DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '25 I => Current Talk '02 I => Topic started by: Donna on April 09, 2002, 11:53:00 PM

Title: How Much Longer???
Post by: Donna on April 09, 2002, 11:53:00 PM
How much longer is the Victoria Winters "witch" trial episodes going to last?? [sleep]

guess I'm getting itchy since I don't have any of the episodes at home on tape.   ;D

Don't get me wrong, I like Alexandra Moltke who plays Victoria Winters, it's just that I'm getting bored with the present "Witch" trial episodes.
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Gothick on April 10, 2002, 12:02:53 AM
Yes, Donna, isn't this part of the story turning into a dreary bore?  Every time folks exalt the 1795 storyline as DS' finest moment, I just remember these excruciatingly prolonged weeks of Roger Davis et al sawing wood in that courtroom set.

I'm afraid there are at least roughly 3 weeks (at the pace Sci Fi airs the series) to go of this.  At least they do take breaks from the courtroom antics to show what's happening elsewhere in town, from time to time. As for the trial, it gets livened up by a special star witness later this week or early next.  Let's just say it'll be an unexpected treat ...

Hope you continue to enjoy the show!

Steve
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Paul on April 11, 2002, 03:10:14 AM
The witch trial is my favorite part of the whole show so far. I am extremely disappointed that Abigal and the other witnesses didn't speak much longer and I wish the lawyers would have had lengthy opening statements. I love trials and have always been fascinated by witch trials throughout the world.  If everybody always agreed with me and felt the same way I did it would be a boring board. I guess for some people the trial is too long and for others it is not long enough. Paul
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Dr. Eric Lang on April 12, 2002, 02:36:43 AM
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The witch trial is my favorite part of the whole show so far. I am extremely disappointed that Abigal and the other witnesses didn't speak much longer and I wish the lawyers would have had lengthy opening statements. I love trials and have always been fascinated by witch trials throughout the world.  If everybody always agreed with me and felt the same way I did it would be a boring board. I guess for some people the trial is too long and for others it is not long enough. Paul

I'm a trial fan too and I'm enjoying the trial scenes. They are certainly lacking for witnesses - one would expect the courtroom to be full of curiosity seekers but naturally no extras were hired for this purpose. (At least in the 1840 trial they had courtroom spectator "sounds.")

I think the dialogue is especially good in the trial, and I'm impressed with the fairness of the judges towards both parties. So far I've been agreeing with all their decisions regarding objections from either side.
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: casper_collins on April 12, 2002, 04:27:56 AM
speaking of legalities.......did they have SEARCH WARRANTS in 1795?????? it just seemed a bit odd hearing that come out of the right reverend's mouth....
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Donna on April 12, 2002, 05:12:42 AM
I didn't mean to sound like I wasn't enjoying the trial scene at all.  It would be better if they would of had more witnesses, having the lawyers object more and so on.  My cousin is an attorney so trials can be interesting.

I think i'm just getting anxious for the storyline to move onward.  I'm anxious for Quinton to come on and more interaction between Barnabas and Angelique (after she becomes a vampire.)  The return of John Karlan too.

All in good time I keep telling myself ....since I don't have any tapes to watch.   :(
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Miles on April 12, 2002, 05:39:07 AM
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I'm afraid there are at least roughly 3 weeks (at the pace Sci Fi airs the series) to go of this.


*Phew* Ya know, for a second there, you had me thinking that they were actually going to drag the trial out for another month, and I was wondering how they were going to pull that off!  I breathed a sigh of relief (at Vicki's expense) when the judges handed out their verdict in today's eps.

As for the trial itself, I didn't realy mind it, though I was a little boggled by the lack of substance.
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Paul on April 12, 2002, 06:09:05 AM
>:( I think the reason I am disappointed in the trial is because, in the 1991 series which I never watched because I  didn't care about it then. I was flipping channels and I saw Julianna McCarthay who I liked on The Young and the Restless on the witness stand as Abigail. She gave a very lengthy, emotional and dramatic testimony. I was hoping this version would have dramatic lengthy testimony also. I seem to remember her going on and on about the carriage accident. Did they show that in the 1991 version? Paul ?!?
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Gothick on April 12, 2002, 04:32:50 PM
Sorry to alarm you unduly, Miles.  What I find REALLY boring are those endless scenes between Peter and Vicki.  They go on till the end of the 1795 storyline. And I'm afraid we haven't seen the last of Peter Bradford, once that is over.

Don't want to spoil the story for you, just warn you of further hair-clutching to come.

Steve
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Julian on April 12, 2002, 07:45:32 PM
It's true, different stokes for different folks, but I have to plead guilty to finding Peter Bradford a very trying character - and it does indeed get worse (if that's possible to believe) in his further appearances.  I really hate to knock Roger Davis (I'm sure he's a very fine person and he's certainly achieved alot more fame and success in life than I have), but another poster (wish I could remember who so I could give the proper credit) made the astute observation once that Davis seemed to act in a vaccum, not truly relating to those around him.  I think that's why Jonathan Frid creates such a great character, even though he has his problems with lines, you can really feel the way he as Barnabas relates to the other characters. The same can be said for many of the other cast membersas well.
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Paul on April 14, 2002, 02:08:52 AM
 :oI like Roger Davis. I think he is a good actor and plays his role well. He is not real slick and suave. He seems an honest actor. I am wondering sometimes when he pauses between words if  it is because of "Method" acting or because he forgets lines. The only two actors I could not  stand were Anthony George and the lady who played Suki. I am a little unclear about what some  posters don't like about Roger Davis. Please explain. Paul  P.S. I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.  :-/
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Cassandra on April 14, 2002, 07:13:14 AM
I agree Donna, it did seem alittle dragged out after awhile. They could have made it a little more exiting. It seemed for awhile there, the only thing you saw was Peter Bradford & Trask screaming & arguing all the time. [argue]
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Luciaphile on April 14, 2002, 04:42:39 PM
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 I am a little unclear about what some  posters don't like about Roger Davis. Please explain.


That remark about acting in a vacuum is brilliant and so completely on target.  

That's part of it.  You often hear actors saying that "acting is reacting" and that so-and-so is such a great actor "because they know how to listen."  I think that's rather true.  Watch somebody like Nancy Barrett and see how she relates to the other actors in her scene.  It looks like she's actually paying attention to them.  I never get that with Roger Davis.

Roger Davis shouts a lot.  Lord, he's so loud some times that I have to turn down the volume on the television.  When Jerry Lacy's Trask does that, it works.  Trask is supposed to be that kind of a guy.  He's a preacher, a fanatic, etc.  It's perfectly valid.  When Roger Davis does it, I get the sense that he's trying to make sure the attention stays focused on him--that or he legitimately thought this was a way to express emotion.  But that's like raising your voice when you're talking to a non-English speaker.  They're still not going to understand you.

And then there's the manhandling of his co-stars.  It's already begun in the way he literally shoves Moltke around.  Wait until we get to poor Lisa Richards.  I swear to God, it looks like he was trying to cop a feel.  In 1897, he pushes Joan Bennett around like she's a mop.  I cannot believe that the directors or the scripts called for that.

Ranting is not acting.  Touching your hair (there's a reason why Midnite and the MB have that little counter at the top of the screen) to express emotion, is not acting.  Physically shoving your co-stars around is just plain mean.  Knowing your lines, is to my mind, important, but it's not the be all and end all of good acting.  There's got to be more there.

Lastly, I never got much of a sense of differentiation in the roles he played (with the possible exception of Dirk Wilkins, and then not even much).  He's always the same guy.

Luciaphil
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Paul on April 14, 2002, 07:04:51 PM
:)  Thanks Luciaphil, I will pay extra close attention to him to see his quirks, I love watching to see if he touches his hair. I love looking for actors' quirks as much as I love looking for bloopers. Please everybody keep on mentioning every actors' various quirks. It will enhance my viewing experience.  ;D
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: ProfStokes on April 14, 2002, 08:39:43 PM
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Please everybody keep on mentioning  every actors'  various quirks. It will enhance my viwing experience.  ;D


Somebody on another forum once mentioned that Nancy Barrett has a habit of sticking out her tongue before saying her line (to me it looks as if she's licking her upper lip.)  I didn't believe her at first, but then she posted a collage of screen captures to prove her point.  Since then, I've been noticing it a lot more.

ProfStokes
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: ProfStokes on April 14, 2002, 08:52:16 PM
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Lastly, I never got much of a sense of differentiation in the roles he played (with the possible exception of Dirk Wilkins, and then not even much).  He's always the same guy.


That's exactly my perception, Luciaphil!  I don't mind Roger Davis as an actor.  The shouting and the hair-touching never registered on me the first time that I watched the episodes, but I felt that he simply went through the motions of the script without bothering to cultivate a particular character.  John Karlen had a variety of differentiated characters that he played with finesse (Willie vs. Carl vs. Desmond, etc.)  I can easily believe that Thayer David is Ben Stokes because he really shows a dedication to the role.  On the other hand, I feel as though I'm simply watching Roger Davis deliver his lines.  That's a separate problem; he's admitted to a lot of ad libbing on the show, and it shows.  He must have flubbed at least half a dozen lines the first day that Nathan Forbes was on the stand.  Davis is a better actor than some of the people who made it on the show, but he's not exactly my favorite.

ProfStokes  
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Craig_Slocum on April 15, 2002, 08:14:05 AM
I am replying to the request that everyone mention every actor's various quirks. Craig Slocum has one that I just love. He moves his hips in a certain way that is sexy. I've seen him do it in both of his roles. A definite enhancement for my viewing experience!
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Raineypark on April 15, 2002, 02:44:31 PM
Okay Craig_Slocum....you win the prize for the most observant fan!!  :D

I'm pretty sure I NEVER watched John Karlen that carefully!!!  [lghy]

Raineypark  ;)
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Carol on April 15, 2002, 06:04:43 PM
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Okay Craig_Slocum....you win the prize for the most observant fan!!  :D

I'm pretty sure I NEVER watched John Karlen that carefully!!!  [lghy]

Raineypark  ;)


Oh, come on, Rainey, everything John Karlen does is worth watching! I still like that scene where JK follows Barn out of the mausoleum in those tight black pants with that hipster walk of his. I love watching his exits! :-*

Carol
(who is now going to take a cold shower)
Title: Re: How Much Longer???
Post by: Raineypark on April 15, 2002, 08:26:29 PM
Okay, Carol.....maybe I HAVE watched that closely [blshy].  

But it's so hot here today on Long Island that I think I'll skip the cold shower and head right for the garden hose!!

Rainey....who knows that it's 40 episodes and counting... ;)
(MB....can we get a smiley that swoons?)