Shadows on the Wall: Episode 65

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/09/episode-65-92366.html

Then & Now

John: Burke has an interesting understanding of what normal folks would call trespassing.

I want to think that Burke's given name was Burke Lobsterpot, and he only later changed it to Devlin. 

Roger spilling Sam's drink has a spontaneity that makes it seem unscripted. At least the manner in which Sam drops his glass.

Christine: I had the same feeling about that scene, though I also wonder if Roger saying, "You can buy another drink, you can't buy another life" was also unscripted. That is like some kind of Zen koan. I'm still pondering the meaning of that. 

Here we find Sam and Roger again discussing quite loudly their collusion in the manslaughter trial as well as Bill Malloy's murder even though it's still not confirmed that he was murdered. If only Bartender Bob could talk, he would tell all!

"If you ever want anything bad enough in this life, you have to wait for it," sounds more like a Burke Lobsterpot philosophy than a Devlin one. 

"Don't you have some knitting or gardening or something to do?" That was uncalled for, Devlin! Elizabeth only has time for tea!

Shadows on the Wall

John: How did we miss the shadow of the boom mic in the beginning of this episode when Burke starts up the stairs? Or seeing the boom mic itself when it shows up in the shot when Burke is looking out the drawing room window!

Christine: We missed it because we were enthralled by the storytelling and the action. Or maybe the portraits. 

On our last viewing, I noted that the portrait of Abigail Collins had taken the place of Isaac's portrait. We now know that this isn't the first time we've seen it, since it previously appeared in Vicki's room.

Episode 8

Some other things worth noticing…

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 29

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/08/episode-29-8466.html

Then & Now

John: After hiding the valve under the couch cushion, David sits on it and has a wide-eyed expression that suggests he can feel it!

I don't think anyone other than Burke calls David, 'Dave.'

Christine: Carolyn admits to her mother that she dreamed of killing her father at one time, and Elizabeth takes it in stride. Perhaps it's because Liz believes herself responsible for actually killing Carolyn's father.

John: Ah, the missing Paul Stoddard. Not referenced by name, but one of the great Collinwood mysteries.

Christine: Burke tells David that he's broken promises to doctors, lawyers, firemen, and even an Indian chief. I was curious about what kinds of promises he may have broken to each of these people. Anyone have any guesses? 

Shadows on the Wall

John: Who is the third portrait in the drawing room? 

Christine: The portrait you're referring to is of Theodore Collins. Elizabeth identifies the drawing room portraits in Episode 4, pointing to them from left to right saying, "Look at them, Roger, lined up on the wall: Isaac Collins, Jeremiah Collins, Theodore, Benjamin." While that might lead some to believe that the portrait by the phone is Benjamin, it actually depicts a woman. The portrait in the foyer is the one the characters identify as Benjamin Collins.

John: I wonder if Burke really gave David a fruit juice cocktail, or a real cocktail to get him to talk...

Christine: While we hear it more than see it, does Burke's swat on David's backside qualify for the slap tracker page?

What did you notice during this viewing that you had never noticed before?

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 26

  

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/08/episode-26-8166.html

Then & Now

John: David was awfully rough with Vicki. I don't know why she didn't go right to Liz. And then David tells his Aunt that Vicki tried to hurt him. Like she'd believe that. 

Christine: I was wondering who came away from that altercation with more bruises. Vicki did land a good elbow to David's face, so he was not lying when he said she hit him. 

John: The Sheriff is right. Why would Roger think Burke would hang on to the bleeder valve if he was the one to remove it?

Christine: Poor Sheriff Carter was having a bad day, with mustard on his ham and rye, and Roger Collins throwing the weight of the Collins family name around while threatening his job. 

John: It's disappointing that Liz is so blinded by her love of David that she can't fathom Vicki's story is true. As if Vicki had something to gain by making up such a story. If David were sent away, she'd be out of a job.

Christine: David sneaks out of the closed-off wing at the beginning of the episode, though it's unclear how he gained access when we've been led to believe that the door is always locked. If he could slip in and out with Vicki's letter, he could have just as easily hidden the bleeder valve there. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: Do we know who is in the painting we pan past in the hall outside David and Vicki's rooms during Vicki's opening narration?

Christine: I'm assuming you are referring to the painting hanging above the Petofi box and not the one we see briefly after the opening shot of Collinwood, where what appears to be the reflection of the chandelier is visible. We don't know who is in the painting, but let's just say it's Millicent Collins. 

John: I wish we could read the details on the FBI wanted poster in the sheriff's office!

Christine: The sheriff's office has a number of wonderful details to enjoy, and quite a few criminal posters for a town that purportedly doesn't have very serious crimes...for now. I was wondering if the photo hanging on the bulletin board by the water bottle is showcasing the officer of the month. 

Ten years ago, I noted that the portrait of Isaac Collins had gone missing from his usual location, and there was no sign of him in this episode. However, I discovered that he was indeed hanging to the right of the drawing room windows again. I'm beginning to believe that Isaac Collins may be the most important character on the show.

What did you notice during this viewing that you had never noticed before?