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brightknightie) wrote2020-09-01 09:04 pm
brightknightie) wrote2020-09-01 09:04 pm
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the so-called "lost swordfight scene" from FK's "Dead of Night"
As you probably know, when a copy of the script for the third-season FK episode "Dead of Night" by Michael Sadowski came into fannish hands back in the day, it contained a scene that had not appeared in the final filmed version, a flashback scene of Nick and Lacroix practicing with swords while talking.
The scene was shared via FK email lists at the time. People were eager to read what became known as "the lost swordfight scene" (although we actually know some of its lines from other, filmed scenes, and the script was rewritten over it). I personally don't love the scene for several overarching FK interpretation reasons. But, important to me, personally: one of its implied elements may possibly have influenced or converged with some of Susan G.'s thinking leading up to her never-finished (but posted to her site before she died) third Dorian-the-Archivist novel, Noble Mind.
This came up not long ago in a conversation withpj228. I said that, if I remembered correctly, the scene had been shared on the email lists. Long story short, my own personal PC is up and running again, and I am able to share that scene. Let me note, first, that this obviously is not canon, and may not be something the writer or director or actors would like to have influence our understanding of the episode or series.
It is interesting, though.
FOREVER KNIGHT #314 "Dead of Night" REV: BLUE Nov. 20/95
33 OMITTED
34 EXT - STREET - NIGHT
ON Nick, driving. Under the cop radio's occasional squawk,
LACROIX (V.O.)
Ghosts are mistakes we made. They come, not from Beyond the Pale, but rise up from our gravest doubts about ourselves.
35 RADIO STUDIO
CLOSE ON LACROIX at the mic.
LACROIX (V.O.)
Every ill-considered thing we've done is a ghost that haunts us...
36 IN THE CADDIE
CLOSE ON NICK. Descending into reverie.
LACROIX (V.O.)
...if we let it.
37 INT. - CASTLE HALL - NIGHT (THE PAST)
CLOSE: Nick and Alyssa, lip-locked. They disengage. She's breathless; Nick works her neckline down to cleavage as
ALYSSA
(whispering)
Are you happy, milord Nicholas?
NICK
As I've ever been.
ALYSSA
We will be together forever, won't we?
NICK
(pulls back)
For all eternity.
ALYSSA
(blushing bride)
Grant me leave that I might prepare for our wedding night?
(off Nick; she bows)
Milord...
Nick watches her go... and his expression sours as he hears
LACROIX (O.S.)
How romantic. May I watch?
Rack focus to Lacroix, emerging from the shadows. Nick doesn't even turn to address him: he knew Lacroix was there.
NICK
I thought you'd gone to England to collect a debt.
Lacroix looks to a rack that holds SWORDS. He picks up two, walks slowly toward Nick. Circles him.
LACROIX
(grin)
Lord Kettering had no gold with which to satisfy his outstanding obligation... so I took repayment in another, equally precious form.
(beat; smiles)
They raise such fine, healthy daughters there. You really must go sometime... oh, I'm sorry, you're "spoken for" now, aren't you?
Lacroix tosses a SWORD to Nick. Gives him a questioning look... inviting him to a sporting duel. They face off and fence as they talk. (To be staged...)
NICK
(defiant)
I know others of our kind who have relationships with mortals and take wives. There's no reason why I cannot have what I want.
LACROIX
I suppose you'll tell her the gruesome truth in due course.
NICK
She will accept me. She loves me without condition. In time, I will immortalize her.
LACROIX
You'll bring her across, will you? Imagine it, Nicholas: gone such a short time, yet I've missed so much: your whirlwind romance, your nuptials...
With an expert parry and thrust, Lacroix disarms Nick.
Nick's sword clatters to the stone floor. Lacroix presses his sword's tip into Nick's throat...
CLOSE ON LACROIX. His eyes narrow and he grows stern.
LACROIX (cont'd)
And your rapid matriculation from apprentice to master.
NICK
(angry)
I am not your slave. I'll live as I please.
Lacroix adds pressure to his sword. Presses it harder against Nick's throat to punctuate his point.
LACROIX
As you wish. Have all you want, only use care not to take too much.
Lacroix gives his sword a deft little twist. Just enough to CUT NICK... humiliate him.
OFF NICK, wounded.... we're suddenly back in
38 THE CADDIE - PRESENT
Tracy CLICKS OFF the radio.
TRACY
Sorry, Nick. That guy gets under my skin.
The scene was shared via FK email lists at the time. People were eager to read what became known as "the lost swordfight scene" (although we actually know some of its lines from other, filmed scenes, and the script was rewritten over it). I personally don't love the scene for several overarching FK interpretation reasons. But, important to me, personally: one of its implied elements may possibly have influenced or converged with some of Susan G.'s thinking leading up to her never-finished (but posted to her site before she died) third Dorian-the-Archivist novel, Noble Mind.
This came up not long ago in a conversation with
pj228. I said that, if I remembered correctly, the scene had been shared on the email lists. Long story short, my own personal PC is up and running again, and I am able to share that scene. Let me note, first, that this obviously is not canon, and may not be something the writer or director or actors would like to have influence our understanding of the episode or series.It is interesting, though.
FOREVER KNIGHT #314 "Dead of Night" REV: BLUE Nov. 20/95
33 OMITTED
34 EXT - STREET - NIGHT
ON Nick, driving. Under the cop radio's occasional squawk,
LACROIX (V.O.)
Ghosts are mistakes we made. They come, not from Beyond the Pale, but rise up from our gravest doubts about ourselves.
35 RADIO STUDIO
CLOSE ON LACROIX at the mic.
LACROIX (V.O.)
Every ill-considered thing we've done is a ghost that haunts us...
36 IN THE CADDIE
CLOSE ON NICK. Descending into reverie.
LACROIX (V.O.)
...if we let it.
37 INT. - CASTLE HALL - NIGHT (THE PAST)
CLOSE: Nick and Alyssa, lip-locked. They disengage. She's breathless; Nick works her neckline down to cleavage as
ALYSSA
(whispering)
Are you happy, milord Nicholas?
NICK
As I've ever been.
ALYSSA
We will be together forever, won't we?
NICK
(pulls back)
For all eternity.
ALYSSA
(blushing bride)
Grant me leave that I might prepare for our wedding night?
(off Nick; she bows)
Milord...
Nick watches her go... and his expression sours as he hears
LACROIX (O.S.)
How romantic. May I watch?
Rack focus to Lacroix, emerging from the shadows. Nick doesn't even turn to address him: he knew Lacroix was there.
NICK
I thought you'd gone to England to collect a debt.
Lacroix looks to a rack that holds SWORDS. He picks up two, walks slowly toward Nick. Circles him.
LACROIX
(grin)
Lord Kettering had no gold with which to satisfy his outstanding obligation... so I took repayment in another, equally precious form.
(beat; smiles)
They raise such fine, healthy daughters there. You really must go sometime... oh, I'm sorry, you're "spoken for" now, aren't you?
Lacroix tosses a SWORD to Nick. Gives him a questioning look... inviting him to a sporting duel. They face off and fence as they talk. (To be staged...)
NICK
(defiant)
I know others of our kind who have relationships with mortals and take wives. There's no reason why I cannot have what I want.
LACROIX
I suppose you'll tell her the gruesome truth in due course.
NICK
She will accept me. She loves me without condition. In time, I will immortalize her.
LACROIX
You'll bring her across, will you? Imagine it, Nicholas: gone such a short time, yet I've missed so much: your whirlwind romance, your nuptials...
With an expert parry and thrust, Lacroix disarms Nick.
Nick's sword clatters to the stone floor. Lacroix presses his sword's tip into Nick's throat...
CLOSE ON LACROIX. His eyes narrow and he grows stern.
LACROIX (cont'd)
And your rapid matriculation from apprentice to master.
NICK
(angry)
I am not your slave. I'll live as I please.
Lacroix adds pressure to his sword. Presses it harder against Nick's throat to punctuate his point.
LACROIX
As you wish. Have all you want, only use care not to take too much.
Lacroix gives his sword a deft little twist. Just enough to CUT NICK... humiliate him.
OFF NICK, wounded.... we're suddenly back in
38 THE CADDIE - PRESENT
Tracy CLICKS OFF the radio.
TRACY
Sorry, Nick. That guy gets under my skin.
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no subject
Thematically, well, you know FK. :-D We can spend months contesting the interpretation of a single scene, and then start over contesting again, for two decades and counting. :-D
This scene has elements of themes that belong to the eternal argument over whether FK vampires can have sex with humans without killing them, and the related argument over whether FK vampires can take blood from humans without either killing them, turning them, or rendering them "zombies" (a la 3 specific episodes). The scene also appeals to the Nick/Lacroix fans in various ways, which invites other fans to point out other interpretations. And there's a layer of interpretation in which we have to juxtapose Alyssa with Fleur -- or argue away the invitation to juxtaposition. And then there are revenge elements, which are big in the present-day plot of that episode, and a core theme for Janette.
:-D I do love FK.