I was less than thrilled with today's episodes, but I've seen far worse. Maybe it was that I had to watch the show at work and really couldn't concentrate on them wholeheartedly.

Okay, does anyone really believe that Willie sleeps in his pajamas? Apparently he does but I'd've pegged Willie as the kind of guy that sleeps nude. (Wishfull thinking I suppose - YEAH BAYBE!!!)

Willie's "conversation" with Nicholas cracked me up one side and down the other. I think any other character, or actor for that matter, would have played the scene with a trance-like voice. But no, not our dear Willie Loomis. He sounded almost childlike, which I must admit worked very well with those PJs.

While I'm on the subject of Willie...Did you catch Maggie's reference to Willie as being "obscure"? She was speaking to Nicholas, who added that he thought Willie was a little "odd" up here (as he pointed to his own head). I was thinking that Willie is one of the only normal people in Collinsport! Poor Willie never catches a break.

Did anyone find it odd that Willie would go to Maggie to talk to in the first place? I just starting watching the show on Sci-Fi regularly a few days ago so I am wondering if I should really find it odd or not. I think I did catch an episode a while back where Willie tried to ask Maggie out on a date, but I can't be sure it was her, as it appears that she is still dating Joe. If someone can help me out on this I'd appreciate it.

And why Nicholas just didn't wipe out Willie's complete memory of the "conversation" I will never figure out. My first thought after Nicholas told him that he would remember it as just a weird dream was that Willie will eventually mention it to Julia or Barnabas, helping to cement their suspicions about Nicholas. I have seen these episodes before but honestly, I don't remember all the details. Time will tell I guess.

If you would have told me that Roger Davis had a chin to rival that of Jay Leno I never would have believed you.

I rather enjoyed Nick & Angie's scene today when he was explaining to her the whole Barnabas/Adam thang. I admit it was kind of corny but I loved Angie's looks of hopefulness that she might be the woman to give life-force to Eve. And her looks of disappointment when the Nickster kept shooting her down by mentioning other notorious women. When he mentioned some woman's name (that I didn't recognize as familiar) and Ange said, "I hated her!" (or something to that effect). I laughed out loud. It was a priceless quip. And that smug look on her face when he mentioned using the most evil woman that ever lived (sorry I don't remember the exact line) and she was so sure that he was speaking of her. Too much!!!

I had to roll my eyes twice today when both Nicholas and Angelique had to have the meaning of "life-force" explained to them. I mean really. You'd think if anyone would know what a life-force was it would be a witch and a warlock!

You think Maggie got over Joe like real quick or what?

What a treat to see Thayer David as Professor Stokes today. I relished every line he spoke in every scene he was in. I most enjoyed his conversation with Vicki (yes, today I am spelling it with a "c"). I really should try and locate my MPI tapes so I can start quoting lines and conversations. The chatter between Stokes and Vicki about Barnabas' refusal to accept today's modern conveniences was fabulous. And superbly executed.

Jeff Clark is a prick.

I found Joe's stubborn resistance to Angelique quite refreshing and very in character. I love it when characters act as I think they would in a given situation. I get very distracted when what's going on doesn't make a lot of sense to me in the context of the show.

Robert Rodan is quite menacing as Adam, don't you think? That voice! That posture!  Those stitches!!!

I hate Adam.

Dom

I noticed that today when the credits rolled, they started with the production crew and then moved on to the actors. I don't ever recall seeing this happen before.

Before I start blaming JP for this, can anyone tell me if this was a credits blooper? It was very odd.

Just wondering,
Dom

PS - I think it was episode two.

Julia looked great today. Make up and hair were quite becoming. Though I can't imagine the character being vain enough to put that much work into herself. Julia doesn't strike me as the heavy mascara and eye-shadow type. I think of her more as a "take me as I am" type.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of Grayson's scenes today; my favorite being the exchange with Barnabas at the Old House concerning spying on Nicholas by invading his house by the sea. The body language was fabulous as they both seemed to get a kick out of the whole thing with their half-smiles. It was so real, I loved it.

Okay, what's with the gloves? Driving gloves? A fashion statement? It's not winter in Collinsport, is it?  Perhaps gloves were just "in" then, as hats were for men before the Kennedy years. Just wondering.

Dom

If Barn went through all the trouble to have one of the Old House's (many) silver candelabrum smelted into silver bullets to kill Tom, then why on earth did he bring a stake and mallet to finish Tom off in the crypt? He could have killed Tom where he stood and have saved Willie a trip to the dry cleaners.

If Julia was out like a light when Barn carried her into the Old House, why was her head not bobbing about like a buoy caught in the tide? Perhaps it was those rotating bite marks that kept her neck stiff as a board?

Why on earth doesn't Barn have that front room chair cushion re-filled? He's just letting the old house go to pot! Perhaps it is filled with 100% down? Yes, that's got to be it! He should look into Mrs. Johnson working for him part-time to fluff up the cushions.

Has David been giving Liz lessons in hiding from Roger? That scene had me smiling from ear to ear.

Am I the only one who tries to guess the climatic music cues to come? I didn't guess a single one correctly today!

What brand of blush does the old Barnster use?

What on earth was Tom doing to the Barnster moments before he  tried to put the bite on him? 'Twas very interesting, no? Tommy obviously "gets off" on this biting thang. Woof, woof.

Since when has "Woman alone, hurrying home" become an acronym for Prostitute? Barny picks the strangest moments to be a gentleman, and with Willie no less?

Why are most of the candles in the Old House blue? I have never in my life seen a blue candle. They don't seem to go with the decor. I'm serious about this. Is there a particular significance for using this color?

Was Liz wearing that blue velvet dress at Wyndcliffe?

Just wondering...

Dom

Hi All,

Did anyone watch BECKER last night (Monday, July 15th)? There was a gal who so reminded me of Victoria Winters...it was uncanny. I didn't get the actresses name but she would be perfect in the role if it is ever recast. She even acted as Viki might have in the context of the show (Becker). Even the hairdo was right. It was almost like watching Viki getting her first job after leaving the orphanage, I think she even said, "I don't understand" at one point (or something very close to that). Actually it was this comment that made me realize what I was thinking, and it made me laugh out loud.

If anyone here has ties to DC they should mention to him that this girl is the one, IMO.

Anyone else see the show? Agree or disagree?

Dom

PS - The forum spell-check reads that "acted" is not in the dictionary? Am I insane or just an idiot?

Greetings "Cousins",

I Just arrived from "England" a week ago and I am trying out the new forum for the first time. So far, it seems simple enough. My first true attempt was shot down by the browser Goddess - I couldn't get a message body screen to post to. I'm all updated now so we'll see what happens once I press the post icon. I've got a good feeling though.

My name is Dom, I live in California, and I've been a member of three (of four?) incarnations of this forum. I know some of you as dear friends (Hi Marsha! Gurl, you know who you are!) and recognize many handles of which I am most eager to read posts by. And of course I will be happy to "meet" all posters new to me. I tend to post in fits and spurts.

Though I have some faint memories from the Phoenix storyline and maybe one or two original Werewolf eps., I first started watching DS faithfully during the 1897 storyline. I was luckier than most as I didn't have to run very far (school was across the street from home) to catch the show. I have absolutely no recollection of the pre-Phoenix, Intro of Barnabas, 1795, and Adam & Eve storylines though I was familiar with some of the Adam & Eve characters via 16 Magazine and it's fabulous photo's when they started the WHOLE TRUE STORY OF DARK SHADOWS feature. I stuck with DS through 1970 PT (on and off - mostly on), Leviathan, & Judah Zachary (on and off - mostly on) storylines but I have no recollection of the final storyline (1841 PT?) during it's original run. I did tune in for the very last episode of which I had no clue of what was going on. It seemed to signal the start of a new era and the end of an old for me personally. I was about to embark on what was to become a life that would ultimately rival that of Roger Collins! But the less said about THAT the better, lol.

My absolute favorite storyline is the pre-Barnabas era, with 1897 running a very close second and a sentimental favorite. Leviathan is another sentimental favorite. I really like the 1795 storyline and the intro of Barnabas storyline as well.

My favorite characters (now as an adult) are Liz & Roger from the pre-Barn eps. I have a very soft spot for Victoria Winters, Mrs. Johnson, and the original Sam Evans - He was a hoot! I consider Thayer David the most brilliant actor in the cast and all his portrayals absolutely flawless. As a kid, Grayson was numeral uno in my book and I still enjoy all of her roles immensely. Gotta mention Karlan's early Willie Loomis - in a word - superb! I really do love most of the show's characters, sans very few.

DS was not at all a part of my life from 1971 through the late 1980s. All my memorabilia had been tossed out by a family member. First I spied the MPI video's at the local rental store. They started at the intro of Barnabas and the store didn't have many editions and I was in no position to start purchasing them. Besides, the brainwashing of Maggie Evans drove me bonkers! Some time after MPI released the Collector's Series, I found them  in a video store and this time I WAS in a position to buy them. And I did! I was so happy with them that I eventually bought the whole video series (and I'm still paying that bill off!). Then came the glorious day I got a computer. I looked up my first love - the Supremes - and then my beloved Dark Shadows. I made my way to a fan board of witch, (I mean which!), Midnite was the first member of fandom to sincerely welcome me to the fold (thank goodness) and I've been revisiting ever since. Somewhere between buying the Collector's Series and finding on-line fandom, I went to my first DS Fest. in L.A. I didn't know anyone then. But since then I have met some very special (not to mention, exceptional) people through on-line fandom. I first met them face to face at the Vegas Fest. Last night I returned from the Anaheim Fest. where I met some folks whom I hope will become good friends. For me DS fandom has turned out to be a very good place to be.

Cheerio,
Dom