I started this thread as a new post under Birdie's Random Thoughts, but as I began typing away, it seemed that my random thoughts seemed to diverge quite a bit, so I thought they merited a separate thread ...
These are just random thoughts that I've had accumulating over the last couple of weeks -- the ones I still remember, anyway!
First ... Istvan! Wasn't able to post anything when he was on, but I didn't want to let his appearance go by unnoticed. I think it's really sad that the actor was never credited, I imagine because it wasn't a speaking role. Rather ironic since he actually had as much to do as many other principal performances on the show. I saw this actor in another movie once where he also played the "heavy." If my name weren't already Vlad, I might have changed it to "Istvan." (We have the exact same build, too!)
This may be the time to mention "The Picture of Dorian Gray." There may be new viewers or forum members who haven't known -- the portrait of Quentin was inspired by this fantastic short novel by Oscar Wilde. Dan Curtis directed a production of this in the 1970s that's available on video from MPI.
The Rectory -- ah, one of my favorite sets, or at least it will be once we see more of it. I'm glad to be back at this point of 1987 where Barnabas and Julia (and soon, Angelique) will have their base of operations in this parsonage. One thing I can't understand is why they never showed an exterior for this building. Surely they could have come up with a delightfully Gothic exterior slide! It's also puzzling that they never explained anything about it other than the mention that it's "old" and located on Pine Road. But then they didn't provide an exterior or background for Petofi's base either, the "abandoned mill."
Speaking of the devil, Barnabas told Julia that Count Petofi had threatened to destroy the entire Collins family. Am I just not remembering this? When did Petofi make such a threat? Incidentally, there seemed to me more mangled and non-sensical lines in that scene in the rectory between Quentin, Julia (in shock on the bed), and Barnabas ...
David's "resurrection" ... in addition to the interesting theme of resurrection in these past few episodes ... it's lucky that they hadn't embalmed David ...
About those light fixtures on the wall .. sconces, aren't they? Are those actually functional, or is the flame/light artificial? Are they gas lights/lamps?
Last but not least ... Quentin's room. This time round, I've been noticing a lot more of Quentin's room. In fact I'm so entranced with it that I fantasize the possibility of recreating such a room some day when I'm rich, own a house, have a lot of time, etc. (I'm sure that day is just on the horizon
).
Anyway, do any of you set decorators out there have any helpful descriptions or comments about Quentin's room, its furnishings, or its accessories? The wallpaper, of course, looks authentically Victorian, as I assume the scattered chairs and tables also are.
But that post that appeared in the center of the floor -- did that serve any function other than as something for Quentin to be manacled to? I rather doubt we'll be seeing that hitchin' post again ...
One thing I've been noticing is all the "black" sculptures -- they seem to be multiplying on all the sets. First Quentin had the handsome buck on the mantle of his fireplace, now there seems to be a racoon or some other animal made of the same material on a small table in the center of the room, and similar-appearing sculptures in the Rectory and elsewhere ... Does anyone know if these are real or what they're made of?
Has anyone stopped to wonder where Quentin's bed is located in his room? How many rooms does he have ... I have the feeling that this is a "suite" especially now that we're seeing more of the antechamber outside its room, which is handsomely appointed with its own fireplace, bookshelves, paintings, etc.
