Blood and Bone China: Chapter 4 - 'The Devil in the Potteries', and Chapter 5 - 'There's No Such Thing As Vampires'

Chapter 4 - 'The Devil in the Potteries'

Chapter 4 of this epic saga picks up right where the last episode left off, and sees our unlikely heroes entering a beautiful, yet rather sinister-looking, Gothic mansion. The scale of the episode is superb, and the set design very Hammer Horror. I was drooling with nostalgic glee at the gorgeous, wooden library! Director Chris Stone also gives us a nice slice of melodramatic choir music to ramp up the tension and the atmosphere.

The tension throughout the Chapter is gently undercut with moments of humour, mostly centered around the awkwardness of Miles' character. When he first meets the gentlemen, I was inclined to laugh, but also cringe at the potential danger he had put himself in. Moments like this work beautifully, as acting, set design, music, direction, production, and scripting all come together and work in unison. And speaking of the script, how about "Creatures that wear the skin of the DEAD!" for a line?

In this Chapter, too, we also get to meet Linus Hemlock properly. It's a wonderfully arch performance by David Lemberg, who chews up and spits out the scenes he's in with twisted glee.Lemberg is clearly having a ball here, and there is no doubt that he is the major villain. His baiting of Newlyn is brilliant and frightening, setting up a trap that mr Howell walks right into!

Rachel Shenton is fantastic, yet again. As well as showing us her inquisitive side, she also reveals her great comic timing, during the rather naughty sequence with Lady Victoria (the ever-beautiful Lara De-Leuw).

The cliffhanger to Chapter 4 is the best yet. You know what's going to happen, you've seen it a thousand times, and yet it's constructed so brilliantly, edited so tightly, that director Chris Stone squeezes out every ounce of atmosphere that he possibly can. 

Chapter 4 has everything. Gothic setting, insane Vampire girls, heaving busoms, lesbian undertones, a truly wicked villain, and great comic timing. Try watching it without a big grin on your face, it's pretty much impossible!

Chapter 5 - 'There's No Such Thing as Vampires'

Taking it's title from the previous installment's gut-wrenching cliffhanger, Chapter 5 ramps things up a notch. Shorter (about half the length) than part 4, the sole purpose of 5 is to progress the story as quickly as possible, with compromising on anything.

In quick sucession, we get a resolution to the cliffhanger (a bit of an easy way out, but there's a very good reason for that!), another bit of sexual tension between Victoria and Anna, Anna finding herself a marked woman, and Newlyn coming face to face with that which he does not believe in.

Lare De-Leuw steals this short Chapter, looking more beautiful and sumptuous with every scene she appears in, and her taunting of Anna and Newlyn is utterly wicked. This contrasts nicely with Newlyn's disbelieving reaction: Pathetically waving his stick at her. 

The cliffhanger is another 'how's he gonna get out of this one?', scary, tense, and full of Lady Victoria's heaving cleavage.

A short but sweet episode, breathlessly exciting and supremely sexy. Which also rather nicely sums up the whole series, actually....

Watch Chapter 4
Watch Chapter 5

More About 'Blood and Bone China'

Official Website:  http://www.bloodandbonechina.com/index.html

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/BloodandBoneChina

Twitter: @BloodBoneChina

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/BloodandBoneChina

Blood and Bone China: Chapter 2: The Enigmatic Mister Pyre, and Chapter 3: Anna of the Six Towns

'The Enigmatic Mister Pyre' - a Chapter title straight out of a Dickens novel, leads us further into the candlelit horror of 'Blood and Bone China'. Bringing forth some new and fascinating characters, and getting us reaquainted with those we met in Chapter 1, this is where the story really takes off. It's also where the series starts to really show off, too. 

Chapter 2 - 'The Enigmatic Mister Pyre'

Opening with yet another glorious montage -  a rising sun, stuffed animals and skulls, a long-abandoned cup of tea, and yet another token candle - we are then thrust straight into the heart of this mystery. Newlyn Howell has been given much of the information the audience already knows off-screen, to save on time and repetition, and the enigmatic bearer-of-bad-news from Chapter 1 is revealed to be a close friend of the late Richard (the 'Mister Pyre of the title, in fact), just a minute and a half into the episode. 

The producers of this show get their audience. They aren't trying to make something overly-serious and gently-paced. They understand that this series has got to hold the attention of its' viewership, lest they log off and find something else to do. At the same time, the story is handled with care, and the writers make sure that all, or most, of the plot holes are avoided. For instance, Richard is killed off simply because he needed to die for the plot to unravel, but his death isn't forgotten or papered over - Newlyn discusses funeral plans, viewing the body, even giving the mysterious Mr. Pyre a brief bit of history on he and his late kin's relationship. In fact, the whole episode furthers the plot through exposition, and yet it almost hurts to see it done so brilliantly. Never has two characters standing in a room spurting plot at each other been so entertaining!

And the Chapter is, essentially, a two-hander between Newlyn Howell and Pyre. Anthony Miles adds more layers to Newlyn, giving him a backbone without losing that fallible edge. It's an endearing performance, and cements him as the likeable hero of the piece. 

       John James Woodward, as Pyre, is much more straight-laced, and even a bit dark. There are certainly shades to his character, and Woodward makes sure that he doesn't come across as entirely trustworthy.

In terms of the direction, this Chapter certainly ramps things up a notch. The beautiful dawn in the opening shot, the train chugging along the countryside, and, my favourite, the macabre residence of Newlyn's brother. Chris Stone bleeds every bit of menace out of the sequences inside the house, and utilises the shadows in a Nosferatu-esque way. It's a glorious bit of film, and the ending is suitably shocking...Another winner!

Chapter 3 - 'Anna of the Six Towns'

I love 'Doctor Who'. It's my favourite thing in the whole wide world. And I think the creators of this series like 'Doctor Who' as well. They like it so much, that they take inspiration from the show without ever ripping it off or sending it up - rather, they twist the elements they have taken and mould it to fit their own series. It's nicely done, and lots of fun for those who get the references. And those who don't - it doesn't matter anyway!

       

The cliffhanger from Chapter 2 is resolved in a humorous way, seeing 'Doctor' Newlyn getting whacked around the head by a girl who must surely go on to be his new companion (anyone remember how the Eleventh Doctor and the grown-up Amy Pond first met?).

Anna is a wonderful character (and she also happens to be an investigative journalist), and is a wonderful foil for Newlyn. Admittedly, the tiny bit of romantic tension when they first met made me cringe a little, but this isn't a show that can really allow for them to spend great periods of time falling in love, so we'll excuse it. 

Once again, the plot is furthered, with a few strands from Chapter 1 being nicely tied up (for instance, who Richard was waiting for when he was attacked). The title of the series itself also starts to make sense here, and one assumes that the audience is intended to 'cotton on' before the characters within the show. That's all I'm saying though, spoilers!

The final clip has a nice cliffhanger (that you can't truly appreciate unless you paid attention to Chapter 1 and know who, or rather, what, The Servant is - so make sure you watch it!), and a little joke bound to put a knowing smile on the face of every Whovian. It once again reminds us that this show is fun. And a little bit scary!

A special mention must go to Rachel Shenton, famous for her role in teen soap Hollyoaks, who gives an enthusiastic performance here, and she and Anthony Miles have a great rapport on-screen.

Two more fantastic installments that musn't be missed! And, I suppose, a rather nice way of passing the time waiting for 'Doctor Who' to come back, as well! ;)

Watch these Chapters here:

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

More About 'Blood and Bone China'

Official Website:  http://www.bloodandbonechina.com/index.html

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/BloodandBoneChina

Twitter: @BloodBoneChina

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/BloodandBoneChina

Blood and Bone China, Overview and Chapter 1 Review

A web series is a wonderful thing. Short, captivating installments of a show, made on the cheap but by very talented and dedicated people, they can gain huge cult followings. It seems, however, that one such series managed to slip under my radar. Yet, through the glories of Twitter, I was able to fall into the sordid world of 'Blood and Bone China'.

It certainly ticks all but one of the boxes of a typical web-series. The episodes are short and captivating, and those on and behind the camera are tremendously dedicated to bringing forth a hugely entertaining succession of installments. But somehow, it doesn't seem cheap. The sets are lavish, the fake blood (which so many big budget horrors get wrong) is very realistic, and it has special effects that wouldn't be out of place on a mainstream sci-fi show. 'Blood and Bone China', within the first ten minutes, slapped me around the face and told me to pay attention. This is not a show to be missed!

So, what's it about? Good question, and one of the big factors of this show is that you don't really know, to begin with. Like a novel (of which more in a moment), the plot unfolds slowly, but maintains your interest with intriguing events and some wonderfully perverse characters. I shall give a bit of detail, plotwise, on each of the episodes, or 'Chapters', but not much. If you want to know what happens, watch them!

       As for the setting, 'Blood and Bone China' is Victorian England, 1897, right out of a Hammer Horror film, with all the 'behind-closed-doors naughtiness' and mystery that that entails. The setting, and overall plot, is also clearly influenced by the Gothic Horrors that were written during the time this show is set. Indeed, with its' carefully crafted storyline, and deep and sordid characters, not to mention the fact that the installments are labelled as 'Chapters' rather than 'Episodes', 'Blood and Bone China' itself feels like a Gothic novel, or one of the episodic Penny Dreadfuls of the day. Just a bit more modern in its' execution!

CHAPTER 1 - 'Oblivion and Paradise'

Chapter 1 begins the story, by revealing that a Dr. Richard Howell has made some sort of disturbing discovery, that could also prove dangerous. During an attempt to deliever a package, he is attacked by a Vampire, and the story begins....

The lively opening sequence kicks things off nicely - a pacy, slap-in-the-face affair with a catchy punk theme tune (courtesy of the band Birthrite), and teasing glimpses of some of the friends and freaks we'll be meeting on this journey. It works well, and once you've seen it, it's impossible to NOT watch the rest!

Once the Chapter starts proper, we're given some lovely glimpses of Stoke-On-Trent, and the inside of Dr. Howell's study/lab. The attention to detail here is excellent, all skeletons and bizarre drawings, not to mention the token lit candle that every self-respecting Gothic horror should feature at some point. Accompanied by a haunting choir score, this is the first example of everything falling into place very quickly.

Another thing that falls into place very quickly is the acting. Simon Hooson, as Dr. Richard Howell, brings forth the characters determination and torment with carefully observed skill. He purveys the haunted nature of the man very well, and with complete conviction. 

       By contrast, Richard's relative, the vet Newlyn Howell, is awkward and rather absent-minded. Seeing him at work, falling over and generally letting things get on top of him, the audience is instantly on his side. Anthony Miles channels his inner-Peter Davison here, but adds a charm and eagerness all of his own.

        Then there is the sumptuous Lara De-Leuw as Lady Victoria, a truly wicked she-Vampire, and servant of a mysterious figure known as Linus Hemlock. Miss De-Leuw plays Lady Victoria as an utterly vicious, totally evil monster, and she nails it. She evidently relishes the role of villain, and makes her character both scary and sexy. Indeed, if there's one thing I cannot resist, it's beautiful Vampiric vixen bathing in blood.

       The rest of the cast are all brilliant, and it's safe to assume that as the plot unravels, we will be seeing more of them. Special mentions must go to Ryan Callaghan, as 'The Servent', who is reminiscent of 'Bad-Angel' in Buffy, and John Dutton as Farmer Hewitt, who has hilarious comic timing.

Directed with flair and passion by Chris Stone, and with a spot-on script and superb cast, 'Blood and Bone China' is unmissable stuff. Sexy, scary, gripping, and bloody, this should be number one on your viewing list. And you can do it right now! Chapter 1 - 'Oblivion and Paradise'

More About 'Blood and Bone China'

Official Website:  http://www.bloodandbonechina.com/index.html

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/BloodandBoneChina

Twitter: @BloodBoneChina

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/BloodandBoneChina