Well, it’s decided. I’m burnt-out and pretending like I’m not isn’t helping resolve it, as it so happens. A very large shocker, right? The only option I have as the writer and creator of this show with the present circumstances, is to take an intentional rest from development.
I don’t like to get overly personal through Harbor’s platform, but I will be honest, the show is a beast on me. I write, direct, soundscape and edit, and perform as one of the leads. I wouldn’t change the last 3 years for anything, but my literal blood, sweat, and tears have been poured into this production. Let alone being primary on social media, something (I’ll be honest) I have very little interest in. Juggling three major job changes this year alone, in three vastly different and stressful fields that have nothing to do with sound design or production, hasn’t helped. I’m spent.
So! I’m resting for the next two months and hope to be reinvigorated in January ‘23.
I deeply appreciate all your support and can’t wait to continue writing this story in better health in the new year.
We’re thinking about doing a giveaway in the next few months, with some stickers and/or enamel pins (not in shop) to help get the word out about the show. Like, folks show us a previous review they’ve left or link us to a review written specifically to be entered into the lil giveaway, and we choose a few folks at random to give the goodies to, as appreciation!
Would there be any interest in this, dear listeners? We don’t have anything set up for this yet, want to make sure there’s responsiveness before starting the journey!
If you’ve enjoyed Harbor over this past year, please consider nominating us for any portion in the AVA’s 2020 round! (Well, all aside form music production: That was supplied by Epidemic Sound, and the geniuses Mercy Bell, and Meydan)
We’re still finding our footing and our people. Nominations like these can really help new listeners find us in the ocean of brilliant audio stories!
WEEEWOOO alert: All Transcripts for seasons 1 - 2 are available at our website RIGHT NOW!!! Apologies to those with auditory processing difficulties on these being delivered so late.
I listened to Season 2 Episode 1, when I hadn't actually listened to season 1 since the first time I listened to it when it came out, what, 2 years ago? So of course, I then had to relisten to Season 1 to make it all make sense. Here's a scattering of notes of things that caught my attention this time:
• what's under Crux's mask?
Was Crux previously Ground Crew? (Okay as of later episodes it seems the answer is no. Idk what made me think that but there was something)
What's up with the candles on Valen's desk?
Fergum says something about Valen's parents, and there's something to "of the Hollow" rather than just Hollow/Ivers Hollow as her surname. Are her parents cryptids?? How?
What exactly is Fergum's history with Al? They were friends for a bit. She used to do (hard) drugs? Or was this during her "alcoholic year"? (Or both?)
What's Fergum's history in general? They used to be in a different form (one with thumbs apparently)
...is Sam trans? The mayor had this long weird pause before she said boy, and then made some comment about him finally growing a beard?
Crux "changed his form"? - okay as of ep 6 he is a changeling, he was human and became a cryptid - and here I was assuming it was the other way around, that he had been a cryptid with a stranger, less-human form, who turned himself mostly human but for whatever's up with his nose & mouth.
Who is Franklin? Former research director. What's the story there? He can't enter Harbor.
I love Rus, I don't remember liking her so much before
Okay so is Crux's accent an accent, or like, a speech impediment to do with whatever's under his mask. (Or both?) And if it's an accent, where from?
...okay also what's Valen's accent? Sometimes I think she sounds much like Al, William, Leah, the mayor, etc - North Carolinian I guess - and sometimes I feel like she has something distinct going on.
also while we're talking about accents I'm sure Sam intentionally ditched his while away at school, but like, in the first episode he had "Mama - uh, I mean Mom" or something like that and I feel like there's been a handful of other instances where his accent has been more like Al's and I love it, I want more.
I caught a moment in episode eight or nine when crux felt something, and Sam momentarily panicked, which made me think that was the beginning of Sam's crush on Crux
I love J!!!!! He and sam are going to be friends :)
alakskejdk J like "uh um...yes of course" when Sam asks him not to judge his singing too harshly is so funny in retrospect, knowing J's name
Al killed someone?? I forgot that. Okay so. Who is Mia and why did she attack Al?
Sam goes (with SUCH confidence) "we gotta FUCK Becker" and I SLAM that pause button over the sounds of him choking on his words and say good night. No second hand embarrassment for me thanks.
The music coming in at the end of episodes is kinda nice as a signal it's over but it always catches me off guard lol. And I don't think any of it has stood out as like. Something I really like.
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR LEAH's SPIDER BOYFRIEND THIS WHOLE PODCAST this scene cracks me up I cannot WAIT for that reveal to Al and Sam.
alsksklalaksj why is it SO FUNNY when Seedum says "I'm 44. Aren't I younger than you?" Possibly because, despite it being stated he's mortal, I still figured he probably has a different lifespan than a human, and honestly even as a human I think I'd have expected him to be like. 50. Not much older than that but idk I guess him being a father figure to Al also made me expect him to be older.
Crux has been in Harbor for a century
yeah I need someone to draw Sam for me because no matter how often they mention his beard I picture him clean-shaven
okay it's been like two years since I last listened, right? And when I listened to season 2 ep 1, Crux x Sam took me by surprise. But I must have just forgotten about it because there is no way I missed it the first time - it is really obvious
huh it's weird bc. We never get to see the Harbor DCA like. Actually functional. And we don't hear much about it either. And I don't know where that would fit into the story anyway, but it's like. It seems like Becker has a point. Obviously his way of doing things is worse for cryptids, he's prejudiced, I'm sure there is a better way to actually encourage cryptids and humans to live in harmony - but I don't actually know if the way the DCA handled things is much better! I assume it is. They want us to think it is. And also, the prep work Sam has to do sounds good, focused on mediation and understanding the cryptids in the area. But everything we see the DCA handle is...kind of a complete mess. They're understaffed and underfunded, and so I'd like to see what they'd do with more people with the right prep and training, and I think it would be way better than what Becker does. But anyway I can see where Becker is coming from.
Also I forgot to note it but something's been hostile to Becker, made him clumsy and unlucky since getting to Harbor. Is that J? It's gotta be J right.
Okay hopes for Season 2:
Valen backstory (again, back to what Fergum said about her parents?)
Crux backstory (he became a cryptid?)
Al's self defense killing of Mia explained
More detail about Envis would be cool
Former Research Director Franklin backstory.
Expectations for season 2:
Leah reveals she knows about cryptids to Al and Sam (and introduces her bf!)
Two beautiful new reviews! Our listeners are just too kind. <3 Thank you both!!!
Alt text:
The first image is purple leaves on a black background. It is a 5 star iTunes review written by A4eve, on 12/12/2020. It reads “amazing!!! amazing podcast!! wont lie i AM kinda in love with J, but literally everything about this is amazing. cant recommend it enough!! listened to it during a 32 hour train ride and i have no other thoughts than just HARBOR!!!” Green writing reads “Thank you, A4eve!”
The second image is peeling light green and blue paint in the background. dark green and blue plants frame a review that reads “Excellent, entertaining, well-executed! 5 stars. I rarely write reviews, but this definitely merited one! I love the characters, the story, the voices...this one stands out for its high quality in every aspect. Thank you to all who have contributed to Harbor!” By Djess1127 via Apple Podcasts - United States of America - 12/18/2020 Black and yellowing writing reads “Thank you, Djess1127!” with a black heart below it.
