No, Cthulhu himself does not appear in Carnival Row. However, the series features a monstrous entity often described as a "Cthulhu-thing" due to its Lovecraftian appearance and thematic inspiration.
The Dark God of Carnival Row
Carnival Row introduces its own dark god, a creature distinct from H.P. Lovecraft's original Cthulhu. This entity is a pivotal element within the show's mythology, characterized by the following:
- Origin: It is a creation born of critch magic, a magical force present within the fictional world of Carnival Row.
- Purpose: Contrary to what might be expected of such a fearsome being, it was not initially brought into existence as a weapon to be wielded against humans.
- Activation: Instead, this creature was brought to life by one of the human characters within the series, indicating a direct connection and manipulation by a mortal agent.
- Composition: The "Cthulhu-thing" is explicitly described as being sewn together from dead flesh, highlighting its artificial and constructed nature.
- Control: Despite its imposing appearance, it is ultimately portrayed as "just a puppet," suggesting it can be controlled or manipulated rather than being an autonomous, omnipotent cosmic horror.
While the creature in Carnival Row shares visual and thematic elements with Lovecraft's iconic entities, serving as a descendant of that horror tradition, it is a unique creation tailored to the series' narrative and not the elder god Cthulhu.
