Shadows on the Wall: Episode 93

  

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/11/episode-93-11266.html

Then & Now

John: We get some more Liz history — about her missed opportunity with Ned Calder. 

I love when Liz calls Roger's bluff when he threatens to leave and take David. Like that would ever happen!

Christine: He didn't deny her statement that he loves money more than he loves David. 

It's amazing that Elizabeth can remain so calm with an illegitimate daughter getting closer to discovering her secret, a younger daughter who flirts with the family enemy while taking for granted the one reliable man who could whisk her away to safety, a nephew who's attempted to murder both his father and his governess, and a selfish, irresponsible brother whose troubles are infecting the environment at Collinwood. Not to mention the whereabouts of her current husband.

Shadows on the Wall

John: Didn't we introduce a slap tracker during our first run of the series? If so, David's inaugural slap should be immortalized!

Christine: You posted the Collinsport Slap-Tracker to Episode 1119 in honor of the show's 13th slap, and today's slap is included. We'll keep our eyes peeled in case there were any you missed that we can add to an eventual dedicated page.

John: The Betty Hanscombe file continues to grow. Liz explains that Betty was the daughter or niece of their butler, Hanscombe. I don't know if they were really giving this potential backstory much thought. Could Betty Hanscombe have been Vicki's mother, the one who left her at the foundling home? Or is the suggestion that Liz and Hanscombe the butler were in an illicit relationship that spawned two lookalike daughters?

Christine: The writers were flying by the seat of their pants when it came to deciding how to resolve Vicki's parentage. Initially, the plan was to make her the illegitimate child of Paul Stoddard. After Alexandra Moltke was cast, however, they changed direction and decided Vicki would be Elizabeth's illegitimate daughter, apparently because of the resemblance between the actresses. 

Butler Hanscombe was considered a possible father for Vicki, as was Jason McGuire. The writers also apparently considered another romantic relationship in Elizabeth's past that might have resulted in Vicki's birth. Could Ned Calder have been that man? Alas, Barnabas came along and the story was placed on the back burner. By the time the writers were ready to return to it, Moltke had left the show and her character was eventually written out.

It's been a while since Roger had a 2 drink episode. He must be really stressing out over the possibility that Vicki might mention finding a special pen at Lookout Point to Burke.

A few other scenes from today's episode…

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 92

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/11/episode-92-11116.html

Then & Now

John: Frank Garner sure makes a good first impression. Vicki could do worse than a guy like him. He's certainly more of a catch than Roger Collins or that scoundrel Burke Devlin.

Richard Garner, on the other hand, appears to be a sleazy lawyer... It's no surprise he was involved in helping Roger get Burke unjustly incarcerated.

Christine: Richard Garner also appears to be covering for Liz when he calls her up to let her know that Vicki showed up asking questions, but that he has everything under control. 

I couldn't figure out why Burke would order a grilled cheese sandwich when he wasn't planning on sticking around to eat it, though Frank Garner seemed more than happy to slide in next to Vicki and take over. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: Burke says he's convinced Vicki will find out who she is. Unfortunately, the writers were lying to him.

Christine: The writers weren't lying. They fully intended for Vicki to find out who she was. Blame it on the vampire for that not happening in due time. Today's episode suggests that the writers may have been considering the possibility that butler B. Hanscombe was Vicki's father, which might explain Elizabeth's determination to keep Vicki's parentage a secret.

John: Why on earth would they have ever needed a dozen support staff at Collinwood?

Christine: Did you see the filthy, spiderwebby mess in the room where Vicki was locked up? Imagine 40 rooms like that, and perhaps a dozen support staff would make more sense.

Should we enlist our resident expert attorney to weigh in on the legal workings of the Garner & Garner firm?

A few other details from today's episode…

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 91

  

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/10/episode-91-103166.html

Then & Now

Christine: I wonder if Vicki's recent behavior might be a sign of trauma brought on by stress. She claims that Bill Malloy said he was murdered, but all we heard him tell her was to get away before she was killed and there wasn't much time. She also now says David was trying to scare her, despite previously believing he was attempting to kill her. 

On top of that, accepting a ride to Bangor from Burke, after he'd threatened to destroy the Collins family, seems like a serious lapse in judgment on Vicki's part. 

John: I found it odd that they'd go to the trouble of shooting an exterior shot of Carolyn and Vicki arriving in town.

Christine: Carolyn only has herself to blame for Burke offering Vicki a ride. She should have waited until Vicki hopped on the bus to ring up Burke Devlin. Though pursuing his attention in the first place was hardly a wise move, either.

John: Silent Susie is back! And because she could't be troubled to carry two cups of coffee to the table, Carolyn makes her deliver them.

I'm convinced that someone needs to take Carolyn over their knee, and unfortunately for her, it' not going to be Burke Devlin.

Shadows on the Wall

John: Liz was playing a pretty fancy tune when Carolyn returned home. At least I assume that was supposed to be her on the piano/harpsichord, and she wasn't just spinning a record...

Christine: Vicki sits shoulder to shoulder with Burke on the ride to Bangor. Perhaps this was the beginning of their mutual affection. 

Maybe the same was true for David.

Episode 30

A few other scenes from today's episode…