MT, I agree with you that the writers always intended for Quentin's and Chris's stories to be linked. I really like it when they take such a long-range view of things. That's one of the reasons that the 1970 story line with its mysteries is one of my favorites, although I know that not everyone shares that view.
[spoiler]My problem with 1995-1970-1840 was that, yes they took the long view and planned it out loosely, but they seemed to do it so as to reuse in slightly altered form every plot device that they had already used that had been popular. They altered them enough for it all to work, but some of it is just too transparently re-used. In some cases they did things bigger and better, which was nice compensation. Rather than just have a present-day haunting, they go into a doomed
future. That was great. Gerard was a better menacing grimacer... In 1970, Gerard DID destroy, he didn't just drive the family out. And the 1840 characters went at each other more viciously. Previously missed opportunities were seized on, like having unchained Barnabas be of-his-time for awhile... and an Angelique straight from 1795 without future knowledge. Whatever logic that goes against, it's still a great device.[/spoiler]