COLLINWOOD SURVIVOR GAME

[Happybat]

He's worse for wear, but he's a SURVIVOR!

Well, a survivor of sorts perhaps but he is still subject to the B-man's fits of pique and the ever-present "Willie-beater".  And you never get the idea that Willie has much of a life outside of the Old House.  

My vote goes to Professor Stokes, who has always kept his head when everyone else has fallen to pieces.  One reason for this may be the fact that he lives away from Collinwood and the Old House, and that he clearly has a life apart from all the crazy, supernatural goings on.  His is the voice of reason in the chaotic, unpredictable world that is Dark Shadows.  If I were to choose one ally in the DS universe, I think I'd choose the good Professor.  

Of course, one can argue that the only way to stay sane is to stay away from Collinwood as much as possible, although that hasn't helped Joe Haskell or the Jennings brothers very much.

As for Julia, she is a survivor too, but her emotions are too tied up with Barnabas for her to have done quite as well.  At one point she is even becomes one of Barnabas's victim's, bite marks and all!
Ah, the things we do for love!  

Mrs. Johnson has fared better than many of the others, but even she has been scared out of her wits from time to time.



POSSIBLE

SPOILER:



In the end, one can argue that the biggest survivor of all among those at the DS epicenter, is Barnabas Collins, who has weathered vampirism, monsters, Leviathans, possession, curses, parallel time lines and emerged perhaps still a bit eccentric, but ultimately human.  

[Craig_Slocum]

 Harry .. he hardly counts.

He sure counts with me or I wouldn't be here!

[VAM]

He sure counts with me or I wouldn't be here!

I know Cheryl that is why I put Harry on the list!:)

[Craig_Slocum]

I know Cheryl that is why I put Harry on the list!:)

Thanks VAM!  

[Happybat]

VAM,

I just wanted to thank you for once again coming up with an intriguing discussion topic.  I'm simply amazed at your inventiveness!

[VAM]

HappyBat,

Thanks...As long as everyone is having fun, so am I!

[Raineypark]

Well, a survivor of sorts perhaps but he is still subject to the B-man's fits of pique and the ever-present "Willie-beater".  And you never get the idea that Willie has much of a life outside of the Old House.

So, let's see....Willie not only survives the various supernatural horrors that visit Collinwood on a regular basis, but also the very human horrors of being Barnabas' slave.....AND he survives being shot by the police....AND he survives Wyndcliff without ending up any crazier than he was when he got there.....AND he manages all this survival with greater moral clarity and character....but he doesn't qualify because he doesn't get out much?

What, exactly, does Julia's life outside of the old house consist of?

The single best 'survivor' in the whole bunch is Barnabas, of course....he usually comes out without so much as a wrinkle in his Saville Row suit.

Rainey

[Happybat]

So, let's see....Willie not only survives the various supernatural horrors that visit Collinwood on a regular basis, but also the very human horrors of being Barnabas' slave.....AND he survives being shot by the police....AND he survives Wyndcliff without ending up any crazier than he was when he got there.....AND he manages all this survival with greater moral clarity and character....but he doesn't qualify because he doesn't get out much?

What, exactly, does Julia's life outside of the old house consist of?

The single best 'survivor' in the whole bunch is Barnabas, of course....he usually comes out without so much as a wrinkle in his Saville Row suit.

My picks are from VAM's list.  

Well, Rainey, if you call anyone a survivor who lives through a plethora of supernatural afflictions and horrors on DS, I guess a number of DS denizens would qualify, not just Willie.  Perhaps the question then should be "who is NOT a survivor?" for there are a lot fewer of those.  

I hardly consider being someone's slave a good example survival on Dark Shadows!  

I would rank the foremost survivors as people who not only survive, but have some quality of life too.  Julia is a survivor, and although she is frequently a slave to her affection for Barnabas, she at least has the ability to leave Collinsport if she wants to.  Also, she is still attached to Wyndcliffe - which a number of DS characters came out of quite sane, BTW - so we know her life doesn't necessarily begin and end at the door of the Old House.  Finally, she seems to have established friendships of a sort with not only the Collins family but with Professor Stokes as well.  Apart from maybe Barnabas and Julia, how many friends does Willie have, I wonder?  

Ultimately, who knows how well Willie has survived by the show's end?  Given the intense speculation about various characters and their personal lives, it may well be that Willie ends up staying on (if he does stay on) due to his affection and loyalty to Barnabas and not because of the slave curse.  I am just basing my opinions on what I've seen on the show.  

BTW, what I said about Willie was in no way intended to belittle his character.  If I offended you or anyone else, I am sorry.  

Meanwhile, I guess we can agree to respectfully disagree.

Peace.

[Connie]

.....AND he manages all this survival with greater moral clarity and character....but he doesn't qualify because he doesn't get out much?

Here here!!  

If a prerequisite to being a survivor in this game includes judging someone's quality of life, then I think we're out of luck.  I, for one, can't think of ANYONE on this wacky show who enjoys any sort of "quality" of life.  Plus, if a character who's appeared maybe a dozen times throughout the five-year run of the show can make the list, then I'd like to campaign for the addition of BOB ROONEY to the list.  He's one helluva guy.

-CLC

[VAM]

I'd like to campaign for the addition of BOB ROONEY to the list.  He's one helluva guy.

Sorry, Mr. Rooney does NOT qualify as a candidate for obvious reasons...


P.S. I am sorry to have caused any problems with my post.
I certainly did not think of the material as explosive.

[Raineypark]

Happybat, I wasn't in the least bit offended by your comments about Willie....

On the contrary I was thrilled with the opportunity to "respectfully disagree" with you.

I think posts by people with differing opinions are MUCH more entertaining than those that merely agree with whatever's already been said.

So, by all means, say exactly what you really think about the characters and the show.  Everyone should.  I certainly do!!
Raineypark

[Julia99]

As for Julia, she is a survivor too, but her emotions are too tied up with Barnabas for her to have done quite as well.  At one point she is even becomes one of Barnabas's victim's, bite marks and all!

Barnabas never bit Julia. . .he bit Natalie. . almost did bite Julia in 1840 (but he didn't know her). . .is that what you meant?

[Happybat]

Barnabas never bit Julia. . .he bit Natalie. . almost did bite Julia in 1840 (but he didn't know her). . .is that what you meant?

Ah, you're right - in a previous episode Julia was indeed bitten by a vampire but it wasn't by Barnabas.  Anyway, she DID survive and recover from it, which was my point.  Thanks for the correction, Julia99.  

And VAM, I never realized either that my little posting would have spawned so much controversy.  Although I like Willie, I may not be quite the fan of his as some posters here.  Hope that admission doesn't qualify as heresy.

Glad to hear I didn't offend you, Rainey.  (You had me a bit worried there.)  I guess survival means different things to different people.  I just tried to select characters that I found had survived their DS ordeals the best.  

This forum is never boring, that's fer sure!

[VAM]

This forum is never boring, that fer sure!

Am I guilty?

[jennifer]

Happybat, I wasn't in the least bit offended by your comments about Willie....

On the contrary I was thrilled with the opportunity to "respectfully disagree" with you.

I think posts by people with differing opinions are MUCH more entertaining than those that merely agree with whatever's already been said.

So, by all means, say exactly what you really think about the characters and the show.  Everyone should.  I certainly do!!
Raineypark

couldn't agree more if we all agreed it would be pretty boring!
can i rant about Amanda Harris again LOL

jennifer