As I'm listening to these episodes, I keep thinking back to the CoC: Dark Corners of the Earth video game. One of the early levels is played in Innsmouth. I haven't played that game in years, but as went back and re-read SOI and as the guys are talking about the different locations, characters, etc. I keep thinking back to the game because all of the key characters and locations are in there. They did a great job with making the city really creepy, too. It was released for PC, xbox, and (I think) PS2. I would definitely recommend picking it up if you can find a used copy, just to walk around the locales if nothing else.
Agreed about the game. Sadly there never was a PlayStation 2 version.
Anyway, just listened to the next episode. Great stuff as usual and very funny!
When I think about it, it really seems very tragic and sad when you consider what a picturesque town Innsmouth must once have been. It's really well described the way it has all descended into decay as the people of Innsmouth pay less and less attention to the upkeep of their town, as they look forwards to a life of immortality beneath the waves. That they do maintain a flimsy facade of a working town for the benefit of the occasional visitor really drives home how sad it is.
It's easy to imagine lots of eyes peering out through cracks in walls or grimy windows and suchlike as the protagonist walks the deserted streets of Innsmouth - possibly feeling as though he's being watched the entire time. That's really creepy.
I always took it that the Deep Ones, Dagon and Hydra are as much of this Earth as humans are - or as much as anything can be that was created by the Elder Things - while Cthulhu and his spawn were completely 'alien' beings.
The whole segment with Zadok Alan is really well written in my opinion - or at least it really creates a sense of mystery and dread. This section is done particularly well in the Dark Adventure Radio Theatre production of the story - with the crashing waves and seagulls in the background while Zadok rambles on. Brilliant stuff!
And then you have the idea of humans having to mate with these creatures - which is obviously horrible on so many levels it scarcely bares thinking about! I mean, for one thing, how do the human worshippers decide who gets to do the dirty, so-to-speak? Secret ballet? Shortest straw? Best swimmer? Do they get to pick which Deep One they're paired with - or do the Deep Ones make all these decisions? I'm already wishing I'd ended the post with '...scarcely bares thinking about.'!
Looking forwards to the next episode!
