Strange Paradise

[tommie]

I guess it's not "technically" a US soap, but it always seemingly gets mentioned in relation to Dark Shadows and aired in syndication in the US; since I've finally finished Peyton Place I'm finally taking up the task to watch this since it's been on my to-watch list for a few years now.

And what can you say about the first episode? You have a dead woman, two creepy servants, a talking painting, tacky flashback scenes and a possession right from the get-go. This is going to be one hell of a ride I think.

 

[tommie]

It took one (!) episode to start having inconsistencies:

 

[Carrie Fairchild]

I think I recall a thread on this on the old forum. If I'm not mistaken, there are two storyline arcs, almost in a telenovela style where one chapter ends and another begins, focusing on different characters in a different location (I may have this arseways). The show is on my list as a lot of it is online but it's not a top priority. On a random note, the show cropped up a few years ago on an obscure digital channel in Ireland and the UK, which gives me the impression that the broadcast rights cost next to nothing.

 

[tommie]

I think I recall a thread on this on the old forum. If I'm not mistaken, there are two storyline arcs, almost in a telenovela style where one chapter ends and another begins, focusing on different characters in a different location (I may have this arseways). The show is on my list as a lot of it is online but it's not a top priority. On a random note, the show cropped up a few years ago on an obscure digital channel in Ireland and the UK, which gives me the impression that the broadcast rights cost next to nothing.

There were three storyline arcs encompassing 13 weeks each (65 episodes). I'm not sure how much of it is online, but it does seem at least like the first two storyline arcs are. I'm watching it in combination with Dark Shadows, which seems appropriate.

ETA: the two first arcs are online (130 episodes), but the last arc doesn't seem to be uploaded. Since it was originally uploaded on YouTube 9 (!) years ago, it doesn't seem likely it would suddenly crop up but you never know.

 

[Alexis]

To be honest nearly fell down a rabbit hole of this earlier, was about to have a nap before going for dinner and found it. The stuff I'd eat up with a Spoon. However, I still have 9000 episodes of Dark Shadows gathering dust.

 

[Willie Oleson]

However, I still have 9000 episodes of Dark Shadows gathering dust.

Or cobwebs, and that makes it more Darky and Shadowy.

 

[tommie]

To be honest nearly fell down a rabbit hole of this earlier, was about to have a nap before going for dinner and found it. The stuff I'd eat up with a Spoon. However, I still have 9000 episodes of Dark Shadows gathering dust.

Ah, unless you've time traveled to an alternative universe where Dark Shadows aired until the 2000s, it sadly only has 1,225 episodes.

Either way, I'm concurrently watching Dark Shadows with this. After I'm done with Strange Paradise, I plan on adding Spyder Games to my daily watch along with Dark Shadows.

 

[Daniel Avery]

I recently activated some streaming services on my TV, and one features a dedicated "DS Channel" airing the series more or less in order. I'm still trying to figure out the "schedule," since I saw Cassandra in glorious color gloating over her "dream curse" with Barn last night, but tonight they're back in black and white, with Barn holding Maggie in the basement dungeon. It's fun to get re-acquainted with old pals SkullOnAStick, BatOnAString and Julia's Bag O'Sedatives, but if they're not airing it all in order, it must be a challenge for the new viewer. To coin a phrase, "they don't understand."

 

[Alexis]

Ah, unless you've time traveled to an alternative universe where Dark Shadows aired until the 2000s, it sadly only has 1,225 episodes.

Trust me sometimes it feels like 9 million episodes.

 

[tommie]

I recently activated some streaming services on my TV, and one features a dedicated "DS Channel" airing the series more or less in order. I'm still trying to figure out the "schedule," since I saw Cassandra in glorious color gloating over her "dream curse" with Barn last night, but tonight they're back in black and white, with Barn holding Maggie in the basement dungeon. It's fun to get re-acquainted with old pals SkullOnAStick, BatOnAString and Julia's Bag O'Sedatives, but if they're not airing it all in order, it must be a challenge for the new viewer. To coin a phrase, "they don't understand."

That's PlutoTV? I think they also have a Beverly Hills 90210 + Melrose Place channel. Hint hint.

Also Raxhl is my favourite character after 13 episodes along with Holly's scheming money-hungry mother (whose name I've forgotten, but I bet she'll be murdered soon to appease the snake Gods, yes this series is a bit odd).

 

[Daniel Avery]

Yes, Pluto has the DS Channel sandwiched against the Classic Doctor Who Channel. As we say in the South, I'm happier than a pig in slop.

 

[tommie]

Yes, Pluto has the DS Channel sandwiched against the Classic Doctor Who Channel. As we say in the South, I'm happier than a pig in slop.

But why are you watching that trash when you can watch Tori Spelling having a pain-killer addiction, complete with pensive biting on her lips?

People just don't appreciate quality these days.

 

[Carrie Fairchild]

To be honest nearly fell down a rabbit hole of this earlier, was about to have a nap before going for dinner and found it. The stuff I'd eat up with a Spoon. However, I still have 9000 episodes of Dark Shadows gathering dust.

For some reason, I thought they only had selected episodes of Dark Shadows on Prime but it turns out they've the entire series on there. I expect to fall headlong into it in the new year as a companion piece to my current love hate viewing of 2016 B&B.

 

[tommie]

It's quite interesting with how Clue/Cluedo the set up feels - seemingly unrelated people who gets gathered at a creepy house where mystery start happening. It's a clunky set-up but somehow it works nicely for me.