Thanks! I love the pre-Barns.

There's no denying Thayer's acting ability. What a presence, what a force. Vicki and Matthew in the basement - what a great scene thanks to Thayer. I loved everything about it dialogue wise. And any basement scene is always so atmospheric. I love that set and pretty much any scene shot therein.

Burke & Carolyn - What is there to say? At least Carolyn is approaching her conquest a bit more maturely (but still naively), making it less awkward to watch. Whatever the case, Carolyn seems very sure of herself. Good dialogue and acting. I guess now that Burke isn't an attempted murderer Carolyn feels he is fair game. I don't know if she should be considering Vicki. I think Vicki played down the romantic angle when she talked to Carolyn about her dinner with Burke but I thought that Burke made it obvious that he was interested in Vicki when Carolyn questioned him about it. All is fair in love and war.

Liz & Matthew & Vicki - Matthew comes off looking much better than Liz. Good gravy, Thayer elevates every scene he's in. Liz's explanation to Vicki makes the most sense if you don't believe in spooks. I'm thinking of all the folks who've had and or led horrible existences in Collinwood. So many could be the ghost behind the crying. I did think that Liz's concern over what Roger might have said about the crying was odd. As if it were another secret she did not want discovered. I wonder if Vicki is going to let it go after giving up the chance Liz gave her to go into the store room? And I thought it odd that Liz would seem so overly relieved that Vicki turned her down. Perhaps Liz locked the door without ever having gone in. So even she wouldn't know what condition to expect the room to be in.

Burke & Matthew - Not sure of the purpose of this scene. To establish Matthew as a killer? Thayer's Matthew certainly seems more so than George's.

Not a bad episode by any means. It certainly gives a first time viewer a lot to think about. With so many mentions of ghosts lately, I have a feeling the Old House debut must be right around the corner. With the dawn of a new day I am happy to have Liz's old 'do back! Hating Vicki's clothes lately.

Nice writeup, AD.

Liz is asking an awful lot of Vicki, in fact, she's asking a lot of everyone. She certainly has a lot of faith in fate. I'm glad she confronted David with the truth about his almost killing his father and his threats to Vicki.

Roger is a trip but because this is a soap I can totally relate to (and enjoy) his sarcasm. But in real life it would be totally unacceptable the way he talks to (and about) his son. Louie went all out in his scene with Bennett ranting and raving. I guess Roger has a lot to be upset about especially after talking to Sam. Surely he must feel the noose tightening. In any other soap (especially today) someone would have overheard Roger and Sam in the diner - really stupid move on Roger's part.

David Ford is still reading Mark Allen's lines and the delivery sounds preposterous coming out of his mouth. I can't remember if we know what Sam's sin against Burke is.

nude Backgammon!!"

B: "And that, my boy, is what you do with a drunken sailor!!"

The opening voiceover would have been fabulous if read by Grayson Hall.

I guess it was too much to expect of Joe not to mention Vicki being at Burke's. Disappointing though. I guess Joe is as flawed as the rest of humanity.

David sure is a main character right now. I keep wondering if a child has ever been so central a character in a soap. I really wish he would have jumped out of his bedroom window.

Vicki's good disposition must be what is keeping her from jumping out a window.  I think Carolyn summed it up pretty well - she can't feel very welcome or secure (or safe for that matter) there. I wonder when the last time is we hear someone warn Vicki to leave?

All the Sam stuff was pretty boring with both Joe and Burke. The first Joe scene gave a giggle or two and the Burke scene was only worth Burke confronting him about his connection with Roger - but still kinda blah. The second scene with Joe just made me think that it was written for Mark Allen, not David Ford (which makes perfect sense of course).

I'm glad Carolyn didn't hold a grudge (this time, lol). I'm starting to feel sorry for her.

the rubber broke!!"

Interesting opening shot of a rare-angled closeup of Collinwood with great shadow play.

Lots of heart-bearing conversations involving all the characters except Burke who is pretty much angling. And intriguing viewpoints from each character. Carolyn questions Liz's handling of the David situation and her plans for her. Mother wants daughter to leave and daughter doesn't want to abandon Mother. Boy wants girl, girl doesn't know what she wants or is afraid to want, period.

Vicki isn't going anywhere despite Carolyn's reasonable warnings. Drunk Joe barges into Collinwood and tells it like it is, or at least how he sees it. Liz is not amused and neither am I. I can't abide drunks who can't kept their mouths shut, happy or nasty. I do love the way the girls react to and handle him though. His appearance creates another heart to heart between Carolyn and her mother.

Vicki decides to take Burke up on his invitation to meet in town. I am wondering what percentage of her decision is based on learning what was in Strake's report and what percentage is a personal interest in Burke. The latter probably very little at this point.

This is the Harvey Keitel episode. So young and cute. I really liked much of the dialogue, the best of it coming from Carolyn. I got a big kick out of Carolyn making tea. The apple doesn't fall from from the tree, lol.