Netflix has continued itsstring of successful original serieswithArchive 81.Developed by Rebecca Sonnenshine,Archive 81was able to hold the number 1 show stop on the US Netflix top 10 and received strong reviews after its recent premier. The series had little promotion and has performed exceptionally well against strong competition on the streaming platform.
Archive 81uses found VHS style footageto switch between two timelines: the 1990s when the tapes were originally filmed, and present day when the found tapes are being restored by Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie, who hasrecently been castin the hugely popularJurassic Worldfranchise). The videotapes unravel layers of mystery around a fire which happened at the Visser apartment building, and his investigation leads to a discovery of supernatural forces which were at play during the fire. At present, there isno official information regarding a second series. However, let’s look at how season 1 ended and what a possible season 2 could entail.
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How Archive 81 Season 1 Ended
Archive 81follows Dan and Melody, played by Dina Shihabi whopreviously starred inAmira & Sam. They are both caught up in a horror story that transcends two different time periods, and we see them discover that a supernatural element exists in their story, and characters are not what they first seem. Time was a confusing element to the story ofArchive 81, and the ending disrupted this even further, leaving many questions unanswered. Dan and Melody build a relationship throughout the season with Dan informing Melody of her past. At the end of season 1, Dan goes into the otherworld where Melody exists in order to ultimately rescue her. However, he becomes trapped in an apartment in 1990s New York, suggesting he has gone back in time to where Melody’s story originated.
In the final moments of the season, Melody is separated from Dan, and she is dragged out of the portal she has been trapped in, falling in front of her mother Bobbi (Jacqueline Anataramian) and Dan’s best friend Mark (Matt McGorry). Melody is in a world which she does not recognize, and she is without the cult leader who trapped her in the portal, Samuel (Evan Jonigkeit). The two main characters are in separate periods, presenting further mystery and opportunity for the plot to develop.
Who could return for season 2?
The end of series 1 saw Dan transported to New York in the 1990s after trying to rescue Melody. It appears that the timeline is post apartment fire, so the events he will experience will likely be different to what we already know of that time period. It’s very likely that after his strong relationship with Melody, the two will likely reconcile somehow or attempt to do so.
Melody has entered a completely new timeframe which shows plenty of opportunity for her character to develop. She is finally with her mother, so it’s likely that this will add a lot to the plot and her character development as she has no relationship with her mother at all. It’s also extremely likely she will try to reconnect with Dan, and we may see their connection explored in different ways.
Samuel is the cult leader who is responsible for entrapping Melody in the portal she cannot escape. At the end of series 1, he pulls Melody into a different portal, however, does not appear with her in the new world where she ends up. It’s likely that he will return as he was the main antagonist, however, just where this might be or how is still up for question,
Plot: What Season 2 Could Be About
It’s difficult to say exactly what a second season may be about, as no official information has been officially released, and there are no trailers or confirmation of any significant details. The most obvious direction for the plot to move would be for Dan and Melody to attempt to reconcile. They were previously able to communicate through the medium of dreams, however now that neither of them are in the ‘otherworld’ this may prove more difficult.
The story now presents two completely new time periods, so layers could possibly be added to the story of the fire as well as more information about both character (particularly with the appearance of Melody’s mother). There is plenty of room for plot progression should Netflix renew Archive 81, so let’s keep our fingers crossed it will be back on our screens soon.
