Shadows on the Wall: Episode 11

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/07/episode-11-71166.html

Then & Now

John: There's that fire burning in then drawing room again — in the middle of the summer!

Is Burke the first 'guest' to be offered a drink in the drawing room?

I laughed this time when Mr. Wells told Sam his hair looked fine, despite the fact that it could definitely use a combing.

When Elizabeth asks Carolyn if Burke put the Venezuela letter where she'd see it, it certainly gives you the feeling that she's reading the full scripts for each episode, and not just her sides...

I kept waiting for Maggie to return to the diner, only to finally realize that she's not one of the players in today's episode.

Ten years on, I still think Burke is convincing when he says he's not out for revenge. 

Carolyn is today's ghost-whisperer, telling Joe over the phone that she thinks ghosts are all gone.

Christine: Where was Mr. Wells when Carolyn visited Burke at the Collinsport Inn? He somehow knew she'd called Burke's room, yet he was nowhere to be seen. Was he hiding behind the front desk? 

Shadows on the Wall

John: Hmm... I'm wondering how often phone booths come into play.

Nice of Burke to help with a history lesson to reinforce key historical family members like Jeremiah Collins.

Christine: Are you trying to instigate a phone booth collection? I can't help wondering if the phone booth at the Collinsport Inn is the same one that appears on the Blue Whale set. 

I was surprised by how many car horns can be heard as Sam walks to the Collinsport Inn. Given his condition, I can't help wondering if they're honking at him. 

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

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 10

  

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/07/episode-10-7866.html

Then & Now

John: Burke seating Carolyn next to the letter on the couch is a bit obvious. Perhaps if he had placed it on the end table...

I do admire David holding his aunt's protection over his father's head. 

Christine: I hadn't appreciated how early the writers began planting the idea that Roger's animosity toward David might stem from doubts that he was the boy's father. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: Lots of letters left lying about in this series.

Roger drinks! Of course, it's probably easier to track how often he comes into the drawing room and doesn't pour himself a fresh one.

David's Japanese robot toy is still a standout piece. It appears to be a Horikawa "Attacking Martian" robot. I seem to recall he'll have other toys in his room, though I don't know if they warrant cataloguing. 

Christine: I was amused that, shortly after insisting that one drink won't make him an alcoholic, Roger pours himself another. 

With the amount of grease, dirt–or perhaps Bosco chocolate syrup–covering David, I'm surprised he didn't leave a trail of evidence throughout Collinwood. 

While I don't recall seeing David play with toys very often, I think enough interesting toys appear throughout the series to warrant cataloguing. 

Would anyone else be interested in a Collection page devoted to the toys that appear throughout Dark Shadows? 

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 9

 

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/07/episode-9-7766.html

Then & Now

John: Why didn't Bill Malloy go up to Burke's room after he hung up on him on the hotel house phone?

With all of the time travel in our future, it's interesting that they never developed the other governesses who leap off Widow's Hill. 

Carolyn provides this episode's ghost whisper!

Elizabeth also provides one, but quickly points out that she's referring to David. 

In the outro, we learn that 2026 is also the 60th anniversary of The Newlywed Game!

Christine: Perhaps the stories of governesses leaping from Widows' Hill became a convenient way of explaining away more mysterious ends. After all, consider the fates of Phyllis Wicke, Rachel Drummond, Daphne Harridge–and, ultimately, Victoria Winters herself. 

Yesterday I said Joe doesn't fire Carolyn up the way bikers and reanimated dead men do. I forgot to mention wealthy ex-cons who threaten her with a paddling.

Shadows on the Wall

John: Isn't it odd that the shattered teacup is on the ground in the foyer, but none of the broken pieces are? Where are the missing pieces!

Christine: Perhaps David is getting the blame for real poltergeists who spirited away the broken pieces.   

Three favorite teacups on the tray.

Two favorite teacups on the tray.

What kid would leave the cup and pick up the shattered pieces?
Perhaps our first evidence of paranormal activity at Collinwood?

What stood out to you during this viewing of the episode?

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 8

 

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/07/episode-8-7666.html

Then & Now

John: I'll tell you one thing that resonates differently 10 years later — someone doubling down when caught in a lie, convinced that people will believe them as long as they never waver, sure seems a lot more plausible today.

Today's ghost whisper — a Joe Haskell 'Boo!'

I don't think I ever gave Nancy Barrett enough credit. She's actually a pretty convincing actress. 

Christine: On this viewing, it's clear that while Joe is a sweetheart and an all-around nice guy, he doesn't fire Carolyn up the way bikers and reanimated dead men do. That may help explain her reluctance to accept his marriage proposals. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: The pile of letters on the floor sure didn't look like they were scattered by wind... 

Unless I haven't been paying close enough attention, I think today was the first day we saw actual flames burning in Collinwood — in the fireplace of the drawing room. 

Vicki doesn't have her own key to the house? Will she ever get one? I always felt like the front door was never locked...

Christine: One surprise on this viewing was discovering an earlier appearance of the portrait I've identified as Abigail Collins. It looks like I'll be updating the Collinwood Portraits page, as I had previously recorded its first appearance in Episode 65. 

What stood out to you during this viewing of the episode?