Nightmare Fuel / The Strain (TV series)

As a Nightmare Fuel page, all spoilers are unmarked as per wiki policy. You Have Been Warned!

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When you think of vampires in media, you're more than likely to come across a more romanticized depiction of them, whether it'd be TV shows like The Vampire Diaries, True Blood, or novels like The Twilight Saga.

But The Strain is unique.

The Strigoi are what happens when you add vampires, mix it in with Eldritch Abomination, add lots of Body Horror, sprinkle in a unique way of transmitting the infection, and bake it in Zombie Apocalypse, you're in for one hell of a ride in New York.

Remember, this is a Nightmare Fuel page for the TV series. The NF page for the novel trilogy goes here.

This page is a WIP, and going through a clean-up.

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General

• The Strigoi might be one of the more horrific depictions of vampires in recent memory. They're a race of ancient Eldritch Abomination creatures with vampire-esque biology and functions and act like mindless beasts, viewing living creatures as nothing more than food and a source to spread an infection that turns the victim into one of them. The Master is the leader of all strigoi, acts like the main brain to a Hive Mind, and can use another strigoi's eyes to see what they seem and speak through them like a puppet.
• How the virus works in general. Instead of a bacterial or viral pathogen, it's a parasitic-based infection. The "horsehair worms" are the vectors, and rewrite the human body as a parasitic mechanism to both feed and live. In fact, if one of them gets under your skin, their explosive breeding means that you cannot be saved.
  • There are two methods of potential infection. One, you are stung by the strigoi "stinger" and endure a slow, painful transformation. Two, a worm burrows under your skin and once that happens, it's too late and you'll become a strigoi, aware that you're changing against your will, and will become a vessel for infecting those you love.
• Any time UV light and someone infected is put together. Not only do we get all the Squick of seeing a worm crawling under their skin, but there are almost always dozens.
• The Crapsack World Earth becomes by the time of Season 4. In the aftermath of the crushing defeat in New York, the strigoi swarm the world and form a One World Order, "The Partnership". The scenery is now draped in Holocaust and Nazi-esque imagery, with the implication that the Partnership is some sort of Fourth Reich. People are gradually trained to live with fewer and fewer rights and comforts until they are reduced to caged livestock and drained in industrial quantities, while the number of collaborators temporarily benefiting from the system are gradually fed into it, step by step.

Season 1

"This old man, he played seven. He played knick-knack up in heaven..."

Oh how Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and the Center for Disease Control Canary Team didn't know what hit them when a plane from Berlin arrives at JFK, unleashing a vile pathogen unto an unsuspecting world...

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01x01: Night Zero

With its movie-length format, Guillermo and Chuck certainly had a lot of time to establish their world of The Strain.

• What was supposed to be a safe flight from Berlin to New York becomes a nightmare when it lands at JFK Airport due to a mysterious event killing all the passengers.
  • The very idea that something in a plane's cargo holding is alive.
  • When the hatch is opened, it's nothing and it is closed, but then it bangs again. Whatever this thing is breaks out, and judging by the few frames it appears in, it is certainly not human, and looks ancient.
• In Setrakian's basement, there is a malformed heart in a jar. When it beats, it's hungry. And Setrakian feeds it by cutting his hand and letting the blood drip into the liquid, and there are worms that eat the blood hungrily.
• The investigation inside the plane is where things really get insane. Seeing all the passengers, motionless, pale, unharmed, with visible veins is horrific. And during the investigation, the camera focuses on one of the passengers, and it pans to his hand, which twitches to life.
• Despite the warnings, Nora presses on in the cockpit, and while trying to get samples of the ammonia, one of the pilots violently awake when she tries to look inside his mouth. Then two other survivors, the rock star and a woman, approach Nora. The man we saw earlier? Eph encounters him and pleads "Help me..."
  • The survivors are Joan Luss (a lawyer), Gabriel Bolivar (a rockstar), Ansel Barbour (a husband), and Doyle Redfern (the captain). They may be survivors, but they probably wished they weren't when more of the infection is revealed.
• The reveal that Eichhorst and Eldritch Palmer know about the cargo and that they knew ahead of time there would be four survivors. How meticulously was this planned in advance?
• That undocumented coffin in the cargo? It's towering. Seeing it filled with soil is confusing at first, but then it makes more sense later down the line.
• When Peter Bishop investigates a high-pitched hum and whispering, he investigates. Then he notices something draped in brown cloth. When he tries to get close, the figure jumps at him, uses a proboscis-like tendril to suck him dry of blood, snaps his neck, then smashes his head in. Then he runs away from the scene at inhumane speeds. Ladies and gentlemen, that's "The Master" demonstrating his inhumane strength.
  • The next episode opens up with the discovery of his body and a lingering shot of the wreckage of brain and blood that was his skull.
• The death of Ephraim's mortician friend, Dr. Bennett. While performing autopsies on the airline passengers and noting all the abnormalities in their bodies, he notices one of their hearts begins beating... while outside of its chest. He inspects closer and is attacked by worms inside the heart, one of them succeeding in burrowing under his skin. He manages to get it out only to immediately be swarmed by the revived, dissected airline passengers. All the while "Sweet Caroline" plays in the background.
  • And while he tries to get the worm out? You see the corpses approaching him, with incredible effects of the dissections.
  • To make it even worse, Bennett’s then spotted later during the eclipse attempting to pull a woman out of her car before he kills and infects the two FBI agents escorting a detained Ephraim, after which he wanders into an alley, chases a couple of young women and then attacks Gus and Felix, managing to infect the latter before the former puts him down by smashing his skull in with a pipe.
• The whole idea of "love guides back to their loved ones" for the infected. The one thing they'll remember is the love they have for a person or people, and they'll come back to them, doing god knows what...
• Emma (the little girl on the plane) returns to her father, and her father warmly embraces her, happy for his daughter's safe return. But then she blinks her nictitating membrane and her eyes have a red ring across the irises.

01x02: The Box

• Eichorst meets with Setrakian while the latter is detained in a holding prison. While nothing bad happens and a thick pane of glass separates them, their interaction provides an uneasy feeling for the viewer, knowing that these two have a very long history. And with Eichorst referring to Abraham as "the Jew", and the code on his arm "A230385", their history likely begins in Nazi Germany.
• Seeing that close-up of the worm Eph and Nora use to test their theory regarding their attraction to human blood, and might remind people of what some fauna look like up close on a microscope.
• Gabriel already proved himself as a weird fellow in the pilot, but here is where his infection is progressing slowly, but surely. The red rings around his irises expand, and while he has some fun with some female fans, he bites down hard on a girl's neck near a blood vessel, drawing blood. Even when the three flee, he laps up the blood on the floor like a dog, all while a Heartbeat Soundtrack plays, growing in intensity as time progresses.
• The reveal that there are worms slithering under Doyle's skin when using UV light. The whole 'bugs-under-your-skin' thing is enough to make one shiver, but seeing those worms slither around him like that, it's just... ugh...
• While he only appears under a brown cloak in Night Zero, we get more scenes of the Master appearing here. He's towering, his sickly appearance and Robin Atkin Downes' vocal delivery is nothing short of terrifying.
• The entire ending. Gary is killed by his daughter when she fully succumbs to infection and uses a proboscis tendril (of similar structure to the Master) to drain him of his blood. The pig-like squeals are pretty terrifying as Gary dies in shock, and Emma drinks his blood for nourishment.
  • And good luck trying not to think of this scene when you hear "This Old Man".

01x03: Gone Smooth

• Eichorst's "makeup" session in the introduction. Eichorst is in his bedroom, resembling Count Orlok, which is the final stage of infection. You get to see the methods he uses to look human, including makeup, prosthetics, a wig, fake teeth and contact lenses. By the time he's done, there is nothing off-kilter about him, and ventures outside no worse for wear. The idea that a face in the crowd is an intelligent infectee is nothing short of horrific.
• Just like what he did with Gus, Eichorst manipulates Jim with Blackmail using his wife's deteriorating health as a means to keep him associated with Stoneheart. The company even finances an experimental cancer treatment, and Eichorst can revoke her attendance if Jim doesn't comply. The manipulation works and shows how effective Eichorst is when it comes to keeping associates with Stoneheart in check.
• Eph's investigation in the Arnot household is a distressing sequence. While nothing bad happens to Eph, he definitely gets the idea that something bad happened. The door is unlocked, no one is home and notices the bathtub water tainted with blood and loose hair. It's a call from Nora that diverts him away from the house, likely saving him. But not before it's revealed Emma's been spying on him and a familiar song plays.
  "This... Old... Man..."
• Ansel drinking the blood from the steak, quenching his hunger. But you see the proboscis tendril consume the blood, with Ann Marie witnessing the entire ordeal.
• Doyle's condition worsens, and the reveal that there are more worms slithering under his skin. It looks like with the amount present, they're all covering his body.
• Gabriel's genitals decompose to the point when it falls off his body and into the toilet when he urinates. And he flushes without a second thought.
• Eph, Nora and Jim's encounter with a fully turned Redfern, with the Face–Monster Turn being quite the sight to behold. While no one gets hurt in the ensuing scuffle, seeing him attack them with vicious intent is harrowing.

01x04: It's Not for Everyone

• The entire autopsy scene, top natch. Not only do we get to see what happens to the human body when fully infected, but we also see new developments, including a new circulatory system, the cloaca, and seeing the components of the tendril, or "stinger". And the kicker? These worms are actively changing human biology to fit with the parasitic nature of the infected.
• Gertie's dead body, and Ansel pleading with Ann Marie to stay away from him as far as possible. Gertie was eaten by Ansel out of impulse, and he chains himself up in the shed. He knows something is horribly wrong with him, but can't do anything but chain himself up to protect his family. Counts as a Tear Jerker since he and Doyle are the most tragic of the survivors.
• Asshole Victim he is, Trip's death, from what we hear, does not sound pretty. Being torn apart by a monster, unable to escape, is a ghastly fate.
• When Eph and Nora return to the Arnot household. They are guided to the basement by "This Old Man", and find Emma. But when Eph calls for her, she attacks them both. But Setrakian arrives in time and decapitates her with his sword, and does the same to Gary when he arrives. It's a harrowing experience, and if it weren't for Setrakian's interference, who knows what would have happened?

01x05: Runaways

01x06: Occulation

• Since Eichorst is out in public most of the time, and is intelligent unlike the other strigoi, his method of feeding is unknown. But after the title card, we see what it is. Whenever he needs to nourish himself with blood, he goes to a padded cell with an imprisoned man. When he enters the room, the prisoner panics and asks the strigoi to kill him. Eichorst's response?
  Eichorst: "That is what I am doing."
  • There is a mechanism near the door that brings the chains closer to a chopping block, and when it's snug, the man is powerless to move, and Eichorst stings him, but only the fangs touch him to ensure he doesn't become a strigoi.
  • Even creepier? Eichorst strokes the man's forehead while he feeds on him. Yeesh...

01x07: For Services Rendered

01x08: Creautres of the Night

01x09: The Disappeared

01x10: Loved Ones

• We learn why Kelly disappeared in the last episode, and the answer isn't pretty. She returns home, but is confronted by Strigoi!Matt. He attacks her, but she is able to fend him off, but while using a blender blade, one of the worms lands on her face. Before she can react, the worm burrows into her tear duct. And when she escapes, she sees the red ring around her iris, and breaks down when she realizes that she's infected.
  • Seeing her gradual deterioration from human to strigoi as she looks for Zack. First, she spits out the water she drinks, and fidgets while texting a friend. She goes to Francis Academy looking for Zack, but Diane already picked him up. Then she witnesses a strigoi feasting on an unfortunate bypasser and grows hungry.
    • Seeing Diane and her son being feasted by Kelly for their blood is a horrific spectacle. Death of a Child is played straight, and on-screen.

01x11: The Third Rail

01x12: Last Rites

01x13: The Master

Season 2

Having to deal with a vampiric plague is dire, but it is significantly worse when it reaches epidemic levels. As the infection grows in areas and parts of New York become war zones, the team must be at their best if they want to end the evolved horrors of the virus.

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02x01: BK, NY

02x02: By Any Means

02x03: Fort Defiance

02x04: The Silver Angel

02x05: Quick and Painless

02x06: Identity

02x07: The Born

02x08: Intruders

02x09: Battle for Red Hook

02x10: The Assassin

02x11: Dead End

02x12: Fallen Light

02x13: The Night Train

Season 3

Tick tock, the clock is ticking. As all of New York becomes a complete war zone, the group is down to their last trump card in hopes of ending the Master and his reign of terror once and for all. It's do or die. All or Nothing.

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03x01: New York Strong

03x02: Bad White

03x03: First Born

03x04: Gone But Not Forgotten

03x05: Madness

03x06: The Battle of Central Park

03x07: Collaborators

03x08: White Light

03x09: Do or Die

03x10: The Fall

• The episode's title, "The Fall", is enough to give one pause because that's the second book's title, which is the bleakest one in the original trilogy.
• The tension in the episode comes from the knowledge that there is one more nuclear bomb needed for the Master's plan to be complete. All it takes is one press of a button...
• After Kelly's death, Zach goes numb. But before Ephraim can try to reason with him, Zach holds his hand out with the nuclear detonator. Zach removes the safety, and before Eph can approach his son to either reason with him or take the detonator, Zach proclaims one last declaration of hate for his father, and in pure malice, presses the trigger.
  Zach: "I hate you!" (the detonator is pressed)
• The Disaster Dominoes that occur after detonation. The shockwave blast is enough to free the Master from the silver-lined sarcophagus, Zach leaves the building with Eichhorst, fully embracing his ties with the strigoi, and the debris cloud has blocked out the sun, allowing the strigoi to run amok in New York City. Talk about a Downer Ending.
• While this doesn't apply to the show, the Dark Horse graphic novel adaptation does display what happens around the world during "Illumination Day".
  1. Eph himself mentions in his diary that after all of the Stoneheart Nuclear Power Plants (instead of nuclear briefcases in the show) went into meltdown and exploded, "civilization literally collapsed".
  2. Due to paranoia manifesting in the American government, they launched a nuclear strike against a Middle Eastern nation, kickstarting the dominoes that would result in the world's end.
  3. Pakistan and Iran launched their own nuclear weapons at Israel, who in turn retaliated back (think of the Samson Option), with India siding with them by attacking Pakistan and Iran with their own nukes.
  4. North Korea sends their troops to the 38th parallel, presumably to launch an invasion against South Korea. China themselves saught conflict in every direction, citing security reasons, and a belief that they should be the dominant world power.
  5. Russia themselves had "other ideas", and there were rumours that they too used their nuclear weapons. But by the time they're reported, retrieving factual information became impossible.
  6. In the end, due to the nuclear war, the entire world is blanketed in smoke, ash, and fallout. And this gives the strigoi a perfect opportunity to claim the world as their own, driving the humans into hiding.
  • Since the episode ends with New York's fall and the strigoi swarming the streets, we do not know what happens beyond that point.

Season 4

"The Partnership. We're here for you!" ^note This is a placeholder for now.

No one will forget the horrors of Illumination Day. The end of civilization as we know it. In the aftermath of nuclear war, a new world is born like a phoenix from the ashes. With humanity in a very dire situation, resistance is going to be difficult. Good luck everyone, you're gonna need it.

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04x01: The Worm Turns

• The description itself has horrific implications. "Out of the ashes of humanity's nuclear war, Night Eternal has begun;" Not only does this imply that the nuke in New York was just the beginning of a really bad nuclear war, but also the nuclear winter has spread worldwide. The Master has certainly established his One World Order between the events of Illumination Day (The Fall) and this episode.
• The reveal of ''The Partnership''. This group was formed to reestablish order in the world, and with its symbols of two arms holding hands and a drop of blood in the center, is worrying enough. But all members who give routine blood donations have to wear an arm badge on their shoulder. And the strigoi are allowed to be in public wherever they may be due to the nuclear winter.

04x02: The Blood Tax

04x03: One Shot

04x04: New Horizons

04x05: Belly of the Beast

04x06: Tainted Love

04x07: Ouroboros

04x08: Extraction

04x09: The Traitor

04x10: The Last Stand

Unsorted

• Eph and Nora's impromptu surgery on Jim's face - and it's even more awful when they realize it didn't work.
• The Master crushing Abe's hands in a flashback.
• Eichhorst being turned. The Master slowly slices his arm open with a fingernail while Eichhorst screams in pain, and then inserts a very long worm into the cut.
• The scenes of Abe, Eph, Nora and Fet crawling through a tiny, tight tunnel in the vampires' lair. It's even worse with Fet because he gets stuck while vampires are crawling up after him.
• In a more mundane variation of terror, there's Setrakian's Unstoppable Rage after the Master escapes from his grasp. It can be genuinely disturbing to see the calm and collected old man explode into homicidal rage, shouting and screaming incoherent threats as he smashes the Master's coffin apart in rage.
• How the Ancients feed: Basically, it consists of a naked man being chained up in the middle of their chamber. Not only do the Ancients feed on him with their stingers, they slash him with their claws. What's particularly horrifying about this scene is that Setrakian and Gus, both of whom are badass vampire killers, have to watch from the sidelines, completely powerless to intervene.
• How horrifyingly hideous as the Master already was, the sunlight induced damage is even worse.
  • The flashback to the Master taking Yusef Sardu's body as his own. The process involves biting him with his stinger, forcing him to eat coffin dirt with vampire worms in it, and then vomiting thousands of them into his face.
• Eichhorst greeting a group of blind children and their (also blind) teacher, and luring them inside the factory to be converted into Feelers. Particularly chilling when one remembers that Eichhorst used to be in charge of a Nazi death camp, so luring defenseless children to their doom is nothing new to him.
  • Eichhorst introducing vamp!Kelly to the Feelers, as she is to be their new guardian. She proceeds to examine them tenderly... And then suddenly and brutally snaps the necks of those who were not blind from birth. Remember, these are child vampires, so it's extra horrific.
    • Not to mention how fast the little buggers move. You thought the full grown vamps were scary? Oh, just you wait. At least one review website has called them "The Creepiest Things On TV", and the characters themselfs getting unnerved when they find the "Spider-Kids" for the first time.
• The massacre outside the New York Federal Reserve in "Silver Angel" is actually pretty terrifying.
• Fet and the vampire in the wall. Gah! Especially when he kills it and you get a nice long close-up of its face peering through the hole.
• Vaun's apparent death by burning, as Palmer uses UV lights to herd him and his team into a pit in the floor completely surrounded by the same lights. He can only scream at Gus to run, as he knows he can't escape. The scenes of the vampires writhing in agony makes it that much worse.
• Eichhorst's attempt to rape and eat Dutch.
• The blood factory seen in the Season 2 finale. It's not even in action yet, but the meat hooks, cages, and floor drains give a pretty terrifying glimpse of what's to come.
• The Season 3 premiere gives us Navy SEALs descending into the tunnels under New York. At first they have little problem, but then they're attacked by the Master via Hell Is That Noise
  • In the same episode Gus feeding his infected and turned mother with his own blood. Crosses directly into Tear Jerker territory.
• The suicide bomber strigoi blowing themselves up and spreading their worms everywhere in 3x04.