1970PT Watching Project Addendum Revisited

[michael c]

thanks...

I always thought it was a nice touch that they splurged for new wardrobe for the "parallel time" period to differentiate the characters there from there "real time" counterparts.  there was virtually no crossover.

they composed a few new musical cues for the storyline as well so the viewer knew they were in an "alternate" time period.

[DarkLady]

Yes, amazing that they went to the expense. Must have been while DC was off directing the movie.

And of course, the big new musical cue was "Ode to Angelique," the music-box theme that introduced us to parallel time the very first time that Barnabas opened the East Wing doors.

[Uncle Roger]

Don't forget that fascinating liquor cabinet in the drawing room. I would love to have one of those myself.

[DarkLady]

Right! I wonder where they got that from.

[Gothick]

A complaint I have about PT 1970 (a storyline I really love, btw), is that PT Liz was originally given outdated sweaters and off the rack skirts to wear.  Very mousy and dowdy. When she "came back" from her "rest," she was back to the standard issue "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Lady of the Manor" wardrobe.  And the dialogue about her anxieties when Quentin was late with her monthly check also disappeared.

G.

[DarkLady]

Yes, true! Although maybe Quentin felt sorry for her and increased her monthly allowance after she returned.

[Uncle Roger]

Perhaps when she was away, Elizabeth found a Mysterious Benefactor of her own.

[michael c]

A complaint I have about PT 1970 (a storyline I really love, btw), is that PT Liz was originally given outdated sweaters and off the rack skirts to wear.  Very mousy and dowdy. When she "came back" from her "rest," she was back to the standard issue "Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Lady of the Manor" wardrobe.  And the dialogue about her anxieties when Quentin was late with her monthly check also disappeared.

at least she never appeared in "Liz's" chartreuse roll neck caftan thing (although it was probably still out at Lyndhurst)...

a similar thing happened with "Flora" in 1840. when first introduced she was sort of a doodlehead. however a few episodes in Joan, or someone, got cold feet and she quickly reverted to her standard issue imperious and "matriarchal" Liz-type of characterization.

[Uncle Roger]

I wonder if that caftan might have actually belonged to Joan. She's wearing it in the episode of The Governor and JJ.

[michael c]

I like to think DCP gifted it to Joan in honor of her services. 

[BangsnFangs]

It's been a while since I've seen 1970PT and I'm keen to revisit it.  I remember at the time I had some complaints that it didn't fulfil it's potential and explore the concept of parallel time as fully as it could (especially regarding the idea of[spoiler]a parallel Barnabas who was never cursed as a vampire).[/spoiler]  But considering the production difficulties caused due to the simultaneous filming of HODS a lot of that is understandable.  I have a feeling that I'll be a lot more willing to forgive it on a second go around.

In saying that, I think the production itself nails the whole PT thing.  The costumes and sets are beautiful and feel unlike anything else in the show -- in present time or in a period setting.  The clothing is very 70s yet the decor of the various sets is more difficult to place.  And then there's Cobert's re-orchestration of his familiar pieces, which reinforces the feeling of a distorted reality -- and, it must be admitted, is a breath of fresh air especially considering how far off the rails the Leviathans had got towards the end.   

[DarkLady]

I especially love the beginning of PT 1970, the upstairs parlor/Angelique's suite, the costumes, and the whole nest-of-vipers set-up. 

[MagnusTrask]

Every start of a new storyline in a different "time" seems to involve a nest of vipers though, who the get softened up and more sympathetic, as time goes on.  So I view it as "crying wolf".

[DarkLady]

Well, yeah, but it's so much fun! In some ways, the 1897 crew were the most viperish.