Dark Shadows

[Kitty]

168

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You may be right about Laura's 'dress', as I called it, being a robe or something. She keeps wearing it, and I'm sure that if it were a dress they wouldn't have had her wear it so much episode after episode. She does love those pearls, though, doesn't she? Part of her nightgown?

I wonder what Joan Bennett was doing that they had to write her out of the script for so long?

Burke really gets around with his smooching, doesn't he?

Ew!! He ordered Scotch and water. Can't get more disgusting than that.

Oooo! It's nice to see Laura rattled for once!

[donnie]

re 156

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Wow, this was an excellent episode! One of the best I’ve seen, script and acting.

The genuine concern that Roger has for his sister is actually pretty touching.

Yes, that was especially moving when he was trying to explain to Frank what had happened and became too emotional to go on. This shows that for all his arrogant, dismissive ways, he really does care for her deeply.

It's nice to see Joan Bennett acting, really acting.

It was! I was blown away by her acting in this. A completely new dimension to the character. Nancy Barrett was also good in this one.

Oh, man, that poor Carolyn. She is so far deep in love with Burke. He shouldn't have let it go so far.

Right, he’s left her really emotionally distraught and unable to let go.

What did you think of that scene between Joe and Carolyn in the Blue Whale? I think Joe should have just said a polite good evening and left her alone. He kept prolonging the conversation and there didn’t seem to be much purpose in it.

re 157

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Funny, Roger is dressed to the nines and it's supposed to be - what? 6am?

Well, after all, he is a Collins, my dear. (And 5 am, to be precise. And Vicky has apparently slept in the drawing room all night. )

I think it’s a little surprising how willingly Frank seems to be beginning to believe in the supernatural. I suppose he’s got little choice at this point!

[Kitty]

re 156

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I think it’s a little surprising how willingly Frank seems to be beginning to believe in the supernatural. I suppose he’s got little choice at this point!

I think he just wants to hang out with Vicky. You know how some people pretend to be interested in some things because the other person likes it.

[donnie]

re 158

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Another good episode! There were two moments where I almost jumped out of my skin: when Laura suddenly appeared in Liz's room; and when Carolyn screamed after finding her mother in the catatonic state.

What's wrong with that doctor? He's never seen anyone have an episode with memory loss? I mean, maybe she hit her head when she fell down the steps. Oh, and I don't believe for one moment that she's in "perfect shape" as he puts it. She doesn't do anything. In fact, she's probably pretty out of shape!

Well, I took him to mean that, to the degree he's able to tell, there's nothing physiologically wrong with her that would explain her symptoms, e.g., no heart trouble, sign of stroke, evidence of trauma or injury, etc.

Yikes! I sure hope Laura doesn't get to Carolyn after all this.

Yes—or Vicky, considering the veiled threat that comes later. Speaking of which, Vicky is really cast heavily in these episodes.

re 160

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I like Dr. Guthrie. He seems to be knowledgeable and down to earth, despite his unusual area of expertise. I’m interested in what more he will learn, and how he will learn it—and how long it will take him to connect things to Laura, if he does.

Joan Bennett is really amazing in this episode. Yeah, she's catatonic, but she doesn't blink when he claps in her face, and she keeps her eyes as open and the same expression the whole time.

Yes, her acting has been amazing the whole time.

One thing that makes these episodes interesting, beyond what Laura is doing to Liz, is all the dramatic tension going on within the other characters. Carolyn is torn between trying to save her mother's life and feeling like a traitor for going against her wishes—she's really trapped between Roger and Liz. And Vicky is trapped between Laura and Liz, in terms of how much contact David has with his mother—with orders from both of them and no good way out. And David is upset being the center of this power struggle.

[Kitty]

responses on 158

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Another good episode! There were two moments where I almost jumped out of my skin: when Laura suddenly appeared in Liz's room; and when Carolyn screamed after finding her mother in the catatonic state.

That was so creepy seeing her in the dark like that! Is she actually there, or is she appearing to her as some sort of apparition? Forget Satan, get away, Laura!

[donnie]

on 161:

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The episode opens with Liz having already been moved out of the house. I"m surprised that happened—I didn't think it would.

I fail to see why Roger is so combative and disagreeable with Carolyn and Dr. Guthrie. Instead of being supportive of Carolyn at a difficult time, it seems he's doing all he can to make things difficult for her, and for no particular reason. That's a bummer, because one of the few bright spots in terms of interpersonal relationships has been the uncomplicated affection between Roger and Carolyn (until now ).

What is it that makes you feel Dr. Guthrie does not want to be in the house? Also, I wonder why Vicky, having told him about Josette, doesn't mention the information she and Frank have learned recently concerning Laura.

[Kitty]

Responses to 161:

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The episode opens with Liz having already been moved out of the house. I"m surprised that happened—I didn't think it would.

I didn't think it would, either, and I kind of think it's annoying. Something big's gotta happen with Laura while she's gone --- there's no way they can allow David be gone by the time Liz gets back.

I fail to see why Roger is so combative and disagreeable with Carolyn and Dr. Guthrie. Instead of being supportive of Carolyn at a difficult time, it seems he's doing all he can to make things difficult for her, and for no particular reason. That's a bummer, because one of the few bright spots in terms of interpersonal relationships has been the uncomplicated affection between Roger and Carolyn (until now ).

I wonder if he just doesn't like being told what to do, and he thought he was going to be the boss now that Liz has gone. Well, sorry, dude! You're in a houseful of strong women.

What is it that makes you feel Dr. Guthrie does not want to be in the house? Also, I wonder why Vicky, having told him about Josette, doesn't mention the information she and Frank have learned recently concerning Laura.

I wonder the same thing too. I suspect that when he does find out, she'll be all, I didn't think it was important, just like she usually does.

I think when I said that he was making uncomfortable and stone-like faces.

[donnie]

164

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Most interesting conversations with Laura in this episode. She really pinned Vicky down about her wanting to separate David and Laura. If I were Vicky, I don't think I'd be going visiting her to get into any conversations. But that sense of duty, I guess.

And I loved that conversation between Dr. Guthrie and Laura at the end, with his basically insinuating her involvement with what's going on while skillfully avoiding any actual accusations—and her knowing exactly what he was doing. But I think Dr. Guthrie is skating on very thin ice, here. If she senses he's dangerous...

The thing I can't figure out here (and yes, I have seen this before years ago, but I can't remember): why the heck is Laura so obsessed with having David? Obviously there's something nefarious going on beyond just a mother's love. The painting would suggest that she wants David to burn with her. But if so, why? And she wouldn't be scheduled to burn again until 2067, at which point David would have been long dead.

Maybe you're laughing at me because you're a few episodes ahead and might now know these things. And by the way, I wonder how Pop's hands are coming along?

[Kitty]

164

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Maybe you're laughing at me because you're a few episodes ahead and might now know these things. And by the way, I wonder how Pop's hands are coming along?

Nope! Not laughing, and am still wondering the same thing! I'm just as curious as you are, but it better be a juicy reason after all this ride we've been along for! I personally think that Pop's hands were only warmed by the fire and he's milking the situation.

[donnie]

re 165

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Did you noticed that all the while that Roger was giving his wordy speech, (no idea what he was saying there! ) he was not looking at all at the girls, but most certainly off stage at the cue cards where his speech was written?

Yes, I did notice that, and thought it was kind of peculiar. And yes, some pretty heavy vocabulary there. Roger must have been studying the dictionary.

Thought just hit me --- is Laura sleeping in Smelly Old Matthew's bed?

I guess. But let’s assume it has been thoroughly cleaned.

Ever since you told me that they never have more than six characters in an episode, I have been counting the characters when I realize someone hasn't been shown in a while.

Yes, I was doing that for awhile, but left off. Actually, it was five major characters, I believe, that they usually tried to stick to, though once it a great while it might be one or two more.

I thought that was a very cool appearance of Josette in the cottage. If I were Josette, I'd be ready to stop beating around the bush by this point and just come right out with it. I'd appear to the whole Collins family at once and say: Ok, dudes and dudettes, I’ve tried hint after hint, but you’re too thick-skulled to get it. So here’s the deal…etc., etc. What do you think?