#johnathan frid

AND FICTION STOP❓️

YOU CAN HAVE RELATIVES...ANYWHERE‼️

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED‼️

GEORGE MICHAEL IS ALUVE‼️

When I say I’ve “gotten into dark shadows lately” what I really mean is I’ve watched 70 episodes in 5 days (I’m sooo normal I’m so normal don’t worry about it)

In my defense, the episodes are only 20 minutes each and there’s 1,225 episodes total so really I’ve only watched a tiny amount of it so far

But. Yeah. I’ve definitely gone a little unhinged for it.

It’s kind of difficult finding people to talk with about it because, understandably, a soap opera from the 1960s with over 1000 episodes doesn’t appeal to everyone.

There’s something about it, though.

I don’t know if it’s the “flaws” that make it so charming—it was shot live, so actors frequently forget their lines, say the wrong lines and have to improvise, accidentally say each other’s lines, even forget their own character names. At one point an actor’s dress accidentally catches on fire during a scene and she finishes the damn scene because the show must go on. Improv acting ability is almost more of a necessity than regular acting ability in this show.

The soap opera format requires recapping each episode, but there are episodes where they recap scenes that just played in order to stretch the story out. The earlier episodes (and I started at 210, so I’m talking about even past that point!) are glacially slow at times.

The characters are either incredibly boring or a lot of fun. Willie Loomis is one of the best takes and best actors of the Renfield type that I’ve seen, for sure. Big beaten dog energy. Did you know they received a censor note warning them they were getting close to implying Willie and barnabas were in a homosexual relationship? It’s definitely a dark one, but I can see it. Intentional or no, the dynamic is Juicy.

Barnabas is fun to watch whenever he’s on the screen, and the slow story gives his characterization and turn from villain to hero time to really breathe. I’m kind of obsessed with how he’s stuck in the past and the trauma and darkness of it and bringing it forward into the modern day because he doesn’t see any other way to exist and everyone is suffering for it….

Maggie is a fun modern gothic heroine. And Liz and Victoria and Carolyn and roger and Burke and Joe and Sam and McGuire are….well, they’re there alright!

Now it's time dance and time to pray

Move close to me and hear what I say

It's torture time, my little child

One thing I want to comment on and it is the acting chops of Johnathan Frid. It was expecially evident when he went from Barnabus to Bramwell. Barnabus stood upright, Bramwell slumped. They put Barnabus in fitted suits and Bramwell wears an oversized jacket. And he used that to his advantage in his portrayal of Bramwell. His two emotions seems to be passion and anger with a lot of apologies in between it was such a different character. Almost with they had done it more.

The other actots threw themselves into their roles with gusto. It was a great ensemble cast. Many were stage actors and a number of them were gay including Jonathan Frid.