Shadows on the Wall: Episode 53

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/09/episode-53-9766.html

Then & Now

John: Elizabeth seems oddly cheerful this morning after all of yesterday's activities.

Christine: It was definitely out of character with or without the circumstances, but especially with Bill Malloy missing, the possibility that the girls saw a dead man in the water, and her suspicions about Matthew. The lady was practically giddy. It was unsettling. I guess everyone reacts to trauma differently.

John: Why would she be motivated to make up a lie about Bill Malloy's whereabouts? Serves her right that Matthew spilled the beans right after.

Christine: I think she didn't want concerns from workers at the plant to interfere with her unofficial inquiries into his whereabouts with Sheriff Patterson. Since she confirmed there had been many questions about his absence, she may have thought that they would eventually lead to a formal report to the sheriff's office, and the Collins family would then end up having to fend off reporters. 

John: Matthew provides some exposition regarding the first Mrs. Collins going over the cliff at Widow's Hill.

Christine: Odd that he knows so much about the family history though isn't it? With Elizabeth's warning to Vicki in Episode 13 that Matthew can be quite violent if he feels Liz is threatened, it would be reasonable for her to question his reasons for pushing Bill Malloy back out to sea when he discovered him. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: David's latest crystal ball prognostications: Someone in Collinwood is going to try to kill Vicki!

Christine: I wonder if he was seeing himself or Matthew in the crystal ball when he foresaw that event.

It's been a while since we've seen the dining area. David only had a slice of toast with butter and jam and a glass of milk for breakfast. Vicki cleared his plate before he could finish his toast but made sure to pour herself more coffee. I guess she needed it to get through lessons with him. 

Also, just want to document that Liz has on a different brooch today since you've indicated an interest.

A few other moments for your consideration…

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 52

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/09/episode-52-9666.html

Then & Now

John: Vicki says she'll stay in Collinwood until she finds what she's looking for — but what if she never does? Will she be the next Elizabeth Stoddard?

Ten years later, I still think Sam is a bit dramatic when he says, "There are forces loose in Collinwood that frighten me to think of." I think you were right, and we can attribute this flowery prose to his drinking.

Locals sure have no qualms about calling folks in the middle of the night in this town. When Vicki later says she thought the call might have been from a drunk, I was sure she realized it was Sam Evans!

Christine: I was curious about Maggie saying she had never seen Sam so gloomy. When have we ever not seen him gloomy?

John: For the past few months, Carolyn has been cavalier when it came to dismissing talk of ghosts, and sounds in the house including the crying woman. Today, you'd think she was the newcomer to the haunted mansion, with Vicki remaining the voice of reason.

And again, the opening of the book to Josette's page is worth celebrating as the show's first truly supernatural experience!

Christine: Apparently the body of Bill Malloy disturbed Josette's resting place. Perhaps she was expecting a governess instead. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: Sam brings up the letter he gave to Maggie, and she confirmed it's in the hotel safe. In case the viewing audience joined late, or just forgot.

Christine: I think blonde, short-haired Maggie would have read that letter without telling her pop she was going to do it. 

John: Whoever was responsible for sound effects today was working overtime. 

Christine: The Thinker-like statue on the Evans bookshelf is gone, replaced by a different statue and an alarm clock. While difficult to notice, the faithful striped blanket can be seen shoved down into the crook of the Evans couch. 

A few more things that may deserve your attention…

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 51

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/09/episode-51-9566.html

Then & Now

John: It's interesting that neither Vicki nor Carolyn were specific that they saw Bill Malloy's body. We all assumed it was Bill because he's been missing... but the writers chose to backpedal on that notion.

You'd think the ladies of Collinwood were asking Roger to kill a spider the way he avoided being the one to go check and see if there was a dead man at the base of Widow's Hill. I don't know if he's afraid to see a dead body, or if he's afraid to see Bill's dead body.

Christine: The fact that he looked concerned when hearing about the dead body makes me think he suspected Sam might have done Bill in and then called him to see if Evans had dispatched their problem. Why else would he tell Elizabeth that they shouldn't involve the police? 

John: 10 years ago I assumed Matthew was responsible for moving Bill's body. At this point I still think it looks like Roger is responsible for the death, and Matthew is just an accessory after the fact...

Christine: Since we know who's responsible for the death, it's interesting to see how well he covered for himself, even admitting he expected to find Bill Malloy down on the rocks. Elizabeth was right to be suspicious. It's possible he didn't consider that the corpse might resurface and cause additional problems for the Collins family. 

John: Carolyn asking her if she could bunk with her seemed to catch Vicki off guard — she momentarily forgot her line about the cocoa. 

Shadows on the Wall

John: Roger takes a swig in the name of sarcasm!

Is it me, or has Roger's scar been crawling up his head towards his hairline? I don't recall it having so much of a curve previously. And it's too late now to insert a scar-tracker. We can make a note for the 70th anniversary re-watch in HD.

Christine: I think it depends on the angle and lighting, but the scar appears anchored to his second forehead wrinkle, though it looks quite different in Episodes 39 and 40. It's never too late for a scar-tracker! Be careful what you wish for. The photo evidence below is all the effort I feel like putting into it, though. 

Also, forget HD. I expect we'll be doing the 70th anniversary re-watch with holographic video and will be able to measure that scar up close and personal. 

John: I loved Roger's reaction to Vicki telling him what David saw in his crystal ball! I'd have bet money he was right on this particular premonition. 

As threatened, here's the unofficial Roger Collins Scar-Tracker…

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A few more things worth noticing…