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Post by omega on Jun 7, 2016 23:57:39 GMT
I love stories about the Tarot! Jbmasta mentions them in relation to Dark Shadows, and they do play an important part many times in that original series. The descriptions of the hearts-desire deck are so vivid and wonderful! Maybe the Countess Natalie DuPres moved to Wales after the events of 1795 and Gwynnie is her descendant.
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Post by acousticwolf on Jun 8, 2016 11:23:05 GMT
I'm curious as to Dorian's frame of mind in this. He's very irritated when he enters the shop, which isn't that surprising but he becomes agitated at the very start of the reading which surprised me - it was almost as if he was worried about the reading before it had even started. By the end of the story (just before he gets the final card), he seems to be on the edge of Hysteria. I love Gwynne, she's a fantastic character and for some reason she reminds me very of Miss Hawthorne from Doctor Who and the Daemons. The ending and Dorian's shock sets up the next story perfectly . Cheers Tony
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Post by Trace on Jun 8, 2016 23:54:10 GMT
I'm curious as to Dorian's frame of mind in this. He's very irritated when he enters the shop, which isn't that surprising but he becomes agitated at the very start of the reading which surprised me - it was almost as if he was worried about the reading before it had even started. By the end of the story (just before he gets the final card), he seems to be on the edge of Hysteria. I love Gwynne, she's a fantastic character and for some reason she reminds me very of Miss Hawthorne from Doctor Who and the Daemons. The ending and Dorian's shock sets up the next story perfectly . Cheers Tony Tony, I got the same feelings you did about Dorian's frame of mind. I think it was because, despite doing a "job" for Victoria, he was really on edge about the whole experience. Knowing that he brings out some extreme supernatural effects in his world, he was a little apprehensive at the start (just enough for Zak to really get on his nerves), unnerved and uneasy when the cards started to connect with his past and present with amazing accuracy, and terrified at the future and the prospect of a revelation of his heart's desire. He hates feeling a loss of control and totally exposed that way.
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Post by acousticwolf on Jun 9, 2016 7:44:00 GMT
Tony, I got the same feelings you did about Dorian's frame of mind. I think it was because, despite doing a "job" for Victoria, he was really on edge about the whole experience. Knowing that he brings out some extreme supernatural effects in his world, he was a little apprehensive at the start (just enough for Zak to really get on his nerves), unnerved and uneasy when the cards started to connect with his past and present with amazing accuracy, and terrified at the future and the prospect of a revelation of his heart's desire. He hates feeling a loss of control and totally exposed that way. I'm glad it wasn't just me, I was beginning to think I'd missed something . I think you are spot on, Dorian never seems to mind what's happening around him providing he feels he is in control. Cheers Tony
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Post by kimalysong on Jun 13, 2016 11:24:37 GMT
I love the imagery used in Pandora. I love how the 3 cards really do fit Dorian so well: Presently he is the hermit, in the past he was enslaved, and in the future he has choices to make. Certainly that sums up his life quite well. The present card also symbolizes the painting with it being both a man & a bleeding skull. An ancient man who symbolizes the glow of the years and the affects on the body. I personally think Dorian's aversion to the cards were two folds. I think he was against it because he thought it was just a silly scam (as most tarot readings are). As someone who has seen the real supernatural, a tarot reading would be silly stuff to Dorian. However I think Dorian would soon realize that the cards were something real. I think he freaked out in the room because as someone familiar with the supernatural he saw the cards were dangerous but more importantly I think he saw those card readings were to close to the truth. These were things that Gwynne would not get but that Dorian would. He also said the cards were grotesque and maybe it scared him because those cards were about him. I was excited to listen to this one the first time because I sat with Annette Badland at a con and she was the sweetest person. She was lovely as Gwynne. I felt Dorian was especially cruel to her. I know people shouldn't mess with what they don't understand but I think I can emphasize with her wanting to be more than she was. She found something that made her feel special. I can understand that. It was something evil but she certainly didn't know that at any point. And I don't think Dorian has the right to judge others. I also found the line in this episode that hope in Pandora's box to also be evil to be an interesting reading of Pandora's box. Of course after Dorian says this he also says he has hope when he sees the final card: the card of lovers with two rotting corpses in an embrace. What does it mean when suddenly we have the return of Toby. What a cliffhanger at least you have the next story to listen to right away. And now moving on to Heart & Soul the return of Toby and the wonderful Hugh Skinner. As I said in the last post I was as surprised as Dorian. This episode made my shipper heart happy.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2016 12:27:58 GMT
You've just reminded me how much we tried to keep that a shock. We only credited Hugh for episode 8 (same as we only credited Bernard Holley on episode 1, etc) so as not to give too many clues. I really wish we'd been able to do weekly releases and have the box set available at the end, as I'd have loved to have seen people's reactions as one. Alas, I made the case and it didn't happen. Still, nice for those who didn't expect it!
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Post by Trace on Jun 17, 2016 1:00:12 GMT
You've just reminded me how much we tried to keep that a shock. We only credited Hugh for episode 8 (same as we only credited Bernard Holley on episode 1, etc) so as not to give too many clues. I really wish we'd been able to do weekly releases and have the box set available at the end, as I'd have loved to have seen people's reactions as one. Alas, I made the case and it didn't happen. Still, nice for those who didn't expect it! You did a great job keeping it under wraps! Hugh is fantastic--one of the best things about the film version of "Les Miz"--and I have loved his part in Confessions of Dorian Gray and the natural chemistry with Alex! I am SO going to miss this range after series 5! But, I'll be glad to continue supporting (and loving) the Classics range--and the upcoming mystery collaboration with Alex Vlahos. And, keeping my fingers crossed that one day we'll get another Dorian story...even if it's just a one-off special! I'm now off to catch up on Sunday night's Game of Thrones and Penny Dreadful (I hope Dorian's in that episode!) so that I can move on to this week's group listen Heart and Soul.
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Post by Trace on Jun 18, 2016 6:34:17 GMT
"Heart and Soul" is an interesting one. It seems more to serve as a bridge between the events of Pandora and next week's! But for all its differences from the rest of the range, it works. Of course, we have Toby--and while I thought we wouldn't get much more than a preview at this stage, I was wrong. The whole episode is MAJOR Toby. Even the "monster" of this one is not too scary and really serves as a secondary plot line to the continuing story plot line.
It was so GREAT to have Hugh Skinner back as Toby, but I wish that Toby and Dorian's first reaction to each other could have been more tender and then joyful! That's not quite what we get, but the confrontations are VERY well acted, and also really interesting. Not much here in the way of suggestive dialogue/scenes, but more than enough gore!! The first scene between Dorian and the "monster" of this story was SO disturbing! I think I could easily accept more sexuality and less blood and guts (after all, I like sex and detest gory violence! ;-) How do I know it's bloody when I can't see the scene? Because of the context of what's going on (and some really vivid--and excellent--sound!
Overall, it was riveting enough in all the right places to make me sufficiently impatient to get to the next ones! Great story and a brilliant re-introduction of many listeners' all-time favorite character! And another teaser appearance of Victoria in the continuing soap opera plot which is getting more and more intriguing with each audio in series 3!
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Post by kimalysong on Jun 19, 2016 12:58:32 GMT
Just finished my re-listen of Heart& Soul. I love how this story explores a less idolized version of the Toby/Dorian relationship. In Heart that Lives Alone it's all from Dorian's perspective but here we are watching the drama unfold for both of them. The Heart that Lives Alone is one of my absolute favorite short stories but it's really series 3 where I became a huge fan of Dorian/Toby. I love how things aren't immediately perfect and they both have to deal with the baggage of what happened on that beach at the end of Heart that Lives Alone (there is more of this in the next story as well). Relationships aren't perfect and I love that Dorian & Toby have to deal with negative & hurt feelings. And of course having someone who died in your arms show up 30 years later wouldn't be easy for anyone. I think this and the next two stories made Dorian/Toby one of my favorite written relationships. Despite the two central characters being supernatural and immortal the emotions behind their relationship are grounded in reality & for me. If someone told me I would get so invested in a romantic pairing when I started this range I don't think I would have believed them.
Ivor is also an interesting character (and Sean Biggerstaff if such a great guest) It may be a bit convenient how he just shows up (although the story does know this & explains how & why he does) but I absolutely love him as a foil to Dorian/Toby who in the end ultimately brings the two of them back together.
And then in the end when we find out what Dorian's Hearts Desires card meant I am not going to lie my own heart thumped quite a bit.
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Post by acousticwolf on Jun 20, 2016 11:27:25 GMT
The first time I heard Heart and Soul, I couldn't believe how Dorian acted towards Toby. I remember shouting at the audio, "Isn't this what you wanted Dorian? What the h*ll are you playing at?". Talk about being a spoiled child , but as it progresses (and into the next story) you realise just how much Dorian is struggling to hold himself together. Cheers Tony
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Post by kimalysong on Jun 20, 2016 13:12:33 GMT
Moving on to the excellent two-parter Displacement Activity & the Darkest Hour yes I am changing the schedule slightly. I figure since these two stories very much make one whole I'll give options on how to approach this one. So feel free to do: * Both parts this week * Both parts next week * One part each week as originally planned. * Or you can even listen to both parts each week. Hope I didn't confuse anyone! Just if anyone hasn't listened to these be careful about spoilers!
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Post by Trace on Jun 22, 2016 4:15:22 GMT
I'm heading to NY on Thursday for the Dark Shadows 50th Anniversary Fest, so I'll be doing Displacement Activity on the ride. I will probably stick to the original schedule and save The Darkest Hour for next week, as I've found the structure of the group listen to be really good for me to keep pace with.
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Post by kimalysong on Jun 22, 2016 9:21:36 GMT
I'm heading to NY on Thursday for the Dark Shadows 50th Anniversary Fest, so I'll be doing Displacement Activity on the ride. I will probably stick to the original schedule and save The Darkest Hour for next week, as I've found the structure of the group listen to be really good for me to keep pace with. Hope you have a wonderful time Trace!
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Post by Trace on Jun 24, 2016 5:08:23 GMT
Oh man! I loved, loved, loved Displacement Activity! Victoria starts to ramp up the sinister levels. Dorian and Toby work together, which adds the old spark back into the mix, and the soirée was exciting and tense! Some wonderful comic moments here--Toby's reactions to cell phones are priceless--and Hugh Skinner delivers them perfectly. Tracey Childs utilizes her skills as an actress in this one as Victoria's intentions start to become clearer. It really makes me anxious to hear next week's continuation! And what an ending--well, not so much an ending, but rather, a major cliffhanger!
And Alex V....I humbly bow at your feet. Your Dorian Gray is probably my favorite all-time portrayal of a character from classic literature. Just brilliant!
Scott, this is a consistently excellent series, and I love your writing as you pull double duty as producer AND writer. Nice to have this two part story to finish up the 3rd series.
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Post by Trace on Jun 30, 2016 2:20:53 GMT
I'm hoping to get this week's entry listened to soon. In fact, I will probably listen to Displacement Activity again first, because I loved it so much and it will make a good lead-in!
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Post by kimalysong on Jun 30, 2016 10:06:26 GMT
Yeah I listened to both parts last weekend and plan to listen to both parts again before going my write up!
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Post by Trace on Jul 1, 2016 4:36:18 GMT
So, The Darkest Hour succeeds beautifully as a fitting ending to Series 3, and as a cliffhanger for Series 4. What an emotional roller coaster this one is! I had forgotten the turmoil that Dorian and Toby face in this story...and without spoiling it for people who haven't listened yet, their tormentor may surprise you!
The Victoria story ties up nicely here, and delivers a satisfying (if rather gory!) conclusion! In fact, the gore abounds in this one, but CoDG has always been an "adult" range, and we wouldn't have it any other way! Also, this one delivers the chills too--there are some real scary moments. The actor who reads for the villain of the piece has just the right voice to send shivers up and down your spine.
I love the music piece at the end--and am very glad it's there! Very evocative. Sounds rather like a harpsichord--very cool.
Enjoy, all! I may say more about this one after others have posted. I just feel since no one else has written in yet, too much of a review would ruin some major plot lines/characters. Of course, if you already did Displacement Activity last week, you know how that one ended and just who appeared at the very end. 'Nuff said.
I can't believe the 4th of July will be here shortly! I have a three day weekend ahead...hope to listen to the new Dark Shadows releases, and on Monday, we'll be doing the first ep. of Dorian Series 4! Where does the time go?
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Post by kimalysong on Jul 4, 2016 20:48:21 GMT
I agree the ending music to the Darkest Hour is amazing. Whenever I listen to this story I find myself rewinding it to hear it again and again and again...Okay you get the idea.
I officially caught up with Dorian the first time with series 3 and I was dying to hear the next episode.So the story definitely had a profound affect on me.
There are so many fantastic moments in both Displacement Activity and the Darkest Hour.
I didn't talk much previously about Tracey Child's brilliant turn as Victoria but I loved how assured and confident she was until the end. My favorite moment was when she somehow wasn't afraid to tempt Toby with well you know. Such a brilliant scene and shows the use of words as power.
Another similar scene where words were power was when our other antagonist played brilliantly by Bernard Holley scared living day lights out of me with that thumping heart scene. I literally felt he had my heart in his hands. Such a chilling scene. I adore Bernard Holley.
And speaking of our antagonist I love the symbolism of the person Dorian is most afraid of is his himself. Does the painting represent what he feels he truly is or what he could be? Why is Dorian so afraid of himself? It is also interesting to note that when Dorian tells his stories he isn't confessing to us the audience but to that painting, himself. So in a sense Dorian Gray is both Dorian Gray's only confidant & also who he fears the most. That's beautifully thematic and I love it.
Of course in this story we at least see that Dorian can confide his greatest fears and show a weaker side to someone else and that is Toby. I think Toby probably got the closest inside to Dorian. But it's clear that he doesn't know everything. Toby seems to separate Older!Dorian from the painting with the younger version as though he can't fathom they may be one in the same. Or that yes his Dorian is capable of becoming that if he too was locked away in a dark painting where he could only experience the worst of what Dorian experiences in life. Perhaps the point is we are all capable of being anything.
Finally neither Dorian & Toby seemed to understand what the other wanted on that beach. Dorian wanted Toby to say he would stay and Toby wanted Dorian to ask him to. Of course Dorian said "you don't have to do this" but he never ever said I want you to stay. Personally I would say both Dorian & Toby were equally guilty for not sharing their true feelings with each other. But that's what makes their relationship so fascinating for me that they are both so flawed and yet you hope they can make the relationship work because you know they are both the best things for each other and yet the story is about Dorian Gray so those flaws are going to have to be part of the story.
Like I said previously I never thought I would be so invested in a romance when I started this range but here I am quite in love with this pairing, even knowing my heart will probably break in the end.
And moving on to Season 4 with the brilliant opener The Enigma of Dorian Gray. Can't believe we are already in Season 4!
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Post by Trace on Jul 5, 2016 0:18:41 GMT
All very true! It's the tragedy of their love story that they BOTH wanted the other to simply say, "I NEED you!"....yet neither can say it.
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Post by Trace on Jul 7, 2016 4:01:18 GMT
I decided this evening that before going at this week's Series 4, episode 1 entry for Dorian, that I would give "The Confessions of Alexander Vlahos" a listen...since I believe it came out just before Series 4. Loved it...it just further enhances my appreciation for Scott and Alex and what they have created here--this new, magical series that in many ways was a big gamble for Big Finish, perhaps even more so than say, "Dark Shadows" which already had a built-in fan base, albeit an American one! In the case of Dorian, Alex was a relatively young/new actor at that time (well, perhaps not new, but maybe not as "visible" as Big Finish's usual roster of tried and true Doctor Who actors.)
The interview is fun, informative and just makes me all the more eager to see/hear more of Alex's work outside of Dorian. It would be wonderful to meet him someday and really hear his thoughts about his roles on stage, screen, and audio. So talented at such a young age...I predict GREAT things for his future. I eagerly await any news about future recordings for Big Finish, as we know of at least one upcoming collaboration with the brilliant Scott Handcock. And I can still hold out hope that one day he and Scott will revisit Dorian Gray if only for a "special release" or "Return of...." miniseries. Great audio, this "Confessions of AV" with Alex and Scott. Enjoyed it immensely, and now I feel primed and ready to get to "The Enigma of Dorian Gray" for this week's listen. Cheers!!
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