Shadows on the Wall: Episode 35

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/08/episode-35-81266.html

Then & Now

John: The real Sam Evans has arrived! The one who could spot a hangover from a mile away!

John: Joe should have explained to Sam that Maggie had the day off today.

I don't remember Carolyn thanking Vicki for calling her an idiot. I do wonder if 'idiot' was the '60s television acceptable substitute for calling someone a 'bitch.' 

Christine: I think idiot was the appropriate term in this case, regardless of the time period. Carolyn was being an idiot, though what may have set her off was that Vicki didn't bother to tell her where she was going when she asked to borrow her car, even though Vicki was well aware that Carolyn is infatuated with Burke. Vicki probably intended to keep it to herself, but big mouth Joe just couldn't wait to pour some cold water on Carolyn with that juicy news. 

John: I also forgot Sam's extreme close-up monologue. That alcohol sure works fast!

Christine: New Sam may have been trying to match the volume of Old Sam. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: So — will Sam Evans give Roger Collins a run for his money in the drinking department? 

Christine: Oh, I expect that he will. 

John: Why is it that Vicki never hangs up coats? This isn't the first time she just left one on the table in the foyer.

Christine: There's no coat rack. 

The sculpture by the couch in Burke's hotel room in yesterday's episode has been replaced by some nondescript container or cigarette holder. I wonder if yesterday's intriguing item will reappear elsewhere in Collinsport. 

Today's episode

Episode 34

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

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 34

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/08/episode-34-81166.html

Then & Now

John: It seems like Burke might believe Vicki's interested in more than just his report on her when she pushes him to invite her up to his room.

Christine: I'm seeing Vicki in a whole new light this viewing. Where I once might have perceived her as innocent and naive (Malted Vicki), I now think she's much more enigmatic than that. Burke first decides she's not the sherry type, and then, when she insists on going straight to his hotel room rather than having dinner first, apparently decides she's Champagne Vicki. Perhaps neither label quite fits.

Is her single-minded determination to find answers about her background what has her willing to risk being pawed over by Burke in his hotel room to get the information she wants? Is it possible that Vicki is actually more calculating than Burke gives her credit for?

On my last viewing, I thought it was poor manners when she blew off the steak dinner Burke ordered, but now I wonder if she was actually taking control of the situation rather than allowing Burke to use her desire for information about her parentage to get something in return.

It's too bad that when Burke offered to help her, she didn't think to ask whether he could find a handwriting expert to compare the handwriting on the note of abandonment she was left with at the foundling home to Elizabeth's.

John: Yeah, you'd think if he put his private investigator on her case, they could have gotten to the bottom of things lickety-split!

Shadows on the Wall

John: How many drinks do you think you can get at the Blue Whale for $8 (plus tip) in 1966 dollars?

Christine: Well, shots were 25¢ to 50¢ in 1966, so about 16 to 32 drinks. That's quite a bender!

I couldn't figure out what that oddly shaped item on the table by the couch was in the dark shots of Burke's hotel room, and it was finally revealed in close-up. I'm not sure if it was there while David was visiting, but he may have been too focused on setting Burke up for attempted murder to be distracted by it.

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

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 33

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/08/episode-33-81066.html

Then & Now

John: What the hell is Joe drinking out of a water glass in the bar? It's almost as big as Burke's mug of beer! 

Christine: Carolyn seems pleased that Joe is "potted." Don't we all like potted Joe a little more than good ol' reliable Joe?

John: Maybe bad-boy Joe is just the kind of man Carolyn is interested in marrying.

Christine: When referring to the note Vicki was left with at the foundling home as an infant, Carolyn tells Vicki, "I wonder if the person who wrote that ever knew you'd end up here." Perhaps Elizabeth had planned all along to find a way to bring her daughter back under her roof. 

Shadows on the Wall

Christine: I appreciate the way shots are composed on Dark Shadows to make effective use of shadows and perspective. I especially enjoy the views from the drawing room toward the entryway, which give Collinwood a sense of depth and make the mansion feel much more expansive than the confines of the set would suggest. 

John: I wonder how often such shots are happy accidents, as opposed to deliberate stylistic choices. This episode in particular has a number of directorial flourishes — particularly in the transitions. From dancers moving into frame, or the camera moving between them; to transitions based on related dialogue, from the folks in Collinwood to the Blue Whale and back... there's a lot more going on in that regard in this episode.

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