Fashion notes first . . .
Just wondering. Why does Willie wear his windbreaker indoors? Drafts?
Liked Maggie's blue short-sleeved dress with the striped detail. Think it served to delineate her figure so she wasn't swimming in the dress. KLS was a twig! Also have noticed that her hemlines are beginning to make their upward climb.
Hated the bright green sleeveless dress they had KLS in. The color was great; the cut was not and the fabric looked very cheap.
Okay, Josette
I know you like the solid white frock of Angelique's, but to me it shall ever be her most heinous, scary, evil dress. My chief problem with it is that I don't think it's very flattering. The gathers which go like two different ways make Parker look dumpy, and she wasn't dumpy. That and the lighting guy had her looking green as well. Mr. Spock and Kermit the Frog should be green; the cast of DS should not.
Yuck to Vicki's gray pleated skirt.
And Carolyn's most singularly unattractive outfit makes its debut. I am thankful that after one or two more episodes it goes into the void. I speak, of course, of the taupe dress. Again with the atrocious cut and the color is beyond ick. Completely washes Barrett out, and why did she choose to go sans brassiere for this one. Not a smart idea.
And lastly, I turn my attention to La Bennett. On the night when we see her clearing out her wardrobe, we first are treated to her in a teal robe. It's very fetching. Presumably a few hours later, she's changed this for an icky Queen Mother powder blue nightgown and robe. And then magically--she awakes in a fuschia striped number. Now, I love the last. I like how the fabric hangs in back and it's a great color on her, but what is this? Parallel time wardrobe?
Onto the shows . . .
The Tom bites Julia scene was very sexy . . . until Don Briscoe chose to cross his eyes.
Hehehe Julia doesn't want to share with Liz (okay, okay, the more conventional interpretation is that she was concerned for Elizabeth's well-being, but mine is more fun, admit it).
These episodes were much more enjoyable for me. One of my favorite scenes is the one where Willie is standing there snickering to himself while Barnabas comes up with all these reasons why he's worried about Julia.
"You're acting like some man whose secretary is missing."
Very nicely done. I'm not a B&J adherent much, but like it or not, Julia and Barnabas do share a relationship of sorts--platonic, not-so-platonic--there's something there and it was nice to see acknowledgement of that.
Liz and her death obsession. Yawn. I so don't care. I have to admit though she's right about Barnabas not knowing much about Roger. And in a way, it'a an appropriate curse that makes a good deal of psychological sense as far as the character goes. Elizabeth is probably afraid deep down that she's "buried" herself by having shut the world out for nearly 20 years. But good God, it's so bloody tedious.
Liked the struggle between Tom and Barnabas, which was suitably dramatic, or would have been if Briscoe had not been so hammy.
No one seemed surprised when Elizabeth shot up from behind the arm chair which seems kind of odd. I mean, she's not a child. If I saw a 50+ year old matron popping up from behind the Chesterfield, I think that would rate a jaw drop or two.
Also loved the scene between HAA and Grayson Hall. The verbal fencing was a joy to hear and there was just the right amount of tension. About bloody time the writing started to improve.
Holy speedy recovery! It was remarked upon in the main forum, but here's my two cents. You would think that it would take longer than 24 hours to replace the drained fluids without benefit of a transfusion. But hey, Julia is set up for electricity, maybe she ordered some blood when she bought the generator
As far as the debate over Nicholas Blair and his involvement in the mess goes. It was refreshing to see Julia, at least, using her mind and pointing out a few facts to Barnabas. Am I right in thinking that this little interlude with toothsome Tom restored some of her brains?
Maggie, Maggie, Maggie. Is it possible for someone to have held a job as a waitress, experiencing the worst of humanity (and I thought retail was bad) and not have developed a fairly accurate sense for when someone is hitting on her? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce the reason behind Mr. Blair's "kindness" and "generosity" as well as the fact that this is just not the sort of man that commonly is referred to as "kind."
Also remain deeply puzzled as to the reluctance to take the two grand for the painting. In the first place, Sam did once command that kind of a price--that's what Barnabas paid to have his portrait painted. In the second, I do believe that the value of an artist's work typically goes up after their demise. Aside from that, let's consider:
1. She has no discernible form of income.
2. She's engaged to be married to a working stiff and presumably any kind of money would be welcome.
3. Sam doesn't strike me as the kind of guy to leave behind a healthy little nest egg.
4. Bills must be coming due (mortgage, utilities, food, groceries, the tab at the Blue Whale).
With those sorts of pressures, I would say you smile politely the minute some sucker offers to buy a painting, take the money, and you run to the bank. Again, not rocket science.
And speaking of Maggie's boyfriend. I've always wondered. What effect do you think distance would have on the power of the vampire? They always talk about running far away in the vampire stories, but no one ever actually does. Let's just say that oh, Joe someone finds the cash (and I know he wouldn't have it, but hypothetically speaking) and while he's got the will power, gets on a plane that's going to I dunno, Canberra or say, Abilene. And the plane takes off and gets wherever.
Meanwhile there's Angelique who's hardly the sharpest knife in the drawer, these days either. By the time she figured out why Joe wasn't answering, what exactly could she do? I dunno. Just a thought.
More things that should make Maggie go hmmm. Nicholas Blair shows up at like 4AM with the vaguest of excuses. Honey, get a clue. I wouldn't blame her for ditching Joe, but it's pretty obvious why Blair's there.
As far as Joe goes (and Crothers is really amazing with these performances, btw), it's also painfully obvious that the guy's problems go a lot deeper than another woman. Cheating men typically don't appear this tortured and don't act that erratic. I can see why Maggie would give him the old heave-ho (and I mean this in the kindest way--but her father's dead. She is at a crossroads. Maybe it's time to say sorry, and move on), but my first thought here as to what's wrong would be mental illness, not another girl. But then I did say that Maggie wasn't that bright.
Some nice dialogue here. Angelique seems kinda mystified as to why Joe keeps fighting her. It's sort of like watching a sociopath trying to figure out why some people bother with things like laws and codes.
I have to say that Lucretia Borgia is a better choice for most evil woman in history than Elizabeth Bathory (although revisionist historians might disagree).
Jeff is just one creepy human being. I'm just saying.
Poor Adam. I felt distinctly sorry for him as Jeff the self-righteous ass was ragging on him "you were made of dead bodies, nananana."
Roger is a total shadow of his former self. How he (or any other sentient being) could refer to Jeff as "presentable" is beyond me. And I cannot believe that he would want Jeff at the cannery (unless he was envisioning a nasty accident with the sardine equipment
) And what kind of a ditz has no idea what kind of work her fiance does?
I loved Liz's indignation that Richard Garner wouldn't come to the phone at 3AM to discuss her burial arrangements.
Oh dear, Stokes is a Freudian. This is the first negative thing about him, but it's kind of a biggie. Did enjoy Adam taking Carolyn to task for the obvious deficiencies of her education.
Too bad that they didn't do more with Tony. I thought Jerry Lacy had nice chemistry with Nancy Barrett. He was an edgy character and I also liked the baggage he brought with him. Oh well.
Luciaphil
