Yesterday, I had my premiere post at Insatiable Booksluts. I contributed an essay on the Stephen King Universe. You know, it’s all about the connections and the bigger story. If you didn’t read it (it’s a long one!) you can check it out here: “The Stephen King Universe“.
To keep with the theme, and because I’m a bit of a conspiracy theorist when it comes to my favorite stories, I’m going to share five more of my favorite fictional universes. This love of overarching universes definitely stems from my first love, Stephen King, and if there are connections between my stories, I’m always eager to figure them out. Here are five more cool universes:
1. The Buffyverse
This is a fairly easy universe. Crossovers between Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the spin-off Angel. Not too mysterious, but I love it none the less.
Spike has the Gem of Amarra for a bit on the Buffy episode “The Harsh Light of Day”
…only to lose it to the Scoobies and it reappears via Oz’ delivery on Angel’s “In the Dark”.
2. The Lost Universe
Oh that mysterious island. A lot of viewers were frustrated with the lack of answers provided in the series finale, but I think that getting there was the fun part. And I’m glad that I still don’t understand what the deal was with Walt. I’m also glad that I can’t seem to remember the rest of the unsolved mysteries. This means it’s time for a re-watch!
What was up with Walt’s powers?
So many questions about Jacob’s cabin…
Also, I’ve just finished Season 1 of Fringe, and I appreciate the appearance of Oceanic Airlines, and the major theme of parallel universes. Perhaps, I should title this section as the Abrams Universe, as I think Cloverfield and Alias also have connections to other Abrams works. We have recurrent references to Slusho and the number 47. Perhaps it’s like King, and everything’s connected. He does reference King’s Nozz-A-La on Lost.
The Mystery Man of Lost Highway
3. The David Lynch Universe
The universe of my nightmares. Seriously, Twin Peaks‘ Leland Palmer still haunts my dreams. And, of course, <shudder> Bob. And then there’s the creepy character played by Robert Blake (simply known as “Mystery Man” on imdb) in Lost Highway. And what was the deal with the frightening homeless guy by the dumpster in Mullholland Drive? Then there’s the recurring appearances of the red room, the little dude from beyond, and probably other things that I still haven’t recognized. This is one universe I need to explore more thoroughly, even if it gives me nightmares.
The recurring red curtains of Lynch…when you know you’re in an otherworldly place…
Umm…you guys? As I was looking for clever little pictures to go with this section, I came across this: World of David Lynch. Enter at your own risk. Some dude created a completely interactive site for David Lynch’s world, and as I was exploring I found Bob behind some furniture!
I was scared shitless and yelled out! Seriously, if you’re looking for creeps and are a fan of Lynch, check this site out! I’m still a little chicken to go back right now.
4. The X-Files Universe
The cigarette-smoking man. The black oil. The super soldiers. That space ship that Scully investigates off the coast of Africa (vague, I know, but I don’t remember precisely where she was). So many mysteries. I loved the mythology of The X-Files, and I really think I need to re-watch it soon. Not part of the mystery, but definitely gives me shudders–”Home”. If you watched the X-Files, you know that episode is creepier than most anything ever on television.
My favorite bad boy Krycek, infected with the black oil…
5. The Tarantino Universe
A new-to-me universe. Not new as in “I’m new to Tarantino”-new, but new like I didn’t realize there was a universe. My sister recently clued me in to the fact that Tarantino’s movies are definitely connected and have different worlds of connections. I guess I wasn’t paying close enough attention.
This is one of my favorite universes simply because I love Tarantino and I’m excited to re-watch his movies with an added purpose: unlocking the connections. Check out this reddit post for more information: “What ‘fan theories have blown your mind…”
What are your favorite fictional universes? Please share because I dig it!
sj
I think this might be my favourite post you’ve ever written.
Mostly because it illustrates to me perfectly how very much we had in common before we knew each other. I agree with every single one of your choices.
<3
lucysfootball
Me too, me toooo! Except, I haven’t seen Twin Peaks. Or anything Lynchian. I KNOW! I keep meaning to start and haven’t yet. But the rest? Right there with you! So excited you’re getting into Fringe, and YAY X-Files! And Buffy/Angel! And Tarantino! And Lost! *HUGE GEEKY HUG!*
borkadventures
Oh you would love Lynch! So strange, so creepy in its otherworldly-ness. If you ever want to give it a shot, I recommend starting with Twin Peaks. Huh. I just realized that I watched Twin Peaks the same year as I read It, my first King. I was primed and ready for alternate realities already!
borkadventures
I LOVE the connections! I always have. I am not in the least bit surprised that we share the love of all these universes. Now, if I could just close my book and get swept into the Firefly universe and Doctor Who universe, my education would be nearly complete!
sj
Do I need to start stomping my feet and chanting to get you to watch them? Because I totally will.
borkadventures
I’ll do it! I promise.
David Jón Fuller
Not sure I have 5 more based on movies & TV, but here goes:
1. Firefly/Serenity — so much mystery and wonder lurked beneath the stories of Captain Mal and his band of misfits, and we may never find out the answers, but, gorrammit, there’s no better ‘verse for those who aim to misbehave.
2. Battlestar Galactica (21st century version): So beautiful, so terrifying, and, whatever you can say about the final season, this was one “wagon-train-to-the-stars” show where in almost every episode Adama would be forced to make an grim choice, would do what he knew was best, and you’d STILL go, “Holy crap, Picard would NEVER do that!”
3. The bizarre world of the old Werewolf show from 1987-88. Mostly because I haven’t seen it since then and would like to go back. Sadly, not available on DVD.
4. The 20-minutes-into-the-future cityscape of the Max Headroom series. Despite the ’80s look and production values, this is one show that uncomfortably nailed human nature and what it would do (and still does) with technology.
5. The Chicago of Due South. Because I like to think a Canadian mountie with a deaf wolf could really solve that many crimes with his wisecracking American cop buddy.
Whaddaya know? I did have five. And I do second the Buffyverse and the X-Files world — I might agree with Lost but I haven’t seen it
sj
YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED LOST?!
[huff, grumble]
David Jón Fuller
Erm, sorry. See my reply below. I am totally open to the idea of watching all Lost.
borkadventures
I gotta see ALL of your picks still…ALL OF THEM. Thanks for sharing! But, you gotta watch Lost. Deal?
David Jón Fuller
I’m afraid I’ll have to do it like I did for West Wing and Buffy. Didn’t get into them until they were off the air, and then watched them straight on DVD all the way through. My wife was into Lost, but then missed a few episodes and that was it — we’ll have to rent them.
Nerija S.
I always liked Sharon Creech’s stories, which center on or at least reference a little town called Bybanks, Kentucky. I remember the first time I read Chasing Redbird, and being delighted when the narrator said she’d been good friends with Salamanca Hiddle from Walk Two Moons.
And I still have a very soft spot for an Australian sci-fi show, Ocean Girl. Alien merpeople. That is all.
Ooh, and of course, BBC Sherlock (I apologize to anyone who’s already seen/heard me wax fangirlish about this series…it’s been a while since I’ve been this obsessed with a ‘verse, and I warn you, there will be a Holmes/Sherlock-related post at Postcards sometime in the near-ish future) — a ‘verse that encompasses both the show itself and all the fanfic, particularly relating to the John-Sherlock relationship (yeah, yeah, I’ll admit it, I’m a Johnlock shipper ^_^; ). I’ve been reading the original Doyle stories, and while I’m enjoying them, I find myself relating more to the new versions of Sherlock and John. They really feel like different people, not just reincarnations of Doyle’s characters.
David Jón Fuller
I love the new Sherlock as well. And this from someone who thought Jeremy Brett’s portrayal (and that whole series) was the be-all and end-all.
Nerija S.
You know, I keep hearing about the Jeremy Brett version…I really should watch it sometime.
borkadventures
My sister is a fan of Walk Two Moons, I think. I’ll have to check it out!
And! Sherlock is on my to-do list as well. High priority!
Nerija S.
Yaaay!
emmawolf
I think I’m too scared to go to that Lynch website…
borkadventures
I’m still too scared too. Maybe I’ll save it for Halloween-time when I’m more open to being scared shitless.
emmawolf
Apparently there was a Twin Peaks video game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYIdDm5ROmo
borkadventures
Wow! I wonder where I could find that?! It looks hard though. I would be very sad if I couldn’t save Agent Cooper just because I’m sucky at video games.
Coffee & a BookChick (@CoffeeBookChick)
The X-Files brings back so much of my college years in the mid-nineties. My friends and I religiously watched it and believed that we could trust no one! This was back when the internet was just making its little baby steps and I remember an X-Files forum I was a member of; quite an intriguing number of conversations were held. I loved the first movie that came out and thought it represented the story well, but the second one? Oh, I was so disappointed.
And Buffy! I missed so much of the later seasons. I might have to Netflix it.
ankitthereviewer
Madam!! The Lost universe have so many unsolved mysterious that it might require its own dedicated Book “The Lost for Dummies”