DS Discussion #9 What would you like to discuss?

As this discussion comes to an end, is there anything that you'd like to talk about?

I've tried to keep it fairly general in nature and centered on appearance of dear old Cousin Barnabas from England. I know that leaves years of material not covererd. So if there's anything you want to visit about, regarding the show, then here's the place!

I think it's been a fun talk...even if we had to share the time with Sweeney!

I thank you for having this discussion available and for encouraging me to participate, Karen.

It's been too long (40 yrs! ) and I only watched episodes 210 - 229, so I think I've pretty much said everthing I needed to say.

I think I'd make a great casting director.

LOL I think so too!

It was hard to discuss something that went on for years ! But I think we encouraged some people to talk about it, maybe rent a dvd or do some DS research, lol, online!

I really enjoyed this trip down memory lane! I only remembered watching this show and being rather scared when I was younger. Watching it at my age now and seeing all those Ed Wood type moments everyone pointed out, made me see it all in a new way. I still can't get out of my mind that everyone keeps saying (referring to Barnabas) "He looks so much like the painting in the foyer."

Then the rocker-type character reminded me of Johnny at times in the TPetty video Into the Great Wide Open. I never did get to the Quentin & Angelique story line on the DVDs I've been renting. I remember seeing them when the show originally aired, but I don't recall too much about them. I'll probably jump to where they come in on my DVD rentals.

I still love the character of Barnabas and felt empathy for him. In some ways, reminds me of Johnny's STodd(of course ST is much more extreme!). Still, I think Johnny manages with Sweeney for the audience to sympathize with him at certain points. I think Johnny would do that with Barnabas as well.

I'm glad to have had this discussion to start thinking of Johnny as Barnabas, a charachter I didn't know anything about. It's opened up a whole new realm of fiction for me too. For that I am grateful. Thank you.

I've only watched about a dozen episodes, and am a little confused about something. Before it was mentioned that not only Vampires, but also ideas such as time travel, and other alternative beleifs were woven into the standard vampire plot line. To me this is something like Heroes, where each person has a skill. But probably not. I realize this is a sort of open ended, perhaps impossible question to ask, but,... I've only seen the girl in the jail cell (Josette), and a little girl bouncing a ball outside the cell,,,I think the little girl is a ghost, but I'm not sure, and I'm even not sure of the little girl's importance, or anything at all really.

How are these other alternative beleifs woven into the plot lines? Does someone suddenly show up with a Ouija board? or see a Ghost? or does someone always see a particular ghost? Do these alternative beleifs add information into the story line? Just wondering... can you pick one and explain about it maybe?

I've seen those episodes with the little girl and yes, she's a ghost that lived in the house. In the ones I've seen she just mentions that everyone has gone away and she wants to find them. I think she "appeared" to help Maggie escape, but I'm not sure. My last disc left off with Maggie finding the hidden door and Barnabas chasing her in the tunnels!

-Donna

She was Sarah, Barnabas' little sister from 1795. Yes, she tried to undo some of the bad things Barnabas did, mainly by trying to rescue Maggie. Later, she comes to him and appeals to his conscience--the turning point in Barnabas' becoming human again.
I loved little Sarah, then, and I do now. She looked so cute in her mob cap and with her flute. "London Bridge is Falling Down"...

Thanks for the info. on the little girl! I'm somewhat stalled until I get my next disc!

-Donna

I think it's amazing how this series lives on through dedicated fans like ShadeOPale. How cool is that?

You are so right Arnelle! And because ShadeO'Pale is kind enough to share here with us? They are helping to spread the love of Dark Shadows with so many more people! ShadeO'Pale!

You are so right Arnelle! And because ShadeO'Pale is kind enough to share here with us? They are helping to spread the love of Dark Shadows with so many more people! ShadeO'Pale!

Aw shucks...'t'weren't nuthin'. I thank all of you for doing your part by being so gracious to the memory of a show and its characters which, for many of us, has never truly left the airwaves. We all love this show and, unlike some die-hards, welcome "new blood", such as what Johnny Depp will bring to the role. He has bigger fangs to fill, no doubt, stepping into the iconic role of Barnabas Collins, but, by his doing so, will introduce a newer generation to what we've known and loved all these years. We all know that "Dark Shadows" wasn't perfect, and could stand some improvement in many areas. This is the opportunity that Dan Curtis dreamed of...to open the show up to a larger audience by virtue of someone as recognizeable as Johnny Depp. I believe that Curtis always had in the back of his mind the notion that Barnabas would one day eclipse Dracula as the number one vampire--at least in the cinema. What he failed to realize, perhaps a little too late with the '91 Revival, and what the director of the pilot for the WB 2004 television series also didn't, was that this was a unique character, never one-dimensional. Barnabas Collins was a truly tragic figure, someone who was haunted by a past life that had potential, yet was caught up in the nightmare existence that had become his undead fate. He made a very human mistake and suffered greatly for it. These are aspects that I believe Johnny Depp will touch upon, being that he knows this role so well. Hooray for Johnny!

You are so right Arnelle! And because ShadeO'Pale is kind enough to share here with us? They are helping to spread the love of Dark Shadows with so many more people! ShadeO'Pale!

Aw shucks...'t'weren't nuthin'. I thank all of you for doing your part by being so gracious to the memory of a show and its characters which, for many of us, has never truly left the airwaves. We all love this show and, unlike some die-hards, welcome "new blood", such as what Johnny Depp will bring to the role. He has bigger fangs to fill, no doubt, stepping into the iconic role of Barnabas Collins, but, by his doing so, will introduce a newer generation to what we've known and loved all these years. We all know that "Dark Shadows" wasn't perfect, and could stand some improvement in many areas. This is the opportunity that Dan Curtis dreamed of...to open the show up to a larger audience by virtue of someone as recognizeable as Johnny Depp. I believe that Curtis always had in the back of his mind the notion that Barnabas would one day eclipse Dracula as the number one vampire--at least in the cinema. What he failed to realize, perhaps a little too late with the '91 Revival, and what the director of the pilot for the WB 2004 television series also didn't, was that this was a unique character, never one-dimensional. Barnabas Collins was a truly tragic figure, someone who was haunted by a past life that had potential, yet was caught up in the nightmare existence that had become his undead fate. He made a very human mistake and suffered greatly for it. These are aspects that I believe Johnny Depp will touch upon, being that he knows this role so well. Hooray for Johnny!

I thank you for saying that so perfectly!