April 26, 2009 2:53pm The contrast between the theme and the mood is striking: the eye contact is deeply tender with an imploring note, though not of fear. It is almost as if we are the ones being gently urged to explore our "dark side" at the passive instigation of this sweetly submissive (though subtly controlling) figure. Excellent lighting, and a perfectly nuanced pose and performance. I particularly like the slight tilt of the head, giving the expression its particularly questioning, challenging quality, as if inviting us to make the next move.