The Brief: Key Characters and plot points
Key details of the series to orient you to the The 49
Whether you’re new to The 49 and want to get oriented to the world as you start to read along, or have read from the start of the series, this briefing is a helpful guide to the content and characters.
Here are essential details drawn from Parts 1 - 8 that help explain the world.
Overview of the world of The 49
It’s a fractured, post-apocalyptic world dramatically reshaped by a series of global catastrophes and the emergence of inexplicable phenomena. Society is now largely controlled by "Corridors" – walled, high-tech fiefdoms overseen by billionaire alliances – while the outside world remains largely lawless.
A key element of this new reality is rooted in the number 49. It refers to the last US President to be elected, the period days of a global communications blackout, and 49 separate, supernatural phenomena known as Phos.
The story focuses on two central characters:
Boyer, a woman who lives behind the walls of Corridor West, but also functions as an emissary between it and the Phos at Maskwacis.
Diez, an unlikely priest who performs last rites in a televised game show that serves as a public justice system.
Key Themes and Plot points
Themes of control, surveillance, the nature of power, faith, and humanity's push toward space colonization are prominent.
1. The Post-Apocalyptic World and the Rise of Corridors
Global Catastrophe and Reshaping: The world was dramatically altered by a "suitcase nuke in Paris" that "brought Europe to its knees," followed by a similar attack in Beijing. This led to economic destruction and social fragmentation, ushering in a new state of fear.
The Blackout: A global communications blackout lasting over seventeen hours further plunged the world into chaos, silencing news feeds and leaving people isolated
Emergence of Corridors: In response to government failures and widespread lawlessness, "high tech fiefdoms" or "Corridors" emerged, overseen by powerful billionaires with their tech companies and private security. These "havens for clusters of the world’s remaining population" represent a new societal structure
Corridor West and East (New North): The former US/Canada border region became the New North, featuring Corridor West and East.
Corridor West is a marvel of engineering, a massive wall stretching from San Diego north through Canada (read Outside the wall - Part 2 to catch up).
Canada, rich in resources and a tech hub, became the crown jewel and a satellite of the US government and a key billionaire alliance. (explained more in "Technocrats and the security state").
2. "The 49" – A Defining Concept
Multifaceted Meaning: The 49 refers to three critical elements:
The last President inaugurated in the US.
The span of terrible days after the global comms black out when the world was reshaped."
The number of strange supernatural phenomena that appear around the globe, known as Phos (or phosphorescence).
3. The Phos Phenomenon
Supernatural and Unexplained: The Phos are strange, supernatural phenomena appearing globally.
They manifest as a strange phosphorescence reflected in the low canopy of clouds, a rim of blue and purple light that made the edge of the hilltops glow (read Part 8 to see how they’re described).
No one can explain or control them, not even the Governor (read Part 4 for why).
Immune to Human Technology: The Bayankhongor incident in the Gobi desert demonstrated that the Phos are immune to human-made powers. Weapons, drones, and droids simply powered down and could not be revived when attempting to penetrate a Phos.
Impact on the Gov's Ambitions: The Phos phenomena tempered the Gov's reach for power on the ground, redirecting Corridor West's aims to the sky.
First Phos as Catalyst: Diez believes that the first Phos—a small, early emergence—was the true catalyst that changed everything, even more so than the later nuclear attacks (which is covered in Part 5).
Maskwacis Phos: A specific Phos location in New North (formerly Alberta, Canada) is Maskwacis, where Cree and Hutterite elders have formed a successful agricultural alliance
. Boyer travels here to deliver supplies.
4. Control, Surveillance, and the Game Show
Entrenched Surveillance State: Following the global catastrophes, the surveillance State became even more entrenched. Invasive oversight the accepted norm. This accelerated the integration of new technologies like automation, drones, and AI. Drones act as a surveillance wall along I-5, even predating physical wall construction.
The Game Show: A central mechanism of social control is a televised game show where justice is turned over to the people, broadcast and streamed. It's absolute. It is like a secular sacrament and a shared social experiment ("Last rites on the lot in L.A. - Part 3").
Gamed Individuals: Those who step out of line are gamed. The show features confession sessions and “reveals" of condemned contestants' fates, with the audience and contestants learning the outcome live.
Diez's Role as Bishop: Diez, the most popular priest, plays a critical role in the show, delivering last rites and last confession in a private, unrecorded setting. His dramatic appearance, with his chiseled abs and glowing crucifix, is a key part of the show's climax. He is, however, a former journalist, not a traditional priest, and made a deal with the Gov for the unrecorded confessions ("The man who was double gamed - Part 7").
5. Key Characters and Their Journeys
Boyer: An operative for Corridor West, she is resourceful and observant. She has a personal history of slipping through borders with her mother during "46" before the walls were fully established She is sent on missions outside the wall to deliver supplies, particularly to the Maskwacis Phos.
Diez: The enigmatic priest of the game show. He carries burn marks and scars on his back and a distinct scar on his abdomen. He was present for the first Phos and received his unique wooden cross with a gold square and red ruby from the Bishop of Maskwacis before he died. Diez struggles with the performative nature of his role, but also sees significance in the cross he wears.
The Bishop: A significant, deceased figure who served as Boyer's guide up north and saved her in the past. He gave Diez his cross at the first Phos.
Jonas: A "double gamed" contestant, accused of killing his son, which he vehemently denies. He is a former lawyer and believes the accusation is impossible. His story is first told in the prequel called Contesting.
6. Humanity's Push to the Stars
Off-world Project: Despite the turmoil on Earth, "the off-world project of visionaries in tech and space push us closer to start new projects in the stars.
Occupy Mars: In-orbit refuelling breakthroughs at the end of 48's first term made space colonization feasible, turning Alberta into a key hub for Phase 2 of Occupy Mars ("Head-Smashed-In Starbase - Part 8").
Head-Smashed-In Starbase: The historic Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a world heritage site, was transformed into an international hub and Starbase through a treaty secured by Blackfoot elders, reportedly aided by RPGs. This was promised by the Gov and his alliance to make humanity intergalactic.
Summary
The world of The 49 is a complex and dangerous landscape defined by the remnants of global conflict, the imposing authority of the Corridors, and the mysterious influence of the Phos.
The narrative intricately weaves together technological advancement, social control through public spectacle, and a lingering sense of spirituality and faith. The journeys of Boyer and Diez highlight the challenges and moral ambiguities of survival in this new order, as humanity grapples with its past, present, and an uncertain future that reaches beyond Earth itself. The significance of the 49 Phos phenomena remain central mysteries influencing all aspects of this reshaped world.