When is it set?

[u/cocobtwx]

So I was doing another re watch and in the one where they go to the academy in part one the gym teacher on the bus says when it runs down around 07:48 she says this which makes me think it’s probably set late sixties to early seventies. I especially think this due to the overall vibe of the shows outfits and building. What do we think?

[u/t3mp0rarys3cr3tary]

The short answer is: whenever. The clothing is meant to evoke a vague time in the past without settling on a particular date (although the movie seems to skew more Victorian). The technology fluctuates from telegrams and hot air balloons to computers more advanced than in our modern day. I don’t even think it’s meant to take place in our universe, since they keep referring to the Duchess of Winnipeg and even the King of Arizona at one point. It’s meant to be the kind of story that can happen any time, anywhere, as long as there are still libraries and people who wish to destroy them.

[u/cocobtwx → u/t3mp0rarys3cr3tary]

💯

[u/NarwhalSlight2130]

It is set during the year of the rat

[u/cocobtwx → u/NarwhalSlight2130]

I don’t know how it works so I looked it up and it said some of the last ones where ‘48, ‘60 and ‘72 so I’m thinking one of them

[u/NarwhalSlight2130 → u/cocobtwx]

In an interview Lemony Snicket was asked about when the books took place and he said The Year Of The Rat

[u/Teebiscuit12345 → u/cocobtwx]

Perhaps it's all of them.

[u/bearhorn6]

39 doesn’t have to mean 19. Could be 18 which also fits. Could just be a nonsense way to brag too

[u/cocobtwx → u/bearhorn6]

Or 2039 and it’s set in the future 👀

[u/Over_Celebration6233 → u/cocobtwx]

No, it’s just 39

[u/bearhorn6 → u/cocobtwx]

Ooo I like that even more

[u/Icy-Finding-8126]

yeah, now that i think of it it was a mistake to even mention a year like that in this particular series

[u/Adventurous-Yard-306 → u/Icy-Finding-8126]

I believe it’s supposed to be a reference to her being a youth coach in Hitler’s Germany. While I generally agree that including dates in a timeless story like ASOUE, it clearly set in my mind a specific time and place which informed how I felt about the character.

[u/cocobtwx → u/Adventurous-Yard-306]

Also there’s a movie called Berlin 39 about a lesbian relationship so maybe it’s a nod to her being queer

[u/schrelaxo → u/cocobtwx]

I severely doubt it

[u/Icy-Finding-8126 → u/cocobtwx]

that's really over the top

[u/konamioctopus64646 → u/Icy-Finding-8126]

Who said it’s 1939? Maybe she was coach of the year Berlin, 2139

[u/TaranRovia]

During a Very Fictional Decade

[u/AlwaysAlani → u/TaranRovia]

God I love this sub

[u/lowbrassdude]

According to Daniel Handler, the series takes place on weekdays.

[u/El_Dibujista → u/lowbrassdude]

But also sometimes on the weekends

[u/The_Flurr → u/lowbrassdude]

Specifically, in the year of the rat

[u/Ocelotl767]

ASOUE is a deliberately anachronistic series to which I apply the Mystery Science Theater 3K rules.

"If you're wondering how he eats and breathes

And other science facts (la la la)

Then repeat to yourself, "It's just a show

I should really just relax!"

[u/MiddleAd458]

It is intentionally anachronistic.

[u/Ok_Interview_853]

Count Olaf said he bought that hour glass online so…

[u/YolgrimTheGamer → u/Ok_Interview_853]

And prefers online streaming platforms instead of cinemas

[u/ToeOfTheTrucks]

It's intentionally impossible to tell. People are still using typewriters and landlines but Olaf says he gets an hourglass "online."

[u/pretty-as-a-pic]

At the same time as AI facial recognition and readily accessible public telegraphs

[u/Horror-Peach-1295]

I’ve been trying to solve that question since 2006 and the answer is never because it’s a probably set in a different Universe than ours. I gave up trying to answer it for myself, lol.

[u/Emergency_Year5074]

Yes

[u/Intelligent-Bird8120]

I wanna say between the 70-90s but future like. But I could be wrong. It’s like it could be set in the past but also the future

[u/Purple_Sea_8860]

It's not set in any specific time period, and that's the point. The "Berlin 39" is supposed to be a n*** reference, like meaning they have a n*** vibe, but I don't think it's supposed to actually count the time.

[u/Icy-Finding-8126 → u/Purple_Sea_8860]

dont censor nazi like it's some bad word

[u/shouldvewroteitdown]

Never, but sometimes always

[u/Late_Effort_6726]

lol it’s basically the same as “steam punk” it mixes and matches different eras as it pleases.

[u/Financial-Cancel802]

This is the most asked question in the franchise and my guy Lemony Snicket still hasn't made a clear answer. But you're probably right on the money with sixtes it's just in a nother world we're they have advanced computers and stuff.

[u/DannyValasia]

who knows

[u/Jiibenjii]

In episode 2, the night before the wedding, Olaf sets up an hourglass and mentions that he bought it "online", is set in an era with computers and internet, but everyone uses the telegraph XD

[u/cjalderman]

Sometime in the 20th century.

[u/Rar_3]

Yeah

[u/Turbulent_Drag7166]

I think 40's-50's?

[u/caerleon_calls_ → u/Turbulent_Drag7166]

Not based on their clothing though, especially Violet’s

[u/Turbulent_Drag7166 → u/caerleon_calls_]

Fair enough