It's been a while. Getting used to a new job cuts in to blog time. Or anything else for that matter.
I've been thinking for some time now as to what I'd be reviewing. I haven't been reading much lately. And haven't been watching anything but the original Dark Shadows. Then it dawned on me. Why the hell don't I review Dark Shadows. It's a challenging review at best. Since it's a rather involved story this isn't going to be a short review. Actually the longest part of this is going to be the explanation of the series.
For those of you who have seen the movie but haven't watched the original series, today is your lucky day. I'll be giving a semi-spoiler synopses. I'm going to break this up in to parts to make it easier for all. My opinion will be given at the end of part three. I'm doing it this way because this is a 1245 episode series. Making this a 131 disc set in dvd form. It's hard to put out all that information in one post, much less make it brief. But to save time I'll leave out several of the more boring story lines that go nowhere. It's confusing people. Hell I've watched the whole series and I'm still confused by what I've seen.
We have the Beginning, the reboot and parallel time (Time travel and PT episodes fall under this category). Sorry but everything is going to be rather lengthy as the later episodes are rather....involved. In order to try to make this brief, I will list all of the characters, their back round and who they are played by before hand. This way I don't confuse anyone with details during the series description. Again I'm sorry this is going to be long.
The beginning:
Victoria Winters (Alexandria Moltke) - Heroin. Raised in an orphanage, Vicky has no idea who her birth parents are. She is determined to find out who she really is. She believes the Collins hold the key to her unknown past. She is unsure how Elizabeth found out about her existence, and believes there is some other reason she has been hired as a governess to David. Believing these reasons directly link to her past she eagerly accepts Elizabeth's job offer.
Elizabeth Stoddard Collins (Joan Bennett)- Matriarch of the Collins family. After her Father Jamison's death, the estate, family business and the family earnings were divided evenly between herself and her brother Roger. After Roger's departure from Collinsport after their father's death, Elizabeth was placed in charge of the family Business (Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery). Her husband Paul Stoddard left her in 1958. Becoming a recluse, Elizabeth has not left Collinwood since the day Paul left (18 years). The people of Collins Port believe she is waiting for her husband to return. She gave birth to Carolyn 6 months after her husband left (This fact about Paul leaving Elizabeth is changed regularly throughout the series. I have no idea which one is true. But for the sake of my sanity we'll stick with this theory for now. The other two will come later)
Carolyn Stoddard (Nancy Barrett)- Daughter of Elizabeth Stoddard Collins and Paul Stoddard. She loathes living in Collinwood and often refers to it as a prison, but refuses to leave out of worry for her mother. Elizabeth wants Carolyn to marry her long time boyfriend Joe Haskell and move away from Collinwood, but Carolyn doesn't want to be "tied down" and refused each marriage proposal by Joe. When Burke Devins comes on to the scene Carolyn was intrigued. Leaving Joe, she fell for Burke quickly, not knowing she was merely a pawn in Burke's revenge plot against the Collin's family. Carolyn is prone to massive mood swings, but deep down has good intentions. She is close with Victoria as they are the same age.
Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds)- Brother of Elizabeth Collins. After his father, Jamison's death, Roger promised Elizabeth he would never return to Collinwood. He waisted no time spending his inheritance money. He placed the remainder of his shares in the family business up for public auction (I have no idea why). Elizabeth quickly bought up his shares in order to keep them in the family. He and Burke Devins were once close friends. One night he, Burke and Burke's then girlfriend Laura went out for a drive which lead to a man's death. Taking advantage of Burkes drunken state at the time, Roger was quick to place the blame on Burke and even testified in court, which led to Burke's manslaughter conviction. The day after Burkes conviction Roger and Laura were married. It was a long and unhappy marriage for the couple.They would often argue over Burke and their son David. After Laura became "Ill" he took David and returned to Collinwood. Roger is quick to judge and often the first to jump to conclusions about others. He hates his son David, if only because he believes David is really Burke's son and not his own (this is untrue as David resembles Jamison as a young boy), and does nothing to hide his contempt for the boy. The only person Roger is close with is Carolyn. Giving her the nick name of "Kitten". Roger runs the offices of Collin's Fishing Fleet and Cannery during business hours.
David Collins (David Henesy)- Son of Roger Collins. Often called "the little monster" by Carolyn. David is a troubled child. Upon meeting Vicky for the first time he tells her that he "I hate you" and does everything he can to chase her from Collinwood. David returns his father's hatred and makes no effort to hide it, even have attempted to kill his father by removing the bleeder valve from his father's car. This attempt failed and he never actively attempted to kill his father again. Although his hatred remained. There are only two people David holds a close affection for. Burke and his aunt Elizabeth. Both understand the hard life David has and do their best to make him feel wanted. David often mentions his only true friends are the ghost's that live in the old house. He often speaks to the ghost of a family relative Josette Collins.
Burke Devins (Mitchell Ryan) -Former friend of Roger Collins. Burke grew up in Collin's Port. As a boy he lived in a shack. His family was poor and his father would take any job that was available at the time. Bill Malloy gave Burke his first job on a boat. After this Burke found a love for money (a love that stayed with him into adulthood). Burke, Laura and Roger were the best of friends and would stir up trouble around Collins Port. Burke and Laura were sweethearts, but that quickly changed after Burke's manslaughter conviction, vowing to coming back and kill Roger. He served 5 of a 10 year conviction (released early for good behavior). Once released he put his plan to ruin Roger and the Collin's family into action. When buying Collinswood from Elizabeth didn't work, he offered her workers more money than they could ever dream of. When this didn't work he not only seduced Carolyn, but bought a Cannery in a nearby town in order to put Elizabeth's own cannery out of business. He holds a fondness for David and Vicky. Although Vicky is on a more romantic level.
Sam Evans (Mark Allen. Mid way through the series Played by David Ford) - An artist and father of Maggie. His wife was supportive of his talent. She died when Maggie was young, but Sam kept sketches he had done of her around the house. He was close with Burke and Burke would often posed for Sam. This all changed when Burke was charged with manslaughter. Sam knew what really happened the night of the accident, but never came forward. In order to keep Sam Quiet Roger gave Sam a generous sum of money to keep silent about the accident. He gave up his painting craft soon after Burke was sentenced and began drinking heavily. The portrait of Burke was never completed. It wasn't until Bill came to Sam asking for the truth that Sam began to consider allowing the truth of that night to be known. With Bill's death came Sam's silence once again.
Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott) - Sam Evan's daughter. Maggie works at a hotel cafe in order to pay the bills since her father has quit painting. She is quirky and often speaks her mind. She is also suspicious and observant when she wants to be. She has romantic feelings towards Joe, but keeps them to herself until Carolyn breaks off her long standing relationship with him. She impresses Joe with her knowledge of boats and sailing. The two soon begin a long standing relationship. She thinks the Collins family a bunch of "Kooks" and would rather avoid them if possible. Vicky and her become very fast friends.
Joe Haskell (Joel Crothers) - Boyfriend of Carolyn Collins. Joe works at Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery. His dream is to one day own a boat of his own and leave Collin's Port. He loves Carolyn but is often turned down when asking for her hand in marriage. Joe often refers to himself as "Good old Joe" and this is true, until he realizes Carolyn is obsessed with Burke. He accuses Carolyn of being scared of marriage because of what happened between her mother and father. There is truth behind his words that scares Carolyn. After this they break up for good. Soon after breaking up with Carolyn, he begins dating Maggie. Realizing they have much in common, they are soon engaged with Sam's blessing. He and Carolyn remain friends. Joe is the proverbial knight in shinning armor. Always comes running when there is trouble.
Laura Collins (Diana Millay) - The wife of Roger. Life with Roger was hardly idea as they always fought about Burke. 8 months after they were married, David was born and the fights about Burke continued. These verbal spars took a took on Laura and became ill. Roger sent her away to a hospital, took David and returned to Collinwood. It is later revealed that she was an alcoholic and suffered from mental illness. After several years at the hospital, Laura moved to Phoenix Arizona and lived off the money Elizabeth sent her to stay away from Collinwood. Soon after Burke's return, Laura returned to Collinwood wanting a divorce from Roger and to be reunited with her son.
Now I have to add my own personal thought here. People often contribute the turning point of Dark Shadows to Barnabas. This is only half true. Laura's character was truly the supernatural turning point for the show. She is a Phoenix. This isn't revealed until after Sam is compelled to draw a painting of Laura. She supposedly died in a fire at her home in Phoenix. As a Phoenix can rise from flames her return is hardly surprising to those who know fantasy lore. But to the members of the Collins family they are a little more than surprised at her return.
Bill Malloy (Frank Schofield) - Employed by Elizabeth and managed the Colins Fishing Fleet and Cannery. He is dedicated to Elizabeth as she gave him his first job as a deckhand on one of her ships. He would do anything to keep Elizabeth safe. Bill had a strong sense of justice. After learning Sam was hiding something important about Burke's trial, he set up a meeting between Roger, Burke, Sam and himself in Roger's office. But he was killed before he could make it to the meeting. His ghost makes several appearances to Vicky and Matthew.
Matthew Morgan (Thayer David) - Caretaker of Collinwood. Matthew began at Collin's Fishing Fleet and Cannery as a floor sweeper. Elizabeth eventually hired him on as the Collinwood caretaker. Matthew was devoted to Elizabeth and would do anything to protect her. For the most part he was a gentle man, but was prone to violent outbursts. These outbursts became more frequent upon Vicky's arrival. After a series of events, Matthew kidnapped Vicky and threatened to kill her several times. He later died of fright as several ghost appeared to him.
Collinswood- Collin's family home. (While this isn't a character, through out most of the show it sure does feel like one)
Side note here. I know I'm missing Jossette Collins here. But I feel she plays a MUCH bigger part in the next part of the series. So I'll save her description for the next part. Although she does appear as a ghost in the beginning. She appears to David, Vicky and Matthew.
FINALLY! We get to what the series is about.
The Gothic soap opera takes place in 1966. It follows Vicky on her strange journey with the Collins family. We begin with her arriving in Collin's Port. No one from the great house of Collinwood is there to greet her. Burke was on the very same train as Vicky. After warning her (the beginning of a slew of warnings), of the dangers of the Collins family, he whisks her away to his hotel where he calls her a cab.
The next warning comes from Maggie (a very blond Maggie a this point. Thankfully the wig only lasted three episodes), who warns her of the "Kooks" on the hill. Taking no heed of this warning, Vicky travels on to Collinwood via taxi.
Roger is the next to warn Vicky. They meet when Vick looks out on Widow's hill. Again taking no heed, she moves on to Collinwood.
We meet Elizabeth. Who comes off rather cold, but there is potential for a warmness in her words. After a brief description of her job requirements, Vicky is sent off to her room to unpack.
Once in her new living quarters we meet Carolyn. Who also warns Vicky of the dangers and drama's of the Collin's family. Vicky has no intention of leaving, much to Carolyn's semi-delight.
David is spiteful and plays "tricks" on Vicky in order to scare her away. Stealing clothing. Playing with the lights. Opening doors with the lights off. All of the antics we expect from children. It's not until we hear David tell Vicky how much she hates her do we understand how troubled this boy is. Vicky thinks so as well and is determined to help him.
In the beginning we are faced with conspiracy's. Most involving Burke's case. Roger wants Sam to keep quiet about what he knows. Burke wants to find out what Sam knows, but gets nowhere on that front. Burke takes on Elizabeth and her business in order to get back at Roger. Having more money than the Collin's, he offers to buy Collinwood from Elizabeth. When she refuses, he offers her money for her cannery. This offer is also refused. Asking her workers to come to his new business fails, but Burke is not deflated at these setbacks. He buys his very own fishing fleet and cannery in a nearby town, with plans to put the Collins family out of business. He also seduces Carolyn in hopes of hurting the family.
The one person trying to keep the peace is murdered. Bill's death hit everyone very hard. Burke was convinced Roger killed Bill in order to keep him silent about what he knew. This proved to be false (Spoiler) Matthew was soon revealed at the true killer. He killed Bill because he believed the man was bringing trouble to Elizabeth.
To be perfectly honest, the beginning really isn't interesting. It had potential. It was dark and had the occasional ghost. But then there was the romantic triangles. Angry Children, even angrier adults. Backstabbing, drama... Same old, same old. But then Laura shows up and the show suddenly takes an interesting and unexpected turn.
After being released from the mental hospital Roger had placed her in, Laura moved to Phoenix (The blatant irony attempted here makes me roll my eyes every time.) Arizona. It is later revealed that her home is burned to the ground and all believed she had gone with it. The authorities came to this conclusion by finding a burnt body in the home. They believed it to be Laura. It was, but a Phoenix on a mission never stays down for long. She comes back to Collins Port demanding a divorce from Roger and wanting full custody of David.
Roger is more than willing to give her both, but Elizabeth has reservations about handing David over to the once mentally ill Laura. After a few meetings Elizabeth is convinced Laura has regained her senses, and even suggests Laura come live with them at Collinwood so she and David can become reacquainted.
Due to a dream he had the night of his mother's first visit to Collinwood (David was asleep during her first visit), He runs from her upon their first meeting. He tells Vicky that the woman downstairs is not his mother, yet he calls to her from his window. Eventually David warms up to his mother thanks to the efforts of Vicky.
Upon actually seeing Laura for the first time, Sam finds himself compelled to do a portrait of Laura and David surrounded by fire. Sam doesn't understand why he feels the need to paint such a portrait. The image of Laura and David in Sams mind is the beginning of many clues given to all by the ghost of Joesette Collins. Being a ghost, she knows exactly what Laura is and wants to do everything she can to save David from his mother's planned fate.
Laura needs David's love in order to carry out her plan. According to Dark Shadow lore. A Phoenix dies by fire every 100 years on the same day and is reborn from those flames. The only difference here is the Phoenix is always a woman and always has a son named David she brings in to the flames with her.
Being the smart cookie she occasionally is, Vicky begins to read in to these clues left by Josette. Under the influence of Josette, she buys the unfinished portrait, much to Sam's confusion and delight. This set back does not stop our ghostly hero from making Sam start in on another portrait. Laura is hardly pleased by this picture, she uses magic in order to kill Sam by fire. Only Elizabeth interrupting Lara's spell saved Sam from an untimely death. Sam's hands were badly burned in the fire as was the current portrait of Laura (although the flames were nowhere near the portrait at the time). Unable to believe her father's accusation that Laura was trying to kill him, Maggie leaves for Collinwood in order to confront Laura.
After Maggie comes to Collinwood to confront Laura Elizabeth begins suspecting Laura of fowl play.
The locket of Laura plays a big clue as well (This is VERY drawn out and really didn't need to be). Vicky comments on Laura's beautiful locket. She explains to Vicky that it was a wedding present from Roger. It holds a picture of David and a lock of his baby hair.
Later Vicky finds the locket Laura wore before was a fake. The real locket was found in Laura's Phoenix apartment, having survived the fire. This locket held the picture and lock of hair. It's also discovered that this locket once belonged to Josette. This is only used to connect Josette and Laura in some way. In other words to get Vicky's attention.
Josette finishes Sam's painting for him, giving Vicky the big clue that David and Laura should not be left alone together.
But the HUGE clue comes when Vicky and semi- boyfriend Frank Garner are drawn to the Collinwood graveyard. They find not one grave of Laura Murdock Stockbridge but two. Knowing Murdock is Laura's maiden name, Vicky is sure there is a connection. As it turns out the two Laura's died exactly 100 years apart from each other.
After this takes place Elizabeth orders Laura to stay away from David. Taking offense and feeling threatened, Laura places Elizabeth in a trance. Elizabeth is sent away to a hospital and is placed under the care of Dr. Peter Gunthrie. Who believes Elizabeth's coma was brought on by some kind of trauma.
After a series of events, involving faded medical records Dr. Gunthrie does everything in his power to out Laura. Even holding a seance (get used to this word people. Come part two it will be used. A LOT). It's not until Joe and Dr Gunthrie open the casket of Laura Murdock Stockbridge that the pieces start falling in to place.
Vicky is the one to save David from his mother's planned fate. David is drawn to his mother (thanks to a spell) and wants to leave. Upon meeting his mother in an old building a fire breaks out. Laura is consumed by the flames, Vicky manages to find David in time to rescue him.
Holy crap doodle. That was long wasn't it? I told you all it was involved. Now on to part two. The rebirth of the show......
