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What
I'd Like To See
Written
by Craig Byrne - BarnabasUndead.com Webmaster
At
the time of this writing, not too much has been revealed about what
we have to expect from the new Dark Shadows. The actor playing
Barnabas hasn't been announced; no script details beyond those in
the Mausoleum have leaked, really; and
we as fans don't even know if it'll ever even air! (Filming starts
soon; the WB will make their fall schedule announcements in May).
I've
decided to take this time to make a wish list of what I'd like to
see. Pretty soon we'll probably find out how wrong my hopes were,
or how different they are from what the final product will be. But
as a fan - and a relatively new fan of Dark Shadows - I thought
this column might be of interest.
Let
me preface this article by saying that I've only scratched the surface
of Dark Shadows, so many of the themes and best parts of
the original series are still in my future. I'm almost through the
second DVD collection, watching the series in order and trying to
avoid being spoiled. I've read things about the original two series
and what resonates with the fans by reading Kathryn Leigh Scott's
terrific "Dark Shadows Memories" and "Dark Shadows
Almanac" books. I've also seen most of the 1991 Dark Shadows
pilot. I'd like to say that my input here is coming from a relative
newcomer; surely not a DS fan who's been watching the series
since it was originally on, who knows the ins and outs of it. But,
from my newbie standpoint, and being obsessive about television
as KryptonSite would prove - hopefully that would mean I have a
unique insight. So, with that said, here are some of the things
I'd like to see from a new Dark Shadows.
First
would be Atmosphere.
One thing the original Dark Shadows had that I just didn't
feel when watching the 1991 version was atmosphere. The original
Collinwood was spooky, dark, and Gothic - - lots of pointed towers
and wood paneling. Even entering the foyer it was kind of closed,
almost as if you had to be "invited in" to be a part of
it all. I really liked that, and it set the tone. Similarly, the
Old House had such a unique and different look you knew it just
wasn't the same place.
And
regarding the new versions of the characters, I have a few things
to say. I hope the new Elizabeth Collins Stoddard has the grace
and the depth that was had by Joan Bennett in the original version
of the series. Jean Simmons was great too; but she seemed to have
very little to do! I like an Elizabeth to have secrets, and I hope
the new version keeps with the dark shadows of her past rather than
avoiding them. Likewise, I hope the modern-day Elizabeth is yet
another older, yet very big name actress. For the older viewers
to watch and enjoy, and for the younger folks to get to know for
the very first time.
Another
thing that I really didn't feel in 1991 is that Ben Cross as Barnabas
just didn't work for me. (see, here I go alienating a good part
of the website audience - sorry!) He just seemed too plain. Sure
he did a great job, but Barnabas is charismatic, and no matter what
he looks like - sexy in his own strange way. Obviously whoever the
WB gets will not be Jonathan Frid; and I think it would be a mistake
to go that way. Again, with it being the WB, Barnabas will probably
be quite charismatic... and good-looking is a near must. More importantly,
this actor has to be good looking in the Tom Welling sense of the
word: Attractive for the females, but not so much "pretty boy"
that it turns the male viewers off. The actor I would recommend
for the role would be Ian Somerhalder, who recently finished shooting
a 6-episode stint for Smallville, and with the cancellation
of Fearless, will be looking for a lead role soon. (Oddly,
I also would have recommended for the role of Bruce Wayne - not
that anyone could picture that, eh?) Ian seems to have that
haunted look at times that would work well - and a quality that
I think would appeal to the WB audience. Chances are the role's
already been set, so, no offense to the person who got it, who might
be even better!
Victoria
Winters will likely be the show's female lead, so hopefully that,
too, can be someone with depth. I have a feeling Vicki won't be
as easy going as Alexandra Moltke's version; if anything, I hope
the new version will be more interesting! Someone like Katie Holmes
would be good for this role, if she'd consider doing television
again. I hope this Victoria, like the original, is searching for
her past, and seeking a new "family" from those in Collinwood.
I wish someone would run with the "Victoria is the daughter
of Elizabeth" notion again, but with her being Barnabas's "Josette"
interest, I'm not sure if they'd "go there." Which is
too bad, because that leads us to...
Maggie
Evans. I might go so far as to say Kathryn Leigh Scott as Maggie
was one of the best parts of the original series. I really liked
this character, and how she was very much the "modern girl"
who was the complete opposite of what Barnabas was looking for as
his "Josette." I still wish Maggie was the one Barnabas
went after; not liking the increased attention on Victoria quite
as much, but keeping an open mind.
And
then there are the other characters that are certain to show up
in this series. I'm hoping the new Willie Loomis has the same kind
of intensity John Karlen did originally (is there any chance Karlen
could cameo as the caretaker of the mausoleum that Willie breaks
into?) I liked the later 1991 Willie, but he was almost *too* goofy
at times. I'm sure we'll see Roger at some point, although I'd suspect
he'll be a more minor character compared to some of the others.
We can be sure to see a David Collins, who will probably be someone
that the WB will hope to be their promotable hottie in 5 or 6 years
when the actor becomes a teen. Carolyn Stoddard, hopefully, will
be played by a young actress and as much of a part of the story
as Maggie and Victoria are. Dr. Hoffman may be a challenge - someone
as pretty as Barbara Steele but with the inherent creepiness of
Grayson Hall would be a great combination. Angelique will also inevitably
be a part of it all, and that too will be interesting to see what
they come up with. I can hope the future will also involve such
later characters as Quentin Collins; and I'm sure that if it's a
success, he will be there then if not sooner.
As
for storylines, beyond what was said up above, I hope that the series
goes in new directions - not necessarily what we had seen before.
Flashbacks to other times will hopefully be used appropriately,
and in a way that newcomers won't think "gee, didn't we see
this Angel, Spike, and Darla story before?" The mood should
be dark and foreboding, and, like the original series, keep you
on the edge of your seat wondering what could possibly happen next.
The television world these days is a competitive one; doing a vampire
serial - and expecting new viewers to take it seriously - could
be a challenge. Luckily, the creative folks behind the show sound
like they're up to the task.
Cameos
by original cast members would always be welcomed. Sure, we may
not get them as existing in a "Parallel Time" where the
original series actually happened; but, any appearances by an original
would be appreciated. Maybe hang the old Jonathan Frid Barnabas
painting somewhere in Collinwood? It doesn't have to be Barnabas,
you know. In all seriousness, though, many of the original Dark
Shadows actors that are still living are still very active with
the show's fandom and many are still acting also. Some have become
very big names with awards and famous roles that came after the
series was over!
I
imagine we'll all be finding out soon who has been cast for the
show, and what we will expect. The buzz I'm hearing so far has been
very positive. Maybe this third incarnation of Dark Shadows
will be as successful as the first, and reintroduce the legend to
another generation! Thanks for reading this hodge-podge of opinions
of what I'd like to see; all readers are invited to post their own
ideas on the
Barnabas Undead forum at KryptonSite.
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