Barn finally reaches his "point of return."
Vicki tells Barn the dream. I think this is the first time he uses his compelling gaze on someone, and even though he is no longer a vampire (for the moment), it works on Vicki.
Barnabas tells her, The evil that has plagued Collinwood will be over when you tell me the dream. I am the one Cassandra wants, he admits. Naturally she asks, Why? What does she have against you? He’s stumped for a second, then repeats the original explanation that he gave when he first presented himself at Collinwood: I am a direct descendant of the “original” Barnabas Collins. I suppose that all who bear that name must bear the same fate. Vicki recalls, The Collins Family History said that the “original” Barnabas went to England, but that isn’t true. He stayed in Collinsport and died soon after marrying Angelique. He died in the Old House, she continues wildly, and that’s what the last line of the riddle means! [In her distracted state, Vicki does not realize that if what he says is true, then the “original” Barnabas--who had no children--cannot be his ancestor.] One door leads to the point of return, she quotes. Thoroughly alarmed, Barnabas immediately asks, Return to what? Return to death! Vicki answers, horrified. Something worse than death, Barnabas mutters, remembering his own private horror. What do you mean? Vicki asks with concern. Nothing, he replies. He continues, I can’t bear for you to keep having the dream over and over, until you are no longer yourself. Looking into her eyes, he finally declares himself with these fatal words: I've loved very few things in the course of my lifetime. But Vicki, I love you. I will go to my grave before I will see your life destroyed. Vicki can’t resist his compelling gaze as he steers her toward the couch, sits her down, and commands her, Tell me the dream--from the beginning.
A lone dog howls as the sun sets over the Old House. We see Barnabas take a little red pill just before Julia arrives with her medical bag. You look calm, she observes. He replies, I want to go quietly and with some measure of dignity. Let me give you something to keep you awake, Julia says. You’re too late, he replies. I’ve just taken a sleeping pill. Whatever is going to happen to me, I want it over with quickly. Barnabas settles himself in one of the chairs by the fireplace. [We never do see the room where he sleeps as a human man!] He tells Julia, The pill is already taking effect, so you must listen carefully. I have already instructed Willie in what to do, and you must help him. I know I will revert. You must drive the stake into my heart immediately. When Julia protests, he reminds her, My existence was a living hell: alive by night, dead by day. Promise me. Very reluctantly Julia agrees. Barnabas thanks her and quickly falls asleep. The faithful Julia sits nearby to watch over him.
Oh, and of course, The Slap. One of the great moments of fandom!
