I really enjoyed those sick mug shots, Connie!  

You are a natural!

Love, Robin

586 - (Nancy Barrett) - Clouds obscure the moon over Collinwood. The house is as dark as one man's intention, for he feels he has been betrayed by the man who promised to make him a mate, and now he must do what he has threatened to.

Vicki can't answer Barnabas' frantic calls because Adam is strangling her, vowing Barnabas will know the loneliness he promised him. Barnabas continues to knock, trying the door, which is locked, over and over. Vicki falls unconscious in Adam's lap and he looks at his hands and wipes one on his shirt as if it's coated with something gross. (guilty blood?) Carolyn comes down the hall and asks Barnabas what's wrong. She says she'll get the key to Vicki's room. Adam slips back out the window as Carolyn rushes to get the key. (Why didn't Barn just break it down?) Carolyn wonders why he thinks something is wrong. Barnabas is unable to fit the key in the lock at first. He finally forces the inside key to drop out and he and Carolyn rush into Vicki's room. Vicki is unconscious. They both tend to her, and Carolyn asks who did it. Adam, reveals Barnabas. Carolyn asks why. Get Julia, orders Barnabas, they desperately need a doctor. Carolyn goes, reluctantly, because she wants to know Adam's connection to this. Barnabas laments to Vicki using her as a pawn in all this, but he had no choice--or at least that's what he's told himself.He has caused this--the curse! Is it still alive, even if Angelique isn't? Must everyone he loves die, even now, after 200 years? he asks himself. (a very good question!)

Carolyn calls the police. Nicholas, dapper as always, offers to help her instead. He's much more polite and effective than the local gendarmes. (LOL!) She asks if he's been with Adam, and he asks if she's calling the police about Adam. He plucks the phone from her hand and hangs it up, infuriating her. Nicholas insists he wants to talk to her. She accuses him of lying to her--he wasn't with Adam--Adam just tried to kill Vicki. Carolyn says Vicki is unconscious, with Julia, but Adam tried to choke her. Nicholas expresses his sorrow, but asks who said it was Adam. Barnabas, she says, but it makes no sense. Nicholas asks if he SAW Adam. Carolyn tried to question Barnabas, but he's too upset about Vicki--Barn knows it was Adam, sans explanation.Nicholas suggests Adam has been rendered the local whipping boy; whatever happens, he's responsible. Carolyn, upset, says if Adam did this, she can't keep him here. The police aren't the answer, insists Nick. Carolyn says so many strange things have happened since Adam came here, but Nick says he was with Adam all evening, playing chess for two hours, so he's providing Adam with an alibi. He lives there, too, Nick reminds her, and doesn't want a potential murderer on the estate. Nicholas brings up Jeff's bad temper--he and Vicki broke up, right, and others have a very good reason, while Adam doesn't. He invites her to see Adam--they will have a game of cards. He suggests she go check on Vicki, then join him in Adam's room.

Carolyn goes to Vicki's room. Barnabas sits in a chair, anxiously watching Vicki. He tells Carolyn Vicki is in some kind of shock, and Carolyn asks if she's spoken yet. No, says Barn, but she will be all right. Carolyn tells Barnabas he saved Vicki's life; she heard nothing in the next room. She wants to know why he thinks it was Adam, but he insists on answering her questions later. Yes, she says curtly, you will answer my questions--I intend for you to.

Nicholas berates Adam for his insane behavior--Carolyn, his FRIEND, was about to call the police. He lied and told her they were together. Why did he do this thing now? You wouldn't understand, as Carolyn doesn't says Adam--Barnabas doesn't intend to finish his mate. Nicholas tries to explain how hard it is, much harder than Adam understands. It's so complex, no one could do it before Adam. Barnabas is stalling, insists Adam, the life force is holding him up. Nicholas says he should have come to him when Barn was looking for the life force. Nicholas' mouth drops open when he hears Barnabas' choice for the life force--Maggie Evans. Nicholas assures Adam he knows where the lady lives. Barnabas went to get Maggie, says Adam, but Nicholas waves a finger at him and says, in a ragged voice, "NO. . .no, we must stop them NOW!" Adam gazes with puzzlement at the angry warlock. (Nicholas cares for Maggie as much as Willie does, so of course, he doesn't want his lady used for this experiment! Interesting--love over duty!)Nicholas paces. Adam wonders why he's so upset. Adam tells Nick that Willie took Maggie, but he doesn't believe that. Nicholas wonders where Willie took her, and Adam says, contemptuously, that Willie is in love with her (why is Adam so contemptuous? He loves Carolyn). Nicholas tells Adam that if anything happens to Maggie, he will hold him responsible. Adam rises from the bed, looks at Nick, and says he never told him they couldn't use Maggie.  He'd have stopped them, says Nicholas, and Adam accuses him of being in love with Maggie. "Love isn't a word that I use," says Nick, but Adam wonders why he's so upset and angry, then. Nicholas doesn't want anything to happen to her. Adam asks if he believes Barnabas' story about Willie, and is pset to hear Nicholas answer absolutely not to Adam's question about using Maggie if she is found. There's a knock at the door. Nick orders Adam to deny everything to Carolyn--better still, let him talk. Nicholas admits Carolyn and she bids Adam good evening. He is upset, says Nick, he told him what she believed had happened. Adam apologizes, and Carolyn wonders why. He says he's sorry, he heard what happened. Carolyn tells them Vicki is still in a state of shock and hasn't spoken. She apologizes to Adam for jumping to a wrong conclusion--she couldn't imagine why Barnabas thought it was him. Nicholas says Adam's getting used to being blamed. Adam insists he is NOT used to it. Carolyn realizes Adam is angry and disappointed in her, but he says he's just angry at the crappy way his life has turned out. You must not be, she says. He says he'll feel better tomorrow. She assures him they all will feel better tomorrow, and bids both men good night. She tells Nick to stay with Adam, and tells the big guy she'll see him in the morning. Nick closes the door after her. Adam is sorry he lied to her--he promised he never would. Nicholas observes he loves her very much, and Adam sorrowfully says for as long as he lives.

Carolyn turns off the lights in the foyer. Julia is staying with Vicki, Barnabas tells her, but he says he's tired and can't offer an explanation. She can't sleep until he does, and wants to know why he thinks it was Adam. Julia was heading for Collinwood and saw Adam in the woods. She assumed he was coming here and ran back to the Old House to tell him.WHY? demands Carolyn--if Julia thought Adam was coming to Collinwood, why didn't she just come to Collinwood and warn them? She was closer to the Old House, says Barnabas, and figured he could head Adam off. Carolyn asks why Vicki is involved. Barnabas always felt Adam was connected to Vicki's disappearance. Have you any proof? queries Carolyn--she finds it all difficult to understand--he isn't a man who lives by his prejudices, so he must have a reason for believing it was Adam. And Barnabas feels she has her reasons for refusing to believe them. She knows where Adam has been hiding, and she must care more for Vicki than Adam. Carolyn admits she feels a great deal for Vicki, but Barnabas has given her no proof. "Then we've reached an impasse, haven't we?" he asks pointedly, and leaves.

Nicholas is asking Adam if "that plan" is acceptable to him, and it apparently is. Adam must start it, and be very cool with Barnabas--stay in charge, don't lose his temper. Adam tells Nicholas how grateful he is, Nicholas IS his friend. Go, orders Nicholas, Barnabas has no choice but to do as you say. Adam leaves, looking self-satisfied, as does Nicholas, grinning in that Snidely Whiplash way of his.

Old House - Barnabas finds his front door ajar. Adam is waiting for him, sitting in a chair. "Good evening," he greets him, playing solitaire. Barnabas is surprised Adam believes he'll help him, after tonight. Adam tells Barnabas to sit down, and Barnabas asks him how dare her come there. Vicki is still alive, Adam reminds him. No thanks to you, says Barnabas. Adam would like Vicki to stay alive, but Barnabas believes him capable of going back there tonight to finish the job. Adam again asks him to sit down, and comments what an imposing gentleman Barnabas has always been--I find it hard not to be frightened by your manner. Adam has decided to believe his reason for not doing the experiment--he believes him about Maggie. Too late to bring that up, says Barnabas, but Adam realizes Maggie is unsuitable, anyway. Who they use is no concern of Adam's, says Barn, but Adam insists the life force must be suitable to him. You must try and please me, says Adam, but Barnabas, sitting at last, says he doubts it possible. Adam tells him he is to be ready to bring his mate to life tomorrow night. Do you know where Maggie is? asks Barnabas. No, says Adam. They need a life force, insists Barnabas. They'll have one, Adam replies, but he doesn't need to know who. Barnabas says they can't use a stranger who will talk. It isn't a stranger, Adam assures him. Barnabas insists on knowing. Adam responds, "The only woman I want to bring that body alive--the woman I want my wife to be like--Carolyn Stoddard," says Adam calmly. Barnabas' face registers shock.

NOTES: Adam aims high, obviously with Nicholas' assistance. He wants to use Carolyn for this potentially dangerous experiment, where she could die, if the experiment proceeds the way the first was supposed to. I can't believe Adam accepting this, but Blair talked him into it in his inimitable way, we can be sure. And the calm way Adam presents this suggestion to Barnabas is priceless.  To suggest using Carolyn Stoddard, heir to Collinwood, in such a dangerous experiment? Yet Adam TELLS Barnabas that's the way it's going to be.


587 - (KLS) - A cloudy, windless night, and those who sleep in the great house of Collinwood do not dream their lives are in danger. But two men know. And, in an old house on the estate, they meet, and one who, six months ago, did not even know his name, is now giving the orders.

Barnabas and Adam reminded me of a father and son having a serious talk as Adam tells "Daddy" he wants Carolyn to provide the life force for his mate.Impossible, says Barnabas, out of the question--he can't ask Carolyn to do it. Adam says he won't have to ask, but Barn suggests he's overestimated his influence. Barnabas insists he listen--he's considered the life force very carefully and decided on Maggie because she lives alone and wouldn't be missed. (she would by some!) Most importantly, she can be controlled--Julia will hypnotize Maggie and she will have no memory--that's vital. Carolyn won't talk, says Adam, but Barn says she can't be missing for a length of time. Barnabas says that if he has all this affection for Carolyn, he can't expect her to do it, it's too dangerous. Barn explains that the giver of the life force is supposed to die. Adam asks if Barnabas was willing to die to bring him to life, and Barn explains that he was to live in Adam--think, react as he does--he'd BE him. This is news to Adam--that I would have thought what you thought? He can't even understand him now! Adam realizes he would have lived in this house, and Barnabas says the family would have thought him a cousin. Adam asks how he could hate himself so much he'd want to change his body? Past history, says Barn, but Carolyn is the present. Adam reminds him he didn't die, but Barn says that's because he didn't go through with the experiment as Lang had originally outlined. So, says Adam, Julia will do this experiment the same way as the first--simple. No, says Barn, if Julia forgets one move, no telling what will happen. If Adam is so fond of Carolyn. . .he can't change it now, says Adam. Tell her all this, insists Barnabas, she might refuse--and talk. No, she won't talk, says Adam. So, says Barn, you are willing to sacrifice her. As you are willing to sacrifice Maggie, retorts Adam--using Carolyn, you and Julia will be even more careful, and that is good. Barn asks if he could have Maggie there tomorrow, get her back from Willie. . .Adam remembers a day when Barnabas controlled him and Willie, and not long ago. They will use Carolyn, Maggie will stay wherever she is, Adam insists, returning to his game of solitaire and defiantly slapping down the cards.

In the mausoleum, Willie ponders Maggie sleeping on the cold floor, and wonders, how can he keep watching her all the time? How will he know if it's safe to let her go? Where will he get food? He can't go to the Old House. . .into town. He kneels and is about to touch Maggie, but stops. He opens the step the contains the hidden door release and leaves the secret room. Willie creeps to the wrought iron gate. Maggie stirs, sees the still-open door, and quietly slips out. Willie returns to the secret room and sees she is gone. "Maggie!" he cries, looking around. Maggie crouches behind Sarah's coffin, out of Willie's view. He returns to the secret room, calling her. She leaves her hiding place and rushes for the door. Willie spots her, grabs her, and they struggle. She begs him to let her go, and he tells her he's doing this for her own good. She tells him he's crazy, making up a story about Barnabas trying to hurt her. Willie protests he's more sane than he's ever been, and she sobs how cold, tired and hungry she is--let her go home! She looks at the plaques on the walls and realizes they are in the Collins tomb. Maggie grips the gate and begins to scream for help. Willie covers her mouth and she nips him, making him cry out in pain. He finally catches her, covers her mouth again, and forces her back into the secret room, but not before she bites him again. She triumphantly tells him he'll have to close the door and she'll see him do it. She refuses to accept he's doing this for her own good."I hate you!" she cries twice, and vows to go straight to the police as soon as she escapes--she doesn't think someone like him should be running around loose! He pleads with her, saying she'll change her mind someday, when she knows. Someday, perhaps he'll tell her part of it, so she'll forgive him. Maggie vows never to forgive him. Willie, standing behind her, opening the bottle of chloroform, says he knows she is cold and hungry--he'll get her food and blankets, he says, if she lets him. . .he covers her mouth and nose with the rag, apologizing again. She falls limp in his arms, and he lowers her to the steps. He gently moves her hair off her face, leaves the secret room, and pulls the ring in the lion's mouth, closing it behind him.

Nicholas waits impatiently in the gazebo. "You took long enough," he says to an approaching Adam, who tells him Barn is upset about using Carolyn, but didn't talk him out of it. Barnabas told Adam it would be dangerous, which Nicholas said he would do. He made Adam believe it, but Nick insists that was just a ploy to scare him. No, says Adam, he wants him to wait until he finds Maggie. NO, says Nick, Maggie won't be used--he wants Adam to love this woman, which will only happen if she's like Carolyn. Yet I am not like Barnabas, states Adam. Nicholas says he'll see Carolyn in the mate, just as Adam and Barnabas share certain traits. Adam doesn't feel Barnabas believes they share any characteristics, but Nicholas insists that's only because Barnabas won't admit it. Nicholas asks Adam if he saw Willie, and Adam replies no. Adam wants Nick to tell him how he's going to get Carolyn to cooperate, and, grabbing his arm, insists he not use violence on Carolyn. Of course not, says Nicholas.  Adam wants Carolyn to WANT to be part of the experiment, and Nicholas says he understands that. She must want to do it, says Adam, for HIM, and Nick promises that will happen. Adam wants to accompany Nicholas to speak to Carolyn, but Nicholas says it's impossible--he's doing this as a favor to him and must choose his own time and place, and deal with Carolyn without interruption--Adam wouldn't control himself. Nick tells Adam to stop worrying, and Adam again grabs his arm, staying him--he can't stop worrying! Nicholas orders him to let go of him, and Adam accuses him of being more concerned about Willie Loomis. I am, confesses Nick, at the moment--"now let go of my arm!"

Nicholas and Adam hear Willie skulking through the woods. They don't want to be caught, so they hasten away, Adam taking a look through the trees. Nicholas tells Adam to stay where he is and approaches Willie, who is scared. Nicholas orders Willie to come to him, but Willie protests he has to go. Nicholas tells him he knows he's lying, and Willie takes offense. Nicholas' eyes seem to glow as he stares at Willie. "You can't take your eyes away from mine," intones Nicholas. "Come here, Willie. You need my help very badly, now come here." Willie, in a trance, comes forward. Nicholas tells him he knows about Maggie Evans. . .Adam watches from the bushes as Nicholas tells Willie he knows he kidnapped Maggie, and for her own good. He understands that. Nicholas assures Willie Maggie is out of danger now--take his word for it. Willie realizes this man knows just about everything, but Nick says he's too modest to admit it. He orders Willie to let Maggie go--that's an order, but not to say HE gave him the order. As a bonus, he'll let him forget this meeting ever took place. Willie isn't sure about that, but he knows what he's supposed to do. Willie backs away and leaves. Adam rejoins Nicholas, tells him to follow Willie, see where he's hiding Maggie. No, says Nick, he doesn't want her to know he's involved. Adam wonders how he knows Willie will let her go, and Nicholas explains he has "a way" with people, which should assure Adam of success with

Carolyn. Maggie Evans will be freed tonight, he predicts.

Maggie lies asleep in the mausoleum. "Willie," she mutters. "Willie." She dreams of a table set for two in the Old House, Willie opening Josette's music box and setting it on the table, lighting the candles. He hears knocking, and Maggie is there. He tells her to come in. She's wearing a hideous dress! She notes the music, and Willie says he was told to play it for her. She asks where she is, she knows she shouldn't be here, there's something wrong with her being here. Why is she here? You'll know soon, Willie says. A place card on the table says Josette, but Maggie knows she's been dead for centuries, so why does that card says Josette? Willie tells her he follows "his" orders, and Maggie wonders who that is--Barnabas? What does he want from her? She wants to go now. You can't, says Willie. Let me go, she says, don't keep me here. You must stay, says Willie, he's coming. Maggie asks why she feels this way, but Willie says she'll be all right. No, she won't be if she sees him, she protests, if she stays here. You will stay and see him, insists Willie. No, says Maggie, what's happening to me?--something's wrong, why am I afraid. Willie warns her to be quiet, he can hear her. She doesn't care. Barnabas appears, and there is a blood-curdling scream (the fake one).Maggie sees Josette Collins' gravestone as the screams go on and on.

Maggie awakens. Barnabas! she whispers. Why? Why was she afraid of him? Because everything that happened that night actually happened! She remembers that evening, she was terrified--why?

NOTES: Nicholas marvelous as always, and Maggie's dream creepy. Barnabas and Adam's conversation was quite civilized, and I enjoyed it.

It appears that everything is now coming back to Maggie, and if she remembers what happened to her when Barnabas was a vampire, it will be so ironic, given that he no longer is one of the living dead.

Nicholas and Willie both have a similar motive in not wanting Maggie used for the experiment--love. Barnabas doesn't want his cousin risking her life, nor does Adam, so they are not at cross-purposes, either, when you get down to basics. Nicholas lied to Adam about the potential danger to Carolyn, but won't explain why he so vehemently is against Maggie being used--a very interesting scenario, huh?

Love, Robin

582 - (Grayson Hall) - There are many secrets at the great estate of Collinwood, secrets that sometimes demand action--and one of them lies on an operating table in an old house on the estate. It is a lifeless body which may, someday, walk. And on this night, an attempt is being made to bring it alive--but by a man who does not have the right to do it, using a woman who knows she must give life to the body in order to escape the punishment to which she has been sentenced. And if they succeed, they will create more terrible problems than they have solved.

Upstairs at the Old House, Barnabas returns home, hears the equipment whirring and immediately races to the stairs to see what's going on. Barnabas pauses at the door, listens, and enters. Jeff is madly fiddling with the controls, but by the time Barnabas enters the room, Jeff is alone--Angelique has disappeared! Jeff turns around and is horrified when Barnabas demands to know what he's doing, but what scares him even more is the fact that Angelique is gone.. He claims he was checking the equipment, but Barnabas doesn't believe him--the electrodes are attached to the body! Barnabas also notes that someone has been on the other table--WHO? Jeff assures him no one would lie there by choice, except Barnabas himself, and he doesn't know why. Jeff feels his throat and reminds Barnabas he's doing this to save his ex-fiancee's life (nasty dig, Barn). Jeff calls it blackmail and says it's because of him that he and Vicki broke up. Barnabas says everything seems to be his fault, and Jeff's attacking him this way is a clever ploy. What was going on? Jeff claims he was trying to simulate the experiment, but Barnabas calls him a liar.He knows Jeff was going to destroy the body--he doesn't want the experiment to work now, since he and Vicki are broken up--Jeff knows what will happen to her if they don't finish the experiment, and accuses Jeff of never loving Vicki--you hate Vicki now, want her to die, insists Barnabas, but Jeff says that's not true, he doesn't want to put Vicki in danger--that's only what Barnabas wants to believe. Barnabas frees Jeff of his responsibility for the experiment, but Jeff wants to stay. Keep out of the room, demands Barnabas, they'll save Vicki without him. "Now get out," orders Barnabas, vehemently. Jeff leaves, gazing at the lab and Barnabas one last time before heading up the steps.

Ang finds Jeff in the woods and tells him she wants to try the experiment again. He demands she not touch him and wonders why she is that she can just disappear and reappear this way. She's not human, he says, holding his head--she's a demon! When I'm with you, I'm real, she says, reaching out for him--you must meet me tomorrow night. Jeff says he can't help her--he's free of the experiment now and doesn't have to go back to the lab. She is adamant--they will do this experiment so she can be the life force. He dodges her, but she says they won't fail--and she will answer all his questions when it's over. She holds out her hand and insists he take it; she says it feels human, doesn't it?You must not fight me, you must not! She bites his throat.

Julia assures Barnabas Jeff did no harm. She can't believe he meant to destroy the body, but Barnabas is sure. Barnabas doubts Jeff's love for Vicki--he couldn't have changed so quickly. Julia believes Jeff did love Vicki, and Barnabas calls her a romantic. No more, she says. (oh, how sad that she admits that) Barnabas wonders about the straps being fastened, but Julia says if someone were on the table, he'd have seen that person. He asks how long the body will last, and she tells him 3-4 days. He says this has been one of the most unpleasant things he's ever had to do, but now comes an even more unpleasant decision--the life force. When he gave Adam life, he made the decision himself, at least--who will provide the life force for her? The woman will also made the decision, says Julia reasonably. Who? He asks. Who can they take into their confidence, will be willing to risk her life? He had something to gain, and he's considered every woman they know. For their safety, it must be someone they can control. Julia realizes he's already made the decision--tell her who. Maggie Evans, he says. Julia gasps.

Julia says they can't use Maggie--she's been through enough, and Adam caused Sam's death. He'd never be able to talk her into it, insists Julia, but all that aside, SHE won't do it. She'll never know, says Barnabas. Julia says he sounds so like the old Barnabas in saying such a thing. He realizes Julia doesn't like to be reminded of him, and she agrees--she doesn't like being reminded of how cruel he can be. He points out if they don't find someone to use at the life fore, Vicki will die, as will the Collinses, and Julia herself. Julia once hypnotized Maggie, but Julia won't now--she only did it before because she knew about Barnabas! Barnabas expresses his gratitude for Julia saving him, but now the trouble is even more serious--and surely Julia realizes it. They can use Maggie in the experiment and Julia can induce her to forget. If she even lives, Julia reminds him. I lived, says Barnabas, following her around the table. Eric Lang didn't think he would, says Julia. Barnabas tells her to conduct the experiment the same way. Julia says she isn't sure, but Barnabas is. Julia says they can't ask Maggie to take that chance. Willie comes down and listens to the rest. Julia says she knows Barn isn't doing this out of maliciousness, but he must find someone. She doesn't agree with his decision, however, and he asks her to suggest someone.Until she does, says Barnabas, Maggie is their only choice, and Julia had better prepare herself for that and find a way to get her here. Not until she has to, says Julia, and Willie's eyes widen as he listens to this.

Julia opens the straps and tells Barnabas she doesn't feel like working anymore, she wants to return to Collinwood. He feels if she seriously considers Maggie as the life force, she'll realize he's right. She doesn't know, she says, and bids him goodnight. Barnabas wonders if he should talk to Jeff, since he isn't a part of it anymore, can they trust him? Will he talk? Julia feels seeing Jeff wouldn't do any good--she'll deal with him. Barnabas thanks her for volunteering for that. Willie comes down and Julia bids him good night. Willie asks if he can talk serious-like to Barnabas, who seems reluctant to interrupt his reading. Willie is insistent, needing more than a moment, but Barn asks him to wait until tomorrow. Willie agrees, reluctantly, and goes upstairs as Barnabas, oblivious, pours over a notebook. Julia is putting on her coat when Willie asks to speak to her. She's tired, but more obliging than Barnabas. Willie asks her to do him a favor and talk privately with him. She sees something is eating him and sits down in the drawing room. He tells her he didn't want to get mixed up with the experiment, and is sick inside. They keep on going when they're sick inside, her and Barnabas, but he wants to stop now. Your work is done, says Julia. Willie knows what they're going to do--and not with Maggie Evans! He heard it all downstairs. Julia says that's up to Barnabas, and Willie must speak to him. Barnabas won't listen, says Willie, and he wants Julia to refuse to conduct the experiment with Maggie. Willie kneels as if in supplication and she tells him Stokes in a master hypnotist. But Julia is the one who knows how to work the equipment, says Willie desperately, and Barnabas needs her! She can dictate what will happen and she likes Maggie--they must make Barnabas listen! Julia says she doesn't think anyone can talk him out of this, but Willie comes close to hysteria--they must make Barnabas listen!--he gets an idea in his head, there's nothing stopping him, but Willie can't think that way!They can try, says Julia, but Willie screams that isn't good enough--Julia doesn't understand about caring about someone and watching them go through this. . .Julia looks at him sadly. "Don't I?" she asks. "You forget, Willie, I watched Barnabas. (sigh, very sad, too) Good night, Willie." And, back straight, she leaves. Willie thinks. Barnabas comes up and tells him to lock up--I'm going upstairs to try to sleep. Willie says he does have trouble thinking, and Barn asks what he means by that. Willie is going down to clean up, and Barnabas watches him, forehead furrowed, wondering what his servant is thinking. Willie trudges downstairs to the lab and walks around the draped body, an ugly expression on his face. He picks up a scalpel in his fist and smiles at it. To the corpse, he says, "Maggie Evans. No. She ain't gonna die for you!" And he raises the scalpel high, preparing to plunge it into the body.

NOTES: I wonder what everyonethinks slashing the body is going to accomplish? You can't "kill" it, it's already dead! Are they trying to make it more scarred-looking than Adam? I can't figure out Jeff and Willie's motive for sticking a scalpel into the body. Willie would only be forced out to get more parts and create a new woman.

It does seem cruel of Barnabas to home in on Maggie for this experiment's life force. She HAS been through so much, and losing Sam to Adam seems like something that would surely eliminate her for this experiment altogether. But Willie knows Barnabas too well, and Barn will do what he wants.

I feel sorry for Julia. She loves Barnabas and understands Willie's torture, because she went through it herself, but she will bow to Barnabas' wishes in this as she nearly always seems to do. Julia COULD put an immediate stop to this by simply refusing to use Maggie. A stranger would make more sense, really.


583 - (Alexandra Moltke) - Dark clouds hang over the great estate of Collinwood. The sleeping house seems to be at peace. But in an old house on the grounds, an act of treachery is about to take place. For one man intends to end a project and the end will mean misery and death to many.

The music cue is seriously botched as Barnabas comes down into the basement and shouts, "Willie! If you touch that body, I will KILL you!" Face trembling, Willie doesn't move, even after Barnabas orders him to drop the knife. Willie's face crumples as he finally does so, and Barnabas demands an explanation. Adam will kill Vicki and everyone else, Barnabas reminds Willie, who cannot bring himself to speak at first, then mentions using Maggie as the life force. Willie first suggests using Julia, but Barn says she must run the experiment. Calculatingly, Willie suggests, "Use Vicki." Barnabas guiltily walks away from him, and Willie wants to know why Maggie? Willie reminds him about helping Maggie become Josette, to which Barn retorts, "Before you fancied yourself in love with her." (low blow, Barn, others can be in love besides you) Willie reminds him that Adam killed Maggie's father--he can't ask her to risk her life for him! She won't die, insists Barnabas, but Willie reminds him Barnabas wasn't supposed to survive. This time it might, says Willie, and his face crumbles again as he contemplates Maggie's possibly dying.Barnabas orders Willie to look at him and makes him promise he won't try to ruin the experiment again. If you promise not to use Maggie, counters Willie. Barnabas can't make the promise, even after Willie promises to get him another girl. Barnabas tells Willie he must accept it, and Willie shouts at him he wants him out of the way so he can use Maggie. Barnabas tells Willie he doesn't want to involve anyone in this. Willie says they all do what they have to do, a weird expression on his face.

Vicki and Maggie sit out on the back terrace, drinking coffee. Vicki can't believe Jeff changed so completely and suddenly. Just as Joe did, laments Maggie. Jeff always wanted a good, steady job, says Maggie, yet turned down Roger's offer. Maggie tells her that Joe quit his job. They both changed, with no reason, the ladies say. Vicki wonders if it was her fault that Jeff turned down Roger; his pride was hurt. Yet Jeff is more sensible than that. Maggie ran into Joe in town. He grinned at her as if they were merely acquaintances, and she was going to spend the rest of her life with him!--I wanted to run home and cry. Vicki wonders what it will be like to see Jeff--she dreads it, yet daydreams about it all the time. She hopes he'll come to her and say he was wrong. Most men have trouble doing that, Maggie remarks. Barnabas joins them and tells Maggie it's a pleasant surprise to see her. Vicki leaves to get a cup for Barnabas and he sits down with Maggie. He was going to call on her, see how she was getting along. He imagines she's lonely without her father. Yes, she says, and she has had to make many adjustments. She seems to be waiting for something, she says, but doesn't know what--she feels as if she's in a vacuum, but she must get a job soon, probably in Boston. This shakes Barnabas, who says he hopes she doesn't do that. She feels like changing her whole life, but doesn't really think she'll be able to leave. Have you told anyone else about your plans to leave? asks Barnabas. Just Vicki, she tells him.Barnabas offers his friendship and says if there's anything he can do, please think of him--he'll do anything for her. Vicki brings the cup and pours coffee for Barnabas. Maggie rises and tells her she might not go to Boston. She thanks Barnabas for everything and promises to let Vicki know her plans. Barnabas comments that Vicki is looking well. David left on a camping trip, says Vicki. Barnabas says he heard about her and Jeff and he's sorry if she's unhappy about it. Vicki walks away from him, looking sad. He apologizes for causing her pain, but says it's better to know these things now. He asks her to come to Bangor for a concert next week. She accepts, seeming glad. Adam is listening at the gate as Barnabas tells her he'll get the tickets and help her get over Jeff. She just wishes she knew if she wanted to forget, sighs Vicki. Barnabas spots Adam, and, looking at him, vows to see to it that Vicki isn't unhappy. Adam turns away.

Maggie sits in her bedroom at the cottage, writing a letter. Someone knocks at her French doors, startling her. It's Willie. She protests he frightened her. He says he tried the front door and she didn't answer. She asks what's wrong, but he can't tell her. He asks her if she'd like to go away for a while, and hands her 50 dollars. He knows she hasn't much money and it's expensive to travel. She must leave, tonight, and there's a bus leaving for Bangor--he'll drive her to the bus station in half an hour--pack and he'll take her. She says he isn't making sense, but he reminds her he's a friend and she's got to take his advice. Things are going to happen, he says, people have plans for her, and she doesn't know about it. I'm worried about you, that's why I'm here, believe me, pack a bag, you're in danger!She can't understand him, and he can't tell her who or what is putting her in danger. He babbles that it's Barnabas, and he's involved whether he likes it or not. She shakes her head. She finds this hard to believe, she saw Barnabas and he offered to help her. Willie says she must leave, and soon, and he gets more and more hysterical--she's got to go! She asks what's wrong with him, and he insists he isn't crazy, he's never been saner! They raise their voices and Willie says he's loyal to Barnabas because he's been good to him (?), and he's being as loyal as he can, but if she isn't there, he can find somebody else! Willie becomes incoherent, looking like he's tearing out his eyeballs, and Maggie gently says they have no more to talk about--she isn't leaving tonight. If he wants to be her friend, he can't get so worked up. She doesn't know what happened, but she doesn't believe Barnabas would harm her.

Terrace - Adam waylays Barnabas by putting a hand around his throat. Why aren't you working? Demands the big guy--you've been here twice today!--while you visit the girl you love, I am still alone! Barnabas assures him the body is nearly ready, but Adam says it would be even more so if he had worked today--he isn't living up to his bargain.Adam threatens to go to Vicki's room and kill her tonight, clenching his fist under Barnabas' face.

Old House basement - Willie comes downstairs, looking around. He must do something about Maggie, he tells himself, even if she hates him. After it's over, after they find another life force, he'll explain it to her. How can he save her, he wonders, pacing. Then his eyes light on a bottle of chloroform in the cabinet. He takes it. That's it, he says gleefully, knocking over a stool. Barnabas calls "Julia!" Willie runs out of sight as Barnabas descends the stairs. He glances around but all he finds is a knocked-over stool. Why was it knocked over?--no one is here--it must be his imagination. He heads back upstairs and Willie, hiding crouched behind a piece of equipment, appears to be biting his nails.

Evans cottage - 11:35 PM - Maggie sleeps. Willie opens her unlocked French doors and observers her. He opens the bottle of chloroform and applies it to a piece of cloth. Maggie awakens and screams as Willie covers her mouth and nose with the cloth. Willie says, "I'm sorry, I've gotta do it, forgive me, forgive me, Maggie!" She is unconscious.

Barnabas knocks at her door, calling to Maggie (I guess the word has gotten around that she accepts all late-night callers)--he must see her! He opens the door, but she's gone! He remembers Adam asking him if he should kill Victoria Winters tonight, and a tortured look comes over his face.

NOTES: So, Willie has kidnapped Maggie--to keep her safe! How bizarre! What will Barnabas and Julia do now? Can they find a new life force before the body deteriorates?

Willie is a loon, but his motives are the right ones. He loves Maggie and wants to keep her alive--but at what cost? Will he tells her why he did this? Will she believe him and be grateful? Willie's done a dangerous thing, because vampire or not, Barnabas is a man to reckon with.

Angelique has destroyed two relationships. I doubt she care about either Maggie or Vicki, but she never seems to care who she hurts in pursuit of what she wants.

Love, Robin

580 - (Grayson Hall) - The fate of all those who live in the great house of Collinwood will be decided by the outcome of a strange experiment conducted at the Old House on the Collins estate--behind this experiment is a man who lives in a large house by the sea--a man who lives by and for the pursuit of evil. On this night, he will learn that his carefully laid plans have gone awry--but only temporarily.

Nicholas lives by and for the pursuit of evil--I like that!

Angelique comes out to join Nicholas. He thought she was with Joe, but she sent him home over an hour ago. Nick notes she doesn't spend as much time with him as she used to, but she says nothing is wrong. He must not be very interesting, comments Nicholas, and she complains he still discusses Maggie now and then--she doesn't like that. Those two are finished, says Nick, and Ang notes that pleases him very much. Yes, he admits, he's grown very fond of Maggie. Be careful you don't make the same mistake I did and become too fond of her, advises Angelique, and Nicholas says no problem--he knows what he's doing. He touches her shoulders and tells her not to be sad--if she finds Joe boring, they'll "introduce" her to someone else. He is about to pour a drink when they hear knocking at the door. Nicholas answers--it's Adam, who demands to speak to Nick. I've been alone in the woods for many hours, reveals Adam, and Nicholas invites him inside. He spots Angelique, whom Nick calls "my assistant," and Adam tells him he's going to see Barnabas and tell him to stop the experiment. He doesn't want a mate anymore; he doesn't want ANYONE!Adam explains he's certain that no matter how good his mate is, she couldn't match Carolyn, and he couldn't love her as much--Julia and Barnabas can't replicate Carolyn, who doesn't love him. He explains to Nicholas about Tony coming to see Carolyn--she let him kiss her and he is the one she loves. Adam knows Carolyn doesn't love him, and he doesn't think he can love his mate. There can never be another Carolyn, which is why he's telling Barnabas to stop everything. Nick tells him that would be a serious mistake, because if he stops this experiment, it will prevent him from EVER having Carolyn--Adam can have his mate and Carolyn! Adam wants to know how this is possible Nicholas refuses to tell him now--he's disappointed in Adam--he's done everything he could to help him, and he resists everything Nicholas says, giving in to his childish impulses. Adam says he's sorry, but if he can't have Carolyn. . . Nicholas grows imperious. Angelique listens intently as Blair continues--if Adam trusts him, if he lets him make the decisions--but he apparently isn't ready to do that. Adam says he'll do whatever he wants if there is still a chance. Is that a promise? demands Nick. It is, says Adam. The first thing they must do is get Adam back to Collinwood, advises Nicholas. I was angry and left a goodbye note for Carolyn, explains Adam. Nick wants him to say he had a change of heart and is sure Carolyn will be happy about it. Nick sends Adam away and orders Angelique to stay there--he might need her when he comes back. Angelique asks what Nicholas meant when he promised Adam he could have both his mate and Carolyn. I had to tell him something, says Nicholas. He'll expect you to keep your word, warns Ang, but Nick says he'll cross that bridge when he gets to it. He says they must expedite the experiment, that's the most important thing. He leaves. Ang, left alone, ponders that he's impatient and will make them go through with the experiment, soon, which will be too late for her--she'll have to stay as she is for as long as it pleases Nick, and he may never release her. She's got to do something now, tonight, this is her only chance to escape and be free again.

Ang paces the living room, then goes to the mirror and performs the special trick. She asks to see the Old House cellar. When the image appears, Julia is pouring red liquid from one vial into another. She turns and asks Jeff what's wrong, noting he hasn't said much the past few days. He rubs his throat, telling her there has been little to say--I'm going to Collinwood and will see you later. Ang commands him to remain in the lab, she needs him there--stay with Dr. Hoffman. He tells Julia he's changed his mind, and she asks what's bothering him. He wants all this over with, he says, and she says she could perform the experiment tonight. The body will be finished by midnight, but she can't do it tonight because she needs the woman who will provide the life force. Who will Barnabas get? asks Jeff, but Julia doesn't know. She asks why he's so curious and he angrily retorts he wants to get this over with. Julia agrees--Barnabas will have to get someone quickly. They might have a problem with the body decomposing, they have a week. Jeff insists they won't find anybody--what woman will jut volunteer to risk her life for this insanity? Julia says someone will have to, and if Barnabas doesn't find someone quickly, they will be in serious trouble--Adam will demand to know what the delay is and might take matters into his own hands and choose the woman himself. Select another victim? asks Jeff, and Julia says she fears he might pick the first name that pops into his head. Vicki? asks Jeff. Anyone, says Julia. Adam isn't concerned about the dangers, he just wants this brought to life as quickly as possible. Jeff looks disgusted, and rubs his head. Ang looks hopeful, turning away from the mirror. Nicholas joins her and demands to know what she was going with the mirror. Nothing, she replies. He accuses her of lying. If she won't tell him, he'll tell her, he says, advancing menacingly on her--she was using the mirror to check on the progress of the experiment. I was curious, she admits. He continues to advance on her, warning her that he doesn't accept that--he knows how her devious mind works, and demands to know what her interest is in the experiment is--or they will sit together and watch the sun come up.She says he wouldn't do that to her, and he tips her face up to look at him and says she knows very well that he would. She says she wanted to know how much longer they had to go with the experiment--she wants to be part of it. He already told her that was impossible, he says. Why? It can't do any harm if he uses her as the life force. Of course you aren't thinking of yourself, he chides sarcastically, but me. She confesses she is thinking of herself, she wants to be a real woman again instead of what she is. He doesn't care about her petty little problems, but wants to know what is happening in the lab. Nothing, she claims at first, then describes Jeff and Julia discussing the experiment--Julia hopes everything will be ready by the end of next week, Ang lies--the body isn't complete. Are you sure? asks Nick, and she suggests he check the mirror and find out himself. They talked about other things, she claims. He warns her he hopes she is telling him he truth, because if she is harboring any ideas about "helping me out," you forget them. And remember, he says, caressing her chin, it's far better to be what you are than to be nothing at all! He leaves her sitting there, and she drifts over to the mirror again.

Jeff is in the lab, exhausted. Julia sees him leaning his head down on a table and rouses him. He was just resting. She notes his exhaustion and he points out she's tired too. She suggests he go to Collinwood and see Vicki, and he curtly tells her he broke another date--and Vicki broke their engagement. Julia sympathetically touches his shoulder and tells him how sorry she is. She offers to go speak to Vicki, but he wonders what she would tell her: "Jeff can't see you because he's helping us put together an artificial woman." He chuckles ruefully.She realizes she has no explanation for Vicki, but Jeff appreciates her concern. He suggests she get some rest and he says he'll stay in the lab and do some reading. Not tonight, she says, but he says he wants to stick around--he can always put his head down and cat nap. She bids him good night, looking at him thoughtfully before heading upstairs. Jeff opens a notebook, then tosses it down on the desk. He checks the body, rubbing his forehead, looking around at the dials on one of the machines, then the vials of liquid. This is absolute insanity, he mutters, reaching for a scalpel. He brandishes it over the draped body. Angelique stops him. She pries the instrument from his hand, telling him he was about to make the biggest mistake of his life. He touches his throat. The time has come to begin, Jeff, tonight, she says--you will conduct it and will use me as the life force. He tells her it's impossible, but she says she knows everything is ready, and she is ready, too.He backs away. He already told her, he can't do these things, he doesn't know what to do, it's too dangerous. She advances on him as he futilely protests. She grabs him, fangs him, and Jeff grunts with pain.

NOTES: This is one vampire who really knows how to bite a guy! Notice this lady has no female victims?  Joe, Jeff, and she almost went for the deputy--interesting!

Poor Adam--he decides if he can't have Carolyn, he doesn't want any other woman, and is all set to scuttle the experiment that Nicholas is depending on to raise him high in the echelons of his "organization" down below. He assures Adam he will have everything, even though, at this point in time, he has no idea how he will accomplish that. Adam doesn't like empty promises.

Angelique has destroyed two relationships--Vicki and Jeff and Maggie and Joe. She sure hasn't changed much from the 18th century, still destroying lives as she trips merrily along to what she thinks SHE deserves in life!


581 - (Nancy Barrett) - In the terrible darkness of this night, while Collinwood sleeps, a frightening encounter will take place in the Old House on the Collins estate. There, in a cellar laboratory, a young man feels the sudden impulse to destroy a creature that has not yet been brought to life.

Jeff fingers his neck marks as Ang tells him it's useless to resist her. He wonders about the power she has over him, but she tells him to forget it. She insists he do the experiment; Jeff says no--get Julia to do it--she is more knowledgeable. She tells him she doesn't want other people involved. Jeff wonders who she's afraid of, and we see her reflected in the mirror again, and can almost hear her thinking: Nicholas. Jeff realizes she doesn't want that person to know she is double crossing him, but she tells Jeff he has a job to do. If I perform the experiment, it will fail, he warns her, but she doesn't believe him. He isn't qualified, even though he was supposed to help with the first experiment.He knows about the life force, but he just knows a little something, not enough. She orders him to learn all he needs to know by tomorrow night--he has 24 hours, then she will come back. He again reminds her of the danger. She could die if he performs the experiment, he warns, but she insists that's the least of the danger--the shadow of death is never as far away as we think, she muses--death has possessed me more than once, and we are old friends, so I'm not afraid of it. This cryptic remark silences Jeff.

Collinwood. Carolyn lies asleep, and thank God, it's OUR Carolyn. Her doorknob turns. Adam's oversized feet enter. He touches her red hair ribbon and, when she awakens with a start, tells her not to be afraid--I wanted to leave forever, confesses Adam, but couldn't--I couldn't bear not seeing you again. She asks where he went. The woods, he replies. She seems upset that he stayed there alone. He sadly tells her he missed her very much--did she miss him? She reluctantly says she was terribly concerned about him, hiding her real feelings. Did you miss me? he persists. She finally admits of course she did. He's pleased she isn't angry he came back; she felt it her fault he left because she treated him badly. He grins when she says she WANTS him to stay. They must be honest with each other, she says, and he says he isn't afraid of that. She says his expression of feelings makes her uncomfortable, and she fears hurting him or making him feel rejected--like the night Adam saw her with Tony--she knows that depressed him. She knows he means it now, but if his feelings about her are the same, it will be difficult. He considered it while in the woods and realized he wasn't fair with her--he must live his life and she must live hers. She calls him an amazing creature and he turns away. Just a creature, he says to himself, not a man. She notes his change of mood and he turns curt again. She knows something is wrong. He just wants them to be friends like before, he says, and she says nothing would maker her happier. I want to make you happy, he says. She tells him to go to his room, because she'd have to explain much if he were found in hers. He asks her to come see him in the morning and she promises she will. He'll be waiting for her. She presents him with a gift--a green sweater to replace the one shirt he has.He's so touched, he's close to tears, and rubs his face in the shirt. He's very happy, he says--no one ever gave him anything before. Carolyn asks if he's serious--no presents as a child? He asks if people love all children, and she says yes. He wishes he. . .nothing. She apologizes if her gift has upset him, and he calls her the nicest person he's ever known--there's no one like her, he says, holding her hand--no one in the whole world. And, crying, he runs out of her room.

Carolyn answers the door--it's Jeff. He asks for Vicki, who isn't home--she took David out for the day. She says Vicki should be returning soon and he should wait, but he feels it wouldn't do any good. She asks what went wrong--why? Jeff can't say. She asks him to stay and wait--Vicki is brokenhearted. He is, too. She says it's none of her business, and he asks Carolyn to tell Vicki he came by. It will be getting dark soon, he notes, and nothing will be the same. She is perplexed by this statement. Jeff adds his life won't be his own anymore--and he doesn't know why.

11 PM - Adam goes downstairs into the Old House basement and looks around. No one is there. He gazes at a notebook and slams it down on the table. He checks the sheet-draped body. Angelique interrupts him, demanding to know what he's doing. He tells her he came to see when everything will be ready. She said he was supposed to go back to Collinwood and stay there with Carolyn. Carolyn is asleep, says Adam, and won't know he left the house. Angelique says Carolyn will be disappointed in him, but he says he'll be back in his room when she comes in the morning. He wants to know what SHE is doing here. She explains that she's there, per Nicholas' orders, to oversee the experiment. He believes she is lying and has another reason, and he will find out what it is. She claims she has no interest in the experiment, she's only looking after his interests. Adam wonders why Nicholas didn't tell him of this change in plans. Nicholas feels as Adam does about Barnabas, says Ang--Barnabas has tried to trick Adam in the past and Ang is there to ensure it doesn't happen again.She hints she'll tell Nicholas about his being there, and suggests he return to Collinwood. Reluctantly, he does, but you can tell he doesn't trust her much, either. Ang looks at the body, musing that, in a few hours, it will be over, she will be free and there will be nothing Nicholas or anyone else can do about it!

Lab - Angelique lies on a table next to the draped body. Jeff is fiddling with the controls. She warns him they must be finished by morning, and it's already 1 AM. He tells her there's too much he doesn't understand, but she says she can't wait another night. She forces him to look at her, and, feeling her marks on his throat, he does. They must go ahead with it, and he must do as she says, she tells him. Mesmerized, he agrees. Begin, she orders. He warns her they are taking an insane risk, he doesn't know what he's doing, but she assures him she trusts him. He doesn't understand anything about her, but she says he must do this, and that's all he needs to know. He fires up the equipment, looking nervous and uneasy. Start now, she demands, looking worried, breathing hard--"Jeff, there is no more time!" The equipment begins to beep and chirp. Ang smiles. Lights brighten and she screams in pain. Electricity begins to whirl from one point to another, and she twists her head from side to side, moaning.Liquids flow through the various tubes and vials, lights flash. Angelique's face twists in agony and she cries out, her body lifting from the table as things spin into high gear.

NOTES: Will Angelique's essence flow into the female creature, releasing her from Nicholas' vampire curse as it did Barnabas? Will both live, both die, or will this experiment turn out the way the other should have--with Angelique's dead body lying next to a living creature?

Will Jeff and Vicki ever get back together? Won't Joe and Jeff both be free of Angelique if she is destroyed in this experiment?

How touching was the reunion between Adam and Carolyn? I always get the impression that she's holding back her real feelings from him, that she does care about him, perhaps deeply, but feels there is too much difference between them to take him seriously as a boyfriend.

It was good having Nancy Barrett back on the show. That substitute just didn't cut it!

Love, Robin

Vicki had more spunk when she first came on DS, but with Burke, she meekly accepted everything he told her.  In that case, I always felt she was searching for a father figure as well as a husband, which explained her attraction to a man so much older than she was.  

What's really strange is that when I first watched the Peter Bradford-Vicki relationship in 1795/6, I thought him quite a romantic guy, but once he showed up as Jeff Clark--YUCK!  He was obnoxious, silly, exasperating and just plain unappealing.  (Shall I tell you what I REALLY think?)  

Vicki is still a lot less spunky than she used to be (remember when she went up to Burke's apartment because he said he might be able to help her figure out her background--how scandalous!)?  

Sad to say, Miss Moltke no longer wanted to play VW, and who could blame her?  The original focus of the show was Vicki, and once Barnabas came on the scene, she was relegated to a back-burner character who couldn't understand and became a brainless twit.  Perhaps she got pregnant on purpose, knowing it would help her get out of her contract?  I wouldn't have blamed her!

Love, Robin    

Barnabas knows how to use the telephone, and he wears modern clothing very well indeed.  

As far as driving is concerned, I taught him--which explains why he's so awful at it, LOL.  When I was taking Driver's Ed, my fellow students would cross themselves when I took the wheel.  Amazing how religious everyone becomes when driving with me, LOL!

Love, Robin

I'm really glad to see you guys!  That ominous, impersonal screen that kept coming up unnerved me, and made me wonder if there was suddenly an incompatibility between the DS Forums web site and my computer.  If that turned out to be the case, well, I'd miss the computer. . .

Good to see you folks back in action.  

And while I experienced problems when I initially signed up, was there any doubt that I would?

I didn't think so!  

Love, Robin