DARK SHADOWS FORUMS
General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '25 I => Current Talk '05 I => Topic started by: Amy Jennings Fan on April 15, 2005, 12:33:45 AM
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I have always wondered if Don Briscoe had decided to stay with the show until its end, if the show would have lasted longer.
Please answer the following questionarre.
(1) What is your favorite Chris storyline or time period?
(2) What would you have wanted for Chris if the character had stayed until the end, or what do you see what the writers could have done.
(3) Who would Chris ultimately end up with if it was your choice?
(4) How did Chris' parents die?
(5) Would the show have lasted or been better in it's final years had Chris been present?
Thanks for answering!
Konnie
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I have always wondered if Don Briscoe had decided to stay with the show until its end, if the show would have lasted longer.
Unfortunately, I think Donald had to leave the show due to some personal problems. I don't believe he actually 'decided' to leave, per se.
(1) What is your favorite Chris storyline or time period?
His first storyline was great. He was such a sad character. Those '68 episodes with him were great. I liked his scenes in the Leviathan storyline as well. [spoiler]I remember seeing the '68 reruns as a youngster and was horrified, but darkly amused, that he killed Mr. Drummond from Different Strokes (Mr.Welles the Innkeeper)! That scene was pretty surreal for someone growing up in the 80s! Heh.[/spoiler]
(2) What would you have wanted for Chris if the character had stayed until the end, or what do you see what the writers could have done.
My heart hopes he would have eventually found a cure for his lycanthropy. That's what I would have liked. I think he would have tried to build a life for himself, Sabrina and Amy. However, he was such a tragic character and given the nature of the series, I realistically think it would have ended badly for him. I don't think it would have played out exactly like Sam Hall outlined though. I speculate someone would have killed him with a silver bullet... But, he'd come back from the dead later of course!
(3) Who would Chris ultimately end up with if it was your choice?
He would have ended up with Sabrina, but he would have killed her eventually. That part of the Sam Hall article, I can definitely see happening.
(4) How did Chris' parents die?
A car accident sounds reasonable. But since it's DS, more ominous goings-on may have taken place...
(5) Would the show have lasted or been better in it's final years had Chris been present?
It would have been great to have him and Amy as part of the Summer 1970 scenario. I don't know if it would have extended the series though. It seems most of the folks behind the show wanted to move on by 1971. Chris would have certainly been a welcome addition to the cast of characters though IMO.
Thanks for answering!
Thanks for asking!
~Penny Dreadful~
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(1) What is your favorite Chris storyline or time period? - I like when he first comes on the show. I love his scenes with Amy (his first scene with her is great), as well as with Barnabas (especially the scenes after Barnabas finds out the secret). I also like his interaction with Carolyn.
(2) What would you have wanted for Chris if the character had stayed until the end, or what do you see what the writers could have done. - I would have eventually cured him, but not without some conflict first. ;) I think I would've had Carolyn find out his secret and have the two of them deal with it.
(3) Who would Chris ultimately end up with if it was your choice? - Carolyn. I don't care for Sabrina, and I thought he and Carolyn would've made a great couple.
(4) How did Chris' parents die? - Don't have any thoughts about it, other than in DS, it could've been something supernatural. :)
(5) Would the show have lasted or been better in it's final years had Chris been present? - I honestly don't think so, even though Chris is a good character.
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(1) What is your favorite Chris storyline or time period?
My favorite Don Briscoe character was Chris Jennings the werewolf, so I would have to say 1968-69
(2) What would you have wanted for Chris if the character had stayed until the end, or what do you see what the writers could have done.
I would have liked to have Chris cured of his curse and also [spoiler]I would have liked to have seen the Jennings' family finally acknowledged as part of the Collins family[/spoiler]
(3) Who would Chris ultimately end up with if it was your choice?
I would have liked him to have ended up with Carolyn, I thought that as a couple they were so cute together.
(4) How did Chris' parents die?
A car crash
(5) Would the show have lasted or been better in its final years had Chris been present?
I think the show might have been better in the final years if Don Briscoe was on it, but I don't think that it would have lasted any longer than it did.
Penthea
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Chris Jennings was a characte that was nice interest of Carolyn but it would had been cursed just like all things in Collinwood.
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(1) What is your favorite Chris storyline or time period?
A: When Chris first comes to Collinsport and eventually befriends Barnabas & Julia, though I wish he was on longer in the 1970PT story. As Chris Collins, family lawyer, he might have been a contender while enjoying a full moon or two.
(2) What would you have wanted for Chris if the character had stayed until the end, or what do you see what the writers could have done.
A: Have him cured of his curse, but not before he attacked someone and made THEM a werewolf - and then he'd have to take on Barnabas & Julia's role as protector (of his victim). Women's lib was happening then: how about a female werewolf on DS?
(3) Who would Chris ultimately end up with if it was your choice?
A: Gothick, Jean-Claude, Heather, Jennifer, Connie, me... oh, you mean who he'd end up with "on the show"?! I wished he'd dump Sabrina, have a fling with Julia, and settle down with Carolyn.
(4) How did Chris' parents die?
A: Hopefully quick and painlessly.
(5) Would the show have lasted or been better in it's final years had Chris been present?
A: Might not have lasted longer, but Briscoe was nice eye candy. Also, storylines like his were simply dropped with little explanation, so it got easier for some viewers to become detached from the show towards the end as the writers played loose with favorite characters.
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What would you have wanted for Chris if the character had stayed until the end, or what do you see what the writers could have done.
My heart hopes he would have eventually found a cure for his lycanthropy. That's what I would have liked. I think he would have tried to build a life for himself, Sabrina and Amy. However, he was such a tragic character and given the nature of the series, I realistically think it would have ended badly for him. I don't think it would have played out exactly like Sam Hall outlined though. I speculate someone would have killed him with a silver bullet... But, he'd come back from the dead later of course!
In Charles Troll's continuation of the series, Chris does find a cure for his lycantrophy.
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In Charles Troll's continuation of the series, Chris does find a cure for his lycantrophy.
That is true, and indeed it was an amazing, great fanfic opus that CDT produced. I loved it and could absolutely visualize everything. For the most part, it really kept true to the series - except for the very end IMO.
Nevertheless, that's CDT's version of what might have happened. I do think Chris might have eventually found a cure, but would have later reverted somehow. Either that, or things would have somehow ended in tragedy. It would follow the pattern of most characters in DS. There's always a longing, tragic quality that follows most them. As much as we wanted to see things work out nicely for our fave cursed family (of which Chris was a member), the writers delighted in having dark things happen to them again and again. I would have loved for Chris to have found happiness and a cure, but you just know it would have been short lived. That's just usually the way the cookie crumbles in the DS world. Plus, who doesn't love a werewolf, eh? AroooOOoo!
~Penny Dreadful~
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I would have liked for him to find a cure for Amy's sake . It's sad to lose someone tou love. :'( The last time she lost someone she loved, she suffered a breakdown and had to go to Windcliff.
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(1) What is your favorite Chris storyline or time period? - I like when he first comes on the show. I love his scenes with Amy (his first scene with her is great), as well as with Barnabas (especially the scenes after Barnabas finds out the secret). I also like his interaction with Carolyn.
I love his scenes with Amy too. I like his fisrt scene with her. I also like when Chris takes her back to Collinwood after her first encounter with the Leviathans and she hugs him and tells him she loves him. I think that was such a sweet scene.
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(4) How did Chris' parents die?
A car accident sounds reasonable. But since it's DS, more ominous goings-on may have taken place...
Sounds like what happened in Harry Potter. His Aunt and Uncle tell him that his parents died in a car accident. But later on Hagrid tells him that his parents were killed by an evil wizard.
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(4) How did Chris' parents die?
A car accident sounds reasonable. But since it's DS, more ominous goings-on may have taken place...
Sounds like what happened in Harry Potter. His Aunt and Uncle tell him that his parents died in a car accident. But later on Hagrid tells him that his parents were killed by an evil wizard.
How convenient!! DS actually HAS an Evil Wizard!! Or didn't they ever call Nicholas Blair a wizard?........ [idontknow]
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How convenient!! DS actually HAS an Evil Wizard!! Or didn't they ever call Nicholas Blair a wizard?........
I think, IIRC, the only time they ever actually identified Nicholas Blair's...er.. magical inclinations was in a scene with Nicholas and Vicki. VIcki accuses Cassandra of being a witch, and Nicholas laughingly says, "If Cassandra is a witch, I suppose that makes me a warlock?" Vicki grimly responds, "Yes."
Count Petofi is actually more the wizard/mage type. There's actually an earlier thread about this subject somewhere.
~PennyDreadful~
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(1) What is your favorite Chris storyline or time period?
(A) Chris had such a fresh sweet face when he first arrived to Collinwood, although behind his eyes you could see his inner torment, what he was going though and trying very hard to handle it by himself, so I must answer when Chris first appeared.
(2) What would you have wanted for Chris if the character had stayed until the end, or what do you see what the writers could have done.
(A) I believe I would have liked for Chris to have sent Amy off to boarding school in England with Elizabeth's help, Sabrina was taken back home by her brother Nate for her own protection. while Julia and Barnabas worked on a cure for Chris... and in the end Julia would find the right hypnotic trance that would cure Chris.
(3) Who would Chris ultimately end up with if it was your choice?
(A) Just to be different I would have love to have seen Chris become fond of then later involved with Maggie Evans after she and Joe split up.
(4) How did Chris' parents die?
(A) Had I been a writer I would have had the Jennings parents die in a stranger fashion then a mere car accident... while driving home from a funeral in Boston they were caught in a freak thunder storm and a bolt of lightening struck there automobile killing them instantly.
(5) Would the show have lasted or been better in it's final years had Chris been present?
(A) Had Don stayed, Dark Shadows would no doubt had been different depending on his role of course, although I doubt it would have lasted any longer.
Thank You Konnie for asking.... :)
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1) My favorite Chris storyline is when he and Sabrina are held by Bruno.
2) A cure for him
3) Carolyn
4)Maybe they was killed by silver bullits
5)I think the show would have been just as good with Chris in it in the final years because I feel Don Briscoe brought alot to the show as an actor.
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Don Briscoe was originally cast in 1840 as Randall Drew.
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Don Briscoe was originally cast in 1840 as Randall Drew.
That's true! I totally forgot about that! I remember reading that years ago (possibly in one of the DS Concordances). It would have been interesting seeing him in that role.
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my favorite was chris jennings but i loved the naughty tim shaw too
i'm with you sandor ;D but i really could care less who chris ended up with
Sabrina did stand by him but she was too whiny for me
i think he would have found a cure with the help of Barnabas,Julia and Quentin
had they returned to 1970. i think with some new young blood as well as old {heeheel} along with don B
the show could have continued think it ended because Dan C became bored with it
i don't know if it was ever mentioned how his parents died
jennifer
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I would have liked for Chris to find a cure his lycanthropy so he could become an architect and have Amy live with him. She did say that she wished she could live with him. She never did like Collinwood because it was too big and gloomy for her.
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It's also interesting that Chris and Amy never got to acknowledge their Collins family blood ties. Technically, they were Jenny and Quentin Collins' great grandchildren. Around 1970, before the parallel time story began, I believe Quentin comforted Chris over passing the werewolf curse onto him, but it was a fleeting scene in the woods that deserved more airtime and poignancy.
Just had a thought: wouldn't it have been juicy if Chris had a secret affair with Elizabeth Stoddard?! And then have Carolyn discover the two of them in a clench?! Soap operas always go for the "mother and daughter sharing the same man" angle, but DS missed the opportunity.
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I think it would have really been fun to have Julia seduce Chris, have a fling, and produce a scandal at Collinwood. (Julia would have been finding herself attracted to him more and more - in the beginning, subconsciously, due to the incident with Tom). Then their would be the whole thing of Barnabas' disapproval - mostly due to jealousy that he's not aware of at first.
Chris and Carolyn were a "nice" sort of couple, but something about the way she was with Chris sort of bugged me. Actually, I don't think she was good enough for him.
Interesting about the Randall Drew thing. He would have been perfect in that role. (Only the role was too short-lived).
;D
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Even if Chris somehow had the curse removed, Amy might still carry the lycanthropy into future generations. It'd be interesting to see a scene where Chris tries to explan to an older Amy why she must never have children! :o
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(1) What is your favorite Chris storyline or time period?
When he first arrived, I liked him and Carloyn together. I thought the scene when he changed into a werewolf was very scary.
(2) What would you have wanted for Chris if the character had stayed until the end, or what do you see what the writers could have done.
I would have liked someone to remove the curse from Quentin, then Chris and Amy wouldn't be cursed anymore.
(3) Who would Chris ultimately end up with if it was your choice?
Julia, then Barnabas could realize that he loved her but it would be too late.
(4) How did Chris' parents die?
In a car crash.
(5) Would the show have lasted or been better in it's final years had Chris been present?
Maybe, you never know.
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I have always wondered if Don Briscoe had decided to stay with the show until its end, if the show would have lasted longer.
Please answer the following questionarre.
(1) What is your favorite Chris storyline or time period?
(2) What would you have wanted for Chris if the character had stayed until the end, or what do you see what the writers could have done.
(3) Who would Chris ultimately end up with if it was your choice?
(4) How did Chris' parents die?
(5) Would the show have lasted or been better in it's final years had Chris been present?
Thanks for answering!
Konnie
1.When Chris first came to Collinsport.....**[spoiler]as a werewolf he certainly spiced things up....attacked Elizabeth, his cousin Joe, Carolyn, Carolyn's friend Donna[/spoiler]....also loved his scenes with Amy, especially the scene where he visits her at Windcliff (that was so sad and touching).
2.I would have to go with Chris finally finding a way to rid himself of the curse or his getting killed by a silver bullet....either way it would have settled Chris' odyssey instead of leaving it in limbo.
3.Carolyn. Never felt he and Sabrina had any chemistry. If he had stayed on I would have liked to have seen Chris and Carolyn get back together (assuming he ever did find a cure to the curse) **[spoiler]after Jeb got killed[/spoiler] and have Sabrina leave town.
4.Maybe have Chris' parents to be victims of the werewolf.
5.Can't say. I certainly would have liked to have seen Chris stay on until the end but I don't know if it would have made
any difference to the show. I doubt it would have.
**Edited by moderator
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I know this is an old topic, but since Chris is one of my favorite characters:
1) My favorite is Chris' initial story line. I thought Briscoe really conveyed the inner torment and anguish of the character and several of the scenes with Amy were very sweet and organic. They really felt like a big brother/little sister.
2) I would have liked to see the Jennings acknowledged as Collinses and for Quentin and Chris to interact more. Even if not on screen, mention could have been made that the two spent some evenings talking. Which brings me to a rather radical thought. Had the show ended in present time, I would have wanted Chris to be cured, via Quentin. As controversial as it may be, I had the idea that Quentin, just as a full moon is rising, destroys his portrait and kills himself with a silver bullet. His sacrifice for his family permanently lifts the curse.
3) Leaving the actress out of it, I can't deny Sabrina was devoted to Chris, so she didn't bother me that much. After a point in the Leviathan era, she was really the only one helping him. It irked me that Julia tried to help Jeb through blood analysis, etc. and all she seemed to do for Chris was lock him in a padded cell at Windcliff. I did like Chris and Carolyn, though. I'm undecided, maybe someone else completely. Perhaps Chris kills Sabrina, which leads to Quentin's actions stated above.
4) I accept the car accident. It happens.
5) The show was already on the decline, but I think Briscoe could have added something to PT. I don't know how much his sudden departure changed the game plan down the line. I was sorry to see him go, but I don't think the show would have lasted longer or been markedly improved if he hadn't.
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[ashamed3] [ashamed3] [ashamed3] [ashamed3][spoiler]lest we all forget that carolyn and chris are related, and don't we already have enough kooky Collinses around? [/spoiler] [easter_shocked]
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(1) I'm going to sidestep the question, I guess, and say that I prefer Tim Shaw. He gets to be snide and sarcastic in a good cause (criticizing Greg Trask), he's dragged through the mud by Trask and Hanley, then unexpectedly gets revenge, he finesses his way out of a murder charge, and he alone manages the Hand. Tim's story is a movie or novel all by itself. Chris Jennings only gets to agonize over and over about being a werewolf.
(2/3) It was of course disappointing that all that effort in 1897 didn't help Chris. We want him cured. I don't know if it would have been better dramatically, though. It's interesting to have gone through all that in 1897, with its being a semi-failure.
I think I like what apparently happened with Chris and Sabrina going away to deal with the curse together. Would Carolyn ever have done something like that? Sabrina is presented as the one who really is devoted to him, and I'm not going to argue with that. Look what she went through, and still, she adjusts and recommits to him. The only change I'd want is to have that part of the story actually shown onscreen, where they commit to each other, and plan their departure and life together (including a sturdy dungeon of some kind...).
(4) Don't know.
(5) Having DB there toward the end wouldn't have made lesser storylines better, but it would have been nice to have him there.