I figured I'd start up one of these talkback threads for the new audio dramas.
**SPOILERS**
I listened to "The Christmas Presence" last night and quite enjoyed it! I'm curious what folks think of the "return" of Professor Stokes?! I wasn't expecting that at all! I thought the actor did an interesting impression of Thayer David's voice with his own twist added. I haven't made up my mind about him yet, but I'm open to hearing what this fellow can do with the character.
I'm a little confused about what this other-dimensional being Stokes accidentally unleashed WAS exactly? It seemed to be a being which fed on people's dreams. Is there a mythological basis for this being or was it something invented by the writer? Clever concept.
My favorite moment in "The Christmas Presence" was a *very* effective scene where this nightmare being offers to reunite Barnabas with Josette. Andrew Collins is really doing a marvelous job in the Barnabas role. I actually had a tear in my eye over his reaction to Josette's name being mentioned and, later on, during Barnabas' visit to her grave. I don't buy that Barnabas would *really* let go of Josette though. I always thought the "letting go" was a sham in the classic series as well. In one way or another, the Barnabas/Josette/Angelique triangle is an essential part of post-Barnabas DS IMO. It always comes into play sooner or later. Back to Andrew Collins - he's retaining aspects of the classic Jonathan Frid portrayal, but is also incorporating other interesting elements into the role. These changes are actually explained within the context of the story. I'm quite sure I'll always prefer the Frid version of the character, but I am enjoying Andrew Collins' version more than both Ben Cross' and Alec Newman's Barnabas.
My second-favorite moment in "The Christmas Presence" is a rather disturbing audioscene which is wonderfully played by Lara Parker and John Karlen. In the scene, Angelique viciously taunts Willie and forces him to recall the horrible things he's seen Barnabas do. Both actors shine here. Angelique is at her most sadistic, and Willie's disturbed shrieks of horror are completely chilling.
David Selby is marvelous as always, though I do wish Quentin would have snuck in a few more snarky remarks. I feel the Quentin in the first audio drama "The House of Despair" was the most accurate rendition of the character since the original series. In that first audio drama, he still possessed some of that "charming," sarcastic quality (albeit tempered by his world-weary immortality). I hope the sarcastic aspect of the character is retained in future audios.
KLS does a good job again with Maggie. Maggie has seen some awful things in that house, and her reluctance to be at Collinwood is played well by Kathryn Leigh Scott. I was not fond of the turkey bit though. That was kind of weird, in a non-scary way. Okay, I'm sure I'd be freaked if a dead turkey suddenly came to life and attacked me, but in the context of the audio drama it came off as sort of funny to me. When Maggie started insisting "The turkey attacked me!!" I couldn't help but roll my eyes and crack a smile at the idea. Maybe it's just me. Guess I've seen too many rubber chickens in my life (but really, IS there such a thing as too many rubber chickens?).
The music is great. It was nice hearing Josette's music box again. And the child CAROLERS - how deliciously creepy !
I still haven't listened to "The Rage Beneath" but am very much looking forward to it! As I've said before, I feel these audio dramas are the best NEW thing to happen to "Dark Shadows" in quite awhile. Give them a try if you haven't done so already! So far the first one is definitely my favorite, but the others have been very good as well.
~Penny~
