Discuss - Ep #1235

[Watching Project]

Robservations #1235

[Lydia]

Yesterday at the cliffhanger I saw Julia breathing, and I thought to myself, "That doesn't mean she's not dead."  Today at that same cliffhanger in the beginning, Julia looked deathly still.  I think it was a retaping and not me being delusional, but of course I can't say for sure.

Did Morgan carry Julia down from the Tower?  If so, I'd like to have seen it.  But I suppose he probably directed a footman to do it.

Meanwhile, Morgan's back to being his usual nasty self.  Catherine says she's going over to the Old House, and instead of saying, "I'll come with you to see Daphne, dear, because any sister of yours is a sister of mine," or  "Get a footman to escort you, dear, because my homicidal brother Gabriel's on the loose," he sounds off about Bramwell.  He needs to see a shrink.  Not for his nastiness; that's a basic component of his personality.  But this Bramwell fixation is pathological.

Whenever we get an outside view of the Old House in this storyline, it just seems wrong.  At all other times I'm totally with this storyline, but when I see the Old House I think: "Barnabas."

Kate Jackson does an absolutely lovely job as Daphne, but I wish Daphne would relax and enjoy the attention she's finally getting.  Bramwell and Catherine continue to get on my nerves, especially Catherine.  And I'm sure that if this storyline had been viewed in the actual 1840s, all the native 1840s folk watching it would agree that Bramwell and Catherine had killed Daphne, but here I am in the 2010s saying, from the depths of my medical ignorance: Daphne wouldn't be dying if there weren't something physically wrong with her that has nothing to do with Bramwell and Catherine.

Oh, and since this is Kate Jackson's last day, it is my last chance to mention that I just love Daphne's nightgown.

[DarkLady]

Not quite KJ's final appearance, right?-- although she's wonderful, and she does have a lovely nightgown. At least Bramwell and Catherine have the grace to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

Melanie is getting closer and closer to finding out the truth about her parents. You go, girl!

Morgan and Julia brave the Locked Room. Although it's broad daylight, I was scared half to death when I saw this part for the first time. What could cause the stalwart Julia to recoil in absolute horror?

[MagnusTrask]

Meanwhile, Morgan's back to being his usual nasty self. ....  He needs to see a shrink.  Not for his nastiness; that's a basic component of his personality. 

Interesting way of looking at personality.  I plan on remembering that.

Second mention of 1841, I believe.   Well, Gabriel didn't kill Julia.   That may count in his favor, or it may just mean he's too out it to do the job right.   His goal seems to be to escape, which is completely understandable considering that his family has locked him up in one room (and he's a big guy), with no end in sight.   That's scary.   He may remember how they "solved" the Stella problem... some people solve problems by locking their problems into boxes, even if their problems are human beings, oblivious to how it can't possibly be a long-term solution.

I like how the doctor knows Daphne's going to die, but he doesn't know what from...!?  Catherine must be thinking at this point:  Can we get James Forsythe back?   Is that a clarinet playing, as Catherine is speechifyin'?

Has Bramwell just invented the concept of the medical specialist?   I doubt they existed.   Final Daphne speech:  great, Daphne must be nominated for sainthood.   Good speech about love/meaning, and even her few breaths before entering the coma (did they have that word then?) were well done, and convincing.

Morgan in dark suit... is he planning on visiting RT?

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Not quite KJ's final appearance, right?

You know, I thought she had another ep because I could have sworn we actually got to see[spoiler]Daphne die.[/spoiler] But before I posted this topic I checked the DS 30th Anniversary Almanac and it says this is her last ep (so I thought that perhaps I was confusing[spoiler]her dying with her slipping into the coma and perhaps she dies off camera).[/spoiler]But I really should know better than to trust a PomPress book's accuracy!    

Never mind. The Farewell has been removed but will return...

[DarkLady]

I'm pretty sure they had eye specialists at least, well before 1840. They were already attempting cataract operations, but without notable success. In RT, the same eye surgeon operated on J. S. Bach (died 1750) and Georg Frideric Handel (died 1757) and failed, leaving them both blind. But of course in PT anything is possible, even a doctor who knows Daphne is dying but not what from. The late Dr. Harridge would have been horrified at the inadequate medical care his successor is providing for his daughter.

According to Webster's Online, the word coma made its English-language debut in 1646.

And speaking of music, yes, I believe that is a clarinet solo under Catherine's speech--and very nicely done too.

Maybe Gabriel is temporarily not in "kill every Collins" mode and just wanted to get out of the North Tower. For him that would be relatively sane.

[MagnusTrask]

Thanks, DL!

[DarkLady]

Anytime! I hope I don't come across like a pompous twit, but I do a lot of work-related fact checking so at least I come by it honestly.

[Lydia]

It sounds as though you have an interesting job, DarkLady!

[DarkLady]

I work as an editor, so lots of fact checking involved! 

[MagnusTrask]

Anytime! I hope I don't come across like a pompous twit, but I do a lot of work-related fact checking so at least I come by it honestly.

Not at all DL, you've found the right audience for this.   I'm grateful for any background info on anything that I can get!   That's one great thing about DS fandom... people know so much more about history, and other subjects.   I harbor no prejudice against the knowledgeable!   

[DarkLady]

Thanks! *bows low*