Monday, July 20, 2026

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 18

    

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/07/episode-18-72066.html


Then & Now

John: Roger actually acknowledges his cruelty and apologizes to David. But don't get your hopes up — there's definitely no point in creating a Roger apology-tracker!

In case anyone hasn't been paying attention, let's dissolve from the illustration of the bleeder valve to the actual bleeder valve in David's hand...

Christine: With Carolyn still out late with Burke Devlin and all the commotion upstairs, it's a wonder Elizabeth managed to sleep at all, leaving Victoria unguarded when Roger insisted on dragging her out in the middle of the night to confront a murder suspect. 

The most disturbing thing about this episode is that Roger did not avail himself of the brandy bottle. 


Shadows on the Wall

John: The zoom in to the grandfather clock stood out to me today. Is that the first time it's been showcased?

I wonder if we're supposed to believe that Roger traveled to Japan a lot, and picked up robots to bring back for David...

Christine: Elizabeth had her eye on the clock in the previous two episodes, but this may be the first time it has been the sole focus. I wish I could see what time it actually shows. I'm wondering how late it will be when Roger and Vicki show up at the Collinsport Inn and Carolyn finally makes her way home. 

It appears David has been rearranging the toys and other items on his shelves. One of his robots has moved to a lower shelf, displacing the robot boxes that had been stored there. I wonder how many toys are littering the ground beneath his window.


What visual detail caught your eye in this episode?















Sunday, July 19, 2026

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 17

    

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/07/episode-17-71966.html


Then & Now

John: "100 miles — it seemed like 100 miles" is one of my favorite DS Bloopers, and deftly handled by Louis Edmonds.

Bill's one hell of an investigator. In a matter of minutes, he looks at a wreck and is able to determine the exact cause, and draw a perfect schematic of the system and the missing piece! Seems like he's a wasted resource working for the Collins' clan — unless they also retain him as a private investigator!

Liz imparts some more Collinwood history, describing Isaac Collins' arrival in 1690.

My biggest question I'm left with today — just who is the father of Lucy Cameron's baby!


Christine: Bill Malloy's presentation still has me recalling fond memories of Phineas J. Whoopee from Tennessee Tuxedo. Of course, the real purpose of his presentation was to make us all aware that the missing piece was the same one we saw in David's possession, and perhaps also to foreshadow that the Collinsport constabulary will prove to be not quite as astute as Bill Malloy.

Mr. Cameron is most likely the father of Lucy Cameron's baby. Dr. Reeves took his call just as Roger and Bill left the exam room to use the waiting room for automotive instruction, and he conveniently waited until they were finished before heading out to deliver the Camerons' baby. So perhaps the real question is: did Mr. Cameron end up delivering his own baby?

Roger's injuries may have been more traumatic for him had his drinking arm been the one placed in a sling.




Shadows on the Wall

John: David's got a nice toy boat by his bed, but more importantly, we get a great panning shot of another Japanese robot from his collection. It's got a very unique design, with what looks like 10 typewriter keys at its waist, but I haven't yet been able to identify the specific model. 

That's a nice half-skull decorating the doctor's office!

Christine: Many skeletons, bones, and body parts will eventually appear on the show that may be worthy of collecting. I'm just not sure whether Dr. Reeves's skull belongs in a Skeleton Collection or one for Office Supplies, considering it appears to be a very effective way to keep track of the many forms he would rather not fill out.


What visual detail caught your eye in this episode?













Saturday, July 18, 2026

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 16

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/07/episode-16-71866.html


Then & Now

John: Was today the first time anyone opened one of the windows in the drawing room?

Given that Vicki was there to see Burke poking around Roger's car, it's surprising that she doesn't consider that he might be responsible for Roger's accident. Perhaps Carolyn isn't the only one under Burke's charm.

This time watching, I noticed that when Liz is talking to Roger on the phone, she doesn't pause long enough between her statements for someone on the other end of the line to speak!

Based on what was playing in July of 1966, I wonder if Joe and Carolyn were going to check out the Adam West Batman movie. Think of the foreshadowing opportunity... another 'Bat-man' in Collinwood!

I also loved how Liz makes Matthew out to be a real 'car brakes' enthusiast. Since she never gets out of Collinwood, maybe she doesn't realize there's more to a car than just its brakes!

Christine: Carolyn asks Joe whether he would hit her over the head and drag her out of Collinwood. I interpreted her question differently this time. It made me wonder whether Carolyn is really looking for someone who will take charge and make her feel safe. Perhaps part of her dissatisfaction with Joe isn't just that he offers little excitement, but that he rarely sets any boundaries, allowing her to push him around instead. If Joe had simply reminded Carolyn that he promised Elizabeth they wouldn't go to the Blue Whale–and stood by it–I think she would have accepted it. Of course, that wouldn't have made for as interesting an episode. 

After seeing Joe dance with Carolyn, I can better understand why he was reluctant in Episode 2. Then again, it's probably difficult to dance with someone who's got her back to you while she's busy wiggling for another guy.



Shadows on the Wall

Christine: We explore more of the kitchen set today, getting a better look at the cabinets and tea service area. Seeing all the plants made me wonder who takes care of them. I have to believe Elizabeth does, considering she spends all her time at Collinwood and must find other ways to occupy herself besides serving tea. 

The painting of the schooner hanging above the jukebox at the Blue Whale caught my eye today. It made me wonder how many schooners, sailing ships, and boats we've seen so far–from the model ship in the Collinwood drawing room, to the one on the cover of the America Sails the Seas book Vicki was reading in Episode 6, to the toy ship in David's room. Are there any others I've missed? I did catch another painting of a ship on the wall at the Blue Whale, but I wonder if I might have spotted one at the Collinsport Inn as well.



John: When we saw more of the kitchen, my first thought was, did they just wander into a greenhouse?


What visual detail caught your eye in this episode?