See a super-creepy 'Penny Dreadful' trailer

Showtime just may have a hit on their hands

Well, it's certainly looking like the show is a hit because the ratings came out and Penny Dreadful outdelivered the premieres of both Homeland and Master Of Sex. Plus, 62 percent of the audience was aged 18-49, which is the demo networks love.

Check out: 'Penny Dreadful' Premiere Delivers 1.44 Million Viewers on Showtime

And that's not counting the 900,000 people who sampled the show before the premiere - or the Live + 7 DVR numbers, which quite obviously aren't out yet.

'Penny Dreadful' video: Watch Frankenstein's monster choose a name

Shouldn't that really be Frankenstein's creation rather than monster since there have yet to be any signs that he's monstrous?

And apparently he found some clothes. I guess they didn't want to go with the subtext that would have been unavoidable had he stayed naked. 

Also, can't wait to see what's really happening at the seance with Vanessa(Eva)...

I thought he brought his brother back to life, which I found very moving. I had no intention of watching this (damn it - I think I am hooked) so I missed or forgot any Frankenstein references. The sneak peeks were awesome and I now know everything I never wanted to know about 'Proteus' the Greek/the gentleman/the condition.

'Penny Dreadful' Season 1, episode 2: 'Seance' photos

I caught episode two last night...

this thing is so weird I don't even know what to think about it.

the séance scene was beyond. Eva was almost demonic and it actually recalled to me her final scene in DS. she's definitely in her element here.

and the final few seconds... gross!

I also just watched episode 2 and it is all quite the bizarre concoction.  Art direction seems to wind up trumping performances and storyline; though set in the 1890s, it is very much an artifact of our times.

Simon Russell Beale is too delicious, though.  The scenes with Dr. F and friend were poignantly played but I found the denouement to be gratuitious and garish.  Still, this is what audiences expect.

I do hope to keep watching...

G.

For those who enjoy technical stuff (and who have seen the episode), this featurette reveals how some of the special effects and stunts in episode 2 were accomplished.  Eva Green is not only an extraordinary actress, she's physically also got great stamina and flexibility:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg5XaxTy1qs

G.

'Penny Dreadful' Season 1, episode 3: 'Resurrection' photos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg5XaxTy1qs

I finally got to watch this today. Very interesting how things were shot! Though it comes as no surprise to us that Eva Green is a "very capable and agile actress." 

Thanks so much for posting the link, Gothick. 

Who knows what they have in store for us this week...

Ask Matt: ..., Penny Dreadful, ...
(Scroll down to Question #5. (Can't say I agree with Matt's assessment of NBC's Dracula, though. But hey, no one agrees about everything all the time. And, of course, this isn't the topic to discuss that show.))

Awesome second episode, but the ending went over my head, until viewing ep three. My first instinct was  to pan ep three but I ended up totally engrossed in the Frankenstein stuff -- That s--t was off the f------g hook, IMO. I made myself laugh thinking of the older stage actor who rescues firstborn from the streets as a W.C. Fields portrays Professor Stokes (Stokes rescuing and cultivating Adam) thang. All but one of my TV shows are on hiatus so I am happy I have the time to watch this, I may not have otherwise. I don't look forward to seeing it but when I remember too, I totally enjoy it. And sometimes it's downright awe inspiring.

I continue to find this a very compelling series.  Eva Green's character reminds me so much of Mina as depicted in the LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN comic books (by Alan Moore).  [spoiler]The scene with Ethan Chandler and the wolves in the park was really weird.  I would have liked it better with less hyped-up sound FX though... I think wolves can be very silent... in real life, of course. [/spoiler]

I just have to comment that Josh Hartnett looks really pretty with his clothes off...

G.

speaking of Hartnett's oft-seen derriere G...


if you look at how those scenes are shot you get a closeup of Josh's face followed by a full back view where his face is not at all visible. makes me wonder if there is not perhaps a bit of "stunt butting" going on. is there a "stand in" or double for the actual nudity?

that said I'm sort of having an attitude of attraction/repulsion to this whole sh*tshow. I'm sort of engaged (perhaps it's Green that's drawn me in?) but I can't make heads nor tails of it and cannot imagine where it's possibly going it's so all-over-the-place.

like dom said it's fine summer viewing while most things are on hiatus.

I don't get Showtime and don't want to get involved in something else, anyway.  They have the first episode on their free trial, and I couldn't decide whether to bother.  So, a few days ago  I finally watched it from the OnDemand.  I had never heard of Eva before DS and so it was very interesting to see her in something different.

I had mixed feelings.  It seems to have potential; there were a lot of interesting things, but overall, I don't know that I was particularly wild about it.

Thanks, michael, for those thoughts.  Interesting speculation.  Body doubles have been used for a very long time in films and television so it may well be that you're right.

G.