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crack_van2010-06-01 12:50 pm
ssquirrel-fic.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2010-06-01 12:50 pm
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Small Fandom Overview: Young Dracula
Vampires in the UK...
The Show
Young Dracula is a British 'kidcom' from CBBC (Children's BBC), based on the book by Michael Lawrence. The series originally aired between 2006 and 2008, and has since been shown in Australia and most of Western Europe. There are 27 half hour episodes in all. These are all up on YouTube HERE.
The basic premise is that Count Dracula, following a 'misunderstanding' with the local pitchfork wielding peasantry, relocates to suburban Britain with his two children, Ingrid and Vladimir. Ingrid can't wait to become a true vampire on her sixteenth birthday and is determined, as the eldest, to inherit the Dracula title instead of Vlad. Vlad, for his part, would be glad to be free of it. He dreads becoming a vampire and wishes they could just be a normal family.
Unluckily for him, his vampirism isn't quite the secret he would like it to be. Self confessed 'weirdo goth child' Robin Branagh sniffs him out almost as soon as he arrives in Stokely, assuring him that vampires are the coolest things ever and that they're going to be best friends. Enrolling at the local secondary school in the second episode, Vlad comes face to face with Jonno and his dad, Eric Van Helsing - woodwork teacher by profession, vampire slayer by vocation. It goes from bad to worse when Vlad discovers he's the 'Chosen One', destined to become the next Grand High Vampire...
Robin: "Dad, you're making strange noises again."
Mr. Branagh: "It's called singing, Robin. People do it when they're in a good mood. Sorry, 'good mood'. I'm not confusing you with my complicated technical jargon, am I?"
Most of the show's misadventures revolve around the three families - the Draculas, the Branaghs, and the Van Helsings - and their interaction with each other. Robin, Vlad and Jonno are all equally dismayed at how embarrassing their respective dads are. Mina Van Helsing left her husband over his obsession with vampires. Magda Westenra left the Count for a werewolf named Patrick. Robin, love him, has to put up with a whole clan of embarrassing relatives.
The set up allows for serious issues to be tackled with a more light hearted approach. For example the issue of immigration and racism (endlessly hot topics in the UK) are broached numerous times. Mrs. Branagh chides her husband for being suspicious of the Count's behaviour, telling him he needs to be tolerant of the cultural differences. Mr. Branagh remains unconvinced.
Useful Links:
Vlad, Ingrid, the Count, Renfield.
Who's Who
KIDS:
Chloe Branagh [ Lucy Borja-Edwards ] Child genius, Chloe can already decipher hieroglyphics and is a die hard feminist. She also has a bit of a crush on Vlad, who remains totally oblivious. Quote: [on Mr. and Mrs. Branagh telling Robin off] They just don't want to see you living on the streets, begging people for money.
Ian and Paul Branagh [ Ben McGregor and Luke Bridgeman ] These two are a double act, you can't separate them. They enjoy football, rugby, ogling girls, and making fun of Robin. Quote: (Ian on Robin) Face it mam, you did a good job with me and Paul. It's just unfortunate that you went on to have a weirdo goth child.
Robin Branagh [ Craig Roberts ] A bit of a loner - having once dissected a frog in maths this isn't overly surprising - and habitually acts like he's God's gift to the world. Scratch the surface however and there's a massive inferiority complex going on. There's a more in-depth character study HERE at idol_reflection. Quote: Aw, I love these games. It's like, if you had to, who would you kiss - a ferret or your nan?
Will Clarke [ Harry Ferrier ] New boy at school in series two, he quickly catches Ingrid's eye. It isn't long before he's a 'half fang', spending his days down in the Dracula crypt... Quote: [on receiving Ingrid's Valentine's 'gift'] They're only rats! Icon Credit:
![[info]](https://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
dream_in_grey.
Boris Dracula [ Ciaran Joyce ] Vlad and Ingrid's wimpy cousin. He and his family come to visit as his sixteenth birthday approaches, so he can merge with his reflection in the Dracula blood mirror. His vampiric self wipes out all trace of his former personality.
Ingrid Dracula [ Clare Thomas ] Vlad's older sister. She despises Vlad for being her father's favourite, while she is told her destiny is 'Housework, cleaning my capes, I don't know. I haven't really thought about it.' She does her best to be extra vampiric to prove how much better than Vlad she is. Quote: [to her father] You're a heartless, spiteful, self-centred bully! And so am I, but you just can't see it.
Olga Dracula [ Madeleine Rakic-Platt ] Boris' little sister, she and Ingrid share a mutual hatred, mostly because Ivan actually shows her some attention. Ingrid gets the last laugh though when Ivan returns to evil type before returning to the US.
Vlad Dracula [ Gerran Howell ] Wimpire, destined to be the most powerful vampire in the world. Enjoys scouts, rugby, camping, snuggling with Mr. Cuddles, sulking. Quote: ~Vlad: I'm going to grow up to be a vampire and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm gonna watch all my friends grow old and die, but I'll still be here. Flapping around in this gloomy old castle.
Robin: You make it sound so negative. Icon Credit:
just_thedoctor.
Jonno van Helsing [ Terry Haywood ] In series one Jonno thinks his dad is insane, and despairs of ever making friends with a dad who's constantly trying to kill his classmates. Discovering that vampires are anything but myth in the series one finale Jonno joins his father on his quest to rid Stokely of vampires. Quote: [on van Helsing Snr. saying 'it's a vampire'] No, it's a boy in a cape. Icon Credit:
eviinsanemonkey.
Elisabeth, Ian, Chloe, Paul, Robin and Graham Branagh.
ADULTS:
Elisabeth Branagh [ Beth Robert ] Housewife. Appears to be a little bit spaced out, presumably something prescription. Enjoys bright colours, making friends, and getting involved.
Graham Branagh [ Aneirin Hughes ] Freelance plumber, leads the local scout troop in his spare time. Enjoys fresh air, wholesome exercise, and Kendal mint cake.
Count Dracula [ Keith-Lee Castle ] Prince of Darkness. Enjoys mayhem, destruction, and the occasional sheep. Quote: ~Renfield: Now, Master, please don't be angry with me.
Dracula: I like being angry.
Renfield: Please don't hurt me.
Dracula: Again, not a commitment I feel I can make. Icon Credit:
just_thedoctor.
Ivan Dracula [ Philip Brodie ] Once known as 'Ivan the Terrible' he's spent the last few decades living in California wearing fake tan and getting down with the breathers. He reverts to evil type at the smell of slayer blood however. Quote: Blood free since '93!
Renfield [ Simon Ludders ] The Count's loyal servant. Before him his father, Renfield Snr., filled the role. Quote: (on seeing Vlad's headmistress on a bike) Master, Master! It's a breather with a metal horse!
Eric van Helsing [ Terence Maynard ] Woodwork teacher, vampire slayer. His obsession with vampires has dominated his entire life and destroyed his marriage. It might have been worth it if he weren't the world's most inept slayer! Quote: I'm here to help you turn 'wood' into 'could'!
Mina van Helsing [ Jo-Anne Knowles ] School counsellor. On learning that Jonno has become obsessed with vampires too she moves back in with Eric in an attempt to limit his influence. Quote: Repeat after me; as sure as boy scouts sing round campfires, there are no such things as vampires.
Magda Westenra [ Donna Grant ] Vlad and Ingrid's mum. Never married - 'I couldn't see what was in it for me' - she left the Count some years previously for a werewolf named Patrick. Quote: [on forgetting about her newborn] What would Patrick and I want with a baby?
Fandom
It's quite small, but by no means microscopic. There's a fair amount of fic, vid, and art about, and there's generally something new being posted every week. The most popular fandom pairing is Robin / Vlad - ship_manifesto HERE - although there are examples of most combinations you care to think up! I'll be reccing as wide a mixture as I can, with some old fashioned gen thrown in for good measure. :D
There are (slightly out of date) fic masterlists HERE. And a del.icio.us archive I'll be sorting out properly once finals are over HERE.
The fanbase itself is built up of some of the loveliest people I've met in fandom. ♥
Livejournal Fandom:
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cbbc_slash : comm for slashing any British kids / teen show.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
lovebitesvr : Robin / Vlad community. (Content is members only.)- young_dracula : general community. I post an informal fandom newsletter there once a month.
- There are overviews on most of the small fandom (and similar) comms, and decent fic coverage for fic fests too. Chances are if you look for it at a fest, there'll be something there!
Off-Livejournal Fandom:
- AO3.
- Deviantart.
- Dreamwidth: content at +last_writes, +overlooked, and +whyilikethisship.
- Fanfiction.net.
- Fanpop.
- YouTube.
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Anyhow, thanks for bringing this to my attention because obviously the fact that I've never watched this needs to be rectified immediately.
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