The Terror is one of our favorite true-story based shows. Season one featured the Arctic expedition aboard the HMS Terror and HMS Erebus, which was a matter of historical record where two ships and a hundred twenty-nine people disappeared without a trace. Perhaps naming the ships what amounts to “Scary,” and “Hell,” was a bit too apropos foreshadowing. They would have been better served with monikers like “Joyful,” and “Success.” There’s a life lesson in that, though we haven’t included it on our list. Sometimes you get what you ask for. The second season started August 12th and features stories from Japanese internment camps and the Kaidan or Japanese ghost stories. This is a slight divergence from the first season, which only told a reality-based tale. Nevertheless, we look forward to some great shows. For anyone who hasn’t seen or read Japanese horror, you’ll be pleasantly surprised and utterly frightened by some of the things this brilliant and ancient culture has come up with over the years. Sadly the internment camps are no myth, and though it’s not ‘good,’ they are a source of plenty of chilling tales.
1. History is NOT “Boring”
In essence, all history is a story we tell ourselves, so we don’t forget the valuable lessons. We all knew or were, kids who complained about history class being dull. Most of us understand logically that we learn history so we won’t be as likely to repeat it. While some of the passages and books we see in school indeed aren’t written as the thrilling tales, they truly were, that’s entirely the failing of the schools who choose the textbooks. Most of the dull parts of history weren’t recorded. After all, “Fred and his family were happy farmers who were healthy their long lives and never suffered worse than a cold,” isn’t worth telling. The things worth recording were packed with action, drama, excitement, and yes, fear. All of the first season told the tale of a descent into madness, terror, and monstrous attacks both from humans and a bear that was beyond anything they ever glossed over in a school history class. While the writer doubtless embellished some things for the sake of drama, bear attacks are among the most horrifying things a human can experience with regard to being hunted.
2. Choices Aren’t Always Black & White
In episode three of the first season, the overbearing theme is one of judgment and duty. The captains of the ships are forced into an untenable position and must weigh their loyalty to each other against their duty and loyalty to their respective crews. Should a leader turn his back on his men if it means others who are just as deserving might survive? What about personal survival and loyalty to friends and companions? Madness can take over a person’s mind and change the way they see things as well. Though it’s not truly the sufferers’ fault, it still affects their judgment and choices. Sir John Franklin is a stunning, and may we also say exceptionally well filmed, example of this phenomenon. The terrible loss of first his self and then his life is a stark description of how far things can go if left in an uncertain state.
3. Humans Are The Hardiest Survivors On Earth
Yes, a water bear can survive freezing, boiling, and the vacuum of space. Yet they have no concept of the level of horror that occurs when your species turns against you, not to eat you, but to torture and jail you because of some arbitrary decision. Season two is called Infamy after a speech given by JFK about Pearl Harbor. Unfortunately, that beautiful and inspiring speech also inspired America to torture a whole segment of the population based on a “Maybe someone could be a bad guy,” premise. It is an example of the same sort of thinking that led Hitler to imprison the Jews (and many others). In spite of the harsh and horrifying circumstances, women like Luz, who was pregnant with a half Japanese unborn child, managed to survive being imprisoned and all the horrors that come with that life. The tragedy is only one side of that coin. The other is that we, as a species, have an incredible and beautiful will to live and thrive that can survive even the terror we create for ourselves.
4. Myths Are History Too
When people were newer on the planet, we didn’t understand things like death, illness, and other misfortunes. Our way of coping was to make up stories that comforted us and taught lessons. When you boil them down, our fairytales serve the same purpose as our history. They simply have fewer filters and logic applied in the telling. The Bear in season one is an excellent example of this, just as Chester’s belief that he’s called down a vengeful spirit shows it in season two. If such a creature stalked the Terror and Erebus, it was likely a polar bear. For those who have not seen one of these massive creatures in person, let us assure you that it’s not hard to see why one would be mistaken for a ghost or demon. In the snow, they blend in and can come out of nowhere, and they’re huge! Males can be almost ten feet tall. Local legends probably came from grains of truth about real dangers, but interpreted by storytellers instead of historians. Moreover, bears are not stupid creatures. They’re omnivorous opportunists. They are the only non-domesticated animal we know of that is smart enough to live with and be trained by humans. An intelligent, hungry polar bear would be very much like a demon if it hunted people and taught it’s cubs down the generations to do the same.
5. All Terror is Real, No Matter The Source
We all get that awful feeling sometimes; the creeping sensation in the back of our mind that we’re being watched, or something is about to ‘get’ us. While we don’t know what causes it, or how to stop it, that feeling is universal. People have a natural sense of fear that comes out to toy with us. Whether there’s a serial killer in the back of our car, a ghost in the road, or not a care in the world in our perfectly safe home at night. When Amy tells Chester about the constant and violent abuses of Mr. Furuya, there is a tangible and awful fear that we can hold on to. Alternately, when Chester first suspects a Yurei is haunting his family, that’s a lot harder to put a finger on. (Not that we’d want to if we could.) Regardless of the type of terror, the way it affects people is the same. Whether in our heads or not, the scare factor is constant.
Final Thoughts
It would have been a little too tongue in cheek for us to say, “Truth is stranger, and scarier than fiction,” on this list. Regardless, we hope you’ve enjoyed the other life lessons AMCs The Terror teaches us. We’ve certainly enjoyed watching the show, and we’re looking forward to more episodes and additional seasons from this thrilling and spine-tingling show. Do you have a favorite true tale of terror you’d like to see AMC include if they do a third season? Let us know what it is in the comments section. (With details please, we love a good scare!)
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