DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '24 I => Current Talk '02 II => Topic started by: kuanyin on October 05, 2002, 12:52:58 AM

Title: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: kuanyin on October 05, 2002, 12:52:58 AM
It has been a while since the beginning of the show, but I am thinking that the cottage we see Chris in bears no resemblence to the one Vicky visited Matthew in. Not that that's surprising. Anyone able to verify that? I still can't figure out why little Missy Hot Pants said that about him living there, it looks great to me. (Of course, we ALL know that she was just asking to be killed for her decidedly sexual aggressiveness.)

Carolyn tells Chris it is isolated and very private. And yet, when Mrs. Johnson gets the bejeebers scared out of her, the scream is loudly heard at Collinwood. And yet, Naggie has to ask the children where it is????? OK, Naggie's not the brightest bulb, so that doesn't mean a much as it could. But, I am sniffing some major contradiction.

For another topic, it seems Chris could be Naggie's intellectual match. He seemed completely mystified by Amy burning his shirt! It never occurred to him this could be a wise thing to do? It is a good thing that he is wearing relatively non-descript clothing, a bright paisley or such would be an instant revealer! (At least, he is THAT smart.) I can just hear Carolyn though, "That wild beast is wearing Chris's shirt! Oh no, he must have killed him and stolen his apparel! After all, Chris is WAY too cute for me to suspect HIM!"
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Gothick on October 05, 2002, 01:18:01 AM
Kuanyin,  I was shocked when I saw an early episode (from the first weeks of 1966) and there was a scene where either Liz or Vicki walks out the front door of Collinwood, and the cottage is within plain sight a few yards away from the door!  In 1967 and beyond, it is made to seem a further distance away, and out in the woods.  Don't forget that the infamous Laura was using it as her safehouse.

I guess that the Parallel Time room wasn't the only spatio temporal anomaly on the grounds!  And the weirdness spread beyond the estate itself; sometimes Wyndcliffe Sanatarium is a short hike away, and other times, it's 100 miles away!

Gotta love our wonderfully whacky DS,

Gothy
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Dr. Eric Lang on October 05, 2002, 01:26:18 AM
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It has been a while since the beginning of the show, but I am thinking that the cottage we see Chris in bears no resemblence to the one Vicky visited Matthew in. Not that that's surprising. Anyone able to verify that?


It's the same "set" but it's been modified. In fact it was changed after Matthew's death when Laura moved in there. Prior to that, there was no fireplace (a necessity for Laura). A kitchenette area was originally seen where the fireplace wall is now.

Interestingly, when the "cottage" was first shown in the early eps when Matthew lived there, they used some location footage taken at a garage complex at the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown. The "cottage" isn't really a cottage at all but rather part of a larger building connected to the garage area. They matched the front door, which has remained the same, but now we see trees and flowers outside the front door rather than a garage area.

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Carolyn tells Chris it is isolated and very private. And yet, when Mrs. Johnson gets the bejeebers scared out of her, the scream is loudly heard at Collinwood. And yet, Naggie has to ask the children where it is????? OK, Naggie's not the brightest bulb, so that doesn't mean a much as it could. But, I am sniffing some major contradiction.


Well, actually "Naggie" (LOL - I LOVE that nickname!) and the kids were on their way down to the cottage when they heard the scream. No telling how close they were to it. The part I found unbelievable was Maggie not knowing where the place was. She's been to the estate many times, it's hard to believe she's never seen the place before.

Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Blue_Whale_Barfly on October 05, 2002, 02:38:48 AM
It does have the Collinsport standard afgan.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Josette on October 05, 2002, 07:55:08 AM
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The part I found unbelievable was Maggie not knowing where the place was. She's been to the estate many times, it's hard to believe she's never seen the place before.

What particularly surprised me about this was that when Mrs. Johnson was complaining about the place, Maggie said that it looked charming, and Mrs. Johnson said that the inside wasn't.  So, Maggie has obviously seen it before.  I suppose that being out in the woods, if she had seen it some time in the past, she might not be familiar with the way to get there.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Cassandra on October 05, 2002, 09:56:59 AM
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Kuanyin wrote:
Carolyn tells Chris it is isolated and very private.

LOL!!  Private?  I had to laugh at that one! I'd say it's about as "private" as a train station.  Ever since the guy moved in there, he's been flocked by a numerous parade of people from Barnabas, the Sheriff, that girl Donna, right down to little David, who just happen to "drop in" on his way on a hike very early in the morning!  Even the ghosts know where he lives now!

Another thing that struck me funny was when the children were hiding out on Maggie and she found them right outside of Collinwood near the woods after the kids yelled to her "we're over here!"  Well, who the heck was that calling "David"  "Amy?"  That definetely wasn't Maggie's voice!! It sounded more like a man to me?  This was just before they all headed over to the cottage after hearing Mrs. J's screams.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Philippe Cordier on October 05, 2002, 10:39:19 PM
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Another thing that struck me funny was when the children were hiding out on Maggie and she found them right outside of Collinwood near the woods after the kids yelled to her "we're over here!"  Well, who the heck was that calling "David"  "Amy?"  That definetely wasn't Maggie's voice!! It sounded more like a man to me?  This was just before they all headed over to the cottage after hearing Mrs. J's screams.

I think it was KLS talking through her cupped hand (like a megaphone) to make it sound like she was a long ways off when she was probably just a few steps away on the soundstage.

:)
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Julia99 on October 06, 2002, 12:53:14 AM
Messing with sets. . i of course noted on Friday that Julia's fireplace is GONE again!. . .Guess they downscaled her suite since she declared Liz Dead. . .
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: onyx_treasure on October 06, 2002, 02:12:28 AM
    Hey, I think this was Quentin's love shack way before it was Morgan's rats nest or Chris' wolfs den.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Miss_Winthrop on October 06, 2002, 02:44:51 AM
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Messing with sets. . i of course noted on Friday that Julia's fireplace is GONE again!. . .Guess they downscaled her suite since she declared Liz Dead. . .

I can't help but remember the spindle bed in her room  the night Barnabas paid a visit in which to strangle her.  It reminded me of (and I know this is kind of sick) some sort of torture chamber item.  The wood was all dark and icky.  It didn't look Victorian but sort of medieval (Gothic?).  However, it seemed to improve with time and had a softer, more feminine feel to it after awhile.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: VAM on October 06, 2002, 03:45:42 AM
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Messing with sets. . i of course noted on Friday that Julia's fireplace is GONE again!. . .Guess they downscaled her suite since she declared Liz Dead. . .


What does she expect from freeloading forever?
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Dr. Eric Lang on October 06, 2002, 05:27:07 AM
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What does she expect from freeloading forever?

Apparently so. How come no one ever says "Hey Julia - what ever became of that book you were supposed to be writing? Why are you still living here?" Maybe the Collins family simply decided they liked having a doctor in the house. Heck, Julia got 'em all hooked on pills and now they can't live without her.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Luciaphile on October 06, 2002, 08:08:45 AM
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Apparently so. How come no one ever says "Hey Julia - what ever became of that book you were supposed to be writing? Why are you still living here?" Maybe the Collins family simply decided they liked having a doctor in the house. Heck, Julia got 'em all hooked on pills and now they can't live without her.

ROFL!  That makes sense to me.  

By the end of the show though, it's like all of the cast is living on the estate.  Drives me nuts.  

Plus Amy and Hallie.  Yeah, it moves the plot, but c'mon.  They're children.  I knew some kids in high school who moved into the homes of their friends' parents because their home life was so bad, but they were nearly eighteen.  Amy and Hallie are young enough that I find it appalling that the people who should be their primary caregivers aren't even trying to raise them, but are content to dump them off on crazy Mrs. Stoddard.

Luciaphil
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: JWGucciEnvy on October 06, 2002, 09:09:01 AM
Alot of Primetime soaps are the same way, most of the cast lives in the same house, Dallas, Dyansty

or apartment buliding--Melrose Place

which I never understand since half them hated each other.

jon
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Josette on October 06, 2002, 10:01:36 AM
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Amy and Hallie are young enough that I find it appalling that the people who should be their primary caregivers aren't even trying to raise them, but are content to dump them off on crazy Mrs. Stoddard.

Well, we know that Amy's only relative left is Chris, and while they don't know why he seems to be so reluctant to care for her, we know he has a very good reason.

And, Hallie's parents had recently died (I think it was a car crash) and Prof. Stokes was her uncle.  I forget just how it came about that they took her in, but (aside from the fact that we know what a weird place it is), it would seem that the Collins family could offer more for her than her uncle.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Luciaphile on October 06, 2002, 05:17:13 PM
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Well, we know that Amy's only relative left is Chris, and while they don't know why he seems to be so reluctant to care for her, we know he has a very good reason.

He has a problem 3 days out of the month.  That's pretty much it.  Chris doesn't even try to make it work. He couldn't be bothered to spend time with her when she was upset and recently released from a mental hospital, but he could be bothered to go out for drinks.  Sorry, that doesn't fly with me.  Find a way to make your life and your problems less intrusive and deal with it.  

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And, Hallie's parents had recently died (I think it was a car crash) and Prof. Stokes was her uncle.  I forget just how it came about that they took her in, but (aside from the fact that we know what a weird place it is), it would seem that the Collins family could offer more for her than her uncle.

In the first place, the Collins family is not Hallie's family.  Stokes is.  The people down the street might have more to offer a child than his or her own family, but that doesn't mean they should take the kid in.  He's a frigging college professor.  We've seen the character's home and it doesn't seem like he's suffering financially.  Yeah, it also looks like a single bedroom residence, but under the circumstances, you'd think the man would move into something larger and step up to the plate.

Let me put it another way.  Young girl loses both of her parents in a violent accident.  Wrenched away from her environment to strange new place.  Her only relative can't be bothered to make the needed adjustments to take care of her and dumps her with strangers, kind strangers, but still not people she knows.  

Sorry, to sound so passionate about this, but it's just not right in my book.

Luciaphil
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Carol on October 06, 2002, 06:03:32 PM
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Let me put it another way.  Young girl loses both of her parents in a violent accident.  Wrenched away from her environment to strange new place.  Her only relative can't be bothered to make the needed adjustments to take care of her and dumps her with strangers, kind strangers, but still not people she knows.

Sorry, to sound so passionate about this, but it's just not right in my book.

Unfortunately, stuff like this goes on even in this day and age of disposable people.
One of my daughter's male friends has all his worldly goods in our cellar because his aunt was going to throw his stuff out as well as his mother's(mother died of CA/absentee father lives in another state)when she assumed rights to the house. It didn't seem to matter to her that he was her nephew and wouldn't have a place to live. He now lives with friends. He's a nice guy, too; would do anything for you.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: onyx_treasure on October 06, 2002, 06:08:35 PM
    Luciaphil,  I have to agree with you about Amy and Hallie.  I am sure Joe had family that could take Amy in.  Joe even mentioned early in the series that he had an uncle with a farm on the outskirts of town.  Amy came from a middle class background it seemed odd that the wealthiest family in town would take in a foster child that they did not know or have any connection with.  As for Hallie, I think it is even less plausible for the professor to dump her with the Collins family.  However,  I have read how many people feel about Hallie and they probably understand why he did it.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: VAM on October 06, 2002, 08:55:42 PM
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    However,  I have read how many people feel about Hallie and they probably understand why he did it.

Please fill me in...How do others feel?
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Cassandra on October 06, 2002, 10:00:41 PM
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Unfortunately, stuff like this goes on even in this day and age of disposable people.
One of my daughter's male friends has all his worldly goods in our cellar because his aunt was going to throw his stuff out as well as his mother's(mother died of CA/absentee father lives in another state)when she assumed rights to the house. It didn't seem to matter to her that he was her nephew and wouldn't have a place to live. He now lives with friends. He's a nice guy, too; would do anything for you.


That is so sad Carol.   Whatever happened to the days when you could count on your Relatives to help you out?With family members now a days living so far apart from each other and spread out all over the U.S.  you would think the ones who are living close to one another could rely on each other's help in times of trouble.  Times have sure changed!
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Raineypark on October 06, 2002, 11:04:50 PM
There have ALWAYS been both generous souls, and those who begrudge every act of charity requested of them.  

I suspect that years ago, people were just more afraid of the condemnation they would endure in their community if they didn't 'do right' by a family member in need.  Today, people couldn't care less what their neighbors think, so they walk away from anything that's going to inconvenience them.

I have also found it to be true that those who would seem the least able to provide help are often the first to arrive with it.....the elderly family member who's just scraping by never forgets the Christmas present for the little one.....the young family with kids of their own who always think to invite a neighbor child who would otherwise go nowhere.

On DS, the 'fostering' of children is entirely plot driven.  How could David and Amy "play the game" if every time they needed to be in the same place, someone's stay-at-home Mom had to drive Amy over to David's house? ;)

Rainey
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: onyx_treasure on October 06, 2002, 11:18:58 PM
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There have ALWAYS been both generous souls, and those who begrudge every act of charity requested of them.

I have also found it to be true that those who would seem the least able to provide help are often the first to arrive with it.....the elderly family member who's just scraping by never forgets the Christmas present for the little one.....the young family with kids of their own who always think to invite a neighbor child who would otherwise go nowhere.

    This is so true, Rainey.  An apartment house just burned down in my town.  Several of my son's school mates have lost everything(clothing, toys, everything).  The school is putting on a spaghetti dinner.  All the children brought home fliers requesting donations of clothing, bedding, furniture, and money.  The police department is going to help serve the spaghetti.This is a very poor town.  I have learned that while Mainers are wary of strangers they will give you the shirt off their back.  I used to live in California.  If a house burned down it was just another strangers misfortune and none of your concern.  Here in Maine, everyones life matters.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Luciaphile on October 07, 2002, 12:21:23 AM
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On DS, the 'fostering' of children is entirely plot driven.  How could David and Amy "play the game" if every time they needed to be in the same place, someone's stay-at-home Mom had to drive Amy over to David's house? ;)

Oh, I totally agree.  I guess I'm saying that in the case of Amy, it would have been nice to see some more in the writing maybe from some of the other characters at least bringing up the point that Chris can't get his stuff together.  There is some of that (mainly from Joe) but not a lot.

As for Hallie

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The kids are possessed yet again in what has to be a pretty lame plotline (David and Hallie playing with dollhouses and rocking horses???).  They could have come up with something better.  Everyone but Stokes and possibly Sheriff Patterson was living on the estate by then and it made absolutely no sense.

Luciaphil
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: onyx_treasure on October 07, 2002, 01:08:02 AM
    I never understood why they didn't have the children be family.  It would make more sense.   An Aunt in New York was mentioned so why not cousins.  Amy is problematic because of the werewolf curse but there was no excuse for Hallie.  She was old enough for the professor to send her to a boarding school.
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: kuanyin on October 07, 2002, 03:38:27 AM
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He has a problem 3 days out of the month.  That's pretty much it.  Chris doesn't even try to make it work. He couldn't be bothered to spend time with her when she was upset and recently released from a mental hospital, but he could be bothered to go out for drinks.  Sorry, that doesn't fly with me.  Find a way to make your life and your problems less intrusive and deal with it.

I have to agree 100%. I especially hate how Chris reacts when Carolyn asks him his permission for something re: Amy, like the trip to Boston. "Huh? Amy? Obvious mental process: 'Oh yeah, I have a sister and her name is Amy'. "Oh, OK, sure ANYTHING you want to do with Amy will be fine, I'm sure!"
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: Dr. Eric Lang on October 09, 2002, 01:22:29 AM
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Let me put it another way.  Young girl loses both of her parents in a violent accident.  Wrenched away from her environment to strange new place.  Her only relative can't be bothered to make the needed adjustments to take care of her and dumps her with strangers, kind strangers, but still not people she knows.

It's especially appalling when you consider the fact that Professor Stokes, by this time, has long been well aware of the dangerous supernatural things that go on at Collinwood. If it were my niece, I'd do everything in my power to keep her away from that place, not send her off to live there!
Title: Re: Matthew Morgan's cottage
Post by: kuanyin on October 09, 2002, 02:53:51 AM
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It's especially appalling when you consider the fact that Professor Stokes, by this time, has long been well aware of the dangerous supernatural things that go on at Collinwood. If it were my niece, I'd do everything in my power to keep her away from that place, not send her off to live there!

Well, he didn't mind taking in Adam and spending all his spare time on educating him! The only excuse I can think is that young adolescent girls give him the heebiejeebies, though man-made monsters without a soul don't.