DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '26 I => Current Talk '05 I => Topic started by: Ian on February 16, 2005, 09:33:20 PM
-
I was wondering from all of you...what supernatural stories have you read that you'd like to have seen turned into storylines on DS? Maybe not even supernatural, but possibly stories like..."The Awakening," "The Time Machine," or "The Scarlet Letter?" What do you all wish for?
It could possibly even be a storyline you made up in your head! Heh.
-
Well, I'd think (and hope) they would have stuck with the gothic fiction and not strayed too much into sci-fi or other genres (though Parallel Time was definitely a sci-fi staple, DS presented it in terms of the supernatural - Warren Oddson did an interesting essay once about that subject). I'd say the "Bottle Imp" by Robert Louis Stevenson might have been good one. I think a Faustian deal with the devil (or a demon) storyline would have been great too.
~PennyDreadful~
-
Dr. Faustus was indeed a good story. Deal with the devil, eh? Amanda Harris come to mind? Though that was more like Orpheus in the Underworld, the premise of a deal with the devil is reminiscent of Marlowe's work.
-
;D
I was wondering from all of you...what supernatural stories have you read that you'd like to have seen turned into storylines on DS? Maybe not even supernatural, but possibly stories like..."The Awakening," "The Time Machine," or "The Scarlet Letter?" What do you all wish for?
It could possibly even be a storyline you made up in your head! Heh.
One idea I had, in which I ended writing my first fan fiction, was Barnabas meeting up with a slayer [loosely based on the Buffy/Angel shows]
Another thought would be "Back to the Future", "Gone with the Wind" or "The Others". ;D
-
If they pursued the Seaview House storyline, a cool adaptation for that could have been Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher." Although, of course, the collapsing house at the end would have to occur offscreen! 8)
They really already adapted/swiped storylines and elements from most of the classic terror stories though.
~PennyDreadful~
-
If they pursued the Seaview House storyline, a cool adaptation for that could have been Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher." Although, of course, the collapsing house at the end would have to occur offscreen!
I like that ending but in general I also concur with another poster that I perfer DS when it wasn't going all over the place with monster of the week scenarios. I would have kept the monster focus on Barnabas, Angelique and subsequent vampires (all victims of Barnabas but really Angelique) and various ghosts from the past. That Vickie was transported to the past is an amazing fact glossed over even in the 1795 storyline. I would have tried to incorporate basic soap opera stuff (with people) in and around Collinwood and Collinsport as well.
-
I've always thought it would be fun to write a tale wherein Carl Kolchak, having lost his job at every reputable newspaper in the country, ends up employed by the Collinsport Herald -- now edited by the redoubtable Anthony Vincenzo, of course. Needless to say, there's enough going on in Collinsport to keep even Kolchak busier than a wharf rat in a barrel of moldy cheese. And will Sheriff Patterson believe -anything- he says? Nooooo.
-
Now THERE'S an inspired idea, Mark.
Kolchak in Collinsport!!
Where do we start sending petitions...? :D
-
Ian...too funny...just a couple of nights ago, "The Time Machine" was on. I couldn't watch it, but I thought about time travel & DS...so, loosely, DS already been there/done that.
Kolchak....terrific..BUT...nowadays I read so many women authors, it would be nice to have some stronger women kicking but (think FAITH!!lol).
Back to the Future was done too (1795 & 1897, Barn/Vicki went back).
Let's see, "Rebecca", "Turn of the Screw", "Dr. Jekyl/Hyde"...the classics.
Now space travel, which since DS has become a commonality, that would be fun to 'explore' (think Julia on Mars!!)
Patti
-
Hmmm...space travel? I prefer the old mythological sci-fi than futuristic. Like...I could never get into shows like Stargate or Star Trek.
-
After traveling back in time so often to prevent tragedy and encountering various allies who are skeptical of their stories, (e.g. Magda in 1897, Ben Stokes in 1840) I think it would have been a neat twist for Barnabas and Julia to meet a visitor from the future--perhaps even a descendant of David or Carolyn--who has come back to 1971 to "change history" and save the family. Knowing from experience that such things are possible, it would be interesting to see whether B and J accept the traveler's story and help her or him to avert the catastrophe, or if they would remain suspicious of the newcomer's identity and motives.
ProfStokes
-
I think it would have been a neat twist for Barnabas and Julia to meet a visitor from the future--perhaps even a descendant of David or Carolyn--who has come back to 1971 to "change history" and save the family.
ProfStokes, have you read Charles Delaware Troll's amazing continuation of DS? He wrote DS episode summaries for a year of DS which never actually existed and wrote these summaries in such a way that they were completely in keeping with the nature of the show. The above plotline is explored during the course of his summaries. I personally became addicted to reading these. They are really good IMO.
http://members.aol.com/chasdtroll/mainp.html
~Penny Dreadful~
-
I would love to see a version of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" done for the Collins family. Julia and Barnabus combined should be the equal of Sherlock Holmes.
I also would really like to have seen the Leviathian segment redone more in line with H. P. Lovecrafts original intent. Collinwood would become an eternal battleground for humanity to keep back the old ones from claiming Earth as their own again.
The idea of having Carl Kolchak in town would have been a great story line Mark. Good suggestion.
-
I would love to see a version of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" done for the Collins family.
That would have been cool. Except, of course, on DS the Hound would have probably been a real ghost or some demon dog from hell.
-
Actually, I watched "Sliders" the other day, and I thought of 1840?pt?'s Quentin's machine.
Also, I LOVE the idea of a David/Carolyn descendent going back in time!!!!
Patti
-
I like the idea of future family members showing up, or posibly future versions of David or Caroline
also i'd have liked to see a "Creature from the Black Lagoon/seamonster story.
-
Sea Monsters, eh? Actually, that might have been a great idea. A ghostly galleon sails into Collinsport Harbor, seeking vengence for the sins of a prior generation.
In other words, a rip-off of "The Fog"..... ;)
-
I like the idea of future family members showing up, or posibly future versions of David or Caroline
also i'd have liked to see a "Creature from the Black Lagoon/seamonster story.
Actually, I agree completely, that a sea creature would have worked in the Collinsport setting, plus a pure "monster" would have kept interest, especially for the younger viewers. Dan always said he would have had a mummy in Collinsport if they could have found a good reason for one to be there. (Not that Laura couldn't have brought one...)
I am surprised no one has mention the best classic plot the series didn't try, "The Phantom of the Opera". This could have been well adapted as it has the pertinent elements of both gothic horror and romance.
Michael [2Bats]
-
I love The Phantom of the Opera (books, music, movies)...
It certainly would've been....interesting to say the least to see DS attempt that story. I just can't picture it. :) Still, it does fit in very well with some of their other stories.
-
Sea Monsters, eh? Actually, that might have been a great idea. A ghostly galleon sails into Collinsport Harbor, seeking vengence for the sins of a prior generation.
Like I said in another thread...I never really thought it would have been a good idea to have non-humanoid type monsters on DS at that time. To me, it may have just appeared to be like a big mess of...maybe too much paper-mache? If DS were to come back *cries over the passed over pilot* a monster would be a good idea given how special effects have advanced so much since the 60s-70s.
-
The best part of Dark Shadows was always the relationships between the characters. Gothic mysteries are not the same as Science Fiction. We have to care about the characters and the less "human" they are, the less we care.
Barnabas was the first "monster" on the show.....and everyone cared a great deal about him.
Well, almost everyone... ;)
I think a "Phantom" type character might have worked very well. But a completely non-human entity would have been hard to accept.
-
I agree that the characters and their relationships were the best part of DS. That's why I got addicted to DS in the first place, the characters. I can love a concept or a setting, but if I don't care for the people I'm watching, then none of it matters. I didn't fall for Barnabas only because he was a vampire. That was part of the original appeal for me, but it was also the complexity of his character...the humanity combined with the supernatural.
I'd also prefer gothic mystery to science fiction when it comes to DS, though I enjoy scif-fi. It just doesn't work with the DS concept and story, IMO.
With any new series, I'd feel the same way. *cries over pilot as well* ;)
-
The best part of Dark Shadows was always the relationships between the characters.
But a completely non-human entity would have been hard to accept.
Absolutely. Every "monster" on DS (for the most part) had a humanity to them. They suffered from human emotional frailties and the interaction between these characters and the "normal" characters was always wonderful. DS still has a good following today because the characters and their relationships are the heart of the series. These character-driven stories have sustained Dark Shadows' longevity, and have kept people interested in the show for decades. The supernatural element makes the show extremely unique, but the underlying character development and interplay is what makes the show a classic.
On the subject of random monsters, I absolutely agree with your comment about completely non-human entities. I can't see a place for a Creature from the Black Lagoon-type on DS. No way, IMO. Nor could I ever envision things like giant ants, tarantulas, killer robots, etc. ad infinitum on Dark Shadows. There is an enormous divide between the tortured, cursed beings of gothic horror/romance and B-movie monsters. They are two different things entirely. Or at best, in some cases, the latter is a MUCH watered-down version of the former.
Regarding sci-fi (and some other genres like Fantasy). Imgaine if you will....
Lara Parker's Voiceover: On this strange night, an otherworldly alien spaceship has landed before the ancient Old House on the great estate...
The door to the Old House creaks open... we see small, silver-clad, alien beings enter the house. They clutch mysterious ray-guns in their small hands as their almond-shaped eyes peer at Barnabas' portrait above the
mantle.
Suddenly, Josette's spirit appears to the aliens. The head alien shouts, "ACK! AAAK! AKAAAK!!" Then all the aliens fire blue and red beams of light from their rayguns. The rays go right through Josette's ghost, who shakes her head and silently weeps.... Just as I am weeping at the very thought of such a ridiculous scenario! :'( ;)
Ok that was dumb, but it was fun writing it. Anyway, yeah, that would have sucked. ;D
~Penny Dreadful~
-
Sorry, but please don't post fan fic.
-
First of all, good, real science-fiction also deals with characters, not monsters. I never thought of Black Lagoon as SF.
I was fascinated with the opening to the Leviathan storyline in 1795, and it seemed to be a radically new and different sort of thing (before what was going on was made clear), dealing with something much bigger and more mysterious than any of the previous events, that had just concerned Collinwood and its inhabitants. It even seemed possible then that these beings were from some sort of future-- it sounded at one point as if they'd traveled back, not forward. Anything seemed possible at that point. Even aliens. It did seem as if DS was ready just then to launch itself into some broader, more amazing sort of story, to top 1897, perhaps.
Of course, it turned out just to be a couple hooded characters worshipping a big antisocial asthmatic snake with a deadly fear of television cameras.
I don't long to have seen DS rip off more old horror novels or movies. I'd want them to have done more original ideas.
-
Uh, forgive me, Midnite, but I didn't see that as a posting of fan fiction; merely a vivid and highly amusing example of the point Penny was making. Surely a couple of paragraphs used in jest are not taboo...?
-
Uh, forgive me, Midnite, but I didn't see that as a posting of fan fiction; merely a vivid and highly amusing example of the point Penny was making. Surely a couple of paragraphs used in jest are not taboo...?
Well, I didn't remove it because it *was* brief. But please understand where I'm coming from-- if we don't address it, everyone assumes it's okay to write funny (or not) scenes to illustrate their point, and then when the next vivid and highly amusing example is longer and we pull it, the poster is shocked and upset and the mods are accused of being arbitrary, though that's not the case at all. Been there, Mark. So, across the board, we remind that we don't accept fan fic.
-
Of course, it turned out just to be a couple hooded characters worshipping a big antisocial asthmatic snake with a deadly fear of television cameras.
[lol2] That's the funniest and most accurate one-line summary of the Leviathan story line that I've seen yet! Welcome to the board, Magnus_Trask.
ProfStokes
-
Thank you, and thank you, Prof. (I'd have joined last year, if the board had let me.)
-
(I'd have joined last year, if the board had let me.)
Unfortunately, during the latter half of last year, after we'd switched over to SMF from Yabb SE, there were system problems with registration. But thankfully those problems have been worked out now. ;)
-
Barnabas was the first "monster" on the show.....and everyone cared a great deal about him.
hmm...wasn't Laura really the first 'monster' (non-human)?
Would've been good to see what becomes of some of her offspring (the ones she let live!!)
And...I think, if given enough time...wouldn't people have started popping back & forth between RT & PT?
(Bill collector haunting you??? Well just step on through this door matie!!)
Patti
-
But please understand where I'm coming from--
My apologies Midnite. As Mark said, I was merely doing it to illustrate a point, but I understand your comment
about people getting the wrong idea.
Magnus, it's great to see you here!
I agree that really good sci-fi is also character driven, but I just don't feel sci-fi meshes very well with DS. That's not to say DS didn't swipe from sci-fi lore. For example - time-travel is a long-standing staple in sci-fi, and was often employed in Dark Shadows. However, the time-travel in Dark Shadows is based in occult/supernatural processes as opposed to advanced scientific machinery. Having a literal, blipping time machine in DS would not have worked at all IMO. I will say the same for heroic fantasy. While good fantasy is character-driven, having elves and dragons in the Dark Shadows world wouldn't have worked. Again, DS did a swipe by mentioning Petofi's unicorn (which was kind of a cool thing to include) but they didn't have the unicorn literally hanging around Collinwood. While all these genres fall under the "fantasy" banner, I personally don't think they mix well with regards to the DS universe and other strictly gothic horror/romance formats.
Okay, I just got 100 geek points for even discussing this. ;D
Even the Comic Book Guy on the Simpsons is rolling his eyes. "Geekiest..post...EVER."
~Penny Dreadful~
-
Okay, I just got 100 geek points for even discussing this. ;D
Even the Comic Book Guy on the Simpsons is rolling his eyes. "Geekiest..post...EVER."
[lghy]
It also earned a "curse" from me. I found it fascinating!
-
And...I think, if given enough time...wouldn't people have started popping back & forth between RT & PT?
(Bill collector haunting you??? Well just step on through this door matie!!)
LOL, that is most likely if Collinwood had not [spoiler]completely burned to the ground in 1970PT. I remember when they came back from 1995, Quentin came downstairs and said something to the effect of "I just saw the room in the East Wing change, and it was completely burned out!"[/spoiler]
I mean...I guess since he saw that, I guess it's possible that it didn't, but I digress. *wanders off mumbling incoherently*
P.S. Excellent joke. ROFLMAO ;)
-
ProfStokes, have you read Charles Delaware Troll's amazing continuation of DS? He wrote DS episode summaries for a year of DS which never actually existed and wrote these summaries in such a way that they were completely in keeping with the nature of the show. The above plotline is explored during the course of his summaries. I personally became addicted to reading these. They are really good IMO.
http://members.aol.com/chasdtroll/mainp.html
I've read them. I personally became addicted to reading them too. They are good. They are a lot different than what Sam Hall nad in mind. You guys should read them.
-
Okay, I just got 100 geek points for even discussing this. ;D
I didn't think it was that geeky. Even so, many of us are geeks so you are in good company on this board. The Sci-Fi out there doesn't work in the DS universe. At every point, the supernatural revolves around and/or involves the Collins family. It's too out there to base it on non-human, pure-monster characters.
-
Well, cousins, I can't let this hot topic go by without throwing in my two cents. I'm impressed by all the great story ideas submitted by all. I admit that I liked the Adam storyline (loved those scenes with Julia in the lab tinkering with dials and knobs, and beakers of weird-colored potions) and the Leviathan storyline as well. I enjoyed watching the Leviathan curse infect the members of Collinwood one by one...until Liz was ready to blow Julia away. Keep in mind that I was a kid when I first saw this. The idea of a sea monster is interesting given Collinsport's coastal location and the family business being dependent on the sea. Although...wasn't the Leviathan serpeant a sea serpeant? I seem to recall the creature leaving behind a slimy, wet trail of what appeared to be seaweed after it killed Paul Stoddard. While gothic horror depends on the viewer/reader caring about the characters, such a non-human creature threatening the Collins family creates challenges for each one. For instance, new allies or enemies are forged, relationships are tested, personal strength is challenged. So the introduction of a "threat" shifts the dynamics of the family. Let's not forget that in the most dire circumstances, Barnabas always managed to fall in love ???. Hey, let's not let imminent destruction wreck a hot kiss! ;D I could see Barnabas or Quentin falling in love with a mermaid - gives new meaning to getting some tail 8) 8). So, I guess no subject is too weird if we concentrate on the characters reaction to it, the interplay between characters and, most important, that it be well written. How about Data from ST transported to present time Collinwood. Couldn't you just picture Julia opening his head and poking around inside? [ideab] [ideag] [ideay] One thing I always questioned about time travel - when Barnabas and Julia travelled to 1995 together - did that mean that 25 years in the future both would have still been alive (and hopefullly together ;))? If one or the other had died in the intervening years, they wouldn't be able to travel to 1995 because they no longer existed, right? Unless they swapped bodies like Vicki did with Phyllis Wick since Vicki didn't exist in 1795. Opinions cousins?
Countess(who is stumbling off her damned soapbox at long last!)
-
Science depicted on DS looked very lame. I just got through watching Julia try to cure Barnabas by strapping him to a wooden chair and dropping dry ice in a copper kettle. I know they had a limited budget but I wish they were a little more creative. I think adding too many monsters to DS and you run the risk of the show looking like Lost in Space. No offense to Lost in Space fans. I was in love with Billy Mumy back then. I watch the show cheesy monsters and all.
-
Remember "The Golden Man" episode on Lost in Space, Onyx? The one that guest-starred our very own Jason Maguire/Paul Stoddard as the handsome alien? Didn't you just love the scene where he rescues Judy from a "mine field," and the "mines" are nothing more than - some underinflated - beachballs? Oh, those were the fun days of watching LIS. As a kid, I never missed an episode and so desperately wanted to be a Robinson if I couldn't be a Collins. I miss watching LIS on Sci-Fi again, just as I miss watching DS. Of course, the first season b&w LIS episodes were far superior to the next two seasons of color tales, both in stories, filming, and even special effects.
Anyway, there could have been so many more stories to tell on DS. I did my own version of CDT's what-would've-happened-if-it-had-continued, drawing up elaborate plot lines, stretching out the series for quite a few more years. It was all just for fun, and took me months to do. I started off by having, following the 1841PT story, of having Barnabas, Julia and Eliot returning to Collinwood 1971. However, because they so drastically changed history (by changing the lineage), that they found an entirely different family living there. Now what do they do? While pondering their fate, Collinwood becomes haunted by the ghost of Tad Collins who, it turns out, became a very vile man who appeared to be an abolitionist in 1860, but instead imprisoned, tortured and returned runaway slaves for a hefty profit. As the members of the family are popped off one-by-one by the vengeful spook, our three heroes go back in time to 1860 to stop the massacre and also manage to set things right and return back to the family they know and love in 1971. Then followed many, many more tawdry tales, including the return of Jeb Hawkes, Barnabas' return to PT to see how things have fared with Roxanne, Quentin and Maggie (not very well, mind you), Angelique's return (in which she is totally and absolutely good), the haunting of not just Collinwood but all of Collinsport by the angry ghosts of a liberty ship shoddily built in 1944 by Collins Shipping which sunk in a storm during her sea trials, the arrival of a vampire and his teenaged human son in Collinsport, both trying to keep his "condition" a secret and live normal lives, another story in which Roger and Elizabeth temporarily move to London where Roger accidentally becomes involved in a conspiracy of political murder and mayhem ala Manchurian Candidate (and in which Burke Devlin returns, again helping to save the day), Vicki's return, the now-very-popular concept of having a Collins from the future pop back to the present to prevent a catastrophe, a sci-fi diddly in which human-disguised vanguard aliens preparing for an invasion get caught up in Collins intrigue (Willie falling in love with one of them - an alien I mean, not a Collins), the return (again, oh-so-popular) of Count Petofi, and a big blowout in which the family is very literally and completely destroyed by an ancient curse stemming back from the 16th century resulting from the very Irish Collins clan betraying their very Irish copatriots to the occupying English, leaving it to Barnabas to somehow save the day. I had many, many more stories and plots, but you get the gist.
Oh, my, yes, it was so much fun!
Gerard
-
I'm rather glad the show didn't get into science fiction monsters and the like, although I think non-human creatures could certainly have been presented in a palatable way. The Leviathans story had a lot of unfulfilled potential, but I will say that the breathing thing in the upper room creeped out this kid more than anything else in the entire DS run. It's a pity the Leviathans (which I still enjoy more than the average DS fan) ended up being such a low-point in the series. The Lovecraftian element could have been a very welcome addition and it did actually work from time to time, especially early in the story arc.
In my Labyrinth of Souls, I explored extra-dimensional horrors, which featured a thoroughly alien monster; however, the focus was not the monster itself but the characters who were both responsible for and affected by it. In the DS world, I think that's really the only way to go about it.
--M
http://home.triad.rr.com/smrainey
-
Countess--- There is no reason someone would not be able to go to a point in the future after she/he has died (except that there's no such thing as time-travel). I'm not sure what the reason would be. It seems to me that this is like saying you can't go to France because you're not there already. The astral-projecting thing obviously wouldn't work, since your body doesn't exist in the future, unless you arrive in that somewhat non-corporeal state that Julia arrived in, in 1897. If you happen upon a staircase that bops you around in time (lucky you), then this difficulty is avoided. Go with my blessing.
Gerard--- I enjoyed your scenarios. Personally I'd love storylines where some genuine, obscure details of history are included, such as Petofi and Lord Kitchener, so the liberty ship reference (I don't even know what that is) sounded good to me.
As for Petofi... until the last couple of years, since I got hold of my DS tapes, I'd thought ever since childhood that Petofi had resurfaced in the "present". I could picture in my head scenes where the 1970 (or so) Collinses were dreading some great disaster for the world should Petofi get his hand back. Anyway, my fave villain. Such a gregarious, infectious laugh. So what, if the character was undermined by the bodyswapping with Q business. (They didn't even try to sound like each other.)
-
PS--- Thanks for the welcome, Ms. Dreadful, and once again, primo moniker.
I vaguely recall the Petofi/unicorn thing. Was that a reference to something? What significance was there to that, if any, I wonder? I don't remember anything about this except that a unicorn was mentioned once.
-
As for Petofi... ...my fave villain.
Agreed. Thayer David was simply brilliant in the role.
Such a gregarious, infectious laugh.
Indeed.
I'd thought ever since childhood that Petofi had resurfaced in the "present".
If only...
-
I vaguely recall the Petofi/unicorn thing. Was that a reference to something? What significance was there to that, if any, I wonder? I don't remember anything about this except that a unicorn was mentioned once.
[spoiler]It was revealed that back when Count Petofi was cursed by the gypsies, he became a werewolf and killed the only thing he ever really cared for - his unicorn. I believe they said it was believed to have been the last remaining unicorn on earth, but I'm not positive about that.[/spoiler]
~Penny Dreadful~
-
[spoiler]I believe they said it was believed to have been the last remaining unicorn on earth, but I'm not positive about that.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]He was the last man known to own one, which I guess leaves it open to interpretation whether it was the last unicorn or not.[/spoiler]
-
PD--- Thanks--- so, that implies it's something they meant to get back to later, since that's a very odd to detail to drop into his backstory, unless they intended to pursue it later, or unless it was a reference to something in history or literature. I know nothing about literature involving unicorns, since when fantasy includes unicorns I see that as an indication to run the other way. Sorry to those who like unicorns. Just a personal bias that says it's a bit too 'fanciful' for my tastes.
I guess no one knows what they intended to do with this later, since the writers' future intentions are all a matter of rumor, apparently-- from what I've seen on this site, anyway. But maybe someone knows if all this refers to some bit of mythology or literature, or something.
-
I guess no one knows what they intended to do with this later, since the writers' future intentions are all a matter of rumor, apparently-- from what I've seen on this site, anyway. But maybe someone knows if all this refers to some bit of mythology or literature, or something.
Count Petofi once told Quentin that the curse of the werewolf could only be cured by swallowing the blood of an unicorn.
-
Well, according to what a myth I've heard, drinking unicorn blood can only allow those who should have died to go on living.
-
I like this, we're making progress.... thanks.... so Petofi gains the unicorn, either before or after becoming Wolfman, and comes to love him/her, then has to decide whether to sacrifice her/him to save himself and cure the curse. Presumably the blood makes his whole person fairly indestructable, including his hand, even when separated.
Anyone know where the Forest of Azhden?? (sp?) is, and what historical etc. significance may have led the writers to make reference to it?
-
Anyone know where the Forest of Azhden?? (sp?) is, and what historical etc. significance may have led the writers to make reference to it?
I've googled Oshden, Ogden, Rushden, Azhden, and Azhdeen. Nothing at all. The closest refers to a Ogden Forest in Utah, but I highly doubt that has any significance to DS.
-
Count Petofi once told Quentin that the curse of the werewolf could only be cured by swallowing the blood of an unicorn.
Whoa, I don't remember that from the series at all. Does anyone else recall this? It did, however, come up in Charles Delaware Troll's DS continuation, and I know you've mentioned reading them, Amy Jennings Fan.
The following is from http://members.aol.com/chasdtroll/mainp.html--
#1478 -- David is showing Lori some books on the occult, and explains to her some legendary cures for werewolves. "These books describe some different cures... something about eating this flower after the moon rises.... here's something else about drinking the blood of a unicorn...."
#1502 -- Quentin walks to the bars saying "The legend.... the curse of the werewolf can be ended with swallowing the blood of a unicorn....Petofi told me that once, so long ago...."
-
then has to decide whether to sacrifice her/him to save himself and cure the curse. Presumably the blood makes his whole person fairly indestructable, including his hand, even when separated.
Well, this is all speculation, but could make for some fascinating fanfic, I'm sure. :D
Anyone know where the Forest of Azhden?? (sp?) is, and what historical etc. significance may have led the writers to make reference to it?
Unfortunately, I don't think fans have ever figured that one reference out.
-
Whoa, I don't remember that from the series at all. Does anyone else recall this? It did, however, come up in Charles Delaware Troll's DS continuation, and I know you've mentioned reading them, Amy Jennings Fan.
I also remember reading that in Charles Delaware Troll's continuation, and wondering if it had actually been mentioned in the series. As I recall, it wasn't killing the unicorn that cured him, but the gypsies actually removing the curse. I could be wrong since I haven't watched those eps in a few years, but I'm pretty sure.
If Petofi did mention unicorn blood as a cure for lycanthropy, can anyone provide the episode number?
~Penny Dreadful~
-
Unicorn mythology predates the Christian era. The most significant power attributed to the Unicorn was the ability to cure poisoning. In order to catch a Unicorn, it was believed, one need only leave a Virgin girl sitting in the woods, and the Unicorn would come to her, and lay its head in her lap. The sexual symbolism is fairly obvious.
I'm pretty sure the connection of Unicorns and Werewolves was a DS original.... ::)
-
If Petofi did mention unicorn blood as a cure for lycanthropy, can anyone provide the episode number?
I didn't look in the actual episodes, but I did do a search of RobinV's amazingly detailed Robservations synopses, and the only unicorn references that came up in the episodes appear to be these:
[spoiler]798 - ...
Aristede talks to Victor but Quentin can't hear them. The fact you killed Julianka has nothing to do with me, says Aristede. I would not have had that emotional reaction if you had gotten the hand and kept it, says Victor--we should have been out of here by now. Julianka must have had the hand, Aristede reminds him--why didn't YOU get it from her? Victor grabs his lapels and shakes him, asking, are you criticizing me? No, Aristede assures him, never. See that you don't, warns Victor, infuriated. I'm not complaining, not at all, says Aristede. Do you know what it's like to fall into the deepest sleep you've ever known? asks Victor--and the first thing you see upon awakening is blood on your pillow?--you rush to the mirror and what do you see--not that face you love so well, Aristede, but another face, a gift from the unicorn! Aristede, horrified, begs, "Tell me what to do!" Again, they converse, but Quentin can't hear. Aristede protests, I can't talk to Quentin--he'll kill me! Perhaps that's what I have in mind, says Victor.
...[/spoiler]
[spoiler]801/802 - Quentin holds up Victor's fake hand and presents it back to him. Don't give it back, warns Magda, he is Count Petofi, demon from hell! You're a romantic, says Victor--if I really were who you think, would I let you babble on so? Yes, says Magda, if you did something to me, they would know you are him. If I were Petofi, says Victor, would I be ashamed of it? Magda turns to Quentin and says, 100 years ago, he was a werewolf. Victor laughs. 100 years ago, continues Magda, we cut off his hand as payment for the cure! Quentin looks at the gloved fake hand. Fascinating story, says Victor, and true, I've been informed--I do admit to knowing of the strange, sad story of Petofi, the last recorded man to own a unicorn. Oh, says Magda, you are the only one who could know that. But you know it, too, points out Victor--the saddest morning in the late Count's life was when he awoke after the might of a full moon to find his unicorn had been killed by a wolf. "Just a minute, Count Petofi," says Quentin, citing the one thing that convinced him--the saddest morning of the count's life was when he found a unicorn slaughtered. Werewolves don't remember what they do--I know that, and so do you, from personal experience. Magda warns Q, don't make him madder. Your interruptions, says Victor, are intolerable, the cawing of a mad cat--shall I silence you? Victor bows and says to Quentin, "Count Petofi, sir, at your service." Quentin gives him back his hand. "Quentin, he is dead," warns Magda. A mere conjecture, says Petofi. He's got to be, says Magda. What does it matter? asks Q, I've seen ghosts before. So, you believe her about that, too, says Petofi--how eagerly you believe your own lies, ignoring the truth wherever you can--I'll humor you. He picks up a letter opener. You have seen ghosts, you say? Petofi cuts his face with the letter opener and asks, do ghosts bleed, Mr. Collins?--and you, Madame, have you heard tales around the tribal campfire of ghosts that have blood?--what would a ghost want with a petrified hand?--I've never heard of a gypsy being logical--but try, do try! Urges the Count--only a man would want that hand, says Petofi. Surely you have some explanation for how long you've lived, comments Quentin. I'm not required to give it to strangers, says Petofi, all you need know is that I'm determined to have that hand. We don't have it, says Magda. You have until morning, warns the Count, I still have some powers left, but would hate to use them--I feel a certain kinship for you, Mr. Collins, you make me remember feelings I'd forgotten for a hundred years--I will be at Collinwood for a while, says Petofi. Quentin walks behind him and picks up the letter opener. I think it would be wise for you to decide what you are going to do, advises Petofi. Quentin holds the letter opener aimed at the burly Count. Since you're human, says Q, you can also die!--now, how were you cured--tell me, if you want to live. Petofi smiles broadly.
...[/spoiler]
-
One idea I had, in which I ended writing my first fan fiction, was Barnabas meeting up with a slayer [loosely based on the Buffy/Angel shows]
You know I've often wondered about that. What if Buffy and the gang ended up in Collinwood or Barny etc. ended up in Sunnydale. I also love the idea of Collinwood being on a Hell Mouth. I think there was a fan fic like that. But it sure would explain all of the paranormal activity going on.
-
I think it would have been a neat twist for Barnabas and Julia to meet a visitor from the future--perhaps even a descendant of David or Carolyn--who has come back to 1971 to "change history" and save the family. Knowing from experience that such things are possible, it would be interesting to see whether B and J accept the traveler's story and help her or him to avert the catastrophe, or if they would remain suspicious of the newcomer's identity and motives.
Or maybe a descendant of B&J now that would be a trip. And maybe not even that far it could be a child they have in the future, confirming yau'll too did the diddy at some point.lol Oh just imagine some teen for the 80's, 90's or even the new mill. They don't even have to be teens but young adults (college age) rocker, raver, cyber goth or hell just goth. Now what would they think of that? What the hell is that kid wearing? What the hell kind of language is that? And what are those small things that ring?lol