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Post by Trace on Aug 10, 2016 1:05:07 GMT
Good point--that IS true! Oh how I am loving the group listen and the comments as we roll along. It's been keeping me on track, and being not very dedicated, I need that!
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Post by Trace on Aug 12, 2016 4:55:07 GMT
Just listened to The Abysmal Sea. I have to say that sea monster stories have always thrilled me! I love it when gigantic monsters attack. This story pays tribute to so many of that genre. A bit of Cthulhu, a bit of Godzilla, a bit Jurassic World, and a bit Cloverfield! Such fun.
It's really interesting to see Dorian in, what for him, was probably one of his longest exclusive relationships. I wouldn't say that he was truly, madly, deeply in love with her, but she does seem to have the power to break his heart--or at least, wound it. He's very "human" here--working to free the boat from its rope-tangle, scared to death of the creature, and yeah, scared for (and of) Alyssa too. And the fact that their relationship is on rocky ground is clearly upsetting to him. I think he cares enough about her to not want her to go.
All in all, a wonderful monster story--where the monster, when we finally encounter it, is not a let-down. It brings moments of terror when one of its arms (!) wraps around the boat.
Reminded me of Sundays when I was a kid--Creature Double Feature on Channel 56 out of Boston. Always two good monster flicks--my niece (who was my age) would come over....we'd have Dunkin Donuts Munchkins and popcorn and thrill to Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, Dinosaurs (The Land/The People that Time Forgot) Fun memories!!
The music suites at the end of this one are lovely--make sure you listen to them.
Great job, Desmond Llewellyn!! A fun throwback feel!
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Post by kimalysong on Aug 15, 2016 20:45:35 GMT
I found Abyssmal Sea interesting, the first time I listened I couldn't buy into the fact that Dorian could be in a normal 4 year relationship. Yes as the story points out 4 years is just a blip for normal people but it's still seemed too long and thus not believable to me. Needless to say this wasn't one I listened to again. But when I listened to it this time I kind of really liked the "normalcy" of his relationship with Alyssa. Well normal except the Sea Monster.
If it wasn't for the supernatural element the conversation Alyssa was having with Dorian could be with any guy who wasn't the settling down type. Of course Dorian comes with whole other type of baggage. Alyssa would grow old and Dorian wouldn't. It's interesting that while early on its clear Dorian has no plans to get married (and he was always truthful about Alyssa about this) towards the end of the story he does entertain the thought when Alyssa is about to go. I do wonder what type of woman Alyssa was. I guess she must have been very special to not only have Dorian reveal the whole truth, stick with her for 4 years, but even contemplate settling down in the suburbs even for only a second.
Other than that I loved that there was a callback to his time in the Hedonists. But probably my favorite moment of this story was when Alyssa talked about an island forming and perhaps Dorian would be around long enough to see that. There was something so sad & lonely about that moment...to see something that no one else alive could possibly witness.
Yes I know I didn't spend much time on the sea monster but I guess I found other aspects more compelling. Although I love his audio can bring us something like a Kraken. The best special effects are in our imagination.
Now I know I am a bit late so moving on and this week we are doing double Dorian Inner Darkness and the Halloween special Trick or Treat.
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Post by acousticwolf on Aug 16, 2016 7:57:27 GMT
Sorry guys, I'm struggling a bit to keep up with these at the moment - my Internet is very flaky and have virtually no phone signal where I am. Holidays are such a bind lol . I'll be back to it next week when hopefully I'll add something to add . Cheers Tony
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Post by Trace on Aug 19, 2016 2:21:48 GMT
Wow--two great stories in one night! Inner Darkness takes the story of the werewolf and makes it seem both familiar and new! I love the setting--Iceland--I've been there and this was a nice "return" visit. Tense and scary from the initial car crash, right through the ending. I had forgotten that 'twist' at the end and it adds a Quentin Collins spin to the story. It was always clear that Dark Shadows borrowed from classic literature, and Quentin's story was a riff on Oscar Wilde's classic. Now, our Dorian borrows a bit from Dark Shadows because our immortal friend now has a new character trait to deal with! Loved the part dealing with Dorian's increased libido--FUNNY!!
Trick or Treat is a SCARY little story that packs a mean wallop in its brief 12 minutes! Don't listen in the dark--you may suddenly be feeling the hairs on the back of your neck standing up! Tense and creepy, it may make you think twice about looking in the mirror after you listen. I know I put on more lights afterwards! I swear I felt like a light breeze blew across my back/neck.
A fun double-feature!!
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Post by kimalysong on Aug 19, 2016 23:18:34 GMT
So if anyone is interested according to Scott; Trick or Treat takes place in 1996.
This is a nice creepy story (especially the scene in the mirror when he sees himself blink) but probably my favorite moment is the scene when Dorian sees the room in perfect balance and he wondered if that is what people see in him. Even in a short scary story we get Dorian reflecting on what he is and how unnatural he feels he is.
But I guess the message is this story is even if seems silly you have to celebrate all those Halloween traditions to ward off evil spirits. Remember that next October 31st.
I also got a laugh at Dorian's complaints about pumpkin flavored because I look forward to it every autumn.
Still need to find a time to listen to Inner Darkness it's one of my favorites too.
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Post by kimalysong on Aug 22, 2016 11:29:59 GMT
I've been last minute for these in awhile but I'm determined to do a write up for every episode As for Inner Darkness it's one of my favorites from S4. It's extremely atmospheric and I love how natural the conversation is between Dorian & Askell until things take a sinister turn. I also love the moments when Dorian is alone in his car...not his most glamorous moment. Stranded in the car with only Enrique Iglesias (well there are far worst things). Also I find this story interesting because Dorian is warned about not going off alone but while something doesn't happen to Dorian (at least not permantly) because of Dorian not heeding the old woman's warning he is the cause of what happens to Askell. Askell was a good man who tried to help Dorian...he just couldn't help his true nature. The only thing I wasn't sold on in this story is when Dorian mentions scandal. I know that is a big part of the character in the original novel & I can see Dorian getting into scandal in his earlier years but what type of scandal could he have gotten into in 2009? But going back to what I love the ending is probably my favorite part of the story (and no I didn't see it coming). Those last 3 minutes were both sensual & terrifying. It was also the first time that I truly felt sorry for Dorian's portrait. No wonder the portrait hates him. And until you mentioned it Trace I didn't think of the new connection with Dark Shadows and Quentin. Moving on now to the final story of series 4 The Living Image . Just as we started with a strong character piece with the Engima of Dorian Gray we end with one as well. I think this last story is really special and I can't wait to listen to it again.
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Post by Trace on Aug 22, 2016 23:30:14 GMT
Dorian was also running away from scandal in Banshee! It just goes to show that even a great hedonist like Dorian Gray would rather not make the tabloids! Perhaps it has more to do with a desire to fly under the radar--not drawing unnecessary attention to himself. Obviously, he's choosy about who knows his supernatural secrets, and only a select few ever have.
Looking forward to The Living Image. One of my favorites too.
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Post by kimalysong on Aug 23, 2016 0:33:04 GMT
In Banshee it still works for me since that was the early 1900's. This story took place in 2009. I was just wondering what type of scandal Dorian could have got involved with in the modern world.
I guess if he was running away from someone finding out who he really was that could work for me.
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Post by omega on Aug 23, 2016 4:41:59 GMT
In Banshee it still makes sense those since that was the early 1900's. This story took place in 2009. I was just wondering what type of scandal Dorian could have got involved with in the modern world. I guess if he was running away from someone finding out who he really was that could work for me. It could have been one of those scandals that publications like The Sun love to cover, where the threat to Dorian isn't to his reputation but to how it could expose him. If just enough pictures and stories survive through Dorian's long life then imagine how the public would lap that up. The ultimate beauty treatment, the man who looks exactly the same as he did over 100 years ago! What is his secret? EDIT: The Picture of Loretta Delphine indicates Dorian was nervous about being photographed, and that the only Kayla has of him Aisha fought hard to have him included even though it was just of him and Aisha, who he'd just fought zombies with. Taking into account the widespread use of the internet and advancements in camera technology Dorian would want to be low key compared to his more hedonistic origins. A serial killer stalker is one thing, but at least Luke Glass didn't share information with others. Imagine Dorian having a cyberstalker, he'd make prime conspiracy theory material. Isadora has a scrapbook of stories about him in Twittering of Sparrows.
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Post by kimalysong on Aug 23, 2016 10:28:00 GMT
I like how you modernized the scandal omega yes I can see all that and when I listen to it again that's what I will picture in my head when he says the word scandal. I guess it's just a different type from the one in his early days. And on another note now that we know Dorian's portrait probably becomes a werewolf at every full moon do you think the portrait also developed fangs because of Dorian's encounter with Toby?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2016 10:45:04 GMT
And on another note now that we know Dorian's portrait probably becomes a werewolf at every full moon do you think the portrait also developed fangs because of Dorian's encounter with Toby? I *think* there's a line from Toby in The Heart That Lives Alone about how he didn't want to sire Dorian... so no
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Post by kimalysong on Aug 23, 2016 10:57:06 GMT
And on another note now that we know Dorian's portrait probably becomes a werewolf at every full moon do you think the portrait also developed fangs because of Dorian's encounter with Toby? I *think* there's a line from Toby in The Heart That Lives Alone about how he didn't want to sire Dorian... so no "I didn't want him to be like me. I simply wanted to share the gift I had to bind us both through blood" I do remember Thank you, that answers my question but I still wonder would Toby really have had to worry?
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Post by Trace on Aug 29, 2016 3:16:39 GMT
The Living Image is a favorite of mine...another story without a strong supernatural component--I think meeting his doppelgänger was a "chance" encounter for Dorian. Mainly because if it were part of some greater supernatural event, it would have come back into the story later. So, I choose to chalk it up as a random occurrence.
It's interesting how at the first, Dorian is not attracted to Scarlett at all...I think he describes her as "plain" or "ordinary"...I can't recall the exact word but the inference is there. However, after spending time with her, his attraction grows. The premise is such an interesting one! Getting a request for a favor of that magnitude allowed Dorian to re-evaluate what he would have termed a "boring", "ordinary", or "mundane" existence--at first seeing his arrangement with Jonathan Moore as an annoyance and then coming to almost depend on it. It's like it was the antidote for his hedonistic lifestyle--which conversely went from what he would probably call "exciting", "stimulating", and "adventurous" to the three words above! I think as he moves through his long, long life he has moments of real dissatisfaction with what his life has become. It's a love/hate relationship...he loves the pleasure-seeking, but hates it at the same time.
A very good story covering a lot of themes! And once again, Alex Vlahos is perfection...playing two roles and never for one minute confusing the listener. We always know whether we're hearing Dorian or Jonathan.
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Post by kimalysong on Aug 29, 2016 11:34:00 GMT
I absolutely loved The Living Image it's definitely not your typical doppelgänger story. It has a lot of depth. Also major kudos to Alex who played technically 3 roles in this Dorian, Jonathan, and Dorian pretending to be Jonathan. The first time I listened I actually thought Jonathan was being played by someone else.
I also sometimes forget to mention the guest cast but I thought Deidre Mullins was wonderful as Scarlett. And the music in this story was gorgeous.
Most Doppelgänger stories use humor or horror but this focused more on character & drama. Both Jonathan & Dorian were just trying to have a lark. We can see early on how Jonathan treats his wife, certainly not as a equal partner in a relationship, just a silly little thing. Dorian certainly treats Scarlett more like a human being. He talks to her, asks her what she wants, and teaches her. But while Dorian is getting close to Scarlett he never thinks what he is doing with her husband behind her back is wrong. When he makes love to Scarlett he never thinks about her that maybe she wouldn't have agreed to it if she thought it wasn't her husband. In the end both Dorian and Jonathan abuse Scarlett and there are tragic consequences for their actions. I absolutely love a flawed character and Dorian is so wonderfully flawed in this story.
I also loved the reference to A Street Car Named Desire. I wish I could go back in time and see Vivien Leigh's performance in that play (although I did recently get to see if with Gillian Anderson which was also wonderful).
Now we move onto Christmas with the first story in Spirits of Christmas Desperately Seeking Santa & the short Frostbite. Hopefully that will help everyone forget the heat of the summer. We are almost at the home stretch and getting closer to series 5. I don't want to say goodbye.
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Post by Trace on Aug 30, 2016 2:30:15 GMT
I too loved the "A Streetcar Named Desire" reference! I also think naming the female lead "Scarlett" is a very clever little nod to Vivien Leigh--who is mentioned a few times in the tale!
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Post by Trace on Sept 4, 2016 4:40:58 GMT
I just listened to Frostbite--a Dorian Gray short story for Christmas. I really like it, but just like the first time I heard it, I was left with a feeling that it was meant as a preview for further stories--but I don't believe they ever came. Certainly, the character Laura Doddington plays (I won't say her name to avoid spoiling) ends this little story with a warning, and a strong suggestion that Dorian hasn't seen the last of her.
Love the music! It's very evocative of Christmas and is perfect for this tale. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say about Frostbite. It put me into the Christmas spirit early! I love the holidays and always have.
Will get to Desperately Seeking Santa later in the day/evening. I was going to say "tomorrow", but it's almost 1am here on the east coast of the US--so "tomorrow" is already here. Later "today" then!!
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Post by kimalysong on Sept 4, 2016 18:07:36 GMT
Mina's accent doesn't quite work for me but otherwise Frostbite is a short & sweet atmospheric tale. And we learn that Dorian left the UK for awhile. But I agree it feels like an unfinished tale. I guess the listener will have to finish it up in their head. Nice little call back to Murder on the 81st Street as well.
Desperately Seeking Santa on the other hand is thankfully a full hour adventure which I absolutely loved. Now I don't usually like gruesome takes like this but if you are going to have a Santa made up of dissembled body parts I can't think of a better person than David Warner to play him. This story had the perfect mixture of thrills, humor, and even a bit of romance (Dorian & Toby both coming to each other's rescue and kisses under the Mistletoe).
Hard to say my favorite scene although Dorian & Toby singing Christmas Carols was definitely up there. I also loved the irony of the scene in the confession booth.
I also liked that the narration was still there but just in a different format. Colin McFarlane's matter of fact voice also made me smile throughout the story.
Finally the opening scene with Simon. I am definitely curious if that will play out in the final story. It does seem going from the trailer that Simon is going to be there.
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Post by Trace on Sept 5, 2016 3:48:16 GMT
Finished Desperately Seeking Santa! Loved it--such a scary story from the very start, with the poor, hapless family man in his attic for Christmas decorations. I agree K! David Warner was so good in this. His voice is perfect for the 'bad Santa'...just like he was perfect for Seraph, the fallen angel, in Dark Shadows: Kingdom of the Dead. He's excellent!
It's quite gory, but that's necessary to tell this particular story. I loved Dorian and Toby spending Christmas together, and Simon's appearance is a welcome diversion. I also feel that they were setting it up for him to reappear in the next story, or perhaps Series 5. Yes, the voice narration was different and well-executed. Colin McFarlane outdoes himself.
I had three favorite scenes--first, I also loved Dorian and Toby doing Christmas Carols. A nice injection of humor that is really needed in such a heavy tale. It serves to significantly lighten the mood and bring some levity to the whole ordeal. My second one is Santa's childhood flashback with his mother seeking out the the eerie woman in the woods--clearly a witch. The third favorite is the opening setup with Peter and Sally Jameson. They banter/tease/bicker lightly--and it all seems like a perfectly ordinary married couple exchange--that goes horribly wrong!
Can't wait to move right along to All Through the House. I'm going to try to get a bit ahead because the week after this one, I'm not going to have time to listen--so if I can get a bit ahead, I'll not lose momentum. If I don't, then I'll just have to play a little catch up when I can!
Great story!!! Can't believe how far we've come!!
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Post by elkawho on Sept 5, 2016 15:06:40 GMT
I am a number of weeks behind due to the craziness leading up to my son's Bar Mitzvah, but now I'm back! So, The Living Image. This is one of my all-time favorite Dorian stories. I love how we've seen how he's grown, yet continues to demonstrate this moral decay. Just agreeing to the switch with Jonathan is as hedonistic as anything he had done, just in a completely new way for him. It's a way to please and entertain himself without a thought to how it would effect the others around him. Jonathan is a completely horrible human being, and if he was the only one who suffered, than I would have rejoiced at the end of this one. But it is all so completely tragic. Scarlett is just a toy to be played with for both of them.
And I will echo what others have said, Alex is masterful in this one. I'm another one who didn't realize he was don't both parts the first time I listened to it until about 10 minutes into it. An all around really great story.
I haven't had a chance to listen to the Christmas stories again, although I have to say from my memory that I was completely terrified of Santa. I loved it and was horrified at the same time. I'll give it a re-listen and get back to you guys with more thoughts.
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