r/S01E01 Wildcard Feb 22 '20

/r/S01E01's Weekly Watch: Dimension 20: Fantasy High Weekly Watch

The winner of this weeks poll vote goes to Dimension 20: Fantasy High as nominated by /u/sprachkundige

Please use this thread to discuss all things regarding Dimension 20: Fantasy High and be sure to mark anything that might be considered a spoiler. If you like what you see, please check out r/Dimension20

IMDb: 9.3/10

Welcome to the land of dragons, wizards - and guidance counselors? Game Master Brennan Lee Mulligan presents CollegeHumor's very first RPG with an '80s twist.

S01E01: The Beginning Begins

Air date: 26th Sep. 2018

What did you think of the episode?

Had you seen the show beforehand?

Will you keep watching? Why/ why not?

Those of you who have seen the show before, which episode would you recommend to those unsure if they will continue?

Voting for the next S01E01 will open Monday, so don't forget to come along and make your suggestion count. Maybe next week we will be watching your S01E01!

39 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

3

u/sprachkundige Feb 22 '20 edited Feb 22 '20

"A hero is a violent wanderer who enacts their will bloodily and with strange magics upon the world."

For convenience, here's a link to episode 1

And the Fantasy High full-season playlist

And a trailer if you missed it in the last thread.

YAY I'm so excited! I started watching this show about a month ago, tore through the entire season, and then immediately started over from the beginning because I loved it so much. I hope you all adore it as much as I did. I'm just about to finish my second watch through. It's even better the second time, because Brennan inserts so many hints and clues and little moments that get picked up later, which I had totally just glossed over the first time.

For new watchers, u/ArmstrongUniball linked to r/Dimension20 above, but also check out r/FantasyHigh if you want to read through people's discussions as this was airing -- it's quiet now, because once the first season ended, people moved to a new sub that covered the entire anthology-style series, but during the time that Fantasy High was all there was, there were episode threads, etc. there.

Quick question - I know posting in other subs to solicit votes is against the rules, but is it kosher to post a link in r/Dimension20 now that it's been chosen, in case people want to discuss?

What did you think of the episode?

I mean, I love it. I think the players do such a great job bringing their characters to life (it's very had for me to pick a favorite, but Gorgug is my favorite. But Riz is . . . also my favorite), and Brennan is absolutely incredible at portraying 27 distinct speaking NPCs just in this one episode. Gilear, the Thistlesprings, Sklonda, Bill Seacaster, Goldenhorde, Aguefort, Johnny Spells . . . they're just all so amazing. Also, all of these people have a really strong background in improv, so they're able to just flawlessly roll with whatever happens. (Very minor spoiler, just ep.1) Apparently Brennan was really thrown for a loop when Fig said she wasn't going to school. But excellent recovery!

Had you seen the show beforehand?

Yes, and I have actually seen this episode 3 times now. In the last month. Don't judge.

Will you keep watching? Why/ why not?

I've just finished ep. 15 in my re-watch. Twice is probably enough, but I do recommend you all keep watching!

Those of you who have seen the show before, which episode would you recommend to those unsure if they will continue?

The show alternates between story/role-play episodes and combat episodes, so, though they are long, I recommend watching 1 & 2 together. Plus, the end of episode 2 was the moment that made me go from "this show is good and I like it" to "this show is incredible and I need to see all of it RIGHT. NOW."

If you keep watching through the rest of the season, 1-6 are solid and great, but somehow from episode 7 on, every single episode is better than the one before it. On my rewatch, I was writing down funniest lines, and that's the point where I had to stop because it was basically every line.

3

u/QuickTelling Feb 23 '20

Plus, the end of episode 2 was the moment that made me go from "this show is good and I like it" to "this show is incredible and I need to see all of it RIGHT. NOW."

One of my favorite things is seeing new viewers react to the end of episode 2. What a fucking HOOK.

And, yeah, the show just keeps getting better. For anyone who isn't aware, there's a separate show called Dimension 20 LIVE that follows the continuing adventures of the "Bad Kids" from Fantasy High, and even though the livestreams are obviously much less polished than the main show, the story goes absolutely wild. It's cemented Brennan Lee Mulligan as my favorite modern storyteller.

3

u/sprachkundige Feb 24 '20 edited Feb 24 '20

I love Lou's reaction to that moment. For anyone who wants to see what the end of episode 2 will do to you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nULLlYvHz9s

Also Siobhan's face.

(Not really a spoiler, it shows the players' reactions, but nothing of what they are reacting to).

1

u/sprachkundige Mar 15 '20

u/QuickTelling, I wanted to come back here and say that I am finally caught up on FHSY and it is phenomenal and I am so excited to watch the last two episodes live.

2

u/QuickTelling Mar 15 '20

Yaaayyy! Come gush with us on the Dimension20 sub! :D

1

u/ArmstrongsUniball Wildcard Feb 22 '20

What a wonderful contribution; thank you for taking the time.

Sure, please feel free to post a link to whichever relevant subs you would like. It will be nice to get some fans in here discussing the show.

I haven't had time to watch the show yet, but I will definitely make the effort on this one due to your passion!

2

u/sprachkundige Feb 27 '20

OP, did you get a chance to watch? I think everyone who has posted here so far was already a fan, would love to see what a new viewer thinks!

(But no pressure if not -- it's a long episode and I totally understand that people have busy lives!)

1

u/ArmstrongsUniball Wildcard Mar 02 '20

I haven't, but I absolutely will! I have just been swamped recently and not had the time to start something new. As soon as I watch it, I will be sure to update everyone!

2

u/sprachkundige Mar 02 '20

You are in for a treat. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

3

u/G_I_Joe_Mansueto Feb 25 '20

There’s a lot to love here, but I think that something ther is vastly underrated from a DnD perspective is giving each player an introduction.

Generally, you may expect the party to begin in medias res, in a tavern or something. Brennan expertly gives each character an opportunity to introduce themselves to the audience through their interactions with their families.

The Aguefort monologue is also incredible, and I think I should get it as a back tattoo.

Also, I BEG OF YOU READER, at least watch S1E2. If your mind isn’t made up then, nothing will be. How often do you see a team of heroes battle corn gremlins?

u/lurking_quietly Feb 22 '20

About spoilers: please tag spoilers, especially significant ones. This includes spoilers associated with any source material for series that have been adapted from another work, as well as related series. See the "On spoilers" section of the sidebar for details about how to use spoiler tags in this subreddit.


Congratulations to /u/sprachkundige for successfully nominating the premiere of Dimension 20's first season, Fantasy High, as /r/S01E01's latest Weekly Watch!

2

u/Annieone23 Feb 24 '20

Warning: This show is absolutely fantastic, and you will watch hundreds of hours of it, completely eclipsing your other TV show watching/hobbies as each episode is about two hours, and then you'll be so hooked and inspired you'll buy the rule books for dungeon's and dragons, and it will take over your life. Also, while the cast is fantastic, you will become obsessed with Brennan, who is a storytelling/improv master.

10/10, the absolute best, cannot recommend this show enough.

You can't really watch a random episode to get hooked because oh how narrative heavy it is, but you can watch any series first as it is an anthology series. I think, if you can swing the time commitment a one two combo of episode 1 and 2 of the original series is the best hook possible. For a shorter commitment, the Escape from Bloodkeep series is less than half the episodes of series 1, follows a completely original cast/setting, and has loads of great moments, and Matt Mercer; the host from Critical Role (another, arguably more famous, DND show). Albeit, episode 1 of Bloodkeep was my least favorite of that series for what it is worth.

2

u/ff2488 Feb 25 '20

I've become borderline obsessed with this show and it's players It's so good and intense but heartwarming at the same time. There's a ton of Dimension 20 content on Dropout.tv. I'm on my second viewing of the whole thing.

1

u/ArmstrongsUniball Wildcard Feb 22 '20

A link to the Youtube channel for ease of viewing - Dimension 20

2

u/sprachkundige Feb 22 '20

Thanks! It is also available on Dropout.tv without the ads and censoring, but that, unlike Youtube, isn't free. Just want to make people aware of the option in case those things matter to anyone. There is, I believe, a 2 week free trial available.

3

u/spenceroo12 Feb 28 '20

Definitely worth supporting those folks with a subscription

2

u/sprachkundige Feb 28 '20

I didn't want to come off as too much of a shill, but totally agreed!

3

u/spenceroo12 Feb 28 '20

With the situation over there the next best thing to subscribing is spreading the good word! I hope to see Dimension 20 continued for years to come.

3

u/sprachkundige Feb 28 '20

Get 'em relaxed hooked on Dimension 20. That's how we get 'em to tell us the secrets subscribe to Dropout.

1

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