin: kills a worm

[@conibal5045]

i love this, 21 episodes of "ugh i hate martin" etc and this is the first time theres actual interaction between them and its so FUNNY i love it so much

[@f_mva]

jon: ugh martin is so useless i hate him i wouldn't care if something happened to him >:( also jon: it's ok martin i believe you and you can stay here with me uwu god bless the tsundere archivist

[@Nizati]

Damn. I never thought of Jon as Tsundere. But yeah. He really, Really is.

[@poopilydoopily7784]

Amen

[@atiredweeb8551]

Jon: I believe you? Martin: wha- really? Wow I wasnt expecting you to at all- And it was at this moment I realized that Martin has the personality of a fricking puppy.

[@fionapeterson-quinn885]

His voice is so sweet and lovely and wholesome and I would die for Martin Blackwood.

[@dariofprsia]

Martin: "Wow, this place is really creepy, and I have a really bad feeling about this, maybe I should just go back. I guess John will be disappointed this time, eheh..." Martin thinks for a few seconds. Martin gets into the creepy place.

[@skyclaude8847]

This actually confirms that Jon is the hard on the outside soft on the inside type (a.k.a tsundere) also Martin sounds so soft I feel so bad for him here

[@jaderush4141]

03:05 "I didn't want to come back to you without due diligence though, I've learned that lesson" More than once Martin says something like this and then chuckles joylessly, and that kinda makes me want to introduce Jon's face to something heavy. When Jon read Squirm, he was very displeased with the fact it could be connected to Jane, and it was obvious that Jane's case, much like the Leitner books, was confirmed for him. And yet, he hesitated in granting Martin's wish to give a statement and even went so far as to imply he can't really confirm Martin's clarity of mind. What a douche. Absolutely loved Martin's voice and the panicky nervous intonations. Beautiful acting. It's so weird how Martin obviously got out unscathed, but just the sheer fact it's somebody we "know" and already care about made this so much more tense. Where my trypophobes at? Brr.

[@Max3110]

The archivists crimson fate? Sounds like it has to do with the dreamer.

[@f_mva]

im already very attached to jon, i would throw hands with the scary dream monsters for him

[@biancamlf288]

Relistening once more, and I was still a bit confused about that until I read your comment. Thanks!

[@aubarlowe]

i believe that phrase is actually used quite a bit to refer to death/greivous injury. Crimson referring to blood, yknow?

[@May-nt3ow]

Well, Gertrude died in the line of duty...

[@jadynnkotch1833]

"I like spiders! :D"

[@andrewclarke5972]

I can FEEL Johnathan Sims eyes roll at 6:08 when Martin says spooky

[@poormansmyself5502]

This went from an SCP/Creepypasta thing to an interesting continuous narrative real quick

[@berilsevvalbekret772]

More SCP/Archive hybrid more than creepypasta. All of these were great in quality.

[@whoknows-101]

I love how like 90% of this comments section is just people simping over Martin, like me too XD

[@screamingmadvoid]

Martin sounds like he gives the best hugs

[@whydoineedahandleforyoutube]

Ohhh I love Martin's acting! This one is really good and fresh -- I'm loving that I'm getting a better picture of the Archive workers and their relationships with each other.

[@data6022]

I should stop eating when I'm listening to this

[@characteroftheweek2880]

how did you get this far not knowing to do that good job for geting this far.

[@unicornilluminati9019]

RIP

[@teddyan863]

F

[@user-vf5ku1nn8w]

I love ur profile picture

[@raquelalejandrapatinoojeda8334]

"She was facing away from me, apparently staring at the corner of the wall." *BLAIR WITCH FLASHBACKS INTENSIFY*

[@snowflake5793]

Poor Martin, he gets so much shit from John, and he just wants to be taken seriously

[@Alsarnia]

Hold up. I'm 2 minutes in and dying at Martin saying Jon can attest to him being and and Jon just meeting him with absolute silence. DYING. This is gonna be a good one

[@AmericanKitty1]

This series is so amazing! I kind of loved the part where the music stopped right as martin said "spooky." that got a laugh out of me

[@Atari_01]

coming from today, where we are confirmed for a sequel, everyone either making “worm sfx=that’s what good pasta sounds like” or “MARTIN IS BABY” comment is hilarious

[@chillinwithfrogs9708]

A lot of ppl mention how jon acts kind all of a sudden towards martin and that it is very sudden but i think the explanation is obvious . Hearing your coworker got trough 2 weeks of hell kinda bc of you (since martin wouldnt have gone back to the place if it wasnt for him trying to impress jon afraid jon will get mad if he came back with nothin) then jon would probly feel guilt, even if he doesnt particularly show it tru words or apologies rather acts.

[@theWeaverofTales]

This one is wild to listen to during quarantine

[@rei6en]

martin is the original quarantine king. we have to stan 😔

[@aelyna.t.l.8755]

How did you know? xD

[@pLanetstarBerry]

Omg, right?! I got into this series during quarantine and it was a trip to listen to this episode. Especially since I had some unpleasant roommates during that time and spent most of quarantine in one room to get away from them.

[@alexroybal7281]

i can totally picture martin fiddling with the hem of his shirt. also, he pauses quite a bit, i think those pauses are him looking at jon like, 'am i doing it right?' i love him sm

[@sammieegoldwand]

OH MY GOD YOU CAN HEAR MARTIN BLUSHING WHEN JON TELLS HIM TO STAY IN THE ARCHIVES Edit: 20:07

[@fauxclaws]

I really didn’t expect a podcast with no visuals to trigger my trypophobia but by golly you’ve done it. I’m disgusted and impressed

[@SlideRulePirate]

"I _liked_ my job." We've probably all got a horror story that fits with that.

[@fromsage2you]

Me: *chilling, eating corn* Martin: *describes the woman's skin and the worms in it* Me: *slowly pushes corn away from me*

[@hamletsdeaddad]

Like, how can you listen to this and not devote your entire existence to Martin's protection? I've heard his voice for like 5 seconds at the beginning and I'm ready to kill and die for him, sir, he is one the sole purest things on this cruel, cruel world.

[@asiunderstandit5717]

Man Squirm was the only one of these so far that’s managed to keep me up at night, and when he mentioned the strange maggot things in Arachnophobia I got flashbacks. So now I feel... vindicated? Yikes though...

[@kingsaracoon9594]

haven't listened to the whole thing yet but as soon as martin spoke I just went: OMG IS THAT MARTIN??? OMFG GOD HE SOUNDS SO B A B Y

[@patrickreed996]

martin is incredibly precious i've only known him for two days but i would die for him without hesitation

[@LittleBitch-bi3fx]

I know you hate the word but it was reeeeealy...🥺spooky🥺

[@fauxclaws]

at 21:13 you can hear martin take a shaky deep breath, such good acting it's subtle and feels natural. also major(?) spoilers below Jane not actually trying to get into the apartment makes so much sense when you find out later she's not trying to kill him, she wanted him alive to feed off his fear.

[@sisyphusmarble8460]

Martin's Shadow: *moves* Martin: I don't like that.

[@hannahcartwright8190]

I haven't even met Martin yet but I relate and would die for him

[@jojoceda]

Jon: hahaha I’m in danger

[@joshuapurinton7752]

Martin: ...you're going to think I'm an idiot for saying this... Jonathan: I already think you're an idiot.

[@tangible.7244]

*"due diligence" shall now be my new phrase for "notice me my bossy senpai"*

[@jsk-art]

I have a habit of listening to these when I'm drawing or playing minecraft, and I'm starting to want to just sit and listen to them and nothing else, because I keep feeling like I'm missing out on important details. Maybe I'll use this as a reason to start taking regular walks and actually get out of the house for once.

[@universarea]

If you finish with this may I suggest welcome to night Vale or my other favorite besides this one, wolf 359. Also it's totally an space comedy and totally didn't make me cry at the end.

[@markcabre1]

I didn't think I had trypophobia.... I Might have to reconsider this.

[@sandymcneish7820]

Wut be trypophobia

[@Rin-qj7zt]

@@sandymcneish7820 it's the fear of holes.. so many holes.. it's often associated with parasites, and the visual stimulus of many holes packed closely together trigger the adrenaline response as well as disgust and fear of those affected. this response can vary in severity, and many people share this response. it's probably an evolutionary survival trait left over from a time where it would be relevant, but some people respond so strongly that it can become impossible to overcome and ignore.

[@sandymcneish7820]

sure thanks boi

[@MissGray-ri9yg]

I'm not sure if its trypophobia as much as a perfectly reasonable fear of terrifying, bug infested women crouching in dimly lit basements.

[@coffeewolfproductions9113]

@@MissGray-ri9yg I think its a bit of both

[@ThatOneArchivist]

“A room in the archives where i used to sleep when working late” I am this episodes in, i know he either canonically is a workaholic, or fanonically is a workaholic. Also Jon my little black cat child!!

[@wonderwhatsgonnahappen579]

Bro i only heard Martin for like 5 minutes and if anything happens to him i will destroy the world and then me

[@sophienah4654]

i LOVE how all the stories weave into eachother im obsessed

[@chimedemon]

.... holy shit... MARTIN IS SO GOD DAMN FUCKING ADORABLE!!! Personally I like the smaller spiders, Jumping spiders or wolf spiders are my favorite due to their personalities usually, but mainly the big adorable curious eyes from the jumping spider, ready to give a lil’... hop! Ahh! In either case, I find it equally adorable that the entire time Jon was describing Martin, and how he seemed to hate him, but then this shows how much he actually cares about him! Ahh, this is fucking great!! The horror actually gets to you, the story is fantastic, and I am kinda glad to have all this free time!

[@NeverGonnaDrown]

SPOILERS FOR LATE IN THE SERIES Jon was so close to becoming like Gertrude. Sending his assistants out into the world with the highest expectations, not accepting anything but the most in depth information. Martin could have died here because he was so worried about impressing Jon and living up to those expectations. I think this moment was so important for Jon because he decides hes going to care what happens to people other than himself. He didn't know it yet, but he was breaking a dangerously abusive cycle here.

[@carianawaters6425]

I know I’m... late to the party, but I have to comment on this. (Spoilers for this episode of course) Near the end there with the text message John received he was composed as ever. Regardless of if he is disbelieving or shaken to his core he’s almost always composed. This actor is brilliant. I read someone’s comment that said they liked Martin because he was expressive while John sounded like he was still telling a story. But don’t you hear it...? The difference between his calm and when he’s shaken to his core. It is the epitome of his character. I can’t quite place it but on the surface he speaks the same, but under... it seems less monotonous and infinitesimally(the tiiiniest amount) shakey, as if his mind and his mouth were not speaking the same words as is usually the feel of his out-of-account speech. He tries to stay professional, composed, put together. Only when he’s caught especially off guard does he exclaim like he did at the end of last episode. When he speaks his fears there’s still a wall. He speaks them to enlighten others of dangers and things to be careful of, nothing more. Vulnerability is not his job. I can hear him saying that. But if you listen closely, he seems deeply afraid of death. Not death exactly, an awful death specifically. He’s afraid of what awful thing might come for him as head archivist, and of whatever killed the last. That struck me this episode and the episode of the Dreamer. As ill-organized as this comment was, I hope I did my analysis justice

[@Nizati]

As someone who has seen the end of the series. Yes, yes it did. I hope you look back at this and can feel proud.

[@carianawaters6425]

@@Nizati Oh my gosh thank you for reminding me of this comment. You’re right, I am proud of this

[@BackToBrazil]

MARTIN SOUNDS SO FUCKING SWEET. THIS IS THE PERSON JOHN WAS BEING SO MEAN TO?

[@MryMocha]

Plotwist: Jon's lunch break was meant to be after he finished the recording but the Martin walked in so the weird wet noises in the background is Jon eating

[@pumpthebreaksprinceyyt759]

Martin: *exists for one episode so far* Me: I love you

[@Timfishoh2759]

A minute and a half in and I'm enjoying the pause, and terse reply to Martin's insistence that Jon can vouch for his mental wellbeing.🤭 ......Right! Back to the tale!

[@duckwithbread07]

When martin was talking about likeing spiders reminded me of that meme with everyone saying they hate clowns and that guys just like "i think clowns are delightful"

[@cursedpufferfish3988]

this ep references pretty much all prev episodes...... worm, spiders, tight squeeze window, burnt worm, musty smell, black ooze, weird shadow, undulating shadow, etc etc, wet meat, holes in the skin like the meat apartment dude, lights off like with serial killer's daughter story, all there various characters, knocking like with coffin, pipes like with not!graham and war piper story, books, witch, something in throat(?) like with vampire tongue,

[@cappuccino1645]

I was waiting for Martin to appear and I was not dissapointed

[@m00nyed]

I’m so glad I have strong stomach, because I was just eating my chicken sandwich and fries- and Martin starts going into detail of the woman and I was just like “Bruh- I’m eating.” And I just continued without feeling too sick listening. Also Martin is the reason I started listening to TMA and it’s amazing so far. Perfect to a tea!

[@fluffsnake]

OK WAIT I'M CONFUSED last episode ended with Martin probably dropping something like worms in front of Jon or so, it's literally the same sound that occasionally plays in this episode! But... nobody mentions that anymore? I can only assume that happened some time after this statement and that's a slightly horrifying thought 😱

[@Nizati]

I always imagined he walked in with a tupperware of the angry silver things as proof.

[@ann-margretparke9525]

Jon has had to hide behind disdain 'very' hard to mask his unfortunate crush for his subordinate. ;)