Lovecraft Country

Shat on Entertainment

"Want ""Lovecraft Country"" broken down in an hour or less? We're the team to do it. Shat on TV returns after covering three seasons of HBO's ""Westworld"" and the racially charged ""Watchmen"" to explore the horror, science, and civil rights issues of Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams' ambitious TV project. We mix in audience letters and voicemail, plus insights from the Matt Ruff novel that inspired the series. Subscribe & Social Media - https://shatontv.com/subscribe-and-follow Website - https://shatontv.com/category/lovecraft-country Email - mailto:hosts@shatontv.com Our Movies Podcast - http://shatthemovies.com read less
TV & FilmTV & Film

Episodes

Ep.3: Lovecraft Country - 101 - Sundown
Aug 19 2020
Ep.3: Lovecraft Country - 101 - Sundown
Our "Sundown" Deep Dive explores the breakneck pace and refreshing attitude of Lovecraft Country's debut episode. We examine the racist legacy of H.P Lovecraft, the legendary voice of James Baldwin, and the principle of "othering." A voicemail about "The Green Book" takes Gene Lyons to task, and listener letters highlight the history of Chicago's Bronzeville, the concept of "struggle movies," the contrast of eldritch horror vs. Jim Crow horror, and the use sci-fi and horror as genres to tackle bigotry. Ash teaches us about weird fiction, Denmark Vesey, and how to pronounce Cthulhu. Letitia and Atticus shine in their many splendid F*** YOUs. And The King Bee provides a handy overview of Edgar Rice Burroughs characters who appear in Episode 1. Lovecraft Country Episode 1 Summary: Veteran and pulp-fiction aficionado Atticus Freeman travels from the Jim Crow South to his South Side of Chicago hometown in search of his missing father Montrose. After recruiting his uncle George and childhood friend Letitia to join him, the trio sets out for “Ardham,” MA, where they think Montrose may have gone looking for insight into Atticus’ late mother’s ancestry. As they journey across the Midwest, Tic, Leti, and George encounter dangers lurking at every turn, especially after sundown. Subscribe Now Android: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-androidApple/iTunes: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-itunes Help Support the Podcast Support with Paypal - https://shatontv.com/paypalSupport With Venmo – https://venmo.com/ShatPodcastsShop / Merchandise: https://shatontv.com/shopShop Amazon With Our Affiliate Link - https://www.amazon.com/?tag=shatmovies-20Sponsor's Listener Survey - https://shatontv.com/surveyLeave an iTunes Review - https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-reviewLeave a Voicemail - (914) 719-SHAT - (914) 719-7428Feeds & Social Media - https://shatontv.com/subscribe-and-follow/Listen to our Movie Podcast - http://shatthemovies.com
Ep.4: Lovecraft Country - 102 - Whitey's on The Moon
Aug 26 2020
Ep.4: Lovecraft Country - 102 - Whitey's on The Moon
Lovecraft Country Episode 2 hit us hard and quick with a slew of new characters, Atticus' dizzying lineage, hallucinations, rituals, cannibalism, ancient orders, and snake dick. Thankfully, we have answers.  "Whitey's on The Moon" pushed the audience into new territory while drawing from influences as far-flung as "Goosebumps" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Uncle George said goodbye with some really powerful lines, and two ghosts gave us some mysteries to think about.  Lovecraft Country Episode 2 Summary: Inexplicably recovered from their terrifying night, Leti and George luxuriate in their new surroundings while Atticus grows suspicious of their Ardham Lodge hosts — Christina Braithwhite and her elusive father Samuel — who unveil cryptic plans for Atticus' role in their upcoming "Sons of Adam" ceremony. Later, after Tic, Leti, and George stumble upon a clue that could lead them to Montrose, each takes an unwelcome walk down memory lane. Subscribe Now Android: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-androidApple/iTunes: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-itunes Help Support the Podcast Support with Paypal - https://shatontv.com/paypalSupport With Venmo – https://venmo.com/ShatPodcastsShop / Merchandise: https://shatontv.com/shopShop Amazon With Our Affiliate Link - https://www.amazon.com/?tag=shatmovies-20Sponsor's Listener Survey - https://shatontv.com/surveyLeave an iTunes Review - https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-reviewLeave a Voicemail - (914) 719-SHAT - (914) 719-7428Feeds & Social Media - https://shatontv.com/subscribe-and-follow/Listen to our Movie Podcast - http://shatthemovies.com
Ep.5: Lovecraft Country - 103 - Holy Ghost
Sep 2 2020
Ep.5: Lovecraft Country - 103 - Holy Ghost
"Lovecraft Country" promised us a spooky, sexy, seething mix of TV horror and real-world racism. And Episode 3 delivered on that promise in a big way. Learn the history of the Winthrop House, Christina Braithwaite's involvement, and the significance of the episode's opening church scene. Explore the tension between key characters, and celebrate the sizzle between Atticus and Letitia. Compare how monsters behave on the open road and in our own homes. And consider the significance of 1955 in Chicago history. This edition of the Lovecraft Country Deep Dive also touches on The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's white girlfriend, the aftershock of George's death, and what happened with the eight suffering spirits who helped purge Hiram Epstein.  Lovecraft Country Episode 3 Summary: Three weeks after George's funeral, Letitia uses an unexpected inheritance from her deceased mother to buy a dilapidated Victorian mansion in an all-white neighborhood on Chicago's North Side, filling it with Black renters. The white neighbors harass their new neighbors and burn a cross on the lawn. Inside the house, supernatural activity flares up. Leti learns that the previous owner was a white scientist, Hiram Epstein, who kidnapped, experimented on and killed eight Black people before burying them under the house. All nine spirits are trapped there. With the help of a medium and the Black spirits, Leti banishes Epstein's malevolent ghost. Later, Atticus finds Christina in Chicago, having survived the fire. Atticus has deduced that she was, secretly, the source of the "inheritance" and steered Leti to the house. Christina explains that the house was built by Horatio Winthrop, a Sons of Adam member banished after stealing pages from The Book of Names in the 1800s, and that Epstein was a follower of Winthrop's. She asks Atticus to help her find the missing pages, which could help decipher "the language of Adam". Atticus attempts to shoot her, but she's seemingly invulnerable to harm. Subscribe Now Android: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-androidApple/iTunes: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-itunes Help Support the Podcast Support with Paypal - https://shatontv.com/paypalSupport With Venmo – https://venmo.com/ShatPodcastsShop / Merchandise: https://shatontv.com/shopShop Amazon With Our Affiliate Link - https://www.amazon.com/?tag=shatmovies-20Sponsor's Listener Survey - https://shatontv.com/surveyLeave an iTunes Review - https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-reviewLeave a Voicemail - (914) 719-SHAT - (914) 719-7428Feeds & Social Media - https://shatontv.com/subscribe-and-follow/Listen to our Movie Podcast - http://shatthemovies.com
Ep.6: Lovecraft Country - 104 - A History of Violence
Sep 9 2020
Ep.6: Lovecraft Country - 104 - A History of Violence
We expected an Indiana Jones-style romp from Lovecraft Country Episode 4. And "A History of Violence" delivered that adventure on a bloody plate, examining what it feels like to be the aboriginal rather than the raider. In this podcast edition, we explain why the museum was critical to telling the tale, why Montrose snuffed out a life, how the Chicago police fit into the picture, and what NACA was.  This Deep Dive also covers how Christina Braithwaite is behind everything (including a tree) and why Hippolyta changed course. Ash celebrates the force of nature that is Ruby, and your hosts all agree they need more love songs for the people in their lives. Lovecraft Country Episode 4 Summary:After Christina mysteriously shows up at her doorstep, Leti confronts Atticus about his plan to surreptitiously return to Florida. Later, in search of missing pages to a crucial text, Leti, Tic, and Montrose head to Boston, with Hippolyta and Diana (Jada Harris) along for the ride. Back in Chicago, a handsome stranger nurse Ruby's disappointment over a squandered job opportunity. . Subscribe Now Android: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-androidApple/iTunes: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-itunes Help Support the Podcast Support with Paypal - https://shatontv.com/paypalSupport With Venmo – https://venmo.com/ShatPodcastsShop / Merchandise: https://shatontv.com/shopShop Amazon With Our Affiliate Link - https://www.amazon.com/?tag=shatmovies-20Sponsor's Listener Survey - https://shatontv.com/surveyLeave an iTunes Review - https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-reviewLeave a Voicemail - (914) 719-SHAT - (914) 719-7428Feeds & Social Media - https://shatontv.com/subscribe-and-follow/Listen to our Movie Podcast - http://shatthemovies.com
Ep.7: Lovecraft Country - 105 - Strange Case
Sep 17 2020
Ep.7: Lovecraft Country - 105 - Strange Case
Listeners asked for a deeper, longer dive, so here it is. This week's Shat on TV covers all the gore, glam, and "goddamn!" of Lovecraft Country Episode 5: Strange Case. Ash educates us on Kafka's "Metamorphosis," a subject she actually taught at the college level. Not to be outdone, Gene unveils the truth behind "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (with the help of listeners, of course.)  We round out the episode by celebrating ball culture, witnessing Ruby's character development, debating stiletto sodomy, and considering an ulterior motive behind Atticus' attack on Montrose. Lovecraft Country Episode 5 Summary:Owning to a spell cast by William, Ruby wakes up as a white woman and comes to enjoy a life of privilege she could only imagine before. Montrose tells Tic that he has taken care of Yahima, causing his son to nearly beat him to death. Leti tells Tic that she is terrified of his rage, but the two latter reconcile and have sex. Montrose goes to Sammy's apartment and has sex with him. As Tic works on deciphering the "Language of Adam", Leti warns him that the use of magic is inherently evil and fears it will corrupt him. Under the name Hillary, Ruby gets a job as an associate manager at the department store. William tells her that she must perform a "favor" for him by planting a stone with runes written on it in Captain Lancaster's office. While doing so, she discovers an imprisoned man who has been tortured in his office. Later, Ruby witnesses her white boss, Paul, humiliate and nearly sexually assault a black employee, Tamara. Sammy attends a drag queen ball and dances with Montrose. After Christina tells Ruby to embrace power, she tortures Paul and rapes him with a stiletto shoe. Ruby confronts William and asks him what does do in the locked basement with Christina; he then shreds his skin to reveal that he is really Christina. As Tic works on the "Language of Adam", he discovers something that causes him to call his former lover Ji-Ah, in South Korea to ask her "what are you?" Subscribe Now Android: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-androidApple/iTunes: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-itunes Help Support the Podcast Support with Paypal - https://shatontv.com/paypalSupport With Venmo – https://venmo.com/ShatPodcastsShop / Merchandise: https://shatontv.com/shopShop Amazon With Our Affiliate Link - https://www.amazon.com/?tag=shatmovies-20Sponsor's Listener Survey - https://shatontv.com/surveyLeave an iTunes Review - https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-reviewLeave a Voicemail - (914) 719-SHAT - (914) 719-7428Feeds & Social Media - https://shatontv.com/subscribe-and-follow/Listen to our Movie Podcast - http://shatthemovies.com
Ep.10: Lovecraft Country - 108 - Jig-a-Bobo
Oct 7 2020
Ep.10: Lovecraft Country - 108 - Jig-a-Bobo
Lovecraft Country aspired from day one to mix eldritch horror with the terrors of racism in America. And Episode 8 showed us exactly how powerful that combination could be. The scares were scarier. The action was intense. And "Jig-a-Bobo" painfully examined the complex issues of intersectionality, performative death, isolation, and the status quo. In this edition, Ash and Gene highlight the significance of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," the history behind topsy-turvy dolls, and the unforgivable details of Emmett Till's death. The Shat Crew also touches briefly on the Chicago American Giants, March for Life, and a handful of listener emails. And to the callers who left voicemail this week: Your kindness made a difference in our lives, and we were honored to share your voices on the podcast. Lovecraft Country Episode 8 Summary:Atticus, Leti, Ruby, Montrose and Diana attend the memorial for Emmett Till (who was a friend of Diana's). Dianna is stopped by Lancaster who demands she give him the orrery and when she refuses, he casts a spell that leads to two malevolent spirits, Topsey and Bobsey, to haunt her. Atticus gives Christina the key to the orrery/time machine in exchange for learning how to cast spells. Christina is planning to sacrifice Atticus at the fall equinox to be immortal. Ruby grows closer to Christina, but is hurt when she tells her that she does not care about Till's lynching. Ji-Ah arrives in Chicago, causing Leti to become angry with Atticus. Montrose and Atticus reconcile. Atticus says he visited the future while at the Winthrop observatory and will have a son by Leti named George who will write the book Lovecraft Country. Leti trades the negatives of her photos in exchange for Christina casting a spell. Montrose and Atticus cast a spell to protect them, but nothing happens. Two men kill Christina in the same manner as Till and dump her corpse into Lake Michigan, but she revives. A suddenly more appreciative Ruby tells Leti of her relationship with William/Christina. Diana is attacked by Topsey and Bobsey and collapses. Lancaster attempts to enter Leti's house to find the orrery, but when he cannot, he and his policemen shoot up the house. A policeman tries to shoot Atticus, but a shoggoth appears who kills the policemen and tears off Lancaster's arm. Leti observes that Atticus's spell worked after all. Subscribe Now Android: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-androidApple/iTunes: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-itunes Help Support the Podcast Support with Paypal - https://shatontv.com/paypalSupport With Venmo – https://venmo.com/ShatPodcastsShop / Merchandise: https://shatontv.com/shopShop Amazon With Our Affiliate Link - https://www.amazon.com/?tag=shatmovies-20Sponsor's Listener Survey - https://shatontv.com/surveyLeave an iTunes Review - https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-reviewLeave a Voicemail - (914) 719-SHAT - (914) 719-7428Feeds & Social Media - https://shatontv.com/subscribe-and-follow/Listen to our Movie Podcast - http://shatthemovies.com
Ep.11: Lovecraft Country - 109 - Rewind 1921
Oct 14 2020
Ep.11: Lovecraft Country - 109 - Rewind 1921
Lovecraft Country redefined the purpose of a penultimate episode this week with Episode 9: "Rewind 1921." As Leti, Tic, and Montrose traveled back in time, we were reintroduced to Uncle George, shown Hippolyta's power, and invited to explore the interplay between homosexuality and fatherhood—all played out during an explosive look back at one of America's darkest days. Ash and Gene guide you through the events surrounding the Tulsa Massacre and the people who fought and died there. This episode also catalogs the numerous callbacks in Episode 9, and listener voicemails lend a little support as we work toward the finale. Lovecraft Country Episode 9 Summary:Hippolyta returns to Chicago to find Atticus, Leti and Montrose struggling to keep Diana alive after her being cursed by Lancaster. Ruby summons Christina, who uses Hippolyta's blood to "reset" the curse but warns that because Lancaster was the only one who knew the curse, it cannot be fully lifted. Christina visits and taunts a dying Lancaster and convinces Ruby to aid her in her quest for immortality, even after Ruby learns that the spell will kill Tic. The others decide to use Hiram's multiverse machine to travel back in time to 1921 Tulsa, where Tic's mother's family held the Book of Names before it was destroyed in the Greenwood massacre. Upon arriving in 1921, Tic, Leti and Montrose witness a young Montrose being beaten by his father. The adult Montrose flees. Tic goes looking for Montrose and finds him watching his younger self rebuke a friend of his for being a "faggot", before the pair of them, as well as young George and Dorothy, are set upon by a white mob. Tic comes to their rescue. Leti is saved from attackers by Tic's mother's family, who hide her in their house as it is attacked by another mob, and Leti convinces Tic's grandmother to hand over the Book of Names by promising to safeguard her family and their legacy. The trio flee the burning city and return to 1955 through the portal. Subscribe Now Android: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-androidApple/iTunes: https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-itunes Help Support the Podcast Support with Paypal - https://shatontv.com/paypalSupport With Venmo – https://venmo.com/ShatPodcastsShop / Merchandise: https://shatontv.com/shopShop Amazon With Our Affiliate Link - https://www.amazon.com/?tag=shatmovies-20Sponsor's Listener Survey - https://shatontv.com/surveyLeave an iTunes Review - https://shatontv.com/lovecraft-country-reviewLeave a Voicemail - (914) 719-SHAT - (914) 719-7428Feeds & Social Media - https://shatontv.com/subscribe-and-follow/Listen to our Movie Podcast - http://shatthemovies.com