The OA (TV Series)

[whatdBuffyDo]

The OA
Created by: Brit Marling, Zal Batmanglij
Genre: Mystery, drama, science fiction, supernatural, fantasy
First Episode Date: December 16, 2016
Premise: A young woman named Prairie Johnson has resurfaced after having been missing for seven years. Prairie now calls herself the OA and can see, despite having been blind before her disappearance.

The show was originally planned as a story told in five seasons, however, it was canceled by Netflix after two seasons.

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@November , @DarkLordsHaunt and I've been talking about how there is no proper space for The OA fans to gather, so I figured we can have a thread in The Bronze to discuss matters related to the series. 🌻

 

[whatdBuffyDo]

I love this song from S1 Ep6 (though a good bassline would've added a lot to it):

After listening to the previous song, one could follow it with this song (not from the series):

I think I'm onto a new concept playlist...

 

[DarkLordsHaunt]

Said it already, but I LOVED THE OA! Been a while since I watched it though... maybe rewatch time? 😀

 

[November]

Said it already, but I LOVED THE OA! Been a while since I watched it though... maybe rewatch time? 😀

I'm up for it! Its been a while for me too, and I would have to get Neflix again which might not happen for a few weeks. This is one of the things I sorta hate about new media, I can't own The OA 🙁

I love this song from S1 Ep6 (though a good bassline would've added a lot to it):

Agreed! The use of music throughout is so powerful. I am a sucker for a good score, that's how Survivor Australia keeps me after all these years. Its such a brilliant way to convey emotion. So underrated in most media. I rarely see anyone comment on it in shows now, its always about the words.

I hadn't got my head around the perfect pitch that some characters had - this is important, but I haven't figured out why yet. The link between Buck and Rachel is something. Buck being able to decode the BBA, Rachel knew who she was sending her message to. Why do some have musical talent and other dont? Is this to do with frequencies? Vibrations? How does this transcend the show into the real life? Buck and Michelle were both musical, Prairie and Nina both played violin. Rachel had no voice at all... What's your thoughts?

I am working on the assumption that The OA was the original , that the haptives were the originals to discover this way of travel. When we meet Elodies robots, shes from down the line. How does time work if Prairie was first, who's out there teaching others how to move, how to travel? Has someone jumped more than we know by the time they all reconnect in the mental health hospital? Has Homer?

 

[NotASlayer]

I haven't seen it but I did see that it was on Netflix and I was wondering about watching it.

 

[sk]

I never got around watching season 2.
Never really understood this show. Think it was a bit too abstract for me.

/SK

 

[November]

I never got around watching season 2.
Never really understood this show. Think it was a bit too abstract for me.

/SK

Sometimes I think it should have ended with season 1 if Netflix were going to cancel it after season 2 anyway. Season 1 could have been a self contained story. Season 2 is frustrating because it asks more questions than it answers.

Its not worth watching season 2 if season 1 wasn't your thing, because it gets further out there! It is definitely the kind of show you either love, or you don't. I've suggested it to so many people, and most of them didn't like it and didn't understand why I am so obsessed with it. I can't explain it either 😛

 

[whatdBuffyDo]

For me, The OA brings back the feelings I had the first time I read Narnia Chronicles as a teen. I tried to write fanfiction emulating that mystical writing style.

I came across a song from a Russian band Конус Маха (at least I think they are Russian as I can't find any info on where they are based) and used Google Translate to understand their lyrics. The feeling the song emulates combines well with The OA (especially if you consider The OA herself is from Russia too)

Original Lyrics:

С порога смотрит мой пес, не узнавая.
Он как обычно не спал.
И будто вспять повернули все трамваи.

Такая долгая ночь, что я не помню,
Как днем бывает светло.
Мой пес давно разгадал: я посторонний.

Вроде все как обычно, но будто
Кто-то чужой
Адреса перепутал и просто
В гости зашел.
Глядит на меня исподлобья:
Зеркало врет, его я не помню.

А утром дворник приветливо закурит
И все следы заметет
И продавец подмигнет и не осудит,
Но вряд ли кто-нибудь из них поймет.
С порога смотрит мой пес
Бесцеремонно,
Он знает то, что нельзя.
Лишь он один разгадал: я посторонний.

English Translation:

My dog looks at me from the doorway, not recognizing me.
As usual, he wasn't sleeping.
And it was as if all the trams had turned back.

The night is so long that I don't remember
How light it is during the day.
My dog figured it out long ago: I'm a stranger.

Everything seems normal, but it's as if
Someone else
Mixed up the addresses and simply
Came in for a visit.
He looks at me from under his brows:
The mirror is lying, I don't remember it.

And in the morning, the janitor will light a genial cigarette
And cover up all traces
And the salesman will wink and not judge,
But it's unlikely any of them will understand.
My dog looks at me from the doorway
Unceremoniously,
He knows what's forbidden.
Only he has figured it out: I'm a stranger.

@DarkLordsHaunt I only newly finished it, but if you rewatch it, I can join your discussions. 🙂

 

[November]

For me, The OA brings back the feelings I had the first time I read Narnia Chronicles as a teen. I tried to write fanfiction emulating that mystical writing style.

I came across a song from a Russian band Конус Маха (at least I think they are Russian as I can't find any info on where they are based) and used Google Translate to understand their lyrics. The feeling the song emulates combines well with The OA (especially if you consider The OA herself is from Russia too)

Original Lyrics:


English Translation:



@DarkLordsHaunt I only newly finished it, but if you rewatch it, I can join your discussions. 🙂

I can see why that song reminds you of The OA! The lyrics are relevant, the guitar in it reminds me a bit of Renatas music too.

I Loved the way Prairies story began, overlayed with her theme music, it added to the depth of what was to come. The sort that makes you hold your breath - like you're about to go underwater.

The way its all weaved together is some magical storytelling. Its somewhat overwhelming, like all your senses are coming through the screen.

 

[November]

Watching our local religious assembly today, they were talking about the Holy Spirit being fuel to our direction. Each choice being an ongoing journey, with corrections along the way, hopefully towards the final destination. Those little spiritual gems remind me of the show!

The symbol of resurrection, the reoccurring theme of water, the need to "eat" the living animal to get the next movement... I love all this stuff but just cant wrap my head around it to the point that I'd say anything is definite.


Season 2 did seem to have more netflix influence than season 1 did, and I wonder if they had stuck with Netflix if the true story was able to be told, or if Netflix influence would corrupt it to a degree. Season 2 had horror elements and pacing similar to Stranger Things which was all the rage at the time. @whatdBuffyDo I saw your post about lighting in Buffy and it is used well in The OA as well, the first season being that Twilight blue tinge, s2 was darker, red. Zac had left a clue on his instagram when the show ended - YCFM with the squares of different colours. I cant find it now, but I'd assume each season was supposed to have a different base colour. I wish we got to see the whole thing 😭

 

[November]

Something is happening on instagram, I am not sure what yet.. I just saw Brit post about England and then immediately after was a Jason Issacs selfie in an airport... are they teasing us again or is there really a reason? I will go looking for theories later.

A few years ago Brit and Zal were on a discord talking about the show and fan theories, they said that no one had really discovered everything that they put into the show yet. I havent listened to any other interviews or question and answer times, so I am not sure if that has changed yet. Honestly I could listen to Brits voice all day, its beautiful.

 

[whatdBuffyDo]

Something is happening on instagram, I am not sure what yet.. I just saw Brit post about England and then immediately after was a Jason Issacs selfie in an airport... are they teasing us again or is there really a reason? I will go looking for theories later.

A few years ago Brit and Zal were on a discord talking about the show and fan theories, they said that no one had really discovered everything that they put into the show yet. I havent listened to any other interviews or question and answer times, so I am not sure if that has changed yet. Honestly I could listen to Brits voice all day, its beautiful.

Maybe there isn't anything but they try to create the atmosphere that there is so that people will demand it and Netflix will greenlight the next season, idk 😄 Like BtVS, some shows gain another group of cult following in later years for some reason, maybe they try to create that, or checking to see if there is anything to indicate that so that they can start some campaign. 🤔 This can go in circles. 😅

 

[November]

Maybe there isn't anything but they try to create the atmosphere that there is so that people will demand it and Netflix will greenlight the next season, idk 😄 Like BtVS, some shows gain another group of cult following in later years for some reason, maybe they try to create that, or checking to see if there is anything to indicate that so that they can start some campaign. 🤔 This can go in circles. 😅

Circles is how I tried to sell it to other people haha. It feels like that, biblical, alpha omega, the beginning is the end.

When it first got cancelled, people were doing the movements outside of the netflix headquarters. I followed a few on twitter who were utterly convinced that they were left behind in the wrong dimension. I am a super fan girl and I have never experienced a show that has influenced people like this show did. The fact that people are still looking for answers and signs far outweighs any tragedy of early cancellation, like Firefly. I actually love the hope in the fandom.


I ponder on its links to CPTSD (although probably cant articulate this). ALL of us are trapped in a world, against our will. When looking at the real world, even the worlds richest man is spending his riches trying to escape it. There are big links there but I am not smart enough to get my head around it, without more content.

I think it was @Taake who said to look into the Sophia myth and there are major correlations there as well. I need more content to really understand it.