Now, DARK SHADOWS did not originally air in traditional television "seasons." As a daytime drama, the show aired consistently throughout the week, holidays and national crises be damned. So it's a little strange to discuss DVD collections as "seasons," but whatever.
What's especially odd about Hulu's latest "season" is that it's significantly shorter than the previous collections. Seasons one through five have 40 episodes each, while the latest season adds only 17 shows. Regardless, this is a step in the right direction. It's certainly better that having 17 fewer episodes available.
It's also a bit of a weird time to stop episodes. While a show like Dark Shadows was designed so that there was never really a stopping point (until cancellation obviously), it drops off with a lot of footwork still to be done in 1795. I'm not really complaining, just noting. I'm happy to have the coffin collection with all the episodes, even if it means remembering to pack the DVDs when I travel.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was going to mention that the added episodes still won't get you through the 1795 story arc, but you're right: There's no good place to stop on a show like this.
ReplyDeleteHopefully they will add even more eventually, even if it's in dribs and drabs. I'm new to the series and can't get enough!
ReplyDeleteIt annoys me tremendously that they leave off the first 209 episodes of Dark Shadows. You can't fully appreciate the background of the Collins family, their friends, and most importantly, the role of Victoria Winters in the show without having seen these episodes. Plus, all of the actors were stars in story lines that focused on them, not supporting cast to the story of Barnabas Collins. (I do like Barnabas, but it would have been nice to have resolved the story of Vicky's parentage, the mystery of why Caleb Collins didn't want to sell Sea View for a century and who was F. Mc.A.C.? What happened to Frank Garner! And finally, since Burke's body was never found, did they intend to bring him back?)
ReplyDeleteI read a lot of summary anyway, but its nice to see the episodes instead of different summaries that filled in information. Dark Shadows every day has the added some pictures and dialogue on the 1795 that I have not came across.
ReplyDeleteCaleb Collins was I think in a big finished which I have not brought either no money at present but he was mention only once and was a recluse and hoarder, and didn't like non-Collins members hence the 100 year rule..
ReplyDeleteI think it's a smart move on MPI's part to release most of 1795 to Hulu for free viewing. If they get new fans hooked enough on DS so they'll have to buy DVDs to finish out the 1795 storyline
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