Hi all, had the show on briefly today.  Enjoyed the duelling beehive aspect (Bruno vs. Alexis--who had the biggest hair at Collinwood???)

I realize that as a gay man, I am prone to watch DS in a certain way, but I really found myself wondering--whatever the writer and director intended--whether David Selby, Lisa Richards and Chris Pennock had intended to play the scene in Cyrus' lab today where Cyrus "returns" and "explains" about his "working relationship" with Yeagar, as if Sabrina and Quentin suspected Cyrus of having had a sexual fling with Yeagar that the latter then chose to turn to his own nasty advantage.

Blackmail was a very real force in the typical male homosexual's life in the !960s.  Threats of blackmail, and dealing with the repercussions thereof, feature even in soft core porn novels written for the consumption of the nascent gay communities in the big cities (NYC, San Francisco, Boston, etc.) as well as the more literary productions of the period such as John Rechy's City of Night.

Quentin's expression throughout the scene looked as if he'd lifted a stone and found something foul--a common mainstream straight-male reaction to insinuations of homosexuality then as now.  And Sabrina looked as if she was ready to burst into tears at any moment (which is kind of Sabrina's default setting).  Although I thought Richards brought out an element of anger at one point that felt very real--it seemed as if the penny had dropped and Sabrina was thinking, "so, you neglect me for THIS?"

I know that the text was that Longworth had run into trouble getting illegal substances for his experiments or some similar underworld thing with Yeagar, but the SUBTEXT seemed to turn around "so this is Cyrus' dirty little secret."  I thought Pennock did a GREAT job with both roles today, as well.

I've always enjoyed the symbolism implicit in the names Yeagar and Longworth.  The latter clearly emphasizes the good doctor's unworldly, simplistic moralism.  Yeagar is another spelling of the German word Jaeger, which means "hunter."  Pennock's body language in the role suggests a half-wild beast of prey very much on the prowl.

On another note, poor Damian Edwards, trapped in the leisure suit from Hell for all eternity.  And Nicky thought Cassandra had it bad getting exorcised wearing a purple butterfly caftan.

Gothick

Well, I would have thought that by now, one of my fellow Hall-o-holics would have duly noted the arrival of one of my absolute favorite characters on DS:

Schlachthaus Kommandant HOFFMAN!

aber ja!

Every time I watch these shows again, I'm so grateful to the DS gods (whichever ones dreamed up this idea) for giving us the chance to see Grayson playing something with such understated restraint.

As Hoffman, she is nothing less than "excruciatingly good" as Barbara Steele once stated of Grayson's work on the series.

I believe that a taste of Louis Edmonds' catlike characterization of PT Roger is coming up next week.  Can't wait!  I just adore the scene where he comments to Alexis that speaking of Angelique and Maggie in the same breath is like "comparing a sable to a mouse."  A wonderful line, wonderfully delivered by Big Lou.

Gothick

I normally never listen to the radio, but last night had dinner with a friend in a restaurant where they had the box on, and tuned to an oldies station (which suited us just fine).  Anyhow, I nearly dropped my fork when a certain familiar musical refrain came on and I could hear an announcer advising listeners to tune into Dark Shadows, the famous supernatural soap opera, ever day Monday through Friday!  I couldn't hear well enough to tell whether this was an old commercial from the ABC days (back in the Sixties) or something Sci Fi paid them to run.  The thing is that they also ran a commercial for 60 minutes that sounded old, so I thought it might be something they do on the program.  I'm afraid this is all the info I can provide.

Has anyone else out there heard any radio commercials for the show lately?

Gothick

Well, I had the show on this a.m., beeswing-eyed after my delirious, rained-out weekend in the Vermont mountains (thank the Gods Maria von Trapp did not appear over the hills coloraturing about the Sound of Music, for if she had done, I would have had to brain her with my earthenware phallus, the one with the purple mardi-gras bead choker).  Who should come waltzing in but Nicholas Blair, paying upon a visit upon his dear, OLD, down-on-her-luck-again, OLD buddy, Mrs. Angelique Rumson.  PRICELESS!  see, stuff like this is what always makes me think the Leviathans was the best period in the show's history--certainly the best of all the present-time arcs.  Scenes like this are incredibly rich because of how well writers and actors were able to make use of two years or more of existing subtext.

I do love the use Angelique makes of her little keepsake from Boston.  (Makes note to self--DON'T order any cute little tchotchkes from the Franklin Mint as a hostess gift for Mrs. Rumson's next kaffeeklatsch on Little Windward Island.)

Did anybody else notice that Sky's "burning poker" got a LOT bigger in episode 2 than it had been in episode one.  Hmmm, somehow I always had the feeling that Sky's poker got bigger the longer he gripped it.  Gripped it firmly and with emotion.  Hey, Sky, can I hold that poker for you?  Need me to help you out with that, dude?  Hmmmmmm....

Also glimpsed Camera 2 in the mirror when Sky and Ang were kissing in episode 1.  Not really a very serious blooper since you would hardly have noticed it unless you'd watched the episode several times, as I have done.

Another favorite moment of mine (and, I believe, the MB's as well) is coming up, when Julia finds out about Barn's latest "talk" with Megan.  Can't wait!

Gothick

Well, this a.m. I had the show on again while getting ready for work.  I turned around to see Grayson come in the room and my jaw dropped.  That black coat with the black fur collar and the little touch of color with the scarf has got to rate as one of Julia's most fabou ensembles to date!  She simply SCREAMED glamour!  The coat had kind of a Weimar look to it... the hair of course was the summit of Sixties glamour.

I love the scenes between Julia and Stokes in these episodes.  What a pity Thayer had to take time off again to make a movie (I think that's why he disappears for a couple of months around this point).  I always thought Grayson and Thayer played off one another so beautifully.

Also LOVE the actress who played Mrs. Hutchins.  What was her name?  This is the first of 3 roles she played on DS.  I believe she was in hoDS as Mrs. Pettibone, too.  (One of my pal Nicky's fave characters!)

Gothick

From the montage, I take it that Liz's Leviathan Nightmare was aired today (but maybe it was yesterday).  What did folks think?  Although entertaining to watch, I always find myself clueless as to just how it's meant to accomplish the results of the dream.

Beautiful shot of Joan's horrified face in the funhouse mirror. Even in a state of shock, Liz manages to look stately!

Gothick

Luciaphil, darling,

I'm sure you're very busy these days, but I would *love* to hear your comments on the gorgeous ensemble Judith wore for this latest phase of a certain storyline.

Would have been great if the script had been switched to have Gregory refer to her at some point as the "Scarlet Woman of Babylon," but they clearly weren't that quick on the uptake.

I like to think of it as Judith's "Hong Kong bordello madam" outfit.  Some of the fabric looks like Chinese satin to my untutored eye.

Anxiously awaiting your eagle-eyed verdict,

Gothick

Yesterday (after a busy Saturday attending the latest Peace Rally on the Boston Common, followed up with a zine fair at the Mass. College of Art), I had a couch potato morning watching quite a few of the DS episodes that will be broadcast this week on Sci Fi.

One of my favorite moments was a pair of particularly juicy (almost, one might say, orgasmic) screams from Mr. Quentin Collins.

It reminded me of that "classic" ABC TV Movie of the Week, Scream, Pretty Peggy!  Only the title would have to be Scream, Pretty Quentin.  Such a pretty man, such a pretty mouth.

Hail the Lady, for such a snowy day, it sure is WARM in here.

Gothick