Build it Up!
This weeks episode featured several LEGO sets, including:
All of the sets for this episode come straight out of the LEGO® Creator Expert series, which includes lot of modular buildings, vehicles, etc. As a result, taking photos with these buildings as my backdrop is highly enjoyable. Everything sort of fits together in a nice and orderly fashion so there are plenty of opportunities for me to focus on the characters as the sets have already been crafted with great care and attention to detail. There is always something in the peripheral, be it a small bakery or someone strolling along the sidewalk while our focused characters interact.
It was these very modular buildings that drew me back into LEGO as an adult and, in turn, that interest in LEGO that led to the creation of The Township in the first place, so I am very thankful for all of the men and women that design and create those sets.
Writer’s Thoughts
When I first started drafting the outline for The Township, I knew I was getting myself into a big adventure. I also knew I had a great opportunity to revisit older science-fiction stories that I never got around to publishing online as a source for ideas and material to use.
It’s no secret to family or friends that I created another series called Colfax Landing, which was also a mysterious adventure story. Some of the character archetypes were ported over from that story and with great success.
It has been fun putting together multiple threads from lots of characters, but the problem with this is that you end up with story elements becoming more complex the longer a story lasts. As an example, we all remember the first episode of this series was all about John waking up in town and learning to live with this strange place… since then John has experienced a lot more, which has altered his character and made him more aware of the complexities that run through town.
The result of that is the need to remind ourselves of where we stand, particularly after a hiatus between seasons. “First to be Named” is meant as a warm up session for readers returning, or just starting, to read The Township. The focus here was to do a recap of the major points we’ve shared so far. We’re reminding ourselves of the characters that exist just how strange it really is to live here.
In the real world, it’s not uncommon to hear about gender reveal parties, christenings, or other elements surrounding new life. For the people in our town, names are everything. We’re not used to something like that not existing, yet for Dawn, that’s the case. She’ll be the first person here to be given a name rather than already having one.
This is the theme that John focuses on. In town, everything seems normal, but nothing is normal for the citizens here. Everyone arrives with a familiar name, the entire town has one child and now one newborn, and the very concept of a mother giving her daughter a name is so foreign that it is cause for the entire town to participate!
This episode also highlights an important aspect about this chaotic town… which is that it’s still home. It doesn’t really matter how chaotic or confusing everything might be here, the town is still all they have here. In that same way, the bonding experience of something like a naming ceremony helps to draw everyone closer together.
This season is full of twists and turns. This brief respite is a great way to get everyone up to speed before we move into new questions… and some big answers… in the episodes ahead.
As we embark together, I want to thank each and every person that makes it through these posts. You all mean a great deal to me and I am thankful to have any reasons, no matter who they might be. You’re all champions.
Stay tuned for Episode Two, “Under the Sea“, coming Tuesday!
TechnicoolDad 