Machinations

15 Days of Young Dracula - #5

5: Least Favourite Scene - Carpathian Feast
“…a home cooked meal…”

This scene makes me cringe every time I see it. It’s not the nature of the scene itself, which sets up some of the conflict between the Count and Vlad (with Vlad beginning to step out of his father’s shadow), but the execution of it.

Series three shows how much this show has changed, in terms of its production and budget. The terrible effects employed as the Count is thrown backwards and the unnecessary slow motion, really make this scene painful to watch. I will admit, though, that Keith-Lee Castle can make some truly hilarious facial expressions.

Young Dracula may be growing up but it hasn’t quite outgrown some clichés just yet.

15 Days of Young Dracula - #4

4: Funniest scene - Bad to the Bones
“I take it back. This is a great plan. He’s so life-like!”

Not only does this scene, and the previous scene and montage, bring together most of the key characters but it gives the writers an opportunity to show viewers just how these characters cope in such a situation. When it comes down to it, when they need to band together and think on their feet, the best they can come up with is to build a life-sized stand-in for Vlad. This whole sequence borders on farce! Bertrand’s reaction and the Count’s treatment of Renfield indicate that even the characters know this but, with the urgency of the situation, they blunder onward anyway.

15 Days of Young Dracula - #3

3: Favourite scene - Carpathian Feast
“What are you looking so pleased about?”
“I’ve done a terrible thing…” 

This is a perfect example of why people ship Bertrand and Ingrid. It’s also indicative of who they are as characters. Both are intelligent and manipulative, both willing to say or do what ever they need to in order to tip the balance of power in their own favour. This often brings these two characters together quite closely. 

Are they working together or are they manipulating one another?  

15 Days of Young Dracula - #2

2: Your least favourite character - Wolfie

It’s not because he’s a horrible character but I do believe that he is underutilised. He is best when he is a foil for Renfield but sometimes he can dilute the dynamic between the Count and Renfield as well. Carpathian Feast is probably where he was put to best use. I hope that he gets more to do in Series 4.

15 Days of Young Dracula - #1

1: Your Favourite Character

Do you really have to ask? The Count, who had been my favourite in Series 1 & 2, comes in a very close second to Cesare Taurasi’s totally awesome Bertrand de Fortunessa. I don’t think this show has ever had a character who’s motives were so ambiguous. You never quite know what he’s going to do, who’s side he’s on or why. 

There’s something up with him and I’m hoping we get more of the story in Series 4.