Shadows on the Wall: Episode 6

 

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/07/episode-6-7466.html

Then & Now

John: I forgot that someone played Matthew Morgan before Thayer David. Surprising that Matthew claims to know nothing about Paul Stoddard. How would anyone in town back then not know the patriarch of the Collins clan?

After she sends Vicki on her errand, Carolyn off-handedly brings up a ghost again to her mother...

Christine: Thayer David has such a commanding presence that it's easy to forget anyone else ever played Matthew Morgan.

Even though the series never resolves Vicki's parentage, I've decided to approach this rewatch as though she really is Elizabeth's daughter. I'm curious to see how that perspective influences the way I see the characters and events as the story unfolds.

Shadows on the Wall

John: Our first peek into the Collinwood basement!

Christine: The basement appears to be a treasure trove of props we may rediscover throughout the series. Will that clock reappear, or will those chairs eventually become part of a dining room set in the Old House or 1795 Collinwood?

John: Should we track the contents of the Collinwood library? The Rover Boys... America Sails the Seas... the first of a number of books we'll see around the house, if memory serves.

Christine: That certainly would make an interesting collection! Since America Sails the Seas is a children's book on the history of ships, I have a pretty good idea what David's next history lesson will be about. Whether intentional or not, its appearance feels like a fitting Fourth of July touch. 

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

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 5

  

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/07/episode-5-7166.html

Then & Now

John: Coming off my suggestion yesterday that Vicki should have quit after Roger's antics, let alone David's 'greeting' last night and behavior today, I'm still surprised Carolyn was able to convince her otherwise, just because she wanted a friend. 

Carolyn calls Roger's kiss 'delicious'. The horrors at Collinwood are not aways supernatural!

I forgot that Sam Evans was one of the roles that would be recast throughout the run of the show. 

Christine: One thing that struck me on this viewing is just how many of the men make a poor first impression. Joe spends the evening sulking instead of dancing with Carolyn, Roger has already made Victoria—and all of us—uncomfortable, and Sam Evans quickly establishes himself as a volatile presence. Collinwood may have its share of supernatural horrors, but the ordinary ones are arriving first. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: How many kids from Foundling homes have monogrammed luggage? At least David gave us an idea of how many clothes she could pack in it!

Sam introduces Vicki (and us) to Josette Collins (no painting —yet), the source of tears (doh! — I was surprised by this revelation just as I was 10 years ago!), who jumped off of Widows' Hill.

Christine: Along with our introduction to Josette comes the striking image of Victoria standing at the edge of Widows' Hill before learning the story of Josette's leap. I had completely forgotten that visual connection, and I found it especially powerful on this viewing.

A fun little continuity mystery caught my eye. David manages to knock the monogrammed initials off Victoria's luggage. Even after the scene shifts downstairs, we continue hearing him gleefully pounding away. By the next scene, however, the initials have somehow found their way back onto the suitcase.

Did anyone else notice something unusual about today's slate?