| “ | The world is quiet here. | ” |
— Gustav, before his death in the TV series
|
Gustav Sebald was a film director, a member of V.F.D. and the creator of the Sebald Code.[1]
Biography
Little is known about Gustav's background. He was a prominent filmmaker in V.F.D. and has a sister named Sally Sebald.
In When Did You See her Last?, Captain Widdershins mentions that Gustav has a fondness for caviar.
V.F.D.
Gustav Sebald invented the Sebald Code, a code used widely by V.F.D. members in their correspondence.
In the first two episodes of the TV series adaptation, Gustav appears as an adult man working with Jacquelyn to watch over the Baudelaire orphans, as well as communicating with Montgomery Montgomery through a coded film.
He is murdered by Count Olaf, who shoots him with a tranquilizer dart, causing him to fall into a pond in the Swarthy Swamp where he drowns unconscious. This was done so Count Olaf could replace him as Monty's new assistant. Monty is later left "an unexpected" letter of resignation.
Gustav's sister Sally Sebald is managing her late brother's estate.
Filmmaker
Gustav's films contain secret messages intended for V.F.D. agents. A crucial scene in Zombies in the Snow contained a hidden warning to Montgomery Montgomery that his new assistant Stephano was an enemy. The message also instructed him to bring the Baudelaires to the town featured in the film. It is revealed that Monty did not know the Sebald Code and therefore did not receive Gustav's message.
List of Films
- Ghosts in the Desert
- Goblins in the Garden
- Mummies in the Jungle
- Lions in the Mountains
- Vampires in the Retirement Community
- Leeches in the Lake
- Werewolves in the Rain
- Surgeons in the Theatre
- Gorillas in the Fog
- Bats in the Train Station
- Ants in the Fruit Salad
- Zombies in the Snow
- Hypnotists in the Office
- Bigfoot in the Mall
- Alligators in the Sewer
- Realtors in the Cave
- The Littlest Elf[1]
Appearances
- The Reptile Room (mentioned only)
- Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography (mentioned only)
- When Did You See Her Last? (mentioned only)
- Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (film)
- A Series of Unfortunate Events (TV series)
Trivia
- The films "Leeches in the Lake" and "Realtors in the Cave" are most likely an allusion to The Wide Window's Lachrymose Leeches and Curdled Cave. The film "Hypnotists in the Office" refers to Dr. Orwell from The Miserable Mill. "Surgeons in the Theater" nods to Heimlich Hospital's operating theater. "Lions in the Mountain" is a half-reference to Volunteer Feline Detectives. Whether these references were intentional or not is unknown.
Sources
Gallery
