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Post by Trace on Mar 5, 2017 3:30:29 GMT
I've just completed the last story and they're all really wonderful! So much has already been said about each story, that I've seen my own thoughts throughout this thread, and no point in regurgitating what others have already said. But, since we have one of the writers as a contributing member of this forum, I would like to personally thank Rob for changing my mind about Harry Johnson. You accomplished the impossible! Lovely story, truly, Rob. EDIT: I just remembered something from On the Line that I wanted to mention to you all. Since we've all become quite good at figuring out the family connections (thanks to some great continuity from our producers and writers!)....do we think that Roy Franklin is somehow related to Benjamin Franklin (Frankie) from Bloodlust or Collinwood maid Mrs. Franklin from Return to Collinwood? Actually, when Bloodlust was released, I'm surprised that none of us noted the possible Benjamin Franklin/Mrs. Franklin connection. Something to ponder. We were probably too busy connecting Rhonda and Jackie Tate to Charles Delaware Tate and also Eric Hanley to Evan Hanley!
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Post by Trace on Mar 5, 2017 3:31:50 GMT
One of these days I should tell my Jonathan Frid story to someone. I've been waiting for this. Don't forget to tell it!
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Post by Rob Morris on Mar 5, 2017 14:12:23 GMT
I've just completed the last story and they're all really wonderful! So much has already been said about each story, that I've seen my own thoughts throughout this thread, and no point in regurgitating what others have already said. But, since we have one of the writers as a contributing member of this forum, I would like to personally thank Rob for changing my mind about Harry Johnson. You accomplished the impossible! Lovely story, truly, Rob. Thanks Trace, I'm glad you enjoyed it - I was particularly interested in your reaction for obvious reasons!
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Post by Trace on Mar 5, 2017 15:49:26 GMT
After my first post above, I was thinking that it's really not my style to refrain from detailed posts about each story--possibly because I'm usually one of the first listeners! This time I was quite behind the 8-ball and there were so many reviews by the time I got round to it!! So, I'll be adding thoughts about each story to this thread whenever they come back to me, and the stories are so good that they'll be invading my consciousness quite a bit over the next couple weeks! So--first up! Last Orders at the Blue Whale -As you all know, Harry Johnson always topped my list of worst DS characters...through no fault of his own! Poor Harry took on all my misguided dislike simply because of his portrayer! It wasn't Mrs. Johnson's ne'er-do-well son that I didn't like. It was Craig Slocum! Craig, for me, had the unfortunate distinction of being not very watchable! He had zero screen presence, no charisma, and worst of all--he couldn't act! If Harry had been played by the handsome and talented John Karlen he may have been more palatable. Then comes LOatBW. From the first sentences, Rob's story begins creating a reason to care about Harry. Cast out by his mother, no friends to speak of, he's leaving town because there's nobody who wants him to stay. For the first time, my heart broke for him. Apparently Carolyn's did too. It's no wonder that he was easy pickings for dark forces. With Matthew Waterhouse's voice and talents, the character gains a sympathetic foothold and ultimately a kind of redemption before leaving town forever (or not).
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Post by muckypup on Mar 7, 2017 16:06:00 GMT
bit late doing my individual covers for this release....and yet again my inability to reorganise faces is rearing it ugly head again. could someone confirm that i have it right before i cobble together the covers..... pic 1 - in a broken dream (ellyne) pic 2 - on the line (barrett) pic 3 - the scarlet bride (collins) pic 4 - last orders at the blue whale (waterhouse) hoping someone can help......thanks
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Post by barnabaslives on Mar 7, 2017 16:46:31 GMT
Those are the ones. You got 'em.
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Post by muckypup on Mar 8, 2017 13:55:07 GMT
as usual just incase anyone wants them here are my individual covers
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Post by muckypup on Mar 8, 2017 13:55:36 GMT
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Post by Trace on Mar 12, 2017 23:06:01 GMT
The Scarlet Bride This was really a fun way to look at established characters and my hat's off to Ian Atkins for a great story. He managed to do something really unique by way of a main character who we've never met in any Dark Shadows incarnation. That method of telling a familiar story is very reminiscent of the Marilyn Ross novels. They also, in many cases, had an unfamiliar female protagonist. By telling Agnes' story through her pre-wedding letters to her mother, we get a refresher course--which proves to be refreshing indeed--on Barnabas Collins. This is a character that was a hero for much of the original series, but it was easy to overlook that he was first and foremost, a murderer. At times, he was cold, cruel and calculating--and no, it wasn't always justifiable! I like the direction that the audios have taken with the character, because they don't always paint Barnabas as the poor, tortured, Byronic hero. The Scarlet Bride is no exception, and as always, Andrew Collins' vocals convey all of Barnabas' many facets.
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bobod
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 2,759
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Post by bobod on Apr 3, 2017 18:59:08 GMT
We never did get your disc two thoughts, Tracy.
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Post by Trace on Apr 4, 2017 2:19:16 GMT
Ah, right! That slipped through the cracks!
On the Line Nancy Barrett is just brilliant as always. Her Carolyn is as much a mainstay to the series as Barnabas Collins. I've always felt more so because she represents the human aspect of the Collins family, and she gives us a true heroine to root for against all the supernatural goings-on around her. (Maggie is the other one--a spokesperson for the humans of Collinsport).
Ian accomplished quite a feat with this--having it play out as a two-hander with Carolyn and Carolyn? and, it's beautifully executed by Nancy's reading. I love how it follows on from Carolyn's horrific experience in The Flip Side, allowing her to get on with her life at university in Salem, and thrusting her into another adventure. (Of course, that's what DS does!) I was completely shocked and surprised by the twist in the story! Never saw that one coming! And, since we had already experienced many different parallel Carolyns, and a couple future ones, I had no reason to expect that all was not just as it seemed! Loved it--Carolyn's my girl, and her storylines never disappoint!
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Post by Trace on Apr 4, 2017 2:39:06 GMT
In a Broken Dream This was a very lovely, 'dreamy' entry and I feel like Penelope really captured Amy's strength and essence here. First off, let's get this out right at the beginning! Some people felt that this story should have been held due to potential spoilers for the ending of the yet-to-be-released Bloodline serial. First, we have NO IDEA how Bloodline ends, whether the proposal from David even leads to a wedding, or how far into this hypothetical marriage the serial goes. Even if it ends happily for the couple, who is to say what might happen to change that. Second--and more importantly--DS has never been about a linear storyline. Rather, as Robert and Rob have pointed out, we flit in and out of the years along the main and parallel timelines randomly. It is part of the magic and wonder if this series, that we jump in at any given point in time, and are left to fill in the "before" and the "after".
Now--back to the story. It reminded me of the many dream sequences on the show. I think someone else said this too. I felt as if I was seeing it through a prism, with blurred edges and colors. Loved that vague and shadowy aspect. Additionally, it was really nice to have a story with no great shocking supernatural event/demon/horror. Stephanie Ellyne has made this role her own and does it beautifully. I adore her. Cheers to Penelope and Stephanie.
.....And major props to the entire production team for this set. Love these little 'short trips'....what are we calling them....'bite-size DS'?
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Post by Zagreus on Apr 4, 2017 3:43:31 GMT
Love these little 'short trips'....what are we calling them....'bite-size DS'? I've just been listing them as "dramatic readings" in my lists
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bobod
Chancellery Guard
Likes: 2,759
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Post by bobod on Apr 4, 2017 8:49:22 GMT
Love these little 'short trips'....what are we calling them....'bite-size DS'? Yes. Well I am, at least. Ever since Ian Farrington suggested it.
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Post by omega on Jul 5, 2017 8:40:55 GMT
Listening to Last Orders I was struck by how useful a pawn shop would have been in the original series. An organic non-Collins way to introduce new characters and plot devices, as well as develop storylines by the perfectly ordinary function of a pawn shop. An unscrupulous owner or someone trying to hide possession of something perhaps. Maybe Mrs Johnson falls for a cursed bracelet. Another great story idea is a focus on Mrs Johnson. The idea of a servent is to be invisible, part of the furniture and not question the order of the house. What if she finds something, or something finds her? An animated Mr Juggins playing tricks?
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Post by silverednickle on Jul 6, 2017 16:27:04 GMT
I love it. We had a little bit of that with the antique shop where Megan happened to get an old necklace and then Barnabas showed her a certain box... Either way, it's always great to get into town and a pawn shop does offer some potential for characters to mingle or find unique objects.
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Post by Rob Morris on Jul 6, 2017 22:32:28 GMT
Anything which expands Collinsport as a town is something which excites me.
Plus the name ties back into the series. Janet Fisher is mentioned as someone who Carolyn occasionally uses as an alibi when she needs to tell her mother where she's been. So now her Dad owns the pawn shop.
(Reference to epsiode 117 for those who want to know such things. And I wish I could take credit, but it was Joe who suggested it. He's an expert weaver.)
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Post by omega on Jul 6, 2017 22:53:49 GMT
Anything which expands Collinsport as a town is something which excites me. Plus the name ties back into the series. Janet Fisher is mentioned as someone who Carolyn occasionally uses as an alibi when she needs to tell her mother where she's been. So now her Dad owns the pawn shop. (Reference to epsiode 117 for those who want to know such things. And I wish I could take credit, but it was Joe who suggested it. He's an expert weaver.) Janet was also mentioned by Carolyn in The Flip Side, where at sleepovers they'd act grown up and talk about boys.
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Post by Rob Morris on Jul 7, 2017 7:14:26 GMT
Anything which expands Collinsport as a town is something which excites me. Plus the name ties back into the series. Janet Fisher is mentioned as someone who Carolyn occasionally uses as an alibi when she needs to tell her mother where she's been. So now her Dad owns the pawn shop. (Reference to epsiode 117 for those who want to know such things. And I wish I could take credit, but it was Joe who suggested it. He's an expert weaver.) Janet was also mentioned by Carolyn in The Flip Side, where at sleepovers they'd act grown up and talk about boys. Ah! Never picked up on that when I listened - mainly because I hadn't watched the show at the time. That's one of the ones I keep meaning to go back to.
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Post by omega on Jul 7, 2017 8:02:06 GMT
Janet was also mentioned by Carolyn in The Flip Side, where at sleepovers they'd act grown up and talk about boys. Ah! Never picked up on that when I listened - mainly because I hadn't watched the show at the time. That's one of the ones I keep meaning to go back to. Its one of my favourites, and the original song track at the end is on my phone.
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