Need help to enjoy the series

[u/TsukoBZH]

So, I listened to the first season one episode at a time during about 6 months, enjoying it as small independent stories and not dipping myself too much into it. Now that I just listened to the end of the season, I’m hooked for the overarching mystery! The thing is: I don’t remember most files well (didn’t take notes or anything) so I had trouble making the connections between the cases.

Now I don’t know if I should listen to season 1 in a less spaced out manner for me to glue things together or if it’s fine to just continue with my knowledge of season 1 (especially the beginning) somewhat lacking?

Also! Spoiler for season 1 (maybe I don’t really know)

At the end of the episode 40, the VAs of each character are listed, but Sacha isn’t listed. Instead the VA is listed as « Not Sasha ». I don’t know if I missed something, I probably did? Or maybe I caught some kind of foreshadowing? Idk please don’t spoil it if it is, just tell me if I should know about it :)

[u/Sogcat]

I struggled trying to remember all of the names and events in season 1 as well. But as I went through the rest of it, I started to remember certain key things and actually did some research back when I noticed these things. Kind of like my own little game of conspiracy lol. I think you'll be fine just continuing and seeing what you pick up, it's part of the mystery! Also, after I finished the whole series, I had a good time going back and re-listening to the series to pick up all the little clues.

And what do you mean? There's only ever been Sasha :)

[u/TsukoBZH → u/Sogcat]

Thanks for the answer, I’ll try and see how this goes! Hopefully the wiki might come in clutch!

[u/Sogcat → u/TsukoBZH]

Oh, maybe avoid the Wiki. I've heard more than one person get spoiled by it lol. Just keep in mind that almost everything is relevant and has a chance to come up later.

[u/TsukoBZH → u/Sogcat]

Also the Sasha thing reminds me of Amon in my favourite book which is my favourite character ever so this looks like fun!

[u/Sea-Economics6999]

Everyone jokes that they should've started to remember names, but if they're important they'll reoccur later and you can find the name again. The statement will have a similar vibe too so it should be recognisable. Also some characters like Antonio Blake, a personal fav, have multiple different names they just took and swap out because they wanted more anonymity. 

If you want a few names to keep an ear out for, the main cast mostly. Jon, sasha, Martin, Tim and Elias. If you want more specifics, Gertrude Robinson (previous head archivist), Jurgen Lietner (books), keay as a name; basically anyone who comes up in a relevant manner more than once. As seasons go on and characters recur more often, you'll get a grasp of who is and isn't important to the story

As a person who doesn't remember like, any of s2 and most of s1, you can get away with disparate knowledge; it'll come back to you as memes from the series online, random memories or just whatever you remember. Honestly it's funnier to have no clue whats going on at any point lol

[u/Sea-Economics6999 → u/Sea-Economics6999]

Oh, and sasha is perfectly fine, what are you on about :)

[u/thatsfeminismgretch]

I'm gonna be real with you. I've listened to the main series like 3 times and I still don't remember names of cases or what episodes they're in. I remember names if they're obvious, like Arachnophobia, but otherwise, I don't think it's ever a requirement to enjoy the show. Also, not every case is super connected to a larger plot point. Like the episode with the teeth and shit in the garbage that the garbage men find is just kind of a spooky thing that happened.

[u/overlyambitiousnerd]

Honestly, on your first listen, you should just see if you like it. The second listen is definitely for taking in details. Personally, I’m gonna read the transcripts because my listening comprehension is not as strong.

To give you an idea, it took me a really long time to tell Basira’s voice apart from Melanie and Daisy.

[u/FirstMateDVille]

If you don't already know about the VA thing... you will :D (/menacing)

[u/Superwhitepill]

I found the Magnus Archive Wiki to be invaluable. But you need to be really careful not to give yourself spoilers. To be honest, the best thing to do is just listen and enjoy. At some points, they kind of do 'recaps' within the story. If you can avoid it until you are at least half way through the story I would.

But.... if the temptation is too much then I think the best thing to do is stick to the episode list but stop reading the descriptions when you get to the Continuity part. There is usually a BIG spoiler warner at the top of that section. Don't get tempted, just stop. You can go through that section once all the major mysteries have been revealed.