DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

General Discussions => Current Talk Archive => Current Talk '24 I => Polls Archive => Topic started by: TNickey2003 on November 19, 2005, 04:40:41 AM

Title: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: TNickey2003 on November 19, 2005, 04:40:41 AM
New poll for DS Forums.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Amy Jennings Fan on November 19, 2005, 06:28:21 AM
He perished in the fire never to be seen again.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: PennyDreadful on November 20, 2005, 08:26:02 AM

 Those glasses were outside the cottage!  He barely escaped through his own natural ingenuity.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: MagnusTrask on November 20, 2005, 12:51:48 PM
Meaning, if he had magic up his sleeve, he'd have been able to take his glasses with him?  Okay.

The memory I'd carried around for 30 years until I got DS tapes was that Petofi appeared again in the "present day", and that everyone dreaded that his reattachment to his hand in the present would lead to the end of the world.  It was very disorienting when this never happened on the tapes.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Misa on November 21, 2005, 04:10:52 AM
His glasses were outside, he was wearing them when the fire was started, so he was able to get out. He lost the glasses outside so he must have had some trouble getting out, and because he could hardly see without them he must have stumbled off somewhere. I'm sure that the writers were planning to bring him back again.

It also seemed to me that since he gave Tate his artistic talent back right before the fire, he also must have taken it away later. Otherwise Tate would have still had his talent and wouldn't have become a mediocre artist.

Misa
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: BuzzH on November 21, 2005, 04:14:00 PM
The memory I'd carried around for 30 years until I got DS tapes was that Petofi appeared again in the "present day", and that everyone dreaded that his reattachment to his hand in the present would lead to the end of the world.  It was very disorienting when this never happened on the tapes.

I have a similar tale.  I could have SWORN, from watching DS on Public TV in the '80's, that there was a scene during the 1968 plotline where Julia asks Barnabas just who Cassandra really is, and he says, "I was married to that woman!" and Julia does her FACE and bats her lashes etc...

I have never seen that scene on the tapes or the DVD's.  I guess I dreamt it.  ;)
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Gothick on November 21, 2005, 04:52:44 PM
Quentin's search for Count Petofi was mentioned in Sam Hall's famous 1971 TV Guide article, derived from his own notes for possible ways the plot could have continued after the PT 1841 storyline.

Several fan fiction writers (including, I believe, Dale Clark in a well-known series of small press novels) have written scenarios that involved the Count's return.  I even started one (but failed to get very far with it).

I'm quite sure that Petofi would have survived the events at Tate's cottage.

G.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: MagnusTrask on November 22, 2005, 08:06:17 AM
I have a similar tale.  I could have SWORN, from watching DS on Public TV in the '80's, that there was a scene during the 1968 plotline where Julia asks Barnabas just who Cassandra really is, and he says, "I was married to that woman!" and Julia does her FACE and bats her lashes etc...

I have never seen that scene on the tapes or the DVD's.  I guess I dreamt it.  ;)

Someone only just recently on another board pointed out to me the thing with Julia and her eyelashes.    Hit my forehead like I wanted V-8 or something.    Of course she does that... I just hadn't consciously noticed it till then.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Brian on November 23, 2005, 01:42:45 AM
I always thought Petofi escaped the fire by using his powers to go into a parallel band of time, where he stayed until he was ready to come back to this band of time.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Charles_Ellis on November 23, 2005, 06:13:12 PM
I heard years ago from someone that used to be in DS fandom (circa 1985!) that Thayer David himself had told one of the "studio kids" outside ABC-TV Studio 16 in late '69 not to be surprised if the Count came back to the present!  I believe that this may have been the writers' original plan: after all, Angelique followed Vicki to 1968 from 1796, so why shouldn't the Count do likewise once 1897 wrapped up?  But someone had made the fateful decision to read H.P. Lovecraft and use those Cthulu stories as the basis for the next DS storyline.  I've always wondered which one of the DS writers came up with the idea for Leviathan- does anyone know????  Sam Hall is still alive, as is Violet Welles.  Not having the show's most memorable male villain return for an encore was a very bad decision, and we know what happened next......
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on November 23, 2005, 07:21:55 PM
But someone had made the fateful decision to read H.P. Lovecraft and use those Cthulu stories as the basis for the next DS storyline.  I've always wondered which one of the DS writers came up with the idea for Leviathan- does anyone know????

According to Sam Hall, the decision to do Leviathans was all DC's idea, against the writers' vehement objections.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Misa on November 23, 2005, 07:42:56 PM
I really didn't like the leviathan story, it made everyone under the power of the box seem like zombies, and wasted the potential of all the characters. I would have loved to have had Petofi show up again.

Misa
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Gothick on November 23, 2005, 08:58:13 PM
I don't think I'd call LeviaLiz a "zombie."  A latter day Lucrezia Borgia is more like it! I just loved Joan Bennett's portrayal of the character as a truly depraved socialite.  And when she enthuses to Barnabas and Megan about welcoming Roger and Carolyn into the "club," it's a fabulous moment.

But perhaps the best of all is having David reprimand "Elizabeth" for her failure to carry out a certain assignment--and Liz takes it!  David's parting shot about making everything OK with Barnabas adds to the general hysteria of the moment.

Other juicy moments are little LeviAmy quietly, methodically torturing Quentin, Maggie, and Willie in various scenarios.

Nope, no zombies in THAT crew, that I can see!

cheers, G.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Misa on November 24, 2005, 07:50:17 PM
Your'e right Gothick they weren't zombies. I guess I should have said that they reminded me of the Invasion of the Body Snachers, but with more emotion. They just weren't quite themselves.

Misa
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Josette on November 25, 2005, 07:44:05 AM
But perhaps the best of all is having David reprimand "Elizabeth" for her failure to carry out a certain assignment--and Liz takes it!  David's parting shot about making everything OK with Barnabas adds to the general hysteria of the moment.

That was a marvelous moment.  I had forgotten about it.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: MagnusTrask on November 26, 2005, 09:47:00 AM
According to Sam Hall, the decision to do Leviathans was all DC's idea, against the writers' vehement objections.

Someone invent a painful groan emoticon, and place it here.     What might have been.   Too depressing to think about.   If DS had been a ship, the writers could have mutinied.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: BuzzH on November 28, 2005, 09:15:09 PM
I really didn't like the leviathan story

You're not alone Misa, most fans despise this plotline.  There was even a gag in one of the Collisnport Players skits when Barnabas remarks that David's children grew up so fast and how was it possible etc...Julia says, "You obviously *didn't* see the Leviathon plotline!" and he quips back, "Who did?!"
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Gothick on November 28, 2005, 09:37:21 PM
I have to respectfully disagree with the statement that "most fans" despise the Leviathan storyline.  I happen to know several who regard it as a high point (note, please, that I said "A high point", not "THE high point") of the series.

I am not trying to be difficult. I just dislike being told what is supposed to be admired, and what despised.

G.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: BuzzH on November 28, 2005, 10:17:54 PM
I just dislike being told what is supposed to be admired, and what despised.

I don't believe I *did* tell anyone that Leviathan should be admired or despised.  I merely pointed out what I've learned from being in fandom the past 16 years, and that is that a huge score of fans, many of whom I've met and spoken to personally, have said they don't like this plotline, hence the crack from the CP, which btw got a HUGE laugh when it was uttered by Jeff Thompson (playing Barnabas).

I never said, nor intended to imply, that Leviathan sucked and everyone should hate it, or that it was wonderful and everyone should love it.  I don't tell ppl what to think about the various plotlines, only what *I* think of them.  I think everyone here is old enough and intelligent enough to make up their own minds about these things.

I've never seen the plotline myself but have recently purchased and read Kathleen Resch's concordance and it didn't seem that bad to me.  I'm actually looking forward to watching the DVD's of it.  Just a piece of advice, you should really READ the post you're commenting on before assuming the poster said, or meant something, they clearly didn't.   ;D
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: MagnusTrask on November 29, 2005, 05:25:34 AM
I have to respectfully disagree with the statement that "most fans" despise the Leviathan storyline.  I happen to know several who regard it as a high point (note, please, that I said "A high point", not "THE high point") of the series.

I am not trying to be difficult. I just dislike being told what is supposed to be admired, and what despised.

There's no shame in liking a storyline that the majority doesn't.    As I understand it, the majority doesn't like the Leviathan story.    That's not to say that they are correct in this, or that there is anything wrong with liking that storyline.    But I believe Buzz is accurate in saying that most don't like it.    You can't fault someone for saying something that happens to be true, or that he believes to be true, at least.

I don't like it.   After the dense interconnected inspiration of 1897, the slowing down to a crawl of the Leviathans was a real let-down to me, and CP wasn't a welcome addition at all.    Though I intend to peruse his comic books at some later date.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: BuzzH on November 29, 2005, 04:19:53 PM
There's no shame in liking a storyline that the majority doesn't.    As I understand it, the majority doesn't like the Leviathan story.    That's not to say that they are correct in this, or that there is anything wrong with liking that storyline.    But I believe Buzz is accurate in saying that most don't like it.    You can't fault someone for saying something that happens to be true, or that he believes to be true, at least.

I don't like it.   After the dense interconnected inspiration of 1897, the slowing down to a crawl of the Leviathans was a real let-down to me, and CP wasn't a welcome addition at all.    Though I intend to peruse his comic books at some later date.

Thank you MT, totally my point.  I for one LOVE 1841 PT, it's my favorite in fact, tied w/1795, yet almost everyone I come across in fandom, either at Fests or online, say they HATE 1841 PT because they didn't care about the characters, or they thought it was boring, or the very justified fact that the show ended w/this plotline and we never got to see what happened w/Barnabas and company.  But Wuthering Heights is my favorite book, and the fact that that book inspired this plotline, w/Shirley Jackson's The Lottery (another fave of mine) thrown in, is it any wonder I wouldn't love this plotline?  ;)  I have no prob w/ppl hating it and am not embarrased that I love it.   ;D
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: michael c on November 30, 2005, 01:54:23 AM
funny,

since i've been watching the show from episode one i always looked at 'leviathan' as something in the distant viewing future.a late storyline i could simply choose not to watch when the time came.

but since i'm currently watching the 1897 storyline leviathan looms as a reality and i just know i'll watch it.
to tell you the truth i'm sort of looking forward to it.as much as i like 1897 i prefer the 'present time' episodes.i just like those characters.since i've always heard negative(not all negative ;))things about the leviathan storyline my expectations for it aren't that high so i'll just watch it on it's own terms.

after the highs of the 1795 storyline i had a bitter pill to swallow with the adam story.some who have been here for awhile might remember how upset about it i was at the time ::).so i really don't think i could find another storyline more disappointing.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: murph on November 30, 2005, 03:56:24 AM
Hi mscbryk,

Having seen the entire run of the series, the one I personally disliked the most is 1968, after 1795 and right before the Quentin hauntings.  I can go crazy with the inconsistencies that each story line has but 1968 for the most part just dragged on and on and on...IMO

The Leviathan while certainly not my favorite has many good elements in my opinion.  I also found many good things to like about 1970PT, 1995, 1840-41 and 1841PT.  1970 regular time dragged a lot for me because it focused so heavily on David and Hallie.

Just my opinion............I know there are many that disagree with my tastes but that's what helps to make this forum interesting.

Murph :) :)
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: MagnusTrask on December 01, 2005, 06:05:18 AM
The Leviathans seemed totally new to me a couple years ago.  I remembered nothing about it from childhood.    The start of it struck me as one of the most fascinating things I'd ever seen, but mainly because I was wrong about what I thought I was seeing, and was filling in the gaps myself I guess.    One thing i was right about, though... they jump upward in scale with this story.    It isn't just Collinwood and the lives of local relatives at stake.    It's the world this time.     That may stretch credulity-- why Collinsport, Maine?  Because Collinsport has a TV show?-- but to move the show forward, I did get the feeling, watching the tapes, that they'd have to increase the scale of the story.   Then it happened.

When I was wrong about the nature of the Leviathans (when/where they were from) it got less interesting for me.    I say this to try to prevent false expectations based on the opening of the storyline.    It was a big let-down, and if I hadn't had my imagination soaring in the wrong direction, maybe what followed would have not disappointed me so much.

Parallel 1841:   That husband of Catherine's was annoying as hell to me.    I came to hate watching it because of him.   I don't know why.    I don't claim that's a valid criticism or anything.    Maybe his suit was too blue.   Maybe his rug was too puffy.    Maybe it's that he was yelling and complaining and blustering around all the time... and yet didn't have much expression in his face.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: BuzzH on December 01, 2005, 03:53:06 PM
Parallel 1841:   That husband of Catherine's was annoying as hell to me.    I came to hate watching it because of him.   I don't know why.    I don't claim that's a valid criticism or anything.    Maybe his suit was too blue.   Maybe his rug was too puffy.    Maybe it's that he was yelling and complaining and blustering around all the time... and yet didn't have much expression in his face.

Totally agree, LOVED Keith Prentice, HATED Morgan!  The way he treated Catherine...I wanted to kick his ass!!   [santa_angry]  I kept hoping that Bramwell would tell him that if he didn't stop mistreating her, *he* was gonna kick his ass!

[spoiler]Oh wait, he *did*!  When he objected to their marriage, he puts Morgan on the floor and knocks his arrogant ass out!   [santa_grin]  She was much better off w/out him and I laughed hysterically when Bramwell and Kendrick throw him off the roof of Collinwood in the last episode!   [santa_evil][/spoiler]

BTW, that wasn't a rug, that was his real hair, LOL!  He *did* look like Prince Valient didn't he?   [santa_tongue]
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Raineypark on December 01, 2005, 03:58:40 PM
Parallel 1841:...... Maybe his suit was too blue.   Maybe his rug was too puffy.    Maybe it's that he was yelling and complaining and blustering around all the time... and yet didn't have much expression in his face.

What an interesting observation.....no expression of passion.  He only wanted Catherine as an object he could possess.....not love or desire.

No, M/T....the real problem with Parallel 1841 is that it was based upon "Wuthering Heights", the single worst novel ever written in English.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: BuzzH on December 01, 2005, 04:09:43 PM
What an interesting observation.....no expression of passion.  He only wanted Catherine as an object he could possess.....not love or desire.

Very true!  Bramwell even says, I think in the first FULL 1841 ep, to Catherine, "He doesn't love you!  He only wants you because he doesn't want me to have you!"

No, M/T....the real problem with Parallel 1841 is that it was based upon "Wuthering Heights", the single worst novel ever written in English.

Okay, now you got my IRISH up!  LOL!  Worst novel ever?  Are you kidding?!   [santa_smiley]  It was a WONDERFUL novel.  Filled w/angst and unrequited love etc...A true "tragic" romance.   [santa_wink]  I love the line from the book where Heathcliff's wife says to him, after Kathy has died and he's mourning etc..."Heathcliff, why don't you go lie on Kathy's grave like a faithful dog?"  LOVE IT!   [santa_thumb]
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Bob_the_Bartender on December 01, 2005, 05:26:21 PM
Quote
No, M/T....the real problem with Parallel 1841 is that it was based upon "Wuthering Heights", the single worst novel ever written in English.

Sorry to disagree, Raineypark, but you've obviously never read Don Imus' paean to himself, "God's Other Son."

PS There is absolutely no truth to the nasty rumor, that the I-Man looks as "craggy" as the late, great artist Charles Delaware Tate did at the venerable of age 99! [grim]  [santa_evil]
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: Raineypark on December 01, 2005, 08:29:35 PM
Sorry to disagree, Raineypark, but you've obviously never read Don Imus' paean to himself, "God's Other Son."

Don Imus?  Who's Don Imus?.....[vryevl]

Actually, I've already had this discussion about "Wuthering Heights"  once before on this forum.  Mark Rainey and I agreed that the novel is a waste of the paper it was written on..... [santa_wink]
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: MagnusTrask on December 03, 2005, 07:47:25 AM
I've never heard anyone saw W Hts is bad, before.   It's just one of those things you figure is great even when you've never read it.

Didn't Monty Python do a version of WH performed entirely in semaphore?   I've seen that version and enjoyed it.

Don Imus is a poor man's Howard Stern, right?


Was WHts the place where we get the expression about waiting for one's ship to come in?   That stands out for me anout parallel 1841, Bramwell always literally waiting for his ship to come in.   That and his horrible ratty coat.
Title: Re: The fate of Count Petofi
Post by: BuzzH on December 05, 2005, 05:32:11 PM
That stands out for me anout parallel 1841, Bramwell always literally waiting for his ship to come in.   That and his horrible ratty coat.

God, were his threads HORRIBLE or what??!!  Made me want to cry when he'd have to stand near his cousins in those clothes and they were dressed to the 9's!  But, after his ship comes in (what was he going to be anyway, an import/export guy?) and he's dressed for Daphne's funeral, now THOSE were some pimpin' clothes.  He cleaned up good!  But then, Frid always looked better in the period clothes anyway, especially 1897.   [santa_azn]