I like how, early on, the show seemed to have its feet planted in two entirely different worlds: the "modern" world as exemplified by the scene in the Blue Whale, and the gothic world of the Collinwood mansion. The shift between them is a bit jarring at times (and that generic 60's jukebox score is atrocious, especially in an era when the real music was so amazing), but I generally like the juxtaposition. All gothic all the time would have made it seem dated from the get-go, especially to younger audiences.