AMC’s horror series is truly chilling due to a multitude of factors, including its eerie Arctic setting and the captivating storyline adapted from Dan Simmons’ 2007 novel of the same name.
However, perhaps the most ominous aspect of it all is that it is inspired by the tragic true story of the 19th-century Franklin Expedition to the Canadian Arctic, in which the crews of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror met their untimely demise.
Despite the widely held belief that their deaths were a result of the harsh conditions and limited food, The Terror skillfully weaves together historical events and supernatural elements. Caution: spoilers ahead!
Unfortunately, Captain Sir John Franklin passed away unexpectedly at the age of 61 while aboard the HMS Erebus on June 11, 1847.
Despite the daughter’s pleas, the crew in Episode 3, ‘The Ladder’, mercilessly dispose of the body of the Inuit shaman they unintentionally took the life of, disregarding customs and showing no respect.
The group, under the leadership of Franklin, makes an effort to attract the creature with their bait, under the assumption that it is a polar bear. However, the Tuunbaq surprises them by pulling a man from their hiding spot and then shifting its focus to Franklin in a vengeful act.
As the HMC Terror team draws near, Franklin desperately reaches out towards them, but is abruptly yanked away by the unseen creature.
He is forced towards the edge of the crude grave after his leg is torn off, bleeding out in terror on the snowy ground.
He is fastened to a rope and lowered into the ice hole, left hanging there to contemplate his life and possible shortcomings. Eventually, the rope snaps and he plummets to his frigid demise, just like the shaman before him.
Despite their grief, the remaining crew holds a funeral using the only remains they were able to save: Franklin’s leg. This scene, which is considered to be one of the most brutal deaths ever depicted on Netflix, has been widely acknowledged by fans of the series.
The killer’s indifference towards human life, the brutality of the kill, and the sheer veracity of the act are all elements that have yet to be matched by any show or movie in my opinion. The impact of these factors is absolutely heartbreaking.
“Another individual recalled, ‘The music from that moment still continues to haunt me to this day.’”
Despite his imminent death, Franklin is still trying to come to terms with all the unfortunate events that are befalling him. He desperately longs for it to all be a figment of his imagination.
If, like numerous others, you are interested in hearing the chilling composition that accompanies Franklin’s horrific demise, Redditor Practical-Iron-9065 has compiled the sequence:
Here’s my little arrangement of the music used during Sir John’s death sequence byu/Practical-Iron-9065 inTheTerror
The first season of The Terror is currently available for streaming on Netflix. If you’re looking for more true crime and documentaries, be sure to browse all the options available this month. Additionally, stay up to date on upcoming TV shows and add some new movies to your watchlist.
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