Dark shadows :)

[Daniel Avery]

Actually, it might be better for her if she just sees the movie, gets a few good laughs...and THEN goes back and sees some of the original 1960s-70s series or the 1991 revival. That way, she won't be as insulted and repulsed as we will probably be if we go see the film trash the subject matter we enjoyed in its original form. She will just see how much better the series was.

[Beth Harmon]

yes the 1991 series was wonderful especially ben cross's barnabas, jean simmons elizabeth and roy thinnes's rev. trask.

I absolutely adored the the original series but detest the 1991 show. Ben Cross was nowhere near as sympathetic as Jonathan Frid, Willie Loomis was turned into a buffoon as opposed to how he was in the original show, and Thinnes's Trask was a joke. The Trask in the daytime show was pure evil, the 91 version he's just a pathetic joke. Will agree that Jean Simmons was one of the
few bright spots for me, as well as Joanna Going as Vicki/Josette.

As far as the movie goes, I'm willing to give it a chance. I've learned in the past not to rely on trailers...they rarely do the film justice. Maybe I won't like the film, but I won't know until I see it. Until then I am going to keep an open mind.

[vaughnleland]

so you are trashing the well made 1991 series but giving Tim Burton's joke of a film a chance?

[adamski]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Shadows...6016384&sr=1-1

I've just rented this dvd which is out now in the UK.
It only has 20 episodes, but am wondering if it's better to start Dark Shadows at episode one, or do I just jump in at Barnabas's debut?

[Afton]

It only has 20 episodes, but am wondering if it's better to start Dark Shadows at episode one, or do I just jump in at Barnabas's debut?

I am fifteen episodes away from finishing the series and I started at episode one. In my opinion, it depends on what kind of television you enjoy watching. If you're someone who bores easily and prefers non-stop excitment from the first moment in or your interest is lost, definitely start at Barnabas' debut. There are GREAT storylines from the beginning episode but have a very slow boil (but VERY rewarding in the end in my opinion). However, the first eps set up this huge backstory and such before it gets into any real storylines. I loved them however but it's definitely a different kettle of fish than from Barnabas' arrival onwards.

We have a great thread in the TV forum which is called "Afton Has Arrived In Collinsport" if you want to check it out sometime. I started it when I began my watch in October but a few others have joined in since. Also, James' thread "My Name Is Victoria Winters, My Journey Is Just Beginning..." is a FANTASTIC read from post Barnabas on with excellent reviews.

[adamski]

Thank you Afton, having gone back and read the "Afton has arrived in Collinsport" thread I think i'll start at the beginning. Am kinda scared of getting hooked on such a long-running show as I'm still working my way through several other shows (including Prisoner: Cell Block H) but DS does sound awesome!

[Afton]

Thank you Afton, having gone back and read the "Afton has arrived in Collinsport" thread I think i'll start at the beginning. Am kinda scared of getting hooked on such a long-running show as I'm still working my way through several other shows (including Prisoner: Cell Block H) but DS does sound awesome!

Oh, it's so very worth it, Adam! I hope you take the plunge soon and be sure to let us know your thoughts

Oh, awesome. I am going to be doing Prisoner Cell Block H quite soon. How have you been enjoying that?

[adamski]

Oh, it's so very worth it, Adam! I hope you take the plunge soon and be sure to let us know your thoughts

Oh, awesome. I am going to be doing Prisoner Cell Block H quite soon. How have you been enjoying that?

I may have to see if some of you guys could help me get hold of Dark Shadows!

PCBH is fantastic, it really is quite unique. It veers between storylines/performances that hook you in, and then others that are somewhat lacking. But that's all part of the fun! I particularly like that it is a nearly all-female cast.

I'm almost up to the point where Joan Ferguson aka 'The Freak' appears. She is a corrupt prison officer and from what I have read she is the Barnabas figure of PCBH, ie: it all goes stratospheric in the drama department from then on! Love it.

[sunshineboyuk]

Adamski what a fantastic observation..... PCBH does have a pre and ppost Barnabus thing ... it's pre Freak/Joan Ferguson and post Ferguson. That's a perfect way of looking at it...

Afton will be completely hooked watching Cell Block, she wont stop watching she'll be up all night and watching sneakily at work ....she will be totally consumed by Wentworth Detention Center.

I can't wait for her to start it !

[Daniel Avery]

Wow, I didn't know Tyne Daly was in it.

[alexis]

Wow, I didn't know Tyne Daly was in it.

Well you know how there was that semi lesbian quality to Cagney and Lacey? Imagine that on steroids and you have The Freak!

[sunshineboyuk]

Wow, I didn't know Tyne Daly was in it.

That is too funny for words...

[Sarah]

I've added it to my lovefilm list. Only so I can meet Afton, you understand

[sunshineboyuk]

Afton's the best character in the show ! Not sure if she's in the movie though ...

[adamski]

Adamski what a fantastic observation..... PCBH does have a pre and ppost Barnabus thing ... it's pre Freak/Joan Ferguson and post Ferguson. That's a perfect way of looking at it...

Afton will be completely hooked watching Cell Block, she wont stop watching she'll be up all night and watching sneakily at work ....she will be totally consumed by Wentworth Detention Center.

I can't wait for her to start it !

Ha ha , why thank you Sunny!

[sunshineboyuk]

It's perfect though- pre Joan is a very different show, just like DARK SHADOWS it''s kinda the same format but the introduction of an evil character who has a multi dimensional inner life completely changes all of the chemistry between the characters. So, suddenly Officer Colleen Powell ( the brilliant Judith McGrath, surely the stand out gem of the show) becomes sympathetic when seen in the context of Joan she's an aussie version of Laura Avery from KNOTS LANDING. Seen in the context of Joan suddenly Bea Smith doesn't look like an invincible heroic Top Dog, she looks vulnerable and stressed. Like DARK SHADOWS there are people who think pre Joan is better//worse but i think pre Joan is the rich backstory,once Joan rocks up it moves at a lightening pace, those first 50 eps move so fast. It could be argued that PCBH is a story about 2 Top Dogs, Bea & Joan on two different sides of the bars and that Joan topples Bea and then it becomes her show , i suppose Barnabus takes over DS in the ssame way , perhaps not toppling one character but certainly changing all the mainstays in ways that it's hard to see them ever returning to again - he takes the gothic and the melodrama to a whole new twisted level just as Joan takes the idea of institution and reform to a whole new sick twisted level.
But ultimately it's the window into their humanity even when they are being completely evil which makes both these characters so fascinating. Barnabus is desperately trying to recreate the past and lost love ( im only up to the mid 200s) while Joan has turned violently vengeful after losing her lover , add to that her anger and hurt toward her father ,The Major, and we have a tons of layers to strip away at , which they manage to do pretty much until the very end of the shows run. Not suure whats going to happen on DARK SHADOWS , time travel presumably!