Detailed Summary of "The Magnus Protocol Season 1 Q&A" Podcast Episode

Release Date: January 30, 2025
Produced by Rusty Quill

Introduction to the Q&A Session

In the "The Magnus Protocol Season 1 Q&A" episode, hosts Freddie Wong and Alexander Jay Newell engage with their audience by addressing a myriad of questions related to the podcast's first season. The episode delves deep into the creative processes, character developments, plot decisions, and the intricate world-building that fans have come to appreciate.

1. Inclusion of Magnus Archives Characters

Question: "While writing the story of the first season, did you originally plan to have as many of the TMA characters, that's the Magnus Archives, characters that appeared in the season from the start or did you add them as the story progressed?"
Timestamp: [06:13]

Alexander Jay Newell:
"The number was pretty much consistent from the start. Which ones was the bit that was pretty, like, hotly contested and we went back and forth on a lot."
At [06:31], Alexander elaborates on the careful balance they maintained to ensure that incorporating characters from the original Magnus Archives felt organic rather than forced, avoiding excessive fan service.

Freddie Wong:
"We knew that we would probably be checking in on like, I don't know, three or four of the Archives characters, but which ones. A lot of that came down to who was available."
This decision-making process ensured that only significant and thematically relevant characters were revisited, preserving the narrative integrity of the new series.

2. Clarifying Jack and Celia's Baby

Question: "Where did Jack, Celia's baby come from, essentially? Did Celia get pregnant and give birth to a baby after finding herself in a strange new dimension?"
Timestamp: [08:50]

Alexander Jay Newell:
"I'm happy to say, yeah, Jack is Celia's kid. When Celia says she had some wild years over the last few years and ended up with a baby that she loves, she's not lying."
This clear affirmation dispels fan theories, emphasizing that Jack's origin isn't shrouded in mystery but serves as an emotional anchor for various characters.

Freddie Wong:
"It's just a confirmation, I guess."
He further explains the narrative choice to ground certain plot points firmly, avoiding unnecessary ambiguity.

3. Choosing Alchemy Over a Continuation of the Fears

Question: "Why alchemy and not a continuation of the Fears? Was there anything specific that sparked your interest in alchemy this season?"
Timestamp: [11:23]

Alexander Jay Newell:
"We didn't want to just be writing Magnus archives again. The fears are great, but we've done them. So we wanted to do something a little bit different."
The hosts sought to explore new metaphysical concepts within the Magnus universe, leading them to delve into the rich and symbolic world of alchemy.

Freddie Wong:
"Alchemy sounds good. And then our next meeting, Alex turned up with a full notebook."
He highlights the extensive research and passion behind selecting alchemy, ensuring it added fresh layers to the storytelling.

4. Writing with Guest Writers: Processes and Challenges

Question: "How different was it writing for the season with a whole roster of guest writers contributing? Did you have to make any adjustments to their material to make it fit into a wider narrative? Have the guest writers had influences on the greater story?"
Timestamp: [20:01]

Freddie Wong:
"We generated an abridged series bible with all of the really interesting bits cut out by Johnny. This was then provided to the guest writers along with a list of prompts."
This structured approach ensured that guest contributions aligned with the overarching narrative themes, maintaining consistency across episodes.

Alexander Jay Newell:
"Anything that's guest writers goes through both of us. And like, so there's a lot more of a pipeline, a lot more hands are touching pretty much every script."
He emphasizes the collaborative editing process, where both hosts meticulously refine guest scripts to fit seamlessly into the series.

5. Favorite and Least Favorite Externals

Question: "Who is your favorite external? Are there any fun ones planned for future seasons?"
Timestamp: [15:25]

Freddie Wong:
"Despite everything, my actual favorite is Bonzo. Because it's just f-ing weird and it's come out nicely."
Bonzo stands out as a creatively unique character, blending horror with unconventional traits.

Alexander Jay Newell:
"My favorite is Bonzo because of this Christ, I will do what I do..."
He acknowledges the successful integration of Bonzo into the narrative, attributing it to both creative resilience and the performers' talents.

6. Casting Decisions: Beth Eyre

Question: "Beth Eyre plays the archivist in Protocol, but also Lucia Wright in Archives. Is there a connection?"
Timestamp: [35:55]

Freddie Wong:
"We cast her broadly speaking because Beth does a really, really good audition. Very good to work with."
Choosing Beth Eyre was driven by her exceptional talent and reliability, ensuring high-quality performances across different roles.

Alexander Jay Newell:
"She's a fantastic voice actor."
He praises Beth's versatility, highlighting her ability to bring diverse characters to life without necessitating direct connections between them.

7. Representation: Introducing Trans Characters

Question: "What made you want to write an explicitly trans character for the Magnus Protocol? Why will or why won't Alice's trans identity ever be important to the story?"
Timestamp: [36:50]

Alexander Jay Newell:
"We like writing, like our lives are full of loads of different people, a lot of whom are trans. And like, we want to see that reflected in the fiction that we create."
The hosts emphasize their commitment to diversity and representation, aiming to create inclusive narratives without making a character's identity the central plot driver.

Freddie Wong:
"There doesn't need to be a story reason that Alice is trans. I'm not really necessarily the one to write the story about being trans, but that doesn't mean that trans people don't exist."
He advocates for normalizing diverse identities within storytelling, allowing characters to exist authentically without being defined solely by their identities.

8. Incorporating Comedic Elements

Question: "Morgan Mitchell and Marceline Gaming, you've mentioned your influences for the horror aspect of Magnus in previous Q&As, but does anything specific inspire the comedic satirical aspect of the show? After avoiding making TMA a workplace comedy despite a fan outcry, why the change?"
Timestamp: [39:43]

Freddie Wong:
"I have been told that I may be pushing the comedy satire a little harder. So the fact that I'm a little bit more involved on the writing on this one means it might be coming through a bit more."
Freddie introduces a more pronounced comedic tone, blending humor seamlessly with horror elements to enrich the storytelling.

Alexander Jay Newell:
"We are both very influenced by the shift and flow of comedy in British comedy, like Peepshow. I don't think there is a lot of Peepshow in protocol, but I think that that slight style of, like, it's not awkward comedy in the way that something like Peepshow really leans into, but it's got that slight bite to it, that slight edge."
Alexander credits British comedy influences, aiming for a nuanced humor that complements the horror narrative without overshadowing it.

9. Story Detail: Newton’s Dog

Question: "What's the breed of Newton's dog from episode 10? Beth Eyre plays Lucia Wright in Archives."
Timestamp: [43:40]

Alexander Jay Newell:
"Diamond is, according to legend, Sir Isaac Newton's favourite dog who set fire to manuscripts containing his notes on experiments conducted over the course of 20 years."
This detail enriches the historical backdrop of the narrative, intertwining legend with the show's fictional elements.

Freddie Wong:
"I'd believe it. The brutal truth is I didn't have a specific breed. I just wrote it based on a specific wood cutting which is the one where it's literally... It has like a Penny Dreadful esque quote underneath which is something like, 'Oh Diamond, what hast thou done now?'"
Freddie explains the inspiration behind the character, blending historical myth with creative liberty to craft a memorable antagonist.

10. Behind the Scenes: Challenges in Production

Question: "What's something you wished fans knew about making the show?"
Timestamp: [50:07]

Freddie Wong:
"All the bits you think are easy are really, really hard. All the bits you think are hard are just a bit hard. Getting it to sound accurate that someone has sat in a chair is exhausting and agonizing, painstaking work."
He sheds light on the meticulous effort involved in audio production, emphasizing the challenges of creating immersive soundscapes that listeners often take for granted.

Alexander Jay Newell:
"Sometimes, just to punish Alex, I'll write the words the character leaves, closing the door behind them."
A humorous take on the complexity of scriptwriting, highlighting the interactive dynamics between the hosts during production.

Conclusion

The "Magnus Protocol Season 1 Q&A" episode offers fans an in-depth look into the creative minds behind the podcast. Freddie Wong and Alexander Jay Newell candidly discuss their storytelling choices, character developments, and the intricate processes that bring "The Magnus Protocol" to life. From balancing fan expectations with original storytelling to the challenges of incorporating diverse characters and comedic elements, the hosts provide a comprehensive understanding of the show's evolution and future directions.

Notable Quotes:

• Alexander Jay Newell:
  "The number was pretty much consistent from the start." ([06:31])

• Freddie Wong:
  "It's just a confirmation, I guess." ([09:45])

• Freddie Wong:
  "All the bits you think are easy are really, really hard." ([50:07])

These insights not only enhance the listener's appreciation for "The Magnus Protocol" but also underscore the dedication and creativity fueling its success.