Andrew Cunningham: What a piece of work this guy is turning
out to be, controlling his family with an iron fist and expecting them to jump
to his every whim. It was pointed out to me on the blog how apparent it is that
the one actor who was always chided for his portrayal in the 80s (Waterhouse)
is now giving a far more powerful and passionate performance than his cohorts
at the time (check out Mistfall and you will hear Davison, Fielding, Sutton and
Strickson sleepwalking their way through the tale). Like Bonnie Langford on
audio, it just goes to show that the passage of time can sometimes be very kind
on an actor. Andrew is not going to be reporting on any of the juicy stuff
until he has familiarised himself with Collinsport. He's vicious when he cannot
get his own way, insulting and violent and he wants something from Angelique
Bouchard. And now his son knows precisely why they have come to
Collinsport...and has initiated a relationship with the seductive witch.
Sparkling Dialogue: 'Maggie Evans is beginning to gather her
troops...'
'I will string pieces of his soul across the universe!'
'The greatest tragedy is for a parent to outlive his child.'
Great Ideas: Amy and Mike went to college together, in the
same class studying the same 'subject matter' at Salem University. Salem is
historically famous for one thing...could we be seeing an element of witchcraft
turning up in Collinsport? Ed Griffin has been heard talking to his dead wife
in the shadows. The investigation into Melody's death is in full swing now,
everybody is a suspect, nobody is exempt. Harry Cunningham has started doing work
experience for Kate Ripperton. The manifestation of Angelique was terribly
exciting for those of us who know her back story. She is a witch, confined to
the cave and stripped of her place in the world all because of Maggie Evans.
Clearly Andrew has not come to Collinsport on a whim. The cave at the base of
Widow's Hill is screaming with the cries of lost women who threw themselves to
their deaths. Michael is resolved to stay in Collinsport and find out whoever
or whatever murdered Melody...a decision he will no doubt learn to regret.
Audio Landscape: Alarm clock, drill, mine workings, baby
gurgling, rain pattering, crinkled newspaper.
Musical Cues: There was a time when I grew a little tired of
David Darlington's scores. Never because he wasn't very good but after a long
stint working on the main range it felt as if he was a little exhausted. He
hopped across to Gallifrey where I he gave that series a very distinctive
musical style and has now transferred across to Dark Shadows with similar ease,
taking up directing duties. as well. That certainly seems to be where his
talent lies, he has an aptitude for creating a sinister atmosphere that is
almost second to none in Big Finish. And whilst Bloodlust has yet to dip its
toes into the inky red waters that some of Dark Shadows audios do, it is
brewing up a ominous spell all of its own.
His music for this story is inspired too, with snatches of what sounds
like the apoplectic choir that brought us Children of the Stones but similarly
inspired by Twin Peaks. Never underestimate the power of music in an audio drama,
it can make or break it.
Result: 'There's nothing wrong with being different...'
Now things are really moving. Despite the large cast, this piece of the puzzle
belongs to Andrew Cunningham and his motive for coming to Collinsport in the
first place. An arrogant foolish opportunist, he's a really nasty piece of work
and as such it is an absolute delight to listen to him dig a hole and get in
over his head. I think bad things are coming for the character and I cannot
wait. The murder mystery angle begins to take dominance too and it is starting
to feel that anybody could be responsible. With the supernatural pumping
through the residents of Collinsport like blood, who knows who can be trusted?
Hints of Maggie Evans being an important player are very intriguing too and
something that would be very welcome because Kathryn Leigh-Scott is such a
delight to listen to. Like a locomotive that has already chugged away from it's
starting point, we are really gathering steam now: 8/10
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