Dracula, Netflix, BBC One, British Broadcasting Corporation, Hartswood Films
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The Count

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Netflix original miniseries Dracula dropped last Saturday January 4th, 2020.

#DraculaNetflixis based on Bram Stoker’s classic novel.

rottentomatoes: 74%

metacritic: 90

imdb: 7.5

Count Dracula

Romanian prince Vlad III Dracula assimilates modern Western culture outside of Yorkshire, England.

Count Dracula, Dracula, Netflix, BBC One, British Broadcasting Corporation, Hartswood Films, Claes Bang“I do not drink… wine.  I bid you welcome, Mr. Harker.  I am… Dracula.  Your employer speaks highly of you, Mr. Harker.  I am looking forward to England, Mr. Harker.  People here, they are so narrow.  I wither among them.  Um… they are without… they are without flavor.  Perhaps.  This is good, Mr. Harker.  You must correct my English at all times.  From you, I shall learn to pass among your countrymen as one of their own.  You flatter me.  No.  Your apology is unnecessary.  You are staying.  It has already been agreed.  Your superiors.  You will remain with me for one month and assist me with my English and my understanding of your culture.  Do not– no, please.  Do not look so concerned, Mr. Harker.  You are most welcome.  There will be no need to teach.  Simply remain at my side, and I shall… absorb you.” — Count Dracula

“Please, pay close attention.  You will not find my home easy to navigate.  It is a rising labyrinth of stairs and doors and shadows.  There is no map of my castle.  No complete design was ever committed to paper.  It is said many souls are lost in the tangle of the corridors.  The prison without locks.  Perhaps you have heard of the architect, Petruvio the Widower?  This castle was the widower’s final work.  A monument to his lost love and the sunlight to which he could never return.  Legend has it that he died here in the arms of his wife.  Hmm.  It must have been a cold embrace.” — Count Dracula

“Do not be impatient with those sweet little things.  They are man’s companion to the end and beyond.  Where there is flesh, there are flies.  In the morning, you will find the sunlight will be streaming through this window.  Fortunately the drapes are very thick.  Please excuse the absence of my staff.  They are not here at night.  Forgive me.  I am clumsy.  I am afraid I do not possess such a thing.  Baubles of vanity.  What is the purpose of a mirror?  Hmm?  One will find no enlightenment in own’s own gaze.  Are you all right, Mr. Harker?  Please be careful.  We cannot have you in any way damaged to your beautiful Mina.  I think you spoke of her beauty at dinner.  Perhaps it was the wine.  Huh.  My sympathies.  Please, attend to your hand.  Blood is not nothing.  Blood is lives.  You will not see me till tomorrow evening.  I have, uh, several appointments.  Till then, please treat my home as your own.  I bid you good night.” — Count Dracula

“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.  I think you’ve been working too hard.  Please, relax.  Have a glass of wine.  I’ve been working on my English.  Do you approve?  The credit is all yours.  You presence has invigorated me.  Fresh blood.” — Count Dracula

“Yes.  Except for the servants, of course.  They aren’t here at nights.  Ah, yes, the driver.  No, Jonathan, there’s no one living here.” — Count Dracula

“Johnny, there you are.  I thought we’d lost you.  Well, I found you downstairs, asleep on the floor.  I could be wrong, but I think you were having a nightmare.  You do look rather pale.  Wine.  Now… …listen, I need you to do something.  Now, sit yourself down.  There you go.  That’s the ticket.  Now, take this.  I need you to write three letters.  That’s nothing.  No, no, no.  There’s no baby.  Now, Johnny, concentrate.  Three letters.  No one?  Company for while you work.  Don’t you recognize her?  I took it from your room.  It’s Mina, your fiancée.  Well, you do look rather… drained.  And I owe it all to you.  Thanks.  Now, it’s almost time for you to go, so three letters, all to Mina.  The first saying you have nearly finished your work here and will be leaving within the week.  The second saying that you have now completed your work and will be leaving the following day.  And the third saying you have now left the castle and have arrived safely in– what shall we say?  Bisritz, hmm?  I will send the letters at the appropriate times.  I’ll forward the last one to Bistritz, so it can be sent from there.  So that Mina will know that you’re coming home.  Because the post here is very erratic.  It’s a precaution.  then Mina wouldn’t think to come looking for you here.  Do you want her to come here?  There is no baby.  Write the letters or don’t write the letters.  It’s up to you.  I’m only thinking about Mina.  Now, if you don’t mind, things to do.  See you tomorrow evening.  Leave the letters on the table.  Well, let’s see.  Uh… the 12th for the first.  Uh, for the second, the 19th.  And for the third… um… what shall we say?  29th?  As good a day as any, Johnny.  Good night.  no one is stopping you.  No, I know.  It’s not your fault, Johnny.  You mustn’t blame yourself.  Johnny, there is no baby.” — Count Dracula

“Johnny, this is interesting.  I’ve never seen it work with a baby before.  Never.  I think I might keep it on for a while.  I hope this doesn’t mean that I’m getting sentimental.  Who?  Oh, um… because I wanted to see if she would die, I suppose.  Johnny, don’t give me that look.  You were a child once.  You know the feeling.  Didn’t you break your toys apart to see how they worked?  And you are s lawyer.  Nobody’s perfect.  Ah.  A stake through the heart.  You see, sometimes, the legends are right.  This is not one you can test too often, though.  I only ever have three brides at a time.  Brides, yes.  I think that’s the right word for it.  You see, um… I am trying to reproduce.  Ooh.  Which, frankly, can be a bit of a challenge when there is only one of you.  Ah, Johnny, you’re just about done, aren’t you?  She was a thirsty little thing, and to think that she was going to keep you in that box all to herself.  Of course I’m going to kill you.  Why does death always come as such a shock to mortals?  Well, of course I did.  You are the high road that leads me to England.  The people.  All those sophisticated and intelligent people.  As I’ve been trying to tell everyone for centuries, you are what you eat.” — Count Dracula

“I’ve always approved of inherited power.  Democracy is the tyranny of the uninformed.  Only in blood do we find the truth, Zoe.” — Count Dracula

“Blood is lives.  Everything is in the blood, Zoe, if you know how to read it.” — Count Dracula

“No.  I’m a 500-year-old warlord.” — Count Dracula

Agatha Van Helsing, Dracula, Netflix, BBC One, British Broadcasting Corporation, Hartswood Films, Dolly WellsAgatha Van Helsing

“Are you hungry, Mr. Harker?  Then perhaps we can talk.  I’m Sister Agatha.  I have been sequestered.  In study, Mr. Harker, of you.  I’ve read your account of your most interesting stay in Transylvania.  And what a lot of truth there is.  Sister Angela tells me you wrote all day and all night for a whole week.  Please, sit with me.  Is the sun a little bright for you?  Good.  That’s good, isn’t it?  Ah, my dear, come in.  We are to be observed.  Apparently, I cannot be trusted alone with a man.  Consider yourself chaperoned.  Mr. Harker, intend no impertinence but why are you still alive?  Escaped, yes.  Then why have you stopped?  Fleeing.  You’ve been here nearly a month.  Why?  A house of God, is it?  Well, that’s good.  We could do with a man about the place, eh, Sister?  Two years ago, a church in this town collapsed.  The roof fell on the congregation, killed everyone as they prayed, including the children.  The priest was the only survivor.  Priests are like that. He said to me afterwards that even in moments like these, he was able to maintain his faith.  I told him he should have maintained his roof.  Look to your own protection, Mr. Harker.  God doesn’t care.  My calling was a very long time ago.  You have something in your eye.  Yes.  Your fiancée, Mina, you mentioned her a lot when you first arrived.  Mina Murray.  You must love her very much.  Perhaps, in time, you will let her read this account.  So, out of kindness, you’ve omitted from your writings anything that would alarm or disturb her?  So now you tell me everything that occurred in the time you spent with the Count at his castle.  Your dinners, your conversations, your intimate moments.  Your life may depend on your complete honesty.  Do you understand what I’m asking you?  I’m asking, Mr. Harker, if you had sexual intercourse with Count Dracula.” — Agatha Van Helsing

“That word… ‘absorb,’ he said that?  Lives?  You are quite certain he did not say, ‘blood is life?’  He said, ‘blood is lives?’  But there were other oddnesses that preoccupied you?  A dog can sniff stories on the slightest breeze, while we are blind in the wind.  No, Mr. Harker, that would be ridiculous.  But perhaps in your blood.  Perhaps stories flow in our veins if you know how to read them.  So, there was another guest in the castle?  Perhaps also a prisoner.  That night, then.  You dreamed?  No, wait.  You dreamed.  After a day of such incident and color, how could you not?  You longed for her.  One longs, certainly.  Tell me more about your dream.  You ache for her.  You were together in your dream.  There is no shame in it.  Dreams are a haven where we sin without consequence.  Believe me, I know.  Some mornings, I can hardly look Sister Rosa in the face.  If you’d ever had sexual intercourse with Count Dracula.  Clearly you have been contaminated with something.  Any contact you’ve had with Count Dracula, sexual or otherwise, is therefore relevant.  Continue.  So, it struck you as strange of course.  No.  No, the writing.  ‘Help us.’  Yes, of course, because whoever wrote it was obliged to hang that way.  But even that extraordinary physical feat is surely not the point of interest.  What is remarkable, Mr. Harker… what is convenient is that the words were in English.  Of course not.  You are an Englishman: a combination of presumptions beyond compare.  Tell me.  How did you feel?” — Agatha Van Helsing

“So after sundown each day, Dracula appeared stronger and younger, while the opposite was true for you.  Did you understand what was happening to you?  Turn your head to the side.  Show me.  You have been very strong, Mr. Harker.  In your circumstances, I don’t think I could have been so brave.  So, your search continued.  Tell us.  Quite understandable.  ‘Omoara-mă.’  Do you know what that is?  It’s Romanian.  It means ‘kill me.’  Undead.  There is a contagion, a corruption passing through this world from one sufferer to the next.  For those unfortunates who fall victim to it, life becomes incurable.  They lose the divine ability to die.  As their bodies rot, their consciousness persists.  Even as dust, their pain goes on.  It is a secret every gravedigger keeps.  There are those among us destined to scratch at our coffin lids for all eternity.  If you work among the dead, it’s not death you fear, it’s the alternative.  I don’t know.  Faith is a sleeping draught for children and simpletons.  What we must have… is a plan.  Undead, certainly, but from your account, I think he’s much more complicated.” — Agatha Van Helsing

“Or?  Not an easy task in the circumstances.  I should be fascinated to know what they were.  Well, indeed.  That’s true, yes.  But on the negative side, you were enfeebled and trapped.  One you couldn’t even find.  Of the castle?  But there wasn’t one?  What did he say?  I missed it.  Then you’re much quicker than me.  It’s vague in certain crucial regards.  Continue, please.” — Agatha Van Helsing

“You assumed, I suppose, that the cross would ward off evil.  Your faith, I think it’s touching.  I have looked for God everywhere in this world and never found him.  Well, like many women of my age, I am trapped in a loveless marriage, maintaining appearances for the sake of a roof over my head.  Now then, We proceed to your miraculous escape from Castle Dracula about which you have been so vague.” — Agatha Van Helsing

Jonathan Harker, Dracula, Netflix, BBC One, British Broadcasting Corporation, Hartswood Films, John HeffernanJonathan Harker

“No, I’m– I’m fine.  Thank you.  Uh… I thought I’d met all the sisters.  In prayer?  It’s the truth.  No.  I fled.  I was trapped.  I escaped.  I fled that place in terror of my life.  He is a monster.  I swear to you.  He is the Devil himself.  Stopped what?  I’m safe with you.  This is a house of God.  The way you talk, it’s unusual in someone of your calling.  What’s wrong?  Is it gone?  Oh, uh, yes.  I need to contact her.  Of course.  If she wishes, yes.  Well, I didn’t want to– I think so.” — Jonathan Harker

“That’s very kind of you, thank you.  I couldn’t possibly.  Thank you.  Driver, I’m sorry, but we still seem to be some distance from the castle.  How?  Actually, driver, could you help me with my cases?  Hmm.  Charming.  Hello?  Hello?  Anyone at home?  Hello?  I’m sorry.  I… the wine was open, I assumed… perhaps I could pour you some, Count?” — Jonathan Harker

“Mmm.  Yes.  The property has been purchased in your name.  Everything is in order.  I need only your signature on a few documents, and Carfax Abbey will be yours.  Perhaps you mean ‘character?’  Your English is already excellent, Count.  No, I don’t.  However, I will be leaving here tomorrow.  I have to return to England immediately.  Sorry?  With whom?  But, Count, I– Count… Count Dracula, I’m a lawyer, I’m not a teacher.” — Jonathan Harker

“Yes.  ‘Absorb.’  Yes, quite remarkable.  One would almost need a map.  No.  If he was a widower, surely she died before him.  Of course, Count, though perhaps you could lend me a replacement.  You don’t have any mirrors?  Ow!  Oh, I’m fine.  It’s, uh… just a scratch.  It’s nothing, it’s just– did I mention Mina?  Oh, I… don’t recall that.  No, I barely drank.  It’s really fine.  It’s nothing.  He did.  Yes.  It struck me as odd.  How could he know my thoughts?  I never mentioned Mina at dinner.  I’m certain of it.  He could smell my thoughts in the air?  Good night– is someone– hello?  Hello?  I didn’t realize I was a prisoner at the time.  I slept.  I woke early.  One longs for the solace of home.  It is private.  I don’t see– this is not– what you asked before, if I’d ever– hmm.  Why did you ask that?  ‘Help us.’  Well, clearly, there was someone trapped in the castle.  It was upside down.  Then what is?  Oh.  I didn’t think of that.  Proceed.  I knew I had the day to myself, so I determined to find the room above mine and see if anyone required my assistance.  Different, older.  But very curious.  At least I knew I was not alone.  The Count hadn’t been exaggerating about his castle.  Hello?  Whatever way I turned, it never took me where I expected.  Every door I opened led to two more, and then three.  Every step I took, I made the wrong choice.  I was lost in the architect’s labyrinth.  I wasted most of the day until I found myself too tired to go on.  Mmm.  Count.  Your voice… you sound different.  Ah… it’s almost perfect.” — Jonathan Harker

“‘Help us.’  Hello?  Hello?  Hello?  Excuse me?  Please, I intent you no harm.  However, fleeting the sight, surely this was proof that I wasn’t going mad.  Count Dracula?  Are we alone in this castle?  I never see any servants.  I don’t see them in the daytime either.  In fact, apart from the driver, I haven’t seen anyone working here at all.  What I’m asking is, aside from yourself, is there anyone living in this castle?  No, not then.  I thought I was sick, just… sick.  Why?  I wasn’t brave.  In what way was I brave.  Well, my help had been requested.  It… it would have been difficult to refuse that.  Unacceptable.” — Jonathan Harker

“My exploration led me deeper and deeper into the labyrinth.  Eventually, I made a remarkable discovery.  What had become of these people?  Were they my predecessors?  Oh!  Oh.  It’s all I remember.  I fear I may have passed out.  It sounded like a curse.  They looked dead already.  Dead and walking.  Tell me.  Is there any salvation for such creatures?  Dracula’s one of them, isn’t he?  Undead?” — Jonathan Harker

“What am I doing here?  You said you didn’t drink.  What was that?  It sounded like a baby.  No one calls me Johnny.  No one.  Who is she?  Why would I?  Mina Murray.  How… how can I not recognize her face?  You look young.  But why– why would I do that?  But why would I write the letters in advance?  For whom?  If…  if something were to happen to me, and those letters had already been sent– that’s a baby.  I can hear it crying.  The dates!  The dates for the letters.  How should I date them?  29th?  What if I leave?  What if I leave this place right now?  I don’t have the strength.  Please.  Please!  Leave the baby.  I had been told the span of my life, the limit of my existence: the 29th.  Now, I could stay here dying piece by piece till I found myself nailed into one of those boxes.  Or I could kill Count Dracula.  No, but I had certain advantages.  I was enfeebled and trapped.  So, Dracula did not consider me a threat.  I had a potential ally, one who could climb the castle walls.  That was because I was looking for the wrong thing.  I should’ve been looking for a map.  That’s what Dracula believed.  But in telling me that, he’d also told me where to find it.  I told you.  You did.  I’m not quick.  I’ve always been slow.  But the thing is, when you’re slow, you know you need to pay attention.  It’s the clever ones who never listen.  You’ve read all this already in my account.  It occurred to me that night that Dracula said more than he intended.  And more than he knew.  As he was a creature of the night, I had to wait until morning to test my theory.  The Count said there was no map, but Petruvio was an artist, and artists always wish to be understood.  The castle was a monument to the architect’s lost love and the sunlight to which he would never return.  And what else is sunlight, but the face of one’s beloved?  The path to the sunlight.  It was clear from the castle maps that Petruvio had created, within his design, a system of shortcuts through the maze.  Hidden passages, possibly unknown even to Dracula himself.  How many times had I looked at that picture and not seen it?  Petruvio’s wife was the sunlight, and he stood guard at the door.” — Jonathan Harker

“I won’t.  No, I work him.  I’m a lawyer from England.  Why?  It’s where I’m from.  You know it.  Your speaking English.  How?  Tasted?  Was it you at the window?  You left the message?  You’re trapped here.  I want to help you.  Look at it!  It’s the sign of the cross.  The symbol of our Lord.” — Jonathan Harker

“Why are you smiling?  What happened to yours?  Then why are you here?  Somebody?  Please, help!  Why did you kill her?  You are a monster.  Brides?  Are you going to kill me?  You took everything from me.  Why England?” — Jonathan Harker

Mina Murray, Dracula, Netflix, BBC One, British Broadcasting Corporation, Hartswood Films, Morfydd ClarkMina Murray

“My darling Johnny… you are to travel to a distant land, and I shall miss you very much every single day.  It seems to me likely that you will meet some very exciting women as you travel across Europe to Transylvania, and I wanted to assure you that, should you fall prey to temptation, I, as your dutiful fiancée, will completely understand.  The certainty of our coming wedding is all the consolation a young woman could require.  Well, apart from the very handsome Doctor Holmwood, your friends Reggie and Barnaby who always seems so pleased to see me, lovely Edwin from your office, the butcher’s boy who has filled out quite deliciously in recent months, and should I want for variety, the adorable barmaid at the Rose and Crown, who I know you have also admired.  I feel certain we shall be mindful of each other at all times during our separation.  All my love and, I hope, all yours, your adoring Mina.” — Mina Murray

“You were trapped in that place.  You were afraid, and yet you spent your days searching the castle because you thought someone needed your help.  Difficult?  Have faith!” — Mina Murray

Dracula's Bride, Dracula, Netflix, BBC One, British Broadcasting Corporation, Hartswood Films, Lujza RichterDracula’s Bride

“He doesn’t know I can get out of the box.  Don’t tell him.  Are you his friend now?  I think he’s made you his friend.  What’s England?  I learned it.  It tasted funny.  Once you are the Count’s friend, all languages are the same.  I’m hungry.  I smelled you.  He only gives me scraps.  Tiny little things.  Tell him I finished the last one.  I finished it really quickly.  I’m hungry!  I know.  It’s pretty.” — Dracula’s Bride

Woman

“Mr. Harker.  Mr. Harker, please.  You must take this.  You must.  You will need this.” — Woman

Driver

“It’s as close as we are going.  The Count will find you here.  He finds people.  He will send his driver.” — Driver

Romanian Corpse

“Omoara-mă.  Omoara-mă.  Omoara-mă.  Omoara-mă.” — Romanian Corpse

Zoe Van Helsing, Dracula, Netflix, BBC One, British Broadcasting Corporation, Hartswood Films, Dolly Wells

Zoe Van Helsing

Dracula's Lawyer, Dracula, Netflix, BBC One, British Broadcasting Corporation, Hartswood Films, Mark Gatiss

Dracula’s Lawyer

https://twitter.com/Markgatiss/status/1212733811030671361

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