To be honest, I was disappointed. I waited for this for a month, only to have it delayed for a month. The hype was big about this supposed "big name" podcaster. Turns out he is (and this is not an affront to him) a middling sort of podcaster. But hey, whatever. Then came the big promise of a story by this guy. Okay. I'm stupid, I bite again. The story is interesting enough but it left too much open. Yeah, I know, 30 mins. is a short time to tell a story fully. However, Serling, whom you are obviously (tring) to imitate managed it and I would expect the same of anyone trying to do this. However, you didn't come close. You tried, you failed. Its as simple as that. Sorry to be critical but (and this is only an opinion here) there were several problems with the script and story:

First, the 'board to the head' beginning with the charted explanation left little to the imagination. It should have been left to be revealed in the body of the story, which it later was. But the preemptive strike at the beginning gave the whole work a 3rd grade, flow chart, explain everything mentality.Second, story wise, what was the big deal with the aliens. Yes, we (humanity) had been being duped for a couple of thousand years, but big whoop. Its not like they were a danger to anyone. Did they cause ill effects on the human race? Did people die because of this? Wheres the horror? The threat? What would have been better would be to ask the bigger questions? Were these creatures collectively God? They were asked but left dangling as if to say, " we don't know what it is, its not hurting anyone, lets kill it." What was the reason. Thirdly, more realistic dialog and less preachiness. The purpose for inventions speech was very contrived. The dialog was stiff and struggling at times. People don't talk like text books, genius' don't tend to prattle (they do ramble). I should know, I worked with a number over the years. Now for the filming. Lighting issues. Shakey camera work at times (Oddly well handled part of the time), and some actors who were terrible unsuited. The main priest was good, the second priest too young, Gordo just irritating and weakly acted, as though he were strung out on twinkies and going through puberty. The ending was vague and took no chances and the whole device felt 'stuffed'. I will give you points for effort. You are at least doing something. The effects were truly great. But it all just felt contrived. And I am sorry to be so harsh. But don't promise what you can't deliver or modify what you claim to be. Honesty over vanity, which is what this project seems to be dedicated. I will say this, I have a couple of friends who turned me on to this who really liked it. I too think it has potential. But on this episode, it was squandered and crippled. Better plotted out scripts and a little more in the way of directing and I think you may have something. Otherwise, I will be skeptical, not that it should matter to you. Keep plugging and remember its easy to set on this side, but it can be liberating and freeing to do so. You laid it open for commentary and opinion. Here is just one. Future good fortune. KVS

Very nice way to start the series. This is a fun little way to let you know you will be seeing some smart sci-fi and not just a “boo I’m a scary monster” type of show. Very polished.... Scott’s cameo is quite funny and David made me believe he was guy sitting on pew. You are on to something.

I loved this. Very good production for the budget you guys have. Although I do agree a couple of things could have been fixed. Like for example: When the cultist meets with the priest for the second time. I think throwing the box to the floor was a little too much, and sort of ruined the tension and suspense a little bit.

Anyways great idea great acting, I’ll watch the next episodes and tell all my friends about it.

How can I put this???? WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW...... did I mention WOW… Holy crap, What was your budget for this episode??? I am amazed.... This is hands down the best show on the internet and even better than many shows on broadcast tv with way more budget. Only Lindsay Campbell beats you, and that is just because she is so cute and witty, www.moblogic.tv , that’s her site if you’ve never seen it. Anyway, congratulations to the crew of strangerthings.tv AWSOME job and keep it up.

excellent!!!  Better than anything I’ve seen on cable or network tv.

this was pretty good. i am a christian and i still enjoyed it thoroughly.

To Earl & co:
Really nice, professional job and a good story as well! It could be a real TV show (if you interrupt it every 5 minutes with 4 minutes of commercials, dumb it down a tad, remove religious references and add a relentless laugh track). Thanks for being on the internet!

nice story… great job… prefer this kind of films than those big budget nonsense films.

I know I’m four years late to the game, but I recently hunted this episode down because of Toby Turner. At first I only wanted to watch because he was in it, but as I watched it I fell in love with Gordo. The character was adorable!
Sure there were obvious flaws, but the amazing parts overshadow those few slips by a million times. During the entire last seven minutes of the episode my jaw was dropped, hands cupped over my mouth and I was saying “No no no no no no no no nonononono. Oh my God Oh My GOD” on repeat. Very good job by all of you. I think I’ll be watching the rest.

This is very creepy. I enjoyed it so much. You’re lucky you have Toby “Tobuscus” Turner as a cast member. Because of him I’m here and now I love this series. I want to see more. This should me put on TV and it should be 1 hour long.

Very good and I love how it was made. Great storyline and it sure adds a mystery to most religion. In a creepy sense how it was going on for years in ancient civilization and how places of worships building design contribute to this.

I would rather see films like this in theaters than most action movies.Excellent work!!

TOBUSCUS!

I thought there were definite things I liked about this, there was a good thrill when they mentioned that the priest was excommunicated. Unfortunately I didn’t like the way that they did just want to kill the things straight away. People fear what they do not understand, but this just says, whatever we don’t understand, must die.

I liked how it was short and sweet. I actually thought Toby was better once he became the creepy bad guy, he just seems to play a bad guy really well. The main priest was a good actor. Kudos.

Editing felt a little ‘high school’ to me.

i watched it because of Toby....

I like the story and the characters very much, but the flow of the video itself was a bit, “jerky” for a lack of a better word. If you would have shot this in black and white, I think it would have flowed smoother. This is just my opinion and I thoroughly enjoyed the video.

PEOPLE NEED TO STOP BEING SO CRITICAL!  This is not an actual movie or something.  Considering their timeframe and budget it was great!
And contrary to popular belief, Toby was AWESOME.  You need him in ALL OF YOUR VIDS!  It’s weird seeing Toby so serious, I love it <3 He’s even hotter (anyone seen This One’s For You, Baby? Oh. My. Gosh.)

This was awesome, and not just because of Toby

Whoa :O This was amazing.

I came here for TOBUSCUS but I have to say that I liked the movie as a whole and when Gordo started cooking the meat in the milk I flashed back to a line from the the old testament. “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.” And I was like Oh! I see what you did there! That line always seemed a little weird to me and now I know why. The aliens wrote it to keep our prayers yummy!