Shadows on the Wall: Episode 97

 

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/11/episode-97-11866.html

Then & Now

John: Why would Vicki choose to keep a secret with Roger over telling Liz the truth? That makes zero sense given the power dynamic in Collinwood.

Christine: It was funny how Roger intimated to Carolyn that Vicki had called him because of some romantic interest, but was sure to offer Elizabeth an entirely different explanation. 

John: I love how Vicki calls Carolyn, "Carolyn Stoddard — My BEST Friend" before pointing out that Carolyn was responsible for Burke showing up at the diner. Though it is nice when she uses Carolyn as a means to an end at the end of the episode when showing her the portrait!

Christine: Two delicious moments indeed! 

John: So nobody in Collinsport knows the relationship between Hanscombe the butler and Betty? It suggests that they don't bother to get to know their long-time staff well in Collinwood, if they're not even sure whether he had a daughter!

Christine: It seems like the writers may have been keeping their options open regarding Vicki's parentage. Perhaps Betty Hanscombe had an affair with Paul Stoddard, resulting in Vicki's birth and prompting Liz to send checks after Paul disappeared. Alternatively, Liz may have had an affair with Butler Hanscombe, which might explain the genetic resemblance between Vicki and Betty. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: Holy smokes, Sam! Is it time for a sing-a-long-tracker? Perhaps the residents of Collinsport (alive AND dead) should stick to sea shanties.

Christine: Sam had quite a number of his works on display today. The painting of schooners is not one I remember seeing featured so prominently before. I'm glad to see he's still keeping Burke's paint-splattered portrait around. 

A few more scenes from today's episode…

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 96

 

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/11/episode-96-11766.html

Then & Now

John: I didn't think much of it ten years ago, but now, after Roger tells Vicki, "You don't have anything to worry about with me," I can imagine first-time viewers wondering if Vicki would make it back to Collinwood alive...

Adding insult to injury, Roger just 'decides' to take a back road... leaving them stranded in a remote cabin. Coincidence, or diabolical plot?

Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I like to think that Vicki may not have survived the night had the sheriff not arrived, just in time. 

Christine: This is a creepy episode, especially with the whole killing shack vibe. Roger's remark about carrying Vicki over the threshold, followed by her reminder that he is already married, adds an unsettling undertone to their arrival. It's not much of a stretch to imagine Roger sneaking up on Vicki from behind and bludgeoning her with a heavy piece of wood. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: If Bill Malloy was demoted when Roger returned to Collinwood, why would he have remained so fiercely loyal to Liz, right up to the end? It would explain his disdain for Roger, but Roger wouldn't have been the one making that call.

Christine: I'm surprised you weren't as troubled as I was by the question of where the Sheriff hung up his dripping wet raincoat when Collinwood still doesn't have a civilized coat rack installed! 

Is it time for a collection of unusually cozy car rides?

A few more things worth noticing from this rather unsettling episode…