Absolutely agree with you, MB, that this episode is DS at its very best! Everyone involved was in top form, including writer Sam. Louis, Joan and Jerry all gave superb, deliciously witty performances.
I just watched the entire run of shows from about a week after the staking of Barnabas up to the week of his return, and I have to say that although Old Blood wisdom is that this was one of the least palatable months of DS (due to the putative low ratings in Barnabas' absence), I found the exact opposite to be true. Selby gives a fabulous performance as "evil" Quentofi, Nancy Barrett shines as Pansy, and the writers seem to be having a field day with the truly "mad" storyline! Plus, for Angelique fans, Lara Parker gets a lot to do and does it all superbly, I must say.
KLS, too, has some of her finest moments on the show after her initial work in 1966.
So what's not to like?
Gothick--DS fan since 1968!