Not sure how this is going to go over, but I suggest we do a "book club" type discussion of the game episode by episode as we play through it. So, let's use this thread to talk about episode one. If this seems successful (and if someone else doesn't beat me to the punch), I'll make an episode 2 post soon. So, that said, let's begin? 
  
So yes, spoilers for episode one should be allowed, but nothing beyond that. 

What's everyone's reaction to the game's first episode? What did you think of the nightmare segment and your introduction to Bright Falls?  Any early theories or small things you notice? 
 
I noticed that in the cabin, the calendar lists the year as 1979 - the year they claim the cabin was destroyed when cauldron lake erupted.

Hmm, perhaps my idea is a failure...

I thought the cabin's calendar was July 4th 1970? But yeah, I thought the opening of having the double nightmare beginning was incredibly clever. Sets a very uneasy tone.

Perhaps it was 1970.... either way, it seemed to be a reference to the last time the cabin was "real". I also really liked the ferry segment and the diner - especially the foreboding  dark hallway. Also, on the ferry, take note of the guy at the back of the boat - a very little detail that turns out to come into play in episode 2.

The thing is many people have already reach the ending, and they know more than to make suppositions about the first chapter.  
 
The calendar has to do with a vulcanic eruption. The cabin is supposedly a replica of the real before the eruption. If you look closely on the water Alan remarks that the water is black, and he dreads what beneath it.  
 
What detail?

No - no special edition. I did noticed that the dream sequence took place in "Night Springs" which was fun.  
 
As for the detail from the ferry:
 

Sounds like a good idea, I'll chime in later tonight when I finish the first episode.

" Not sure how this is going to go over, but I suggest we do a "book club" type discussion of the game episode by episode as we play through it. So, let's use this thread to talk about episode one. If this seems successful (and if someone else doesn't beat me to the punch), I'll make an episode 2 post soon. So, that said, let's begin?   So yes, spoilers for episode one should be allowed, but nothing beyond that. What's everyone's reaction to the game's first episode? What did you think of the nightmare segment and your introduction to Bright Falls?  Any early theories or small things you notice?  I noticed that in the cabin, the calendar lists the year as 1979 - the year they claim the cabin was destroyed when cauldron lake erupted. "

I don't have much interesting to say about the plot, but so far the game is pretty awesome. There's just a couple things I'm concerned about though. Maybe I'm just too used to the Dead Space minimalist hud, but it seems like there's way too much stuff on the screen at certain points. Also, I really wish it was alot scarier. I'm just about the most easily terrified person in the world when it comes to movies and games, but I've been playing the game in complete darkness with the sound way up, and at the most I'd say it's unsettling. 

Also, all the stuff that takes you out of the scene is started to annoy me. As funny as the fake TV show was, it seems so out of place. Same with the manuscript pages and thermos'.

I've still got high hopes though, let's just hope it gets scarier.