Peter Bradford (yes, him) begins his plan for revenge by explaining things to Jeb. Originally, Vicki and Peter supposedly moved out West and lived happily ever after, but one supposes the writers couldn’t let anyone on Dark Shadows be happy. Or else Angelique’s curse destroyed them too. Mercifully, Barnabas never learns of their tragic fate.
Apparently the seemingly all-powerful Leviathan Supreme Being can be killed in a surprising variety of ways.
Jeb remembers Peter all too well (according to this revisionist history, at least) and reacts with horror to his sudden appearance. I kept you from killing Maggie Evans, Willie Loomis and Julia Hoffman, Peter gloats. I burned the Book and warned David about you. I put the noose around Bruno’s neck. I would have done the same to you--except that it takes a very special way to kill a Leviathan. In 1797 I knew what that way was--and was hanged for it. I was a living man in 1797, Jeb protests. You can’t kill me now. Then why are you so afraid? Peter says implacably. Can you feel my hatred for you? And truly, hatred emanates from Peter like steam from boiling water. It wasn’t my fault that Victoria Winters killed herself, Jeb argues. You sent her over the cliff at Widows Hill, Peter replies--and then I sent you over. I plan to make history repeat itself tonight. You can’t, Jeb protests. Peter continues as if Jeb hadn’t spoke: It may not be my hand, but someone will. When you go over the cliff, you will die the only way you can--by drowning! [So much for werewolves!] Terrified, Jeb tells him, You’ll never get me to Widows Hill. I did in 1797, Peter replies, just as you did Vicki. Turning sad and thoughtful for a moment, Peter says, I was in love with Vicki, and you ended it for us. Now I am going to end it for you and Carolyn. Jeb protests, horrified at the thought that Carolyn might get hurt. The implacable Peter says, I’ve waited a long, long time, and nothing will keep me from destroying you. Jeb says, If you do anything to Carolyn, I swear I’ll ki-- he realizes what he is saying and also realizes that Peter has vanished. Jeb picks up the phone and calls Carolyn (he dials a seven-digit number!). Desperately he warns her, Don’t leave the house, no matter what happens, even something strange and terrifying. I will come for you. Carolyn doesn’t understand but agrees. They check the time: it’s 1:30, and Jeb will arrive at 3:30.
Megan vamps Sky, then goes to the jail and vamps her husband. Can a vampire commit adultery by biting a man not her husband?
Philip is alone in his cell again when someone else comes to him and calls his name. He pulls up his collar to hide the bite marks. I won’t say anything to the doctor, he promises, thinking it’s Megan. But poor, half-mad Philip doesn’t even seem surprised when Peter Bradford materializes in the cell. I’m not going to tell you anything, Philip insists. Gently Peter replies, Mr. Todd, you don’t have to tell me anything. I know it all already. Philip is totally unfazed but comments, You aren’t real. I was, Peter says, and introduces himself. Throughout their conversation, his manner is gentle and sad. He says, Even though you’re living and I’m dead, and centuries separate us, we have one thing in common: We were both in love with women who were destroyed by the same man. Barnabas, Philip says promptly. Barnabas couldn’t help it, Peter says sorrowfully. I’ll get him! Philip rages, I’ll get them all! Even if you’re found innocent, Peter replies, they’ll still think you’re insane--unless you do exactly what I say. If you agree, I’ll unlock the door and you can get revenge on anybody you want. Philip seems pleased at this proposal.
Peter tricks Jeb into falling asleep and sets his clock back an hour.
Jeb abruptly wakes up and wonders what happened. He is about to phone Carolyn, but sees that the clock reads 2:00, so he thinks he has plenty of time. He gets his coat and opens the door--to find the ghost of Peter Bradford standing in the doorway. Carolyn isn’t home, Peter tells him. She is where Victoria Winters died. I won’t go to Widows Hill, Jeb replies. I warned Carolyn. She promised to stay at Collinwood. People break promises, don’t they? retorts the implacable Peter. You know all about that, Jabez Hawkes. Get out of the way, Jeb orders him. Peter sarcastically gestures for him to leave and smiles after Jeb is gone.
At 3:55, Carolyn phones the carriage house again, still remembering Jeb’s words: No matter what happens you must not leave the house. No matter what happens. No matter what happens. You must not. You must not. She opens the front doors, but remembers again: Something strange and frightening... strange and frightening, strange and frightening. Suddenly she decides to take the back path, and hurries through the servants’ door under the stairs. The next moment, thunder peals as Jeb rushes in and spots her blue suitcase. Carolyn! he screams but gets no reply.
Carolyn rushes into the carriage house, screaming for Jeb. She sees his suitcase but he is not there.
Jeb has searched upstairs and is running down to the foyer. Where is she? he wonders, then he hears Peter Bradford’s voice again: Where was Victoria Winters when she died? I don’t believe you! Jeb shouts back. Peter replies, I have waited a long time, Jabez Hawkes. A long, long time. I will do anything to destroy you. Anything! Anything!
Jeb runs to the windswept clearing atop Widows Hill. The waves break on the rocks far below. He is lit by flashes of lightning as he calls to Carolyn. She isn’t here! he decides. But I am here, says Philip Todd as he steps into the clearing. I was waiting for you, Philip says. _He_ told me you would be here when he let me out of jail. Jeb tries to make a break for it, but Philip says, It’s no use. Philip grabs Jeb and they struggle at the cliff’s edge. Finally they both fall to the ground. Philip kneels and starts to choke Jeb, whose head is actually off the edge of the cliff in midair. He screams with fear and horror as Philip shouts triumphantly, Tonight! Tonight you’re going to drown!....
