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?

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?