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?

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 7

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/07/episode-7-7566.html

Then & Now

John: Sam sure looks like a homeless guy wandering through Collinsport location footage. Of course, he's been drinking, so...

It didn't stand out 10 years ago, as there wasn't a comparative reference, but Roger (who seems tall when amongst the residents of Collinwood) sure looks small next to (this iteration of) Sam Evans.

Burke was going to say Vicki was a strange man? Okay, perhaps he didn't quite mean he was about to say the same thing.

Today's mention of ghosts in Collinwood comes courtesy of Burke Devlin!

Christine: I can't help wondering whether Jamison Collins was the one responsible for delivering a spanking to young Burke after catching him prowling through the west wing in search of ghosts. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: Are we going to need an Evans drink tracker, too? Or a comparative chart to see the alcoholic consumption of Roger vs Sam?

I don't think we'll be back to the diner often enough to warrant a tracking of the dessert offerings, but it's worth noting that pie has been swapped out for donuts today. 

During the end credits, if you look closely you'll see that there's a box raising the table behind Sam's couch.

Christine: It could certainly become laborious to track every detail in the series, though it's fun to note what's on offer at the Collinsport Inn. Here's what I could make out on today's menu: Cream, American and Swiss cheese, fried egg, sliced egg, chopped egg, tuna all white meat, beef burger, cheese burger, frankfurter, salmon steak, bacon, salami, boiled ham, grilled ham, ham & cheese, bologna, liverwurst, salami, Italian salami, bacon & tomato, lettuce & tomato. 55¢ for a hamburger and 65¢ for a cheese burger. 

You may be on to something with the idea of an Evans drink tracker. One thing I did notice is the changing level of Sam's whiskey bottle throughout today's episode. To be fair, quite a bit of it never makes it into his cup–or past his lips. It's probably a good thing the Evans household keeps a generous supply of breakaway glasses on hand. 

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