I am new to the Forum; I was like millions of adolescents in the 1960's and 70's became a regular viewer at around the time of the Barnabas Collins appearance; I again started watching in the 1990's when the Sci-Fi Channel starting rebroadcasting the series. The most neglected period has been the so-called "Early" pre-Barnabas episodes--and they are some of the best. Although Laura Collins death scene had poor special effects, she was very strong and effective in that role. Only Dark Shadows buffs really know she was the first evil supernatural being on the show.
I know the least about the storylines after the first parallel time; frankly they seemed pretty confused and confusing from what i remember about them. Unlike many DS fans, I do not consider the Leviathan storyline when the show jumped the shark. It suffers from followi ng arguably the greatest storyline, 1897--not coincidentally Laura Collins makes a far too brief return; very few characters had the powers to challenge Barnabas and Angelique at the same time. Count Petofi deserves a separate post from me--a great character and possibly the one with the most powers of any except 'Diabolos".
The series was not really appreciated properly in its time--but like its characters it has survived and prospered long after its contemporaries are long forgotten.
To my fellow DS fans I put out however a few discontents about themes that ran through much of the show as well as certain decisions about characters:
First, having reviewed the early episodes into the "Adam" storyline, I view Victoria Winters as the central character, as great as Barnabas, Angelique, and Quentin were; she represented the strength of humans beings against the forces of darkness; very unfortunate that Alexandra Moltke left the show--no doubt it was leading to the conclusion she was a Collins-probably Elizabeth and Paul's daughter; related mistake--not keeping the Burke Devlin character in some form--the good guys needed more help in the Adam series--the heroes were stumbling over themselves and Nicholas Blair was almost all powerful--very bad writing series with a vampire as the protagonist and a storyline with vampires as Blair's personal servants--no tension or suspense here as no one had the powers or smarts to challenge Blair-Prof. Stokes was playing really both sides by helping Adam.
Second, "underpowering" Barnabas-he lost or was ineffective in throwdows with Angelique, Quentin as a zombie, the Leviathan people, and only beat the werewolf because of the silver cane--yet he at times shows many (not all) of the powers of Count Dracula--a mistake--e.g. the episode where he reawakens before Angelique can stake him and she is terrified of him-a very good and memorable episode.
The greatest episodes : my first nomination: the seance when Vicky channels Josette in French; great acting by all esp. AM
More to come; thx and glad to be aboard; please feel free to comment or ask questions.
Peace.
PG
