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?

Shadows on the Wall: Episode 32

   

Before continuing, you may enjoy revisiting our original 50th anniversary summary and commentary: https://dsb4idie.blogspot.com/2016/08/episode-32-8916.html

Then & Now

John: I'm amazed they go to such lengths to plant the seed that Burke may be David's father to ultimately not deliver on that. Perhaps alongside our stipulation that Vicki is Liz's daughter, we should assume the same for little David Devlin. Of course a few paternity tests in Collinwood might have gone a long way.

Christine: I might be able to accept that David is a Devlin, except for the fact that his ancestor, Jamison Collins, bears too strong a resemblance to be ignored. 

John: Just when you think the Sheriff is going to perform an independent, thorough investigation, he ignores all of the information at his disposal after Liz spouts the ridiculous story about the valve just falling out of the car. His citing that he likes easy solutions sure makes you wonder. I also realized that in our original overviews of these early episodes, we weren't tagging all of the supporting actors, so we don't have handy data on whether this is the last we'll see of Sheriff Carter. 

Christine: That oversight has been rectified. You will now find Sheriff Carter's five appearances conveniently listed in the Character Appearances tags. I did note in the original post that it was Michael Currie's last appearance as Sheriff Carter, and indeed it is the last we'll see of the character.

Roger made three trips to the brandy decanter today. Roger's Spirits is growing exponentially by the episode! 🥃

Shadows on the Wall

John: Roger seems quite pleased to be able to brandish the brake valve. Will this be the last time we need to see that trinket? Now that we're shifting the focus to the much-fingerprinted wrench.

Christine: Liz and Sheriff Carter also get a turn holding up the brake valve for everyone to see. Should I add Bleeder Valve to the Character Appearances tags as well?

John: The fingerprint image makes for a nice piece of art. Better than most of what Sam Evans has cooked up so far. But those prints seem awfully large and perfect for something lifted from a wrench...

Christine: Really, how can you malign the Works of Sam Evans? Have you made a careful study of his full oeuvre? I am surprised that you do not appreciate his gruesome Dead Marlin painting at the very least. 

It looks like Sheriff Carter had time to organize his desk and switch the wanted posters back to the bulletin board behind his desk since we last saw him.

The bronze sculpture has returned to the foyer table and now faces the entryway. Perhaps Elizabeth thought it preferable to displaying its backside to everyone entering Collinwood.

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