My favorite storyline. An interesting one in that:
[spoiler]1) It's like a theme and variations.
2) In a systematic way, it symbolizes the struggle with one's darkest fears.
3) The 'Dream' sequence music is a Dark Shadows classic.
4) The darkness and fear that runs through the storyline makes the end of the storyline - the breaking of the Curse through the life force of Adam - in a death-resurrection plot progression (Episodes 535-538) - a significant, symbolic moment, marking the end of the Barnabas-vampire-curse trilogy*.
* a) The first part consisting of Barnabas' introduction to DS in the 1967 storyline.
b) The second part consisting of the 1795 storyline, in which the origins of Barnabas' vampire curse are revealed.
c) The third part consisting of Vicki's return to the present, Barnabas' cure from vampirism through Dr. Lang's
experiment, Angelique/Cassandra's efforts to return the Curse to Barnabas through the Dream Curse ( causing
havoc with the lives of those around him through the ordeal of the Dream, just as in 1795 her original curse
included the destruction of all whom Barnabas loved or that loved him.)
5) Barnabas' Dream , which was supposed to end with Barnabas encountering at the end of his dream a "dark and terrifying thing" which would "turn his blood to ice!" instead ended with him finding - nothing- at the climax of the dream. Another significant moment in Barnabas' dream happens earlier on when he, expecting his end, turns to his beckoner, Cassandra, and says as she opens the door to the Dream Curse Room, "Cassandra, I no longer fear you, or what is in that room."
6) The mutual selflessness of Barnabas and Vicki is moving also: Vicki, unwilling to let the curse pass on to Barnabas, refuses to tell the dream to Barnabas, even though it means her continued suffering, which each recurrence of the Dream more terrifying than the last. Barnabas, unwilling to let Vicki go on suffering the Dream, compels her to tell him the Dream, even though it may mean his destruction.
7) This storyline marks a significant change in Barnabas: For the first time, we see him caring more for another than for himself. Even when Julia is urging him to flee so that he will escape the Curse, he reminds her of the suffering that Vicki will endure if she can't unburden herself and tell him the Dream. He tells Julia that he will stay and face his destiny.[/spoiler]
One thing I would have liked NOT to see in this storyline are some of the obvious bloopers that happened a few times with the prop settings, but the storyline is still one that I watch again and again anyway. Unfortunately in those days, Dark Shadows was on a limited budget and filming schedule.
As for Joe and Liz: They didn't experience the Dream, but they did experience terrifying dreams, so they're honorary members of the club at any rate:
Joe's double-trouble dream in Episode 658 is one of DS' most terrifying dream moments. Joe, like the Dream Curse victims, is trapped on every side in his dream.
Liz gets her turn to have the familiar psychedelic dream pattern visit her in Episode 576, when Angelique appears in her dream and causes her to dream about herself in a coffin and being buried alive ( the theme of finding one's own death had been encountered by Dream Curse victims Carolyn and Sam ).
Hardheaded, pragmatic Roger gets his invite into DS Dreamland when he sees the familiar skull-with-eyeballs in his dream about Vicki's wedding, and is compelled the next day to tell his dream to a Vicki, skeptical about his premonition of her dying if she marries Jeff Clark.
Others important characters who didn't have the Dream ( or any dreams for that matter):
Angelique (who was entirely on the giving end of nightmares - in THAT sense she was a giver and not a taker)
Cassandra, whom Nicholas snidely told " It would be justice, my dear, if YOU should have the dream." when ragging on her for taking so long to carry out the Dream Curse.
Nicholas himself, of course, had no dreams.
Is there any fans of the dreamcurse out there? I think the dreamcurse is so brillent. I dont know if i would have picked sam evans,mrs johnson, and david. i would have picked maybe joe and liz.