Shadows on the Wall: Episode 3

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/06/episode-3-62966.html

Then & Now

John: If someone came pounding on my door like Roger did, I wouldn't open it, either! Of course he denies such a thing is part of his repertoire when he talks to Maggie.

The biggest surprise from this viewing was the suggestion that Vicki has a friend back home.

And I'm sorry, it's still super creepy that Carolyn considers Roger to be 'a real doll.' 

Another thing that surprised me in this viewing is just how young Joe seems to be. He kinda reminds me of good ol' Archie from Riverdale. 

Bill Malloy obviously knows what's up with Burke. Funny he would even think Burke might just let it rest. 

Christine: One thing that stood out to me on this viewing was just how often ghosts are mentioned. Carolyn warns Victoria that she'll have to try to get used to doors opening by themselves, while Burke tells Bill Malloy that as a kid he used to go up to Collinwood looking for ghosts because people always believed the house was haunted. No one could have imagined that these passing references would eventually open the door to vampires, witches, werewolves, Leviathans, parallel worlds, and just about every other supernatural phenomenon imaginable. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: This episode, we're introduced to Isaac Collins, who founded the town in the 17th century, and put the family into the 'fish business.' I'll be interested to see who's the first historical figure we're introduced to that we actually meet during a flashback.

Christine: It's interesting that Isaac Collins' portrait became such a focal point so early in the series. If you'd like to learn more about it, you'll find a detailed history in the Collinwood Portraits section of the Collinwood Collection. Unless I'm forgetting someone, I don't believe we ever actually met Isaac during the series' many journeys into the past. 

One detail I had never noticed before was the perspective from inside the Blue Whale's phone booth. It's an angle of the set I don't remember seeing before. I'll be interested to see whether the booth itself is ever visible in wider shots of the Blue Whale's interior. 

Ten years ago I gave a shout out to announcer Bob Lloyd, whose slate announcements became a familiar part of our early Dark Shadows viewing. As part of the Collinwood Collection, I've begun assembling a new Slates archive documenting the surviving slate announcements and the unique moments they capture before each episode begins. 

What did you notice during this viewing that you had never noticed before?

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 2

 

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/06/episode-2-62866.html

Then & Now

John: Elizabeth tells Victoria that David is unlike any boy he has ever met, but is he, really? 

I completely forgot about Vicki saying 'Boo!' to the portrait in the foyer! And Elizabeth playing the piano — that was pretty impressive. I'll assume that was Robert Cobert's work? 

Christine: The pre-Barnabas episodes remain among my favorites, and I'm reminded how effectively they draw us into the lives and relationships of the Collinsport characters. One small detail I had completely forgotten was that Bartender Bob Rooney has one of his rare speaking roles when he calls the police to break up Joe's altercation. 

My original comment questioned whether the dancing at the Blue Whale could actually be called dancing. Ten years later, I still have my doubts.

Shadows on the Wall

John: Victoria arrives at Collinwood with one suitcase. Should we count how many different outfits she managed to squeeze into that?

Jeremiah, builder of Collinwood, is the first historical figure we're introduced to. 

Will we ever have another scene with so many cast members in a single shot as when Carolyn is first introduced, dancing in the Blue Whale? I counted at least 13 folks, maybe more, and now I'll be interested to see if that's a record for Collinsport!

Christine: Windows are another visual element that caught my attention in this episode, sometimes with characters looking in and at other times looking out. As Victoria stands at the drawing room window, she pauses to take in the expansive ocean view. It's another visual motif I'll be watching for as our rewatch continues.

I also noticed what may be the first appearance of the Petofi box as Elizabeth shows Victoria to her room. The box will later play a pivotal role in Episode 821. Knowing where the story eventually leads, it's hard not to imagine that the box is already keeping its secrets. 

John: Good catch!

What visual detail caught your eye in this episode — something you had never noticed before or something that stood out in a new way?

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 1

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary Episode 1 summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/06/episode-1-62766.html

Then & Now

John: The film footage of exteriors really stands out against the video look of the majority of the show. Not that they didn't the first time through, but I'm reminded how infrequently there's location footage shot outside of the studio.

I'm also wondering if Vicky's flashbacks to the Foundling house are unique. While we will get more than our share of time shifts throughout the series, I can't recall other instances of flashbacks than in this episode. 

I still don't like this original incarnation of Maggie. She calls out Vicki saying her hair will be gray in a month of working at Collinwood. Let's count how long it takes Maggie's hair to change... 

Since we acknowledge that this viewing pass is for returning DS veterans (we welcome newcomers to start first with our original 50th anniversary post for the premiere episode via the link above!), I'll assume it's safe to discuss spoilers and say that it's disappointing that the Vicki/Elizabeth story never plays out to its logical conclusion.

Christine: What stood out to me on this viewing was the "All Aboard" sign behind Burke Devlin on the train. It feels like an invitation to leave the familiar behind and begin the journey to Collinsport and the extraordinary world of Dark Shadows.

Shadows on the Wall

John: There's probably room for a gallery of Roger's decanters and drinking glasses... of course he breaks the first glass we see him holding.

Does The Blue Whale sign change throughout the series? Or the jukebox?

Christine: Yes, there may be a place for Roger's decanters and drinking glasses in the Collection — perhaps even noting the particular circumstances that drive him to drink. Of course, there are plenty of occasions when other characters help empty the decanter as well. 

One of the visual elements that caught my attention in this first episode was the repeated use of mirrors. I remembered noticing mirror imagery throughout the series before, but I hadn't realized the motif was established in the very first episode. 

Seeing Victoria repeatedly framed through reflections makes me wonder whether the mirrors subtly reinforce her search for identity and the mystery surrounding why she has been drawn to Collinwood. I'll be interested to see whether that visual pattern continues as we revisit the series.  

What visual detail caught your eye in this episode? Was there an object, image, recurring motif, or piece of set decoration that you had never noticed before? Did you discover something that deserves a place in the Collinwood Collection?