Sunday, August 30, 2026

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 47

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/08/episode-47-83066.html


Then & Now

John: Liz lets her hair down, she plays the piano, she's paranoid, and she giggles like a schoolgirl... maybe it's time Carolyn has the talk with her mother about the dangers of controlled substances.

Why didn't Burke break the door down at Bill's house? He said that's how far he was willing to go — and he even pointed out that Bill's car was there! What if poor Bill was incapacitated, or needed help? 

Christine: Burke came back to the office saying he's either out or dead. It is curious that he didn't break down the door if he suspected Bill could have been dead. 

John: Sam telling Roger the he could kill him doesn't make him seem to be less of a suspect in Bill's mysterious disappearance. 

The one thing I can't imagine Roger would ever do is leave Burke Devlin unattended in his office!

Christine: Roger's willingness to leave Burke in his office seemed to send a message that he didn't consider Burke much of a threat.


Shadows on the Wall

John: Where's a pen tracker when we need one! Or more importantly, when Roger needs one.

Roger must have felt that a celebration nightcap was in order.

Christine: His whistling a jaunty tune and carelessly tossing his coat on the foyer table make him seem like a kid who evaded the principal's office. 

I'm considering whether or not a clock collection is in order. Or perhaps a ship collection. There's an interesting ship in a bottle beneath the clock in Roger's office.



A few more things worth noticing…
























Saturday, August 29, 2026

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 46

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/08/episode-46-82966.html


Then & Now

John: She doesn't appear in today's episode, but Mrs. Johnson is mentioned as Bill Malloy's housekeeper! I had forgotten how she came to be employed at Collinwood.

I don't recall Roger's laugh at Vicki's suggestion that he's the least bit concerned about her past — it was a George McFly laugh, right out of Back to the Future!

The last few episodes had me thinking about Quentin Tarantino... today's ending reminded me of the old song, "Where the hell is Bill?" by Camper Van Beethoven.

Christine: Bill Malloy had quite a large presence for someone who appeared in only 14 episodes, especially considering that two of those appearances were posthumous. 


Shadows on the Wall

John: Even Roger just leaves his coat on a table in the foyer. Get a damn coat rack, Collins!

Do you think the ship on display in the drawing room is a replica of one of the Collins fleet?

Christine: It certainly could be a replica of one of the Collins fleet, although I don't know if the show ever establishes that.

John: Under the circumstances, it sure took Roger a hell of a long time to drink up today!

Christine: He's got to pace himself for what's to come! I think Roger's Spirits page is about to blow up. 

Sam is shown working on a painting that is revealed to be Old Man at the Docks. It will be interesting to see what additions he made to it in today's episode, if any. 


Acilius commented on Episode 20 that Sam's painting of Collinwood looks just like David's drawing in this episode. I went back for a closer comparison, flipping the image horizontally since we're seeing the drawing through the back of the paper, and while they are similar, Sam's appears to be much more detailed and polished. David's drawing is noticeably less sophisticated, but what do you think?


Episode 20

What early hints, details, or connections stood out to you in this episode?