TMA - 6 seasons, 200 episodes
Summary: The newly appointed head archivist of an institute researching paranormal phenomena makes audio recordings of statements about paranormal happenings. He's also kind of a dick about it.
Trigger Warnings: Literally everything. They have a list of content warnings in the description of each episode. If there's something you need to watch out for, check them. I will not list everything.
I have listened to the whole podcast 3 times now. I will probably listen to it again. It secured it’s place my list of favorites that I go back to at least once a year.
The story itself is well written, and the characters are developed quite nicely. They feel like they make choices actual people would make(stupidity included). I find particular enjoyment in plots that are puzzle-pieced together since I can always notice new things whenever I relisten.
Going back to the characters, I love their representation of acespec folk. As someone who is also acespec, a lot of representation can be really frustrating to see, but I think it was written really well here.
The worldbuilding is also a really big thing I enjoy. Worldbuilding is probably one of my own favorite parts of writing, so I love when stories have their own intricate worlds/systems. One day I want to make a map sorting everything out during a relisten, but currently that is not something I have the time for.
As another plus, fandom has also been quite nice, from what I've interacted with. It's a story I feel like I can enjoy openly in my own way, and will continue to suggest this podcast to anyone into horror and podcasts.
(Thoughts continue Below)
Like I said above, I love worldbuilding. Plots and characters are fun, but seeing all the gears that make everything function is just a different kind of fascination.
The fear entities are a particular favorite. Eldritch horrors and similar have always been, I’ve included them in my own projects. But I love how they’re developed and blend together at the edges. I especially love how they were incorporated in the domains in the last season.
By extension I do also love the monsters. Michael/Helen and Nikola are my favorites. I love unserious yet dangerous antagonists. They’re the most fun to read/write.
The Sasha/Not-Sasha arc was very well done, as well. I really liked it (even if I was sad to see Sasha go).
I also really enjoyed how Jon and Martin’s relationship was written. I have read far too many stories were an acespec character was suddenly “fixed” as soon as they got into a relationship and it’s always refreshing to see good rep.
Honestly, I think all the characters in TMA are just really well written. They feel flawed in very human ways, and they don’t all immediately get along(or get along at all).
I’m already itching to start listening to TMP, though I’m trying to wait for more episodes because I know I’ll binge the whole thing and get impatient waiting for more.
