The CD of Robservations is, at long last, complete!

After years of synopsizing my favorite show, I proudly present Robservations on CD for those interested in purchasing it.

All 1,245 episodes are included, along with my commentary, musings, asides, jokes and inside information. Sometimes what I have to say is definitely irreverent, but always with respect, because DARK SHADOWS has  meant a great deal to me for nearly 40 years and this is a labor of love which actually began in 1967, when I started writing much shorter synopses for my own enjoyment.

It's in text format and should work on any CD-rom.

The CD's cost will be $20.00, postpaid. If you prefer to purchase Robservations from me at the fest, I will be selling them there, but if you're not going to the fest or prefer to have it sooner, please contact me at:

ROBINV@OPTONLINE.NET

I hope you will enjoy this collection as much as I've enjoyed putting it together!

Love, Robin

1056 - Quentin walks through the woods, furtively looking around to make sure he isn't followed.

In other parts of Collinsport, different dramas are being played out: In Angelique's room, a spell-transfixed Maggie sits waiting, ready to shoot Quentin. Down in the Loomis basement, Claude is entreating Roxanne to speak. In the drawing room at Collinwood, Barnabas tries desperately to convince Angelique to sign a confession exonerating Quentin.

Quentin enters the room where Maggie awaits him.

Maggie, no! cries Quentin, as his bewitched wife extends her arm, ready to shoot.

Roxanne, you can speak, you WILL speak, orders Claude urgently. Roxanne says, "I can speak."

Angelique emits a piercing scream and falls to the floor at Barnabas' feet.
Maggie, too, screams and faints.

Barnabas kneels to take Angelique's pulse--she is dead. He rises and, looking sad and beaten, picks up the phone in the foyer and calls Inspector Hamilton--Alexis Stokes is dead, he reveals, just a moment ago. . .come here first--I'll be waiting for you.

On the landing, Quentin, who has overheard Barnabas' conversation, numbly repeats, "Alexis is dead." You'd better come down here, advises Barnabas, it's time you heard the whole truth. How did she die? asks Quentin--Maggie caused it, didn't she? You are completely wrong about Maggie, says Barnabas. Oh, am I? demands Quentin--Barnabas, Maggie just tried to kill me, in Angelique's room--she had a gun pointed at my heart. And suddenly, says Barn, at the last moment, she fell to the floor unconscious. Yes, how do you know? asks Quentin. So that was her last act, says Barnabas--she knew she was going to die, so she devised a way for you to go with her--Maggie pointed that gun at you because she was put under a spell by Angelique. Are you crazy? asks Quentin--Angelique is dead! Yes, she's dead, finally, says Barn, at least there will be no more murders--come into the drawing room. Quentin kneels down by the body, calling her Alexis. No, that wasn't Alexis, says Barnabas, she was Angelique. Impossible, says Quentin.  She always said she'd return from the grave, says Barnabas, and she did, with the help of her father and one other person. How can anyone bring the dead back to life? asks Quentin. I don't know exactly how he accomplished it, says Barnabas, but he did have a victim--her name was Roxanne, a young girl, and he successfully transferred her life force into Angelique's body. I don't believe it, insists Quentin, I opened Angelique's tomb, I saw that she was dead. Yes, you saw the body six months after, and it was perfectly preserved, says Barnabas. I destroyed the body! shouts Quentin--I saw it burn. After Angelique changed places with Alexis, explains Barnabas. Quentin gazes at him, disbelieving--are you telling me that I destroyed Alexis? Yes! cries Barn. Oh my God, says Quentin. I tried to make her sign a confession that she killed Bruno, but she refused, says Barnabas. Angelique, says Quentin--I find this all so hard to believe. You've GOT to believe it, it's true, says Barn. Now that she's gone, says Quentin, I have no way to prove I didn't kill Bruno. We can find the proof if we can find Julia Hoffman, says Barnabas--she knew that Angelique killed Bruno, she may be our only hope--now where did you leave Maggie? In Angelique's room, says Quentin.  Go to her, says Barnabas, leave me here, the Inspector will be here shortly, let me handle everything. Quentin goes upstairs.

The Inspector kneels down to inspect Angelique and asks Barnabas, do you know what caused her death?Yes, I do, says Barnabas, sounding as if he's lifting up a heavy burden. Don't keep me in suspense, says Hamilton. You'd better sit down, advises Barnabas, I'll tell you the whole story from beginning to end. Hamilton sits.

Back in the Loomis House basement, Claude says, Roxanne I'll never let you go again--come with me now. No, she replies. We can't stay here, he insists. I still feel very weak, she protests, I don't think I can walk far. I'll help you, he promises. She smiles at him--can we wait just a little longer? she asks. We've already waited too long, North insists, I should never have made that arrangement with Stokes.  But you did make it, she says. And regretted it ever since, he assures her--my life hasn't been the same without you, we belong together, and I'm going to take you with me, now. No, not yet, please, she begs. It isn't that you're too weak to go with me, he accuses--you don't want to go--you want to stay here!  It's true, she says, because I know HE'LL come back.  Barnabas?--he means nothing to you, says Claude. He was kind and good to me, she says, even though I was unable to communicate with him, I could hear him when he spoke to me, and the things he said--that he wanted to know me as I really am. Claude puts his hands on her shoulders--there is only one man who knows you as you really are, he says--"and I am that man!"  He presses his lips into her hair and says, "I love you and you love me."  She doesn't seem pleased. I love him in a way I didn't think was possible, she confesses. You don't even know this man! he explodes. I feel as though I've known him for all of time, she says. Yes, I believe you do feel that way, he admits, your mind belongs to no time or place--its powers are unique, but that doesn't mean I'm going to surrender you. But you must, she insists, I haven't changed the way I feel about you.  And you never will! he says.  Don't you see? she asks, it can never be the same for us--even Barnabas himself doesn't realize how much he's changed my life. We aren't staying here a moment longer, says Claude, you're coming with me. She pulls away from him--no, I won't do it. YOU'RE COMING WITH ME! he insists, grabbing her by the arms--look at me! Don't do it to me, please, she begs, but he forces her to face him and looks into her eyes, ordering, keep looking at me--"We are going to be together," he says--and you are going to forget Barnabas Collins...

And tonight, explains Barnabas to Inspector Hamilton, Claude North finally got Roxanne to speak. I see, says Hamilton, rising from the chair--he merely got her to speak, and when he did, this woman just fell down and died. Yes, that is correct, says Barnabas, feeling the Inspector's disbelief washing over him. The entire story is preposterous, insists Hamilton--black magic, people returning from the dead--I don't know how you expect me to believe a word of it. I know how it sounds, says Barnabas, but every word of it is true. As far as I'm concerned, the search for Quentin will go on, insists Hamilton--I see no evidence whatsoever that he didn't kill Bruno Hess--and who knows how many of the other deaths he may have been responsible for?  Come with me to the Loomis House, urges Barnabas--if Roxanne is there, I'm sure she will verify a very important part of my story--surely you have nothing to lose by doing that. Very well, agrees Hamilton, but first let me call the station. Barnabas surveys Angelique's still body lying on the floor.

Claude leads Roxanne through the woods. They hide when they hear Barnabas and Hamilton shuffling through the leaves, and come out when the two men have passed. Claude pushes Roxanne along.

Barnabas leads Hamilton down into the basement, but Roxanne is gone. Barnabas looks around for her, to no avail. Well, says Hamilton, where is this strange young woman you were telling me about? He must have taken her away from here, laments Barnabas. If she ever existed, sniffs  Hamilton. But she DID exist, insists Barn, why should I lie to you about this?--look around you--why do you think this equipment is here?--Julia got it so she could revive that girl. I'm a simple police inspector, says Hamilton, and must of necessity deal with things that are real--things that are unreal, I leave to the writers of fiction--as far as I'm concerned, the reality of this case is the increasing guilt of Quentin Collins. He leaves the basement; Barnabas follows.

Maggie now lies on the chaise in Angelique's room. Quentin kneels before her, gazing at her with love. She awakens and calls his name.  Don't be frightened, he urges. I'm not, she assures him she isn't--I know the truth.  He goes into her arms.  She hugs him fiercely--I was so wrong about you, she says--how can you ever forgive me? I should be asking the same thing of you, he says. What happened to us, why couldn't we trust each other? she asks. I don't know, he says, I look back now and see all the things I should have seen so clearly when they were happening. So should I, says Maggie, touching his face--do you know, I actually believed you'd killed Angelique and were about to kill me, and I didn't know until I found out that Roger killed her...  Roger? asks Quentin, stunned. Yes, says Maggie, that's how Carolyn and Elizabeth died, they found out, and he knew...  Quentin draws away from her embrace. God, he says, the poor man must have been insane. At least you don't have to worry that the police will blame you, she points out.  Somehow, that's small consolation, says Quentin, there's still the matter of Bruno. She stands and takes his arm, promising we'll find a way to prove you didn't do it--when we do, I hope we can find a way to start all over again, if you want to. As far as I'm concerned, he assures her, we're starting over again right now. She gazes up at him rapturously, smiles, and says, I love you very much. I love you, he says, and they kiss, hug. It will be different this time, says Maggie--I'll accept things this time I couldn't before. What are you talking about? he asks. I wanted to please you, she says, I wanted to recreate the impression the first Mrs. Collins did, to emulate her, to BE her for you, and I stopped being myself, I promise I won't do that again--I know now that there will never be another woman you love as much as Angelique. "As I loved Angelique?" he asks incredulously. Don't be angry, she begs. He shakes her, then says, I hated Angelique, hated the ground she walked on. Maggie, stunned, says, everything I heard, that people said...  Passionately, Quentin says, I hated everything Angelique was, did and believed in--we never had any one happy day together.  Quentin, says Maggie, I thought that... He interrupts: You never heard me say that I loved her, did you?  I thought it was your grief... she says. My grief was a lie, he assures her, I was only pretending because it was easier--any good thing that you heard about that woman was the result of a myth she created and nurtured every day she was alive--he gazes at Angelique's portrait--it's true that she was very beautiful to look at, he continues, but that's where the truth stopped--under that beautiful exterior was a very evil woman, a woman that used and manipulated people--a woman that was unfaithful--and oh, how she loved telling me she was unfaithful--she was a conniver and very sadistic person, and I hated her, Maggie!--I begged her for my freedom--she laughed, said I would never be free, I was her prisoner. Maggie listens sympathetically. Quentin continues--she warned me if I tried to get free, she would cause the biggest scandal the family had ever known--I hated her--the night of the seance, I didn't know if I killed her or not, the only thing I knew was that I was just glad she was dead--but I was tormented by a guilt feeling about her death, convinced life was all over--then I met you, he says, cupping her face in his hands, and you were everything I ever wanted in a woman, everything she never was--and then I knew that I could start living all over again. We will start over again, she promises, start living again.  They kiss to seal the deal. Inspector Hamilton enters the room. "Mr. Collins," he says, I'm taking you in again."  No! protests Maggie. "And I can assure, you," says the Inspector, "that this time, there'll be no escaping. NO! Maggie cries again.

9:00 PM - Collinwood - Barnabas walks downstairs.  Maggie runs to meet him in the foyer.  I've searched every inch of the East and West wings, he says--no trace of Julia anywhere. We must find her--she can prove Quentin's innocence, insists Maggie--do you think there's any possibility Hoffman might be dead? There is that possibility, says Barn (and with mighty little sorrow, too), but I have a feeling from what Angelique inferred that she's still alive--the question is where. What about Roxanne? asks Maggie. I'm going to look for her now, says Barn. How do you know where to look for her? queries Maggie. Claude North, says Barn--he may have taken her to Stokes' house, I'll begin there. What happens if we can't find either of them? asks Maggie. Let's not think about that now, says Barn, we must remember we have to clear Quentin by finding Julia. Outside the front doors, Maggie stops him--I want to say thank you, for everything, she says--if Quentin is exonerated of this crime, you will be responsible. He doesn't respond, just nods and keeps going. Maggie closes the door, not looking in the least hopeful.

Barnabas, searching the woods, finds a body, a dagger sticking from its back--Claude North, dead, stabbed by his own dagger.Where's Roxanne--is she dead, too? wonders Barnabas.

NOTES: Rarely has a character been given such a huge buildup on DS only to be done away with just a few episodes later. I guess it's why Claude North never struck me as much of a character--he came and went so quickly--another murder victim in this body-strewn storyline!

Ah ha! So, Rebecca-like, we now know Quentin HATED Angelique, he didn't love her like crazy, as Maggie assumed all this time. (His love letters, assuming the ones Maggie found were real and not trumped up by Angelique, seem to deny his claims to Maggie that he always hated his wife, don't they)? I always felt that if Quentin had been more honest with Maggie, told her his true feelings about his first wife, rather than letting her stew in her fears of inadequacy, this entire storyline might not have happened.

Who killed Claude North? Roxanne or someone else? The way he was pushing and pulling her around, hypnotizing her, etc., I can't blame her if she offed him herself. Not only did he sell her to Stokes to be used/abused a kinky experiment, he was awfully bossy with her! On the other hand, she sided with North instead of going with or at least agreeing with Barnabas, so one wonders whose side she really is on, and if she's even sure herself.

Wonderful suspense at the beginning as we see the three stories converging into one--Claude, Roxanne, Barnabas, Angelique, Quentin, Maggie--and now Quentin is back in Hamilton's custody and his only chance is Julia Hoffman--who Maggie apparently doesn't know is not the Hoffman she once wanted to fire.

One can understand Hamilton's incredulity regarding Barnabas' story about this whole business. It is pretty far-fetched, but Hamilton is a cop, and relies on facts--and to him, black magic is not.

We are soon to come to the end of this story, and if you're wondering who ends up alive, well, I won't spoil it by telling you. Next stop, the 1995 flashforward, followed by 1840, which has, IMHO, many wonderful moments.

When Maggie suggested Julia might be dead, Barnabas showed so little emotion, I was rather surprised. I realize he must pretend they are still dealing with Hoffman, rather than his Julia, but darn, show a little sadness in the eyes, Barnabas!


1057 - Stokes sits in his cottage, smoking and drinking, ignoring the knock at the door. Who is it? he finally asks.  When he hears "Barnabas Collins," he invites him in, looks up at him and accuses, you're determined to enjoy your cheap triumph to the fullest. Then you know about Angelique, says Barnabas. The police called me, says Stokes, told me she was dead. She was dead almost a year ago, amends Barnabas. She was alive, I made her live, says Stokes, will make her live again--so you can postpone your smug little celebration. I came here to be here when Insp. Hamilton arrives, says Barnabas. I have nothing to say to Hamilton, insists Stokes. I doubt it, says Barn, but he will want to ask you some questions concerning a certain murder. What murder? demands Stokes. The murder you committed tonight, says Barnabas. You don't know what you're talking about Stokes insists. I found the body tonight myself and phoned Inspector Hamilton, says Barnabas. May I ask whose body it was you found? asks Stokes. Why pretend? asks Barnabas, you know as well as I do that Claude North is dead!

You think I killed Claude North? asks Stokes--that's ridiculous!  Makes perfect sense to me, says Barnabas. No one had more admiration for his talents more than I did, says Stokes. And no one wanted Roxanne more than you, counters Barnabas. I have no further use for Roxanne, says Stokes. You told me yourself only a few moments ago that you wanted to see Angelique back to life again, says Barn. I managed to get Roxanne back from Claude North before without killing him, says Stokes--why should I kill him now? Because this time he refused to let you have her, says Barn. You've got it all figured out, haven't you? asks Stokes, taking a slug of his drink. Actually, says Barn, I didn't come here to prove whether you killed North or not, I'll leave that to Hamilton--I want to know where Roxanne is. Stokes holds onto his drink as if it's a lifeline, and points out, you didn't seem to have that much trouble locating her before. You know where she is, don't you? asks Barnabas. You're naive, says Stokes--do you really expect me to assist you in this matter.I have ways of getting assistance, Barnabas assures him, and when it comes to a certain point, I won't hesitate to use them. I might find some of your ways most enlightening, says Stokes. They stare each other down. Hamilton arrives; Stokes invites him in--I've been expecting you. Hamilton apologizes for bothering him this time of night. I understand you're going to accuse me killing Claude North, says Stokes. I merely want to ask a few  questions, says Hamilton. I think you'd do better protecting people against the insane accusations of a madman like Barnabas Collins, here, says Stokes, and drinks some more. Perhaps, says Hamilton, that's why I'm here--Mr. Collins, I have your story, now I want to speak to Mr. Stokes alone, if you don't mind. Of course, agrees Barnabas--if we can find the girl, she'll be able to give us the answers we need. And with a disdainful glance at Stokes, Barnabas departs through the hanging bead door. Are you aware, Mr. Stokes, of what Barnabas told me was your role in the incidents happening at Collinwood?  Maniacal ravings, says Stokes, surely you don't take them seriously? Whether I do or not is beside the point, says Hamilton--I'm merely investigating a series of deaths. Did Barnabas tell you about the "life force" of the girl I kept in my storeroom back there? He mentioned it, says Hamilton. Stokes takes him into the room, which is now choked with furniture. Is this the room he told you about? queries Stokes, where I supposedly conducted all manner of mad experiments, transferring the life force of that girl into my daughter?  I suppose this is the room, says Hamilton. I want to cooperate, says Stokes, but I must refuse to participate in such obvious idiocies. I have to admit, says Hamilton, your daughter died in a very strange manner. She had a heart condition, says Stokes, we were always afraid something like this might happen. If that's the case, says Hamilton, it will show up in the autopsy. AUTOPSY? repeats Stokes, now very upset. It's mandatory in a case like this, says the inspector. As her father, says Stokes, I absolutely forbid it. You're in no position to do that, says Hamilton. I demand my daughter's body be returned to me immediately, insists Stokes. I wonder why something as routine as this disturbs you so much. My own daughter...an autopsy...surely you understand that, says Stokes. Possibly, says Hamilton. So you'll arrange to have her body brought back here ASAP? Stokes asks the cop. Her body will be brought back at the proper time, says Hamilton--I have a few questions. Of course, says Stokes, I'll cooperate in any way that I can--and turns off the light in the room where he had been keeping Roxanne.

Loomis House, Barnabas goes over blueprints, noting, this must be the secret panel behind that wall there--here's another secret room in the West Wing...but I've looked there...I've searched the cellars and the basement below that, if I could just find the plans for them, I'm sure there are secret passages, rooms she might be, a whole tangled labyrinth--I'm convinced she's somewhere there, but how do I find her?

In the room where she is being kept prisoner, Julia muses, I could hear someone if they were coming, and they could hear me if she called to them--but she hears nothing, and she's so tired, so very tired. . .but I must not fall asleep, I've got to stay awake, it's my only hope--"I've got to stay awake!"

Julia continues to pace her cell, assuring herself, if I keep moving, I can stay awake, then if I hear something...what was that? She rubs her neck. Maybe it's only Angelique to torment me again...no, it's nothing--but why isn't Barnabas looking for me? "Barnabas...Barnabas!" Nothing...no one.

In Angelique's room, her portrait overlooks Barnabas explaining to Hamilton--of course Stokes is opposed to an autopsy--it would mean and prove the woman who died was Angelique, and murdered initially by a hatpin, just as Dr. Longworth described--under no circumstances, insists  Barn, is the body to go back to Stokes. After the autopsy, I'd have no right to keep it, says Hamilton. If it did go back to him, he'd try to bring Angelique back again, warns Barnabas.  (but if it's all cut up in an autopsy?)  You'll forgive me, Mr. Collins, begins Hamilton. I know, says Barnabas, very difficult to believe, oh if I could only find Roxanne, or Julia--in this house, Inspector, is Julia Hoffman dead or alive?  He gazes over the blueprints, saying if I can find Julia, alive, she can testify that Angelique used a doll to murder Bruno, thus clearing Quentin--Roxanne, and Julia--I've got to find both of them, fast, before the body of Angelique is returned to Stokes!  He looks pensive.

Roxanne lies on a couch in a strange house--and is finally wearing clothes!  She hears someone coming and hides. It's Stokes, who says, I know you're there somewhere--I must speak to you, it's very important, for your sake--you must not be frightened, I won't hurt you...I've come to warn you...the police are looking for you--can you hear me?  She reluctantly exits her hiding place--I do hear you, she says. Why are you hiding? he asks, you know I'm your friend.  What do the police want with me? she asks. To question you, he says. But I've done nothing wrong, she says. I'm afraid the police might find that difficult to believe, he says. I was forced by you and Claude, she says. If I remember correctly, he says, you agreed because you'd do anything for Claude. I didn't agree freely and you know it, she says. I know nothing of the kind, he says, so you see, my dear, you'd better stay hidden here for a little while, anyway--I'll come and see you and bring you anything you want. Claude will see that I have what I want, she says. Sorry, says Stokes, Claude is dead.Her face convulses with sorrow. Stabbed, in the back of course, says Stokes, and I suppose you know who did it. You! she accuses. Barnabas Collins, counters Stokes. Her mouth drops open in disbelief. Barnabas! she whispers. He claims to be the one who found the body, says Stokes, a rather transparent ruse if you ask me--he killed Claude because of his part in our experiment. No, says Roxanne. That troubles you doesn't it, notes Stokes--and I know why. You don't know anything, says Roxanne.  Claude told me about that oath you took, says Stokes. I didn't take it, says Roxanne. If anything happened to him...begins Stokes. No, I won't listen to you, says Roxanne, agitated. You don't need to, says Stokes, listen to your own voice, listen to yourself, taking that oath--can you hear it? No, she says, near tears. Look at me, commands Stokes, can you hear it now--do you remember now how you took that oath? Yes, I remember, she says miserably. Barnabas Collins killed Claude North, says Stokes--what are you going to do about it?

10:10 - Barnabas, on the foyer phone with Hamilton, requests, give me the results of the autopsy as soon as you get them. Of course, says Hamilton--I've been thinking about this girl, Roxanne, and Hoffman--it would certainly help if we could find them. I'm doing everything I can, says Barnabas, I showed you the plans of the basement, I'm going to get them now and start searching. I'd like to help, says Hamilton--I'm as anxious as you to get this all cleared up. I'd be very grateful, thank you, Inspector, says Barnabas, pleased, I'll see you right away.  The clock behind Hamilton says 6 o'clock. Barnabas goes upstairs. Roxanne enters Collinwood, looking around.  She carries the dagger in her hand.

Barnabas is going through the blueprints in Angelique's room again (I guess he isn't worried about being returned to RT). Roxanne enters. Why did you kill him? she asks Barnabas, who rises to his feet, delighted to see her. Are you referring to Claude North? he asks--I didn't kill him, Stokes did!  I don't believe you, says Roxanne--you killed him and you must die for it!  She holds up the dagger at stabbing height.  Barnabas recognizes it as the dagger he saw in the secret room--where did you get it? he asks.  It was Claude's, and mine, says Roxanne, it belonged to the two of us--it brought us together in a way no two people have been brought together before (so romantic)! He made me take a vow on it--that I would kill anyone who harmed him--and I intend to keep that vow. Claude is dead, says Barnabas, and no longer has a hold over you, you are free. I made a promise, she says. He forced you to make it, says Barn, you didn't do it freely--you cannot hold to it any longer. I've GOT to, she insists, raising the dagger, but instead she drops it and begins to cry. Barnabas puts his hands on her shoulders--it's all right, he assures her. Am I free, really free? she asks. Yes, you are, he says. I don't know, it frightens me, she says, I'm lost without him!  There are others to comfort you, says Barn. No, I needed Claude, and he's dead, dead, she says. Sit down, he suggests.  I can't stay here anymore, insists Roxanne, I've got to go. I need your help, he pleads.  I can't help anyone, she says. Yes you can, he says, you can tell Hamilton exactly what you know. The police? she asks. Yes, says Barn, you must tell prove to them...  I can't talk to them, she objects, I wouldn't dare. You must--they won't hurt you, he assures her. I can't stay here any longer, she says, I must go--they couldn't keep me, I couldn't stand it!  She runs off.  Barnabas, begging, I need your help!, runs after her.

Later, in Collinwood's foyer, Hamilton, says, I don't understand how you could have let Roxanne get away from you--I thought I saw her in the woods, but it was just a mist in the trees--would you prefer to look for Roxanne or begin the search for Julia?  Julia, responds Barnabas (hurray!)--I have the basement plans here--come with me. You lead, I'll follow, says Hamilton.  The two men head through the kitchen entrance.

Don't go to sleep, Julia urges herself--please, I mustn't sleep, I must not!  She paces, then finally lies down on the cot, telling herself, I've got to stay awake!

The men come down into the basement, passing right by the secret shelf where Julia is hidden and fast falling asleep.

Julia dreams:  Barnabas' voice calls her, and Hamilton's--come in, Roxanne, bids Barnabas--don't be afraid, I'm here waiting for you. She smiles at him, asking, is this the room where the time warp happens?  Yes, he says, here in this room, we will go back to my own time--I will see where I am, where I belong--and you will be with me. She grins. Yes, she says, I'm not afraid when I'm with you--we will forget all the terrible things that have happened here, won't we?  Yes, he agrees, they'll be past and forgotten. Roxanne says, they won't even be a memory--Claude, Stokes, Angelique. Yes, says Barnabas, not even a memory.  He sits on the floor and she kneels with him--why do you look so sad? Roxanne asks. Because of Julia, he says. You've done everything you could to find her, she says. She's probably dead, he says sadly. But we won't forget her, will we? Roxanne assures him. No, never, he says. Would you rather stay here, in this time band? she asks. No, he says, it would make no difference if I did. Barnabas, I want so much to make you happy, she says, putting her arms around him.  You will, he says, and they kiss. In her sleep, Julia says no, Barnabas, please don't go I'm alive, I'm here, oh, Barnabas!
Barnabas and Hamilton call Julia's name, but she doesn't hear them. Hamilton points out, we've called Julia's name in every corner of this basement--she'd have heard us if she were here.  I guess she's not here, says Barnabas. We might find her someplace else, suggests Hamilton.  I'm beginning to doubt that, says Barn, losing hope.  They continue on, again passing by the bookshelf behind which Julia lies asleep. She awakens, remembering the dream, horrified--he wouldn't leave me here, he wouldn't!  She goes to the door and begins calling to Barnabas--I'm in here, she cries--"Find me, Barnabas, please find me!"

But Barnabas and Hamilton are long gone.

NOTES: Damn, damn, damn, so close and yet not close enough, they passed right by Julia at least twice that we saw, but she wasn't awake and didn't hear him. OK, confess, how many Julia-Barnabas fans grimaced when Roxanne and Barnabas kissed in the dream? Now that they have searched the basement, will they ever go back there again, or is Julia a goner? She must wonder what happened to Angelique, since she hasn't visited her in a while. It almost seems as if the witch is influencing Julia's lick from the grave. It was very frustrating to watch, wasn't it?

Great scenes between Stokes and Barnabas. They make excellent adversaries, and it's always a joy to watch them perform together.  Thayer has amazing range as an actor--can you believe he portrayed Ben Stokes in 1795, 1840 and here in 1970PT, as well as Petofi in 1897?

Donna Wandrey seems like a fledgling actress to me, pretty, but without much depth. She has the nicest complexion I've ever seen, so flawless!  Given what a pimply puss I had as a teen, I probably despised her--but I did get my hair cut like that!

There aren't many left in PT at this juncture. Who killed Claude?  Roxanne was too shocked hearing about his death for it to have been her, so I assume it was Stokes. He'll do anything to bring Angelique back, but how can he do it if she's carved up for an autopsy?

We will soon be ending our stint in 1970PT.

Love, Robin

1052 - Maggie struggles in her husband's grasp--stay away from me! she orders her husband--you were trying to choke her, just as you were in the dream!  Quentin denies it. She flees from bed, grabbing her robe along the way. Sobbing, calling for help, she runs from the room. Meeting  Barnabas in the hallway, she reveals, Quentin's in my room--he tried to choke me, to kill me! Barnabas immediately runs into the bedroom, calling to Quentin even as Maggie begs him not to go in.  Quentin, however, has exited through the now-open window. He's gone, Maggie, says Barnabas.  Don't go after him, please, begs Maggie. Are you sure he tried to choke you? asks Barnabas.  (rough caresses?)  Yes, she says, I was dreaming and felt hands on my throat in my dream--when I woke up, it was Quentin's hands on me!  I've tried so hard not to believe, says Barnabas sadly.He's mad, she says--the look in his eyes, Quentin looking at me, it was horrible, he wanted to kill me, I'm sure of it. Barnabas looks as if he prefers not to believe this about Quentin, even now.

We see Angelique's portrait, then Angelique herself, who asks Julia, where is Barnabas right now?  Somewhere in the house, replies Julia.  Are you sure you've been following him everywhere he goes, as I told you to? asks Ang. Of course, every opportunity I get, says Julia. Why haven't we been able to discover his secret? demands Ang impatiently. I don't dare follow him too closely, says Julia--he has powers and I'm in terrible danger as it is. I don't know, says Ang, you really don't seem yourself these days--you were always famous for your efficiency. I do what I can, says Julia--I've been under a tremendous strain. Was it the strain you were under, asks Angelique, that caused you to completely forget, in your conversation with Inspector Hamilton, that his wife had been dead for three years, even though you yourself attended her funeral? Her hypnotic eyes bore into Julia, who responds, in a guarded tone--of course it was, what else could it be? I don't know, says Ang.  I promise to continue doing all I can for you, says Julia--as a matter of fact, I think I should be looking for Barnabas right now. Angelique agrees. Maggie races into the room to tell the other two women, I just saw Quentin in my room--I wanted to call the police, but Barnabas stopped me--Quentin tried to kill me!  Julia is stunned. Angelique, annoyed at Julia's odd response, reminds her, you have something to attend to. Maggie warns the departing Julia, be careful, then turns to Angelique and says, despite what Barnabas said, I want to call the police. What does Barnabas know about it? asks Ang. He wants to find Quentin himself, says Maggie, and talk to him, but I told him not to, it's too dangerous, but Barnabas is determined. He might have a point, Maggie, says Ang.  But you said yourself that Quentin was mad when he escaped from jail, Maggie reminds her. We still want to help him, don't we? asks Ang. How can we help him? wonders Maggie. I don't know, says Angelique, but if the police come here and search for him, they might shoot to kill--no matter what Quentin has become, you don't want your own husband killed, do you? No, admits Maggie. Go call the police, advises Angelique, if that's what you want to do. I don't know what to do, says Maggie. I think Quentin won't return to the house tonight, says Ang--he'll know we're all upset, on our guard, that we might have called the police--I thinks we're safe, now, anyway. Maggie isn't sure...

Drawing room, Julia asks Barnabas, did Quentin really mean to kill Maggie?  We must admit to the possibility, says Barnabas. It's hard to believe, says Julia.  He's as volatile as in our time, notes Barn, even more so, perhaps. Do you think Quentin might have murdered Angelique? asks Julia--"You do, don't you?"  Why are we trying so hard to help him? asks Julia. Even if he did kill Angelique, we can't allow her to destroy him, says Barn. (Guess he doesn't believe in an eye for an eye.) No man deserves that fate, says Barnabas. What can we do next? asks Julia. Find him, says Barnabas--I'm sure Angelique knows where he is. She won't tell anyone, even me, says Julia. Then follow her wherever she goes, says Barnabas. (Barnabas wants her to follow Angelique, while Angelique wants Julia to follow Barnabas. She's squarely, dangerously, in the middle!)  I think you should know, says Julia--Angelique suspects me--Hamilton told my mistress that I didn't remember his wife's death. Then perhaps you'd better give all this up and go back to our own time, he suggests. No, says Julia determinedly, giving him her "I love danger" look. The risk is too great, he insists. I'm all right for the moment, says Julia, but must be more careful than ever--besides, if I leave, there won't be anyone to protect you during the day. I'll have to take that chance, he says. Then I will take the same chance, too, she says. (a nice moment between them.) I will follow Angelique wherever she goes, decides Julia.

2:30 - Collinwood - Angelique comes downstairs. Julia enters into the foyer and says, "You're not going out, are you?"  Why aren't you following Barnabas? asks Ang. I did, but he went to Loomis House, and I think he's there for the night, says Julia. He's given up the search for Quentin? asks Ang.  Apparently, for the moment, says Julia. Good, says Ang, not that he'd be able to find him. You know where he is? asks Julia quietly. Ang grins. "Hoffman, always so inquisitive," she says--"aren't you forgetting it's Barnabas' secrets, not mine, that you're supposed to uncover?" (uh oh) She leaves the house. Julia grabs her coat and follows. The camera pans to Barnabas' portrait hanging on the wall.

A cave by the ocean - Quentin, filthy, disheveled, sits on a rock. Angelique joins him.  You shouldn't be out at this hour, he protests.  I had to see how you were, she insists.  Why did you come to the house, what were you doing in that room? Angelique demands. I had to see Maggie, says Quentin it's become an obsession; when you came to see me at the jail, you thought Maggie and I were two pawns in a larger game--now we both know that isn't the case, don't we?--she's a witch, I know it, but can't believe it--when I was looking at her, sleeping there, the idea almost drove me crazy. You should never have gone there, says Ang. I had to, I tell you! he shouts, if she's trying to destroy me, why not get it over with, instead of this long, drawn-out torture? Perhaps because it IS torture, suggests Ang. Why? he asks--what have I done to her? Nothing, says Angelique, unless...you haven't forgotten about your father, and hers, have you? You think it could be that? asks Quentin. Her father drowned sailing on your father's yacht, says Ang.  Yes, but my father was cleared of that, says Quentin. True, says Ang, but there were always doubts, questions that were never answered--and then when your father killed himself, so soon after that happened, there was great speculation that it was out of guilt over Sam Evan's death.  (There's some fascinating history about the relationship between PT Quentin's father and Sam Evans, huh?)  No, says Quentin, Maggie and I discussed that openly, before we got married. You were open with your feelings, but was she? asks Ang. Quentin thinks it over--then you mean all this could be for revenge?  I don't know, says Ang, Maggie always seemed like such an innocent girl. Julia creeps up to the cave, hiding behind some rocks, and listens. Tonight, says Quentin, I had my hands around her neck, and I really don't know what I was doing--I could never hurt her--but for just one moment, I wondered what it would be like to take the life away from her, to end the torture she was putting me through. You must not do that, warns Ang, you're in too much danger as it is. What can I do? he asks. Go far away, she advises--leave Collinwood--the world is large and some of it very beautiful--you could go somewhere you'd be safe, where no one would ever find you--where you could be happy. He chuckles ruefully--Quentin Collins happy, eh? he asks-- that would be something new, wouldn't it? You deserve to be happy, she says, more than anyone in the world, you really do, you've been through so much.  Alexis, he protests. You're the most wonderful man I've ever met, she says (and sounds like she really means it).  What would I ever do without you to tell me all the lies a man likes to hear? he asks. She gazes at him worshipfully--they aren't lies, she says. Don't get me wrong, says Quentin, I'm not objecting--in truth, I don't know what I would have done without you the past few days--or perhaps I do, there would be a noose around my neck, or worse. Don't talk that way, she says, putting her arms around him, you don't know how that makes me feel--if anything should ever happen to you... Now, now, don't worry, he says, I'm still all right. Just say the word and I'll help you get away, she promises, even if it mean I never have to see you again. Never see me again? he asks, bending down to kiss her-- I doubt that very much. She nestles her head against his shoulder and smiles evilly--her plan is going very well!

Julia, I searched the cave by the beach, says Barnabas.  Apparently she keeps changing the place, says Julia. I must go get him immediately, insists Barnabas--meet us at the Loomis House. No, says Julia, you can't go, Quentin won't go anywhere with you.  He will when I tell him... begins Barnabas.  No, says Julia, he won't listen to you when you talk about a body, and Angelique. I have ways of making him listen, says Barnabas, sounding Gestapo-like. You don't want to use them, protests Julia, not on Quentin--no, he thinks I am on Angelique's side, and will go with me anywhere, because he'll think she's the one who sent me to him--it would be best that way, Barnabas. I'm not convinced, he says. I AM, counters Julia--we will wait until Angelique comes back, and then... He looks at her, fearful. Don't worry, she assures him, smiling, I'll be all right. Was that a look of love between these two, or the camaraderie of two conspirators?

Angelique returns to Collinwood. Are you all right? Julia asks, I've been terribly worried. You shouldn't have worried, says Ang, grinning happily--did anything happen while I was away?  No, everything's been extremely quiet, says Julia--is there anything you'd like before I go to bed?  No, just be ready to follow Barnabas, instruct Ang, wherever he goes. By the way, asks Ang, what does Barnabas do during the daytime?  He goes into town, answers Julia, takes long walks on the beach, and reads a lot. It just occurred to me that I have never seen him during the day, says Ang. He keeps himself very busy, says Julia, that's why he doesn't come here before evening. Curious, says Angelique, let me know if you find out anything at all. She heads upstairs. Julia enters the drawing room.  Barnabas exits his hiding place behind the drapes. Did you hear that? she asks--she's beginning to have a clue. Yes, agrees Barnabas, we have no time to waste. I'll go now, and we'll meet at the Loomis House, says Julia. Please be careful, warns Barnabas, we can only hope that Quentin is behaving rationally, because if he isn't¢â‚¬¦ He was behaving very rationally when I heard him talking to Angelique before, she says, holding his arm for a moment and assuring him, I'll be all right. She takes her coat and smiles in response to Barnabas' nod as she leaves. Barnabas stands at the foot of the steps, pondering, worrying.

Angelique, entering the room across the hall, overhears voices coming from her old room. She throws open the door, where RT Quentin and Maggie are talking. Maggie has asked, "Do you really think so?" and Quentin has responded, "I'm positive."  I wish we had some way of knowing what actually happened to her, says Maggie.  Quentin, Maggie! realizes Angelique, raising her hands, trying in vain to enter--the room has changed to that other time--the time Barnabas came from!  We know that she really wanted to be with Barnabas, says Quentin.But to actually try to go into another band of time, says Maggie. Quentin says,  "Maggie, our dear Dr. Julia Hoffman would go anywhere to be with Barnabas--even there."  Angelique's eyes grow wide. Has she figured it out?

Maggie's room, Collinwood - Barnabas assures Maggie, who's lying in bed, you're safe--Quentin won't disturb you tonight. You seem so certain of that, she says. I am, he says--now get some sleep. Can you tell me why you feel that way? she asks. Not now, but soon, very soon, he promises. I know, she says, I'm sorry, but I can't help but be afraid. If I thought you were in any danger, he says, I wouldn't leave--but I do have an important appointment. They bid each other good night.  He leaves. Maggie settles down in her bed, afraid.

Quentin paces the cave, trying to warm him hands. Hearing Julia approaching, he hides, then darts out when she calls his name. What are you doing here? he demands, annoyed.  Alexis sent me, she says. She wasn't to tell anyone where I was, says Quentin. I know, says Julia, but she decided to change the plans. Why? asks Quentin. I don't know, says Julia, but she told me to come here and take you away. Why didn't she tell me about the change in plans? asks Quentin. You'll have to ask her that, says Julia, but I'm to come and bring you to her, now, quickly. Hoffman, says Quentin, you know I never trusted you, why should I now?You trust Alexis, don't you? asks Julia. Yes, he says. Then come with me now, she says, hurry! All right, he agrees, but if it's a trap...  "It is NOT a trap, I swear it," says Julia. (And you believe her, trust me.) You lead, then, says Quentin, I'll follow you.  But as they are about to go, Angelique appears, glaring at Julia, her lower lip trembling. Quentin, she says, the beach is swarming with police, there's a tunnel at the back of the cave, go wait for me there. Hoffman just told me... begins Quentin.  I don't care what Hoffman told you, interrupts Angelique, wait for me at the back of the cave, and hurry! Quentin rushes away. Why are the police searching the beach? asks Julia. They're not, replies Angelique, fury in her eyes. I don't understand, why did you tell Quentin there were? asks Julia. I wanted to talk to you alone, says Ang. About what? asks Julia. "First of all, I want you to tell me just exactly where you were going to take Quentin--Dr. Hoffman?"Julia turns away--she's been caught!

NOTES: Oh, knowing what Angelique will put her through, I really fear for Julia in this instance. Once again, it was sloppy writing on the part of DS writers, having that conversation between Maggie and Quentin in RT. Of course the latter must say "Dr. Julia Hoffman" in its entirety, so Angelique connected Julia's quick diagnosis of what killed Will, leaving no doubt that this Julia Hoffman is from RT and what her profession is. One senses RT Quentin and Maggie wouldn't be that foolish, jeopardizing what's going on in PT, but then again, it was a sloppy plot device and used before. Perhaps RT Quentin and Maggie can win a join CIC (Clueless in Collinsport) award.

Barnabas' concern for Julia seemed to border on the romantic in this episode. While I have felt they were nothing more than best friends for the run of the series, the looks between them in this ep, probably because Frid and Hall incorporated them into their roles so beautifully, were so telling. The smiles, the way she touched his arm, the look on his face when he said that was a chance he was just going to have to take when she pointed out that if she returns to RT, he would have no protector--much evidence pointing to their growing affection, Roxanne or no Roxanne. Say what you want, of all the ladies in Barnabas' life, Julia is probably the one who most deserves to have him!

Angelique is so scary now, isn't she? Her wrath is touchable, and so frightening. I fear for Julia.

What a surprise, learning that Angelique has been hiding Quentin, probably since his escape! And that kiss--is the fool falling in love with the woman who he doesn't know is his dead wife? She's apparently been working on him subtlety, too, convincing him in her disarming way that his wife is a witch. Did he try to throttle Maggie or not? I don't think that marriage can survive, not if she believes her husband is a murderer and he believes his wife is a witch.

Barnabas tells Julia they must admit to the possibility that Quentin is a murderer, yet he still seems to stubbornly believe in his innocence. Poor Quentin, and Maggie, clueless, but they are pawns in Angelique's sick, insane game.

Interesting episode, with some huge revelations. What will happen to Julia now?


1053 - Julia, startled, says, I don't know what you mean.  Don't you? asks Ang--you've been carrying on this deception for quite some time now. Deception? queries Julia, and one can only imagine how hard her heart is beating right now. What have you done with Hoffman? demands Angelique. You've made a terrible mistake, insists Julia, I AM Hoffman. No, says Angelique, I knew that you were acting strangely for quite some time, but I didn't get suspicious until I went into my own room tonight--and there I saw two people from the other time, the time Barnabas Collins came from--I saw Quentin and Maggie and they were saying that Dr. Julia Hoffman had come to this time--then very suddenly, everything you had been doing began to make very good sense. If I've changed, says Julia, it's only because I've become so frightened about how all this will end, and what will happen. You've changed because you've begun to help Barnabas Collins! accuses Ang. I'm not helping Barnabas, Julia assures her--I swear it. "What have you done with our Hoffman?" repeats Angelique. I swear I am Hoffman, insists Julia, the one that was loyal enough to believe you were coming back--"I alone believed that," she points out. Ang walks away. If I were this "Dr. Hoffman," would I be here pleading with you? asks Julia--how can I prove to you that I AM your servant? You don't have to, says Ang, because I do believe what you're saying is true--I'm sorry I had to put you through that ordeal, but you have to understand that after I saw those two people in the room, I had to find out if anything had happened to the one person I knew I could trust. Yes, says Julia, obviously (to us) relieved, I can understand how you must have felt.  I didn't want anything to have happened to you, adds Ang--"You're so very valuable to me."  Thank you, says Julia. I think Quentin will be safe in the cave, for tonight at least, says Ang--come--we have work to do at Collinwood. The two women leave.  The camera pans on an oil lamp sitting on a rock.

Collinwood drawing room - Roger paces. We see his feet, his face reflected in a glass table. He is holding a drink. Liz, dressed in a green velvet robe, comes downstairs. Roger pours more brandy for himself. Liz enters the drawing room.  What are you doing up? he asks.  I couldn't sleep, she says. The doctor gave you a sedative that was supposed to keep you asleep until noon tomorrow, Roger reminds him. I woke up for a reason, she says, I don't understand it--I woke up because I could feel Carolyn's presence in my room. Carolyn is at rest, says Roger. Do you think anyone who is brutally murdered can ever be at rest? asks Liz. Perhaps not, admits Roger, but... I don't believe it, says Liz. Please let me take you to your room, he says, you're very tired and need your rest. I know you think I'm imagining things, but I'm not, says Liz--at one point I even thought I heard Carolyn speaking to me. Impossible, says Roger, nervously. The voice was very faint, says Liz, as if she was talking from a great distance. You must stop this, Roger insists.  I can think of only one reason why Carolyn would try to communicate with me after death--she's trying to tell me who murdered her, says Liz. Roger gazes at her, startled and guarded.

Listen to me, Roger begs his sister--there is no way Carolyn can communicate with you--you've got to pull yourself together.  Roger, says Liz, you sound as if you didn't want to know who killed Carolyn. Absurd, he says, I just want you to be more realistic about this, that's all. I don't understand why you're getting so upset, she says. I'm not upset! he shouts. Yes you are, says Liz. Very well, then I am, more so than anyone else in this house, he says--speaking of death has always disturbed me, I don't know why, I'm just that way, that's all.  He drains his glass and wipes the corner of his mouth. It didn't upset you to talk about Angelique after she died, points out Liz, you talked about her all the time! Please stop this, urges Roger. Liz considers his words thoughtfully. They are interrupted by Barnabas entering the house, and give each other pointed looks before Roger pours himself another drink. Barnabas greets them, looking from one to the other--Elizabeth, he say, I thought the doctor gave you a sedative. He did, but I wasn't able to sleep, says Liz, and starts explaining why. Please don't go into this again, says Roger in a peeved voice. Go into what? asks Barn--has something happened? Yes, says Liz, but Roger is determined to think it happened in my mind. I don't understand, says Barnabas. Neither do I, says Roger--Elizabeth, can I take you upstairs so you can get your rest?  No, says Liz, I wouldn't be able to sleep. Excuse me, then, says Roger, I will try to get some rest. He leaves. Barnabas watches him go, then asks Liz, do you know what is disturbing Roger?  No, she says. He's right, you should get some rest, says Barn. When the time comes, says Liz, in a weird voice, I'll get all the rest I need. She trails upstairs. The front door opens; Angelique and Julia enter. Angelique sarcastically greets him, "Good evening, Mr. Collins." The two of you are rather late, notes Barnabas. I don't think that's any concern of yours, Mr. Collins, says Julia in her best icy-Hoffman imitation. Ang smiles and says, Hoffman, that's no way to speak to a member of the family--you're up rather late yourself, though, however, that's not surprising for you--is it?  I'm not sure what you mean, says Barn.Ah, the mystery of Barnabas Collins never ceases to amaze me, says Ang, as Julia pushes out her bottom lip defiantly. Whatever that mystery is, says Barn, it must be a product of your imagination. I don't think so, says Ang, you see, I've already discerned a very curious fact about you--you're a nocturnal creature, I never see you during the day--where do you go, and what do you do, hmm?--I shall have all the answers to these questions very soon, I promise you that--Hoffman, come with her. (All during this, Barn and Julia are exchanging glances of understanding and reassurance.) Barnabas stands there after the women have left, puzzled.

Roger speaks to Angelique's portrait--I should have known all along you'd do your utmost to have the final word--how my life has hanged, and what I've become because of you--I was foolish to think that everything would be changed once you were gone--nothing has changed, except me--you've dominated our lives more than ever--I believe I'd done the best thing, yes, even though I loved you, I thought it a good thing to get rid of you, but you found a way to return, bringing with you more suffering and tragedy. . .and then, if became necessary for Carolyn to die. YOU! shouts Liz from the doorway--"You killed Carolyn!" (You bastard!) Roger turns, wide-eyed, and faces his infuriated sister. How long have you been standing there? he asks. Long enough to know the truth, she retorts. You don't know what you're saying, he says. You knew what YOU were saying, she accuses. No, I didn't, he says, touching his forehead, I've been thinking, just rambling on. No, she says, Quentin didn't murder Angelique, it was you! No, Elizabeth! He cries. It was you! she rants--somehow Carolyn found out and you killed her!  Listen to me! Roger begs. YOU KILLED CAROLYN! she wails. I didn't want to do it! rages Roger, I never wanted any harm to come to her!Liz grabs a heavy statue off a table--you're a monster! she yells, and raises is over his head. He grabs the arm holding the statue; they begin a fierce struggle. Roger twists her wrist, forcing her to drop the statue, which drops to the floor and smashes. He pushes her back against a chair, throttling her to death despite her struggles.

Angelique takes Julia to the very bowels of Collinwood--this is as far below the house as possible, she says. How did you ever find this place? asks Julia. Dameon Edwards told me about it, says Ang--he explored every inch of Collinwood. Julia surveys the damp, ugly place--I'm not sure Mr. Quentin will like it here, she says.  He may not find it very comfortable, agrees Ang, but it's the safest possible hiding place he could have. (This room is what we saw as Dameon Edwards' final resting place, where his bones were interred.)  Angelique finds a lever inside a bookshelf and opens it. She hands Julia the candelabra--go in first, she urges. Julia enters--I'll try to find some things to make this place comfortable, she says.  Angelique eyes her sharply, closing the door by backing into it, and, eyes flashing, says, that won't be necessary-- "This place is not for Quentin, but for you, Doctor." For me, but I told you...begins Julia.  Do you really think I was fool enough to believe that? demands Angelique, after all the things you did?--the trip you made that night to my father's house, the way you interrupted Will and me in the tower room, your instant diagnosis of his death--oh, no, I never believed you in the cave, I just let you think I did, because then I'd be able to bring you here more easily. I see, says Julia, gulping. You really are Dr. Hoffman, aren't you? asks Angelique, you might as well admit it. Julia turns away--yes, she admits, I'm Dr. Hoffman--what are you planning to do with me?  Believe me, says Ang, it would make me very happy to kill you--but I have decided that you'd be more valuable to me alive--for various reasons--first of all, there are certain questions I want to ask you--what have you done with our Hoffman--where is she? Julia is silent.  Angelique advises her, viciously--answer me!  Hoffman is dead, says Julia.  How, tell me how? demands Angelique. I didn't want it to happen that way, says Julia, shaking her head sadly. You killed her! accuses Angelique. It was an accident, I didn't mean to kill her, insists Julia. You killed her because she found out the truth about Barnabas Collins! realizes Angelique. Julia shakes her head, no. "That's it, isn't it, doctor? continues Ang--I remember now--she called me one night in Bangor, she said she had something very important to tell me, what she'd discovered about Barnabas--well, she won't be able to now, but you will--you see, that's the real reason I've brought you here--you're not going to leave this place until you tell me the secret of Barnabas Collins."  Julia, backed against a wall, is determinedly silent and defiant.

Roger has stowed his dead sister's body in the window seat in Angelique's room. He closes the lid, looking stricken, unable to believe that one murder has led to another--and of the people I loved.  Barnabas enters and asks the startled Roger, what are you doing in here?

Seeing the shock in Roger's face, Barnabas asks, are you all right.  Yes, I'm fine, says Roger. I certainly didn't expect to find you here, says Barn, I thought you said you were getting a rest. Roger turns away--I don't think it's possible for me to rest tonight, he says--I've been going through this house from room to room, trying to get my thoughts straight--about everything that's happened here. I'm glad I found you here, says Barnabas, I wanted to talk to you about Elizabeth. Roger whirls around and repeats his sister's name. Yes, says Barnabas, it isn't good for her to be wandering about the house--someone should stay with her and make her stay in bed. I know, says Roger--it's my fault, I should have stayed with her. Don't blame yourself, says Barn, anyone could have...he stops, spotting the broken statue on the carpet. Roger sees it, too, and is horrified. Barnabas picks it up--how could it have gotten broken? He wonders. I'm sure I don't know, says Roger in a steely voice, sounding like he's ready to commit murder again to cover his crimes. Barnabas puts the broken pieces on a table and wanders close to the window seat. Roger hastily suggests, let's go down to the drawing room, have our talk over a drink. What I wanted to say, explains Barnabas, standing perilously close to Liz' resting place, I can tell you here. Roger is unnerved.  I merely wanted to make a suggestion about Elizabeth, says Barnabas. Please, let's go down there, says Roger, if you don't mind. Tell me what's wrong, says Barnabas. Nothing, says Roger impatiently, this room has so many memories. You'd have been better off not coming here, then, wouldn't you? asks Barnabas. Roger nods--yes, how true that is, he murmurs. He turns to face Barnabas and again asks, let's go downstairs. If it will make you feel any better, of course, agrees Barnabas. I'll follow you, says Roger. Barnabas leaves. Roger gives a final glance at the window seat and leaves, too.

Back in the dungeonous room, Julia asks Angelique, how can I tell you something I don't know? Oh yes you do know, you know everything there is to know about Barnabas Collins, states Angelique angrily, and you might as well stop resisting me, because I have ways of forcing you to tell me. Oh? asks Julia--the way you killed Bruno Hess and blamed it on Quentin? I don't mind admitting to you I disposed of Bruno, says Ang, I always told him that one day he would prove quite useful to me, and he did. Angelique picks up her necklace in her fingers and orders Julia, turn around and face me. Julia refuses--I know what you're trying to do and won't let you. I command you to turn around and look at me, orders Angelique. No, says Julia defiantly--I know about hypnotism, I know how to resist it. Then why won't you look at me? asks Ang. I will never tell you what it is you want to know, states Julia.  Does Barnabas have the same power over you that he did over Will Loomis? asks Ang.  (the power of love)  I haven't any idea what you're talking about, says Julia."I have plenty of time, Dr. Hoffman," says Angelique, "sooner or later, you will tell me everything I want to know."

Drawing room - Barnabas asks Roger, has something happened that I don't know about?  If it did, says Roger, then I don't know about it either. Are you quite sure? asks Barn. Of course I'm sure! answers Roger, irritated--about your suggestion about Elizabeth. . .  I think there should be a nurse outside her room so that she can't wander the house, advises Barn.  It's an excellent idea, says Roger, I'll see to it right away, then try to get some rest. (she's not going anywhere anymore!)  They bid each other good night.  Roger ushers Barnabas to the door, almost pushing him out.

Do you still refuse to tell me what I want to know? Angelique demands. Yes, says Julia. Very well, says Ang, I could resort to Black Magic to make you suffer even more, but I think I like this way better--I'm going to leave you here, Doctor--I'll come back, every now and then to see if you've changed your mind. You needn't bother, I won't, says Julia. Oh, says Ang, then you shall spend the rest of your life here, which won't be very long--your candles will go out soon, and you'll be left in darkness--you can cry for help but no one will hear you--you have no food or water and no chance for escape--"You're going to rot in this room, Dr. Hoffman!"  She opens the door and leaves. Julia tries to prevent her from closing and locking the door, but it's too late. Julia blows out one of the candles, backing away from the one remaining, looking fearfully around her prison as she rubs her hands together against the chill.

NOTES: My heart hammered the first time I saw the first scene between Julia and Ang. I KNEW she didn't really believe her and was just going along with it, waiting for her chance to do something terrible to her. Bravo, Julia, for avoiding the hypnotism, but what did it get you in the long run?

Oh, what a terrible situation for poor Julia, but you know she'd rather have her fingernails extracted than give in and tell Angelique Barnabas' secret. She's very loyal, but what's it going to get her--cold, hungry, thirsty and dead. Stand by your man, Julia, but let's hope he stands by you! You sense that Angelique will be an especially cruel jailer, too, and will keep her promise to let Julia rot in that dreadful place.

Oh, God--Roger murdered Angelique, Carolyn and now his own sister!  Obviously, this man is mentally deranged, but he managed to carry on a fairly normal conversation with Barnabas nevertheless. One wonders what started this chain of death, and what Angelique did, or didn't do, to Roger to make him kill her. Roger's murder of his sister was so brutal--and he stabbed his own niece to death!

Kudos to all performances today, especially Edmonds. His nervousness made my hands shake. Hall and Parker's scenes were beautifully done.  You could tell how much these two actresses enjoyed interacting with each other.

Great episode, too, a highly exciting cliffhanger!

Love, Robin

Thanks so much for your good wishes, my friends.

Dan and I enjoyed a quiet dinner at Big Daddy's, a restaurant featuring delectable Louisiana cuisine.

Our big gift to each other for our 25th is a cruise to Bermuda later this month.  It's our first cruise and we're really looking forward to it.

Love, Robin

Hope your birthday was spectacular, Tanis, and that you were surrounded by loved ones, and gifted with what you wanted most!  Keep the celebration going for at least a week!

Love, Robin

Bobubas, my friend, I wish you a most joyous birthday.  You're the greatest, baby!

Terry, here's to a natal day alight with all good things that make you happiest!

Above all, I wish both of you the very best of health, because when that is yours everything else is possible.

Love, Robin

I realize this is super-OT, but a 25th wedding anniversary comes along only once in a lifetime.

On July 30, 1978, Dan Vogel and I exchanged wedding vows before our family and friends.  Our rabbi was a wonderful guy who brought dignity and humor to the ceremony, especially when Ima Beetle (probably a relative of Ima Fly) landed on the rim of the wine glass and the rabbi flicked it off with an aplomb that had Dan and I laughing.

While Dan doesn't like DARK SHADOWS, whenever a new DVD comes out, he immediately orders it for me because he knows it makes me happy.  I can't ask for more than that!

Happy 25th anniversary, Dan--and you WILL be reading this later even if it is posted on a DS site!

Love, Robin