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Messages - ROBINV

631
Current Talk '02 II / Re: Julia Hoffman, M.D.: Unpublished Author
« on: July 20, 2002, 02:42:18 PM »
Dumb And Dumber: How I Married Two Supernatural Woman  by Roger Collins

Death is the Only Life For Me by Elizabeth Collins Stoddard

My Funky Green Sweater by Adam Collins

Keeping Your Eyeteeth Sharp and White: A How-To For Vampires by Angelique Collins

Touching My Hair: A Tell-All of Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior by Jeff Clark

The Collins: A  ***ed-Up New England Family by Julia Hoffman, MD

Welcome to My Nightmare by Barnabas Collins

Bleeder Valves and Other Necessary Components of the Brake System by David Collins

Why Caning Should Be Banned by William Hollingshead Loomis

Love, Robin

632
Current Talk '02 II / Re: Tom Jennings: No Frills Vampire
« on: July 20, 2002, 02:31:45 PM »
I'm laughing too hard to make a coherent reply to this entry.  Blast you, Bob the bartender, I think I coughed up a lung!

I always assumed the poor, humble Tom went to Coffins R Us, the store which does a booming business in Collinsport, but had to choose a lower-end model because, well, he just didn't have the bread!

I love lunatics, and there are so many talented, funny ones on this board!

Love, Robin

633
As I note often in Robservations, This Liz-fearing-death storyline annoyed me.  I had hoped that when Cassandra "died," Liz' little curse would die with her, but that wasn't so.  I really wanted them to put an end to the whole silly business, because it certainly didn't present Joan Bennett's best acting chops.  

Alas, it isn't to end until the beginning of the next storyline, a long way off!

Love, Robin

634
Current Talk '02 II / Re: Vicki and Jeff
« on: July 20, 2002, 02:08:07 AM »
I suspect Davis' kisses were too enthusiastic and wet.  Moltke was a new bride and pregnant, so perhaps her hormones were making her wipe that man's icky spit off her lips.

Then again, maybe Davis was deliberately overdoing his smooching because he knew Moltke hated it but was forced to act for the cameras.  It just seems like something the toad would do!

Love, Robin

635
From the age of 12-16, when DS went off the air, I found myself lusting after Barnabas--and Jonathan Frid, the man who portrayed him.  He did something to my teenage hormones, revving them up to dangerous boil.  I fantasized (I will NOT give details) constantly.  Then again, I was a sad teenager with an unhappy home life and escaping to DS and the lust I felt for Barnabas/Jonathan kept me going.  

His charisma affected me--that voice, those clothes, his urbane manner and his unique, handsome-homely face.  Barnabas, to me WAS sexy, very much so, and now, at the advanced age of 48, I still see what attracted me.  

And that photo of Frid as Edmund in SEIZURE--oh, damn, it's torrid enough here, don't make me melt!!!

Love, Robin  

636
Happy birthday, little ghost girl!  Hope it was delightful--and filled with presents, cake, joy and fun!

Love, Robin

637
I can see Johnny Depp in the role of Barnabas Collins, especially after seeing him in Edward Scissorhands.  He was sensitive and sad in that movie, very introspective.  Perhaps he could be "son of Barnabas."  But who would Mom be, folks?

Love, Robin

638
Robservations / Robservations 7/19/02 - #568/569 - Sexy Nibbles
« on: July 18, 2002, 08:26:48 PM »
568 - Barnabas asks what Jeff is doing here; Jeff demands to know what's going on. Barnabas comments that Jeff's curiosity is most unfortunate. Jeff asks if Adam is Lang's creation. Barnabas admits he is, and that it was necessary. But Lang died before completing the experiment, says Jeff, so Julia and Barnabas must have brought him to life. That's right, says Barn. Why are they creating another monster? demands Jeff, saying he didn't think Barnabas capable of something like this. Jeff vows they won't get away with it this time; he's calling the police, but Barnabas advises him to listen to him first. Jeff pushes him out of the way.  Barnabas stops him (and momentarily silences him) by asking if he wants Vicki to die--because that's what stopping the experiment will mean. He tells Jeff Adam wants a mate, and if he doesn't get one, he'll kill Vicki. Jeff refuses to believe this, but Barnabas reminds him of Vicki's kidnapping--it was a warning from Adam to Barnabas--the big guy wants a mate and since he knows Barnabas loves Vicki, he's forcing him to create one for him.
Vicki's life is at stake, says Barnabas, and if Jeff loves her, he'll help them--Julia isn't well, and the experiment isn't going as it should--Jeff helped Lang when he created Adam, he should know something and can be a great help to Julia as he was to Lang. Jeff, growing upset, takes another peek at the body under the sheet. He can't do this again! Then you don't love Vicki, says Barnabas. Jeff does love her, and will do the sensible thing--go to Collinwood and tell her to pack--they're leaving! Will she leave with no explanation? demands Barnabas. Jeff feels she would do whatever he tells her (such a modern man!). Perhaps, says Barnabas, but Vicki isn't the only one whose life is in danger--Adam will kill all of the Collinses--does Jeff want to see that happen? No, says Jeff. Then you will help us, says Barnabas, and if not, you'll be equally to blame. Jeff goes into a rage--what kind of a monster have he and Julia created? Why? Barnabas can't explain the reasons, but admits he wishes he hadn't started it. What if they do create the mate? asks Jeff. Barn says Adam will take the mate away and leave everyone alone. Jeff is amazed Barnabas is trusting Adam, but Barn says he has no choice--and neither does Jeff! There must be some other way, says Jeff, but Barnabas says there isn't, so you have to help us--think about it!

Old House - Barnabas comes downstairs in his robe. Roger is at the door--he can't find Julia Hoffman, he says, she wasn't in her room at Collinwood. Barnabas explains she's staying with him for a few days. "Really?" asks Roger, looking somewhat scandalized.
Barn quickly explains she's using his library for her book--it's more convenient. Having other things on his mind besides Barn and Jul's relationship, Roger reveals that Liz escaped Windcliff and begs Barnabas to get Julia. Barnabas explains Julia isn't well and hasn't slept much. Roger is upset--Windcliff is her hospital, she can contact her staff, get information--wake Julia, Roger demands, I want to see her. Barnabas goes upstairs, where Julia paces Josette's room, touching the scarf around her throat. She sits at the vanity to glance at a notebook when Barnabas comes in. He remarks that she looks tired. She admits, I couldn't sleep--I couldn't think of anything but--and Barnabas finishes, "Tom Jennings." She tried not to think of him, but she can't, and couldn't sleep. She figured she'd try to work on Eric's notes, but can't concentrate. Jeff broke into he house in the middle of the night, reveals Barn, and knows everything, but he's got that sitch under control--however, Liz has escaped Windcliff, too, and Roger is downstairs and wants to see her. Julia protests that she can't--tell Roger to leave her alone. Roger wants her to get in touch with her staff at Windcliff, and insists on seeing her, says Barn. Julia clutches her throat and says she won't see Roger, tell him she's too ill to see anyone, just get rid of him! Barnabas encourages her to calm down, and she apologizes for her outburst--the strain of the experiment and resisting what she must resists is taking its toll and her strength, says Julia, she can't cope with Roger, too. Barnabas tells her to rest, he'll take care of Roger. He leaves. Julia stands looking out the window. She's so happy she got through the night and it's morning! But night will come again, and when it does, he'll try to summon her--and she doesn't know if she can resist him again.  She doesn't know if she has the strength. She pulls the scarf away from her throat, looking at the marks of the vampire kiss. (The holes are mighty far apart.)

Down in the lab, Julia realizes the sun will be setting soon, very soon, and Tom will be rising and call to her. . .she'll try to resist, she promises Barnabas, and he promises to help her--he'll lock them together in Josette's room and he'll stay with her. Jeff calls to them. Barnabas says perhaps Jeff will give them the help they need. Barnabas asks for Jeff's decision. Jeff agrees tol help them. Julia thanks him, but he says he's doing it because of Vicki, not them. Jeff tells Barnabas he can't see anyone die, even though he hates every bit of this and would avoid it if possible. Julia says they would all like to avoid it, but they can't. Jeff asks Julia if she's all right, and while she assures him she is, Barnabas darts forward to support Julia and says he'll take her upstairs if Jeff will take over. Julia asks Jeff to out a scope together, and he says he did it for Lang.

Jeff fiddles with some dials, looking miserable. Vicki must never know what he's doing, he resolves. She must never find out--never!

Barnabas escorts Julia to Josette's room, where she tells him it isn't necessary for him to stay there with her. He won't leave her, he vows, and she says, when the sun sets. . .Barnabas swears he will prevent her from going to him. You're forgetting one thing, Julia reminds him, Barnabas may prevent her from going to Tom, but can't prevent Tom from coming to her. He WANTS Tom to come to her, explains Barnabas. He wants him to come to this room. Julia fears that Tom will attack Barnabas, but the latter assures her he won't get the chance. How can you stop him? asks Julia. Barnabas pulls out a gun filled with silver bullets, explaining that he had a silver candlestick forged into bullets to destroy Tom. "You're setting a trap for him then," says Julia, looking away from Barnabas--"That's dangerous."
Perhaps, agrees Barnabas, but the only answer--Tom must be destroyed; when he appears in this room tonight, Barnabas will do that.

Dusk - Barnabas caresses the gun in his hand. Julia glancing out the window, informs him the sun is setting. He's rising from his grave, says Julia, frightened, and Barnabas tells her not to be. She can't help it, she says.

Tom rises from his top-loading coffin. "Joooolia! Hear my call and come to me!" he demands. Julia hears, and tells Barnabas she can hear him. Barnabas tells her she can't go, and she clutches her fingers together, knowing she must resist him. Bathed in green light, Tom calls her name, over and over. Julia, unnerved, tempted, shakes her head.
"His voice!" she cries. Tom tells her she can't ignore his call, she must come to him, now, Jooooolia! Jooooolia! She gasps, crying, "No!" She starts to run from the room, and Barnabas chases her, grabs her, fights with her. "I've got to go to him!" she sobs. Barnabas grasps her and forces her to look at him. "You are not going to go to him!" he tells her forcefully. "You're going to stay with me!" "With you," she repeats, "yes, I want to bee with you, but for a moment. . ." "You lost control," finishes Barnabas, "but you must regain it." He releases her and she assures him she has. She twists her ring around her finger, listening. "Barnabas," she says, "he's very close to me. Very close. I can sense it." Barnabas tells her to sit. "Sit?" she repeats. "Yes--sit and be silent," says Barnabas. She does as he tells her. Barnabas hides behind the double doors, gun ready in his hand, a determined look on his face. Tom appears beside Julia and demands to know why she didn't come to him. She gazes at him, tells him she wanted to, but. . . Barnabas emerges, but Julia deliberately stands between Tom and him. Barnabas orders her to get out of the way, twice, but she protests that she can't let him destroy Tom. She refuses to listen to Barnabas, blocking his shot, and Tom disappears. "He's gone," says Barnabas. Julia, looking like she's about to cry, agrees. "I don't know what came over me--it was the sight of him, the sight of him." Sadly, Barnabas says his one chance to destroy him is gone. From now on, Tom will be more cautious. Julia apologizes, and Barnabas says he's sorry, too. They hear the howling of the dog, and Barnabas goes to look out the window for Tom. I see Jennings out there, waiting for you, says Barnabas, but when he turns around, frantically screaming, "Julia!" the front door to the Old House is open and she is gone!

NOTES: OK, did it seem Barnabas was more concerned about Julia because of the experiment or because he cares? It was hard to tell in these eps, wasn't it? Could go either way.

Quite a scene there, and Barnabas made the huge mistake of turning his back on Julia. He used to be a vampire himself, has he so quickly forgotten how desperately his victims want to be with him and how crafty and sneaky they can be to accomplish this goal? Julia wants Tom far more than Barnabas right now, and he should have been more careful than to turn his back on her. We knew Jeff would agree to help with the experiment, didn't we? He wouldn't allow his Vicki to be killed by big, bad Adam!


569 - That smoky voice of Grayson's makes for the best voice-overs, doesn't it?

Mrs. Johnson stares fearfully out the window at Collinwood. Nicholas Blair's gloved hand knocks at the door. He enters jauntily, asking for Roger. Mrs. Johnson explains that Mrs. Stoddard disappeared from Windcliff in the night--she's been missing 24 hours. Nicholas is distressed, and Mrs. Johnson is obviously upset, too. She tells Nick how strangely Liz behaved before taken to Windcliff--her preoccupation with death, behaving as if she were Naomi Collins.
Nicholas hears this and instantly seems to recognize the MO. He covers smoothly, suggesting a mental breakdown. Mrs. Johnson doesn't believe that--she feels she was under some kind of spell! Nicholas considers this.

Nicholas asks who'd put Liz under a spell, but Mrs. Johnson doesn't know. She's superstitious, but too many things have happened in this house that are unexplained--like some evil force is hovering over the house--and it's trying to destroy this family. Nicholas calls her idea melodramatic, but she believes it. He says she can believe whatever she wishes, and she tells him some nights she wakes up trembling because what's happening is scaring her so. He calls her fears unrealistic. Maybe they are, maybe they aren't, she says enigmatically. Roger enters--no news of Liz. Nicholas expresses his concern, but Roger says there's no sign of Liz anywhere. Nick expresses how sorry he is. Roger says Liz was far from being herself when she left, and he's really worried about her. Mrs. J offers Roger coffee, but Roger opts for a stiff drink and invites Nick to join him. Julia stumbles into the house, clinging to a sconce for support. Roger demands to know what's wrong. "I couldn't find him," says Julia falteringly, but Roger doesn't know who she's talking about. Then she says, in a faraway voice, "Tom. . .Tom!" As Nicholas listens in alarm, Roger says the only Tom he knows is Tom Jennings. Julia agrees--yes, he's the one--and she couldn't find him! Tom is dead, Roger tells her, and Julia gazes at him, shocked. "No," she mutters, then falls to the floor. Nicholas picks her up in his arms and carries her into the drawing room, placing her on the sofa. Roger, Mrs. J and Nicholas hover around her. Roger feels her forehead. Barnabas told him she was ill, but he had no idea she was this sick. He send Mrs. J to call a doctor and Roger goes for the all-purpose cure--a brandy. Nicholas, left alone with her for a moment, finds the fang marks on her throat.

After Roger urges Julia to drink the brandy, she coughs and comes to, gazing up at Roger. She wonders why she's at Collinwood, she only recalls being in the woods. Nicholas asks what happened to her in the woods. She says she feels weak, but otherwise all right, and drains her brandy glass. You scared me, says Roger, stumbling in saying all sorts of strange things. Julia asks what she said, and Roger tells her about her search for Tom Jennings, the man who died last week.
Nicholas listens intently. Roger says she wasn't making any sense, and she says she remembers what happened--she was walking through the woods on her way there and she passed the place where Tom Jennings was attacked; the memory of it frightened her, made her feel faint, but luckily, she got back to Collinwood. Roger asks her why she said she was looking for Tom Jennings. Nicholas' face shows us he knows all. Julia smiles and says she was delirious to have said that. Mrs. Johnson comes in to tell them the doctor is on his way, but Julia protests that she doesn't need a doctor--send him away, she insists, getting snippy. He tells her to go upstairs and lie down, and asks Mrs. Johnson to help her upstairs. Julia tells Roger that the things she said when she first came in were just nonsense. Of course, he says, but Nicholas gazes at her sharply. Roger admits to Nicholas that when Julia spoke of Tom, she frightened him, because it brought back the memory of the horrible attack and the possibility the man is still around--my sister might be on the property, says Roger--her nurse at Windcliff said Liz kept babbling about wanting to die at Collinwood. Liz thinks she's going to die and wants to die at home and, afraid to come to the house, could be hiding out on the grounds, in danger from the maniac who killed Jennings. Nicholas offers to help him search the grounds. Roger is appreciative.

In the graveyard, Liz Stoddard wanders, gazing at the rows of tombstones. So many of them are buried here, she thinks, so many of her ancestors, and this is where they will want to bury her. She wonders if any of them were buried alive--to awaken in the coffin, buried in the earth, and to still be alive, to die, gasping for breath, crying out--and yet no one can hear. What could be worse? She must not let it happen to her, she vows, covering her face with her hands. Tom Jennings appears. Who are you? She asks--the caretaker?
His only response is to open his mouth to reveal his fangs, causing Liz to scream in terror. When Roger, out searching the woods, calls to Liz, Tom dematerializes. Roger and Liz meet and hug. Why were you screaming? he asks. She tells him about the young man who was smiling at her, who scared her. Roger says there isn't anyone here, but assures Liz he's gone now. Liz can't figure out where he went, but Roger assures her she's safe. He introduces Nicholas as Cassandra's brother and a friend. I will take you home, he promises. Liz pathetically says she'd like that. Nicholas follows them as they leave the cemetery.

Mrs. Johnson paces the drawing room, looking worriedly out the window. She sees the trio coming up to the front door and greets Liz happily. Nicholas asks if he can be of further help, but Roger tells him to go ahead home. Liz says, "I know you, you're Mrs. Johnson!" Both women are happy to see each other, and Roger asks Mrs. Johnson to stay in the foyer while he speaks to Liz in the drawing room. Roger closes the doors. Liz looks hopefully at her brother. He asks if she knows who he is. Of course, she replies, my brother, Roger--and I'm your sister, Elizabeth. She's puzzled by the odd-sounding questions, fearful he'll send her back to the hospital. He says he must speak to Dr. Hoffman, but she protests, begging that she doesn't want to return to the hospital, she wants to die at home. Roger tells her she's NOT going to die. She says she knows that, but all of them will think her dead--they'll bury her alive! She knows it will happen and must stop it. She begs for his help and he swears to give it. He makes her promise to wait here for him; he has something he must do. She says she will, and he exits the drawing room, closing the doors behind him. Roger tells Mrs. Johnson he's getting his car to drive Liz back to Windcliff. For a moment, he thought her rational, then she changed--she's still very troubled. Liz, listening on the other side of the door, realizes Roger lied to her, he's taking her back to Windcliff. She's got to stop him, somehow, she's got to!
Roger orders Mrs. Johnson to stay with Liz while he gets the car, then calls Windcliff to let them know he's bringing her back. Mrs. J. is sorry it has to be this way, as is Roger. Mrs. Johnson goes into the drawing room and Liz asks her if she was going to make a phone call, because if she was, she can't--she cut the wire. She shows Mrs. Johnson the cut wire and Mrs. J. realizes Liz overheard her and Roger. Yes, says Liz, every word. Julia comes in and is surprised to see Liz, who begs her not to let Roger send her back to Windcliff--you have to stop him, you're the only one who can. Mrs. Johnson excuses herself to make the phone call elsewhere and Liz continues pleading with Julia to let her stay home--I'll prove myself sane, says Liz, but Julia's attention is diverted when she hears the dogs howling. He's calling to me, says Julia, wants me to come to him--I must go! Liz begs her to stay, but Julia, caught up in the summons, heads out the front door, leaving it open as she races to Tom. Liz follows her. Mrs. Johnson finds the drawing room empty and the front door ajar. She calls to both women, but the only response is the howling dogs.

Julia enters Tom's crypt. She circles his coffin. "I heard you calling me," she murmurs. "Where are you?" Liz follows her into the crypt and asks if the coffin is hers. "No," says Julia, "now get out of here!" Julia tells her she can't help her now and orders her: "get out, get out, get out!!!!!" she screams at Liz, chasing her away. Liz, terrified, leaves the crypt. Julia wanders the crypt. "You called to me," she croons. "Why won't you appear to me? Where are you?" Tom materializes in the corner of the crypt "I am here, Julia!" he responds, and comes toward her with a smile. Ecstatic, looking like a woman in love, she unravels the scarf from her throat and succumbs with ecstasy to Tom's vampire kiss.

NOTES: Another sexy nibble for Julia, and what an erotic experience it appears to be! If she's behaving this way with a guy she didn't even know, imagine her ecstatic response to Barnabas if HE had ever bitten her!

Poor Liz is back and is sure she's going to be buried alive. I remember hoping that this tired portion of the storyline would be dropped once Cassandra "died," but her curse continued on without her, and I find the whole thing almost as tedious as the dead-end dream curse.

Nicholas knows that the vampire feasting on Julia is most likely Tom; Angelique wouldn't dare to meddle with Julia with the experiment in the offing, not unless she's looking for BIG trouble. She'll get THAT later, I guarantee! Nicholas won't want Julia interfered with, either, so will he be the one to stop Tom's "visits" to her? If anything happens to Julia, the experiment is compromised, and no one wants that--but Tom Jennings doesn't care about anything but blood!

It seems too easy to escape Windcliff--first Maggie, now Liz. Little Sarah helped Maggie, did Liz have a ghostly ally, too?

Love, Robin

639
566 - Barnabas wanders the woods, searching for Tom Jennings. At the Old House, in the basement, Julia lies on the floor, unconscious. Willie comes in, calling to her, and goes downstairs. He finds her, kneels and slaps her hands. Can you hear me? he cries. She opens her eyes and looks at him. He asks if she recognizes him, and she does. She feels her neck, but when Willie asks what's wrong with it, she says nothing. He observes how weak she seems, but she says she just has a stiff neck. Willie helps her up and seats her on a stool. She assures him she's all right, but he says that can't be, given how he found her. She says she fainted from too much work. Willie says she needs to take it easy. She says she'll return to Collinwood and go to bed. She tells him she'd appreciate it if he doesn't tell Barnabas about this, and he wonders why not. She doesn't want Barn to worry about her, and makes Willie promise to keep mum. Willie offers to walk her back to Collinwood, but she assures him she'll be all right. She looks deathly pale as she heads upstairs, her hand on her neck. Willie notes how messed up the lab is, and seems perplexed. There is glass on the floor, the notebooks, too. Why?

Mrs. Johnson, annoyed, answers the door at Collinwood. It's Julia. Mrs. Johnson apologizes for locking her out, but she thought everyone was in the house already. Julia, looking near collapse, stumbles in. Mrs. J tells her it would make things a lot easier if people informed her of their comings and goings. Seemingly in a trance, Julia walks upstairs, ignoring Mrs. Johnson, who is irritated she didn't even get a thank you.

Barnabas finds Willie straightening up the lab and inquires after Julia. Willie evasively says she returned to Collinwood--he doesn't know why.  Barnabas thought she'd be working late, at least that is what she said. She must have changed her mind, suggests Willie, she was tired, needed rest, was working too hard. Barnabas can tell Willie is holding back information and demands to know what.
Willie says nothing, but Barn says he's behaving strangely--why? Willie says he promised not to tell, but Barnabas forces it out of him: Willie found her unconscious. Barnabas is angry he didn't tell him before, but Willie says it's just overwork and she'll be fine tomorrow. Barnabas says he had better be right, and hurries upstairs. Willie is angry at himself for revealing what he promised Julia he wouldn't.

Julia ties an orange scarf around her throat to cover her vampire hickeys. Mrs. Johnson knocks at her door--she thought Julia would already be leaving. I'm not leaving today, says Julia, I'm staying in bed all day--not feeling well--a bit rundown. She tells Mrs. Johnson to have the room curtained off; there's too much sunlight. Julia stares at her pale countenance in the mirror. She doesn't want to see anyone or take any calls, too, says Julia. Mrs. Johnson promises she won't be disturbed.

Barnabas lets himself into Collinwood after knocking. He's in dark blue, my favorite color on him. Mrs. Johnson greets him. He asks her to tell Julia he wants to see her, but Mrs. Johnson says Julia gave her strict orders that she wasn't to be disturbed today--she wasn't feeling good and was staying in bed all day. She isn't herself, says Mrs. Johnson. In what way is she different? inquires Barnabas. Hard to explain--she's in some sort of daze, says Mrs. J. Barnabas insists on seeing her, but Mrs. Johnson refuses--no exceptions! Barnabas says he must talk to her. He asks if she'd bring Julia a note from him, and Mrs. J says Julia didn't tell her she wouldn't accept notes. Barnabas sits and scrawls a note, then gives it to Mrs. J and tells her he wants an answer as soon as possible. Barnabas contemplates. . .something.

Julia lies in bed, fingering her fang marks. She adjusts her scarf when Mrs. J. knocks. The housekeeper indicates Barnabas' note and tells her he's waiting downstairs. He was upset over Julia's not wanting to see any visitors, explains Mrs. Johnson, but Julia says he has to wait until she's feeling better. She hands Julia Barnabas' note, explaining that he's awaiting a response, but Julia rips in up into little pieces. (how much did this shock you--has another taken Barnabas' place in Julia's heart?)

Night - Julia lies in bed. Willie enters her room and smiles at her. He shakes her leg, waking her up. He asks her not to get mad, he's only following orders from Barnabas. She orders him to go. Willie tells her Barnabas is upset with her for not seeing him today--Mrs. Johnson told him she tore up the note. Julia says she just isn't feeling well, there's no reason for Barn to be upset. Willie reminds her she was supposed to be working on the experiment, and she quickly says she knows that and hopes she can get there tomorrow.
Willie asks if she'll be all right then--she looks like she could go back to the Old House right now! I don't want to, says Julia--is that why Barnabas sent you? He wants to see you, says Willie, but Julia says it ain't gonna happen, and to tell him that. The dog howls. Willie glances sharply at Julia. Is she sure there isn't something else she wants to tell him? Julia asks if he wants her to call Miss Stoddard in there, and Willie backs out as the dogs howl more ferociously.

Tom, in the woods, summons Julia. "Can you hear me, Julia? I am waiting for you. You will leave the house and come to me now. You will know the way, Julia, I am waiting!" He grins, anticipating his food heading his way.

Mrs. Johnson spots Julia leaving the house, but when she asks where she's going, Julia walks right past her, in a trance. She doesn't know if she's sick or she's not, complains Mrs. Johnson, but she leans against the closed door and listens to the howling dogs, looking sickly herself.
Julia meets Tom in the woods, like a lover. "You heard me call to you," he says, "and you knew where to come.""Yes," she says, sounding downright ecstatic. "Come here, Jooolia," he says, and, pulling her into his arms. He bends down and eagerly sinks his fangs into her throat.

At the Old House, Barnabas paces, worried, twisting his fingers around each other. Willie comes in, walking slowly. Barn asks where Julia is. She wouldn't come with me, confesses Willie. I'm worried about her, says Barnabas, as the dogs howl. Willie says Julia looked OK when he saw her, but she seemed a little healthier than the night before. Yes, but it won't last long, says Barnabas, light dawning. He heads out the door. "I must see Julia," says Barnabas, leaving Willie looking upset and fearful over what new horror has befallen all of them.

Julia stands in the woods, looking like a woman who has just had the most erotic experience of her life. Tom circles her, asking if she's sure no one knows where she is. Yes, very sure, she says. He tells her she now knows she must come to him here, every night. "Yes," says Julia happily. She must tell no one, he says, and tells her to return to Collinwood. Eagerly, she tells him she will stay with him, if he wants her to, but he says no, if she's gone too long, it might arouse suspicion. Reluctantly, she leaves him. He gazes after her, pleased. Barnabas enters Collinwood.  Julia comes in, surprised to see him. He comments that he thought her too sick to go out, and she says she just went for a walk right outside. He's looking at her very closely. She's touching her blue scarf, adjusting it, and he wonders why he didn't see her, since he just arrived--she must have come through the woods. She turns away from his scrutiny, saying she's tired and must go to bed. He stops her--she has to answer some questions first. Not now, she protests. Yes, now! He asks if she was walking in the woods. She points out that it's ridiculous for her to walk alone in the woods at night. Relentlessly: "Why were you unconscious when Willie found you last night? And why did you remain in your room today--and not see me at all? And finally, why are you wearing that scarf?"
 She starts to say it was cold out, and he points out it isn't cold in there, so she should take it off. "Take it off, Julia!" he demands, against her protests, and he yanks it off her throat, revealing the puncture wounds.Julia gazes at him defensively while he stares at her, stunned.

NOTES: Who thinks Barnabas should have figured out Julia's problem as soon as he heard she'd been found unconscious in the lab--or at the very least, suspected? He knew Tom had escaped his stake and would be trolling for victims.

What do you think of Tom as a vampire? Sloppy, erotic, something Julia deserves, perhaps craved. What a difference between Julia and Joe as victims, huh? Whereas Jonathan Frid abhorred having to open wide and show his fangs, Don Briscoe reveled in it.

Julia is so engrossed in her new fella, she orders Barnabas to stay away from her--and even rips up a note he sent her! How unJulia-like is that?

And now Barnabas knows what Julia's been hiding from him--how did you like the leadup to his ordering her to "take it off"? I'm sure under other circumstances, Julia would be wishing he'd meant remove something else. Absolutely fantastic, that last scene!


567 - Barnabas tells Julia, "I feared this all day long. "--I kept telling myself it might not be true. She ties the scarf back around her neck and says she tried to keep it from him. He asks how long she expected to keep it from HIM--of all people. She asks what he's going to do, and he says he'll find and destroy Tom--and Julia will help him. "Good night, Barnabas," she says coldly, but he continues relentlessly: where did she meet him tonight? She says she doesn't know. He asks if she's seen the coffin, knows where it's hidden, but she reminds him she can't answer his questions, even if she wants to. Barnabas promises her he will destroy Tom, and she responds, IF you find him, like a challenge. Barnabas knows more about Tom's affliction than other people, but he must get him before he gets Julia.
She says it's too late, but Barnabas assures her it isn't. When she goes to meet Tom tonight, he will follow her there and find out where his coffin is. Julia tells him she can't do that, and he knows why. He agrees. He's going to take her back to the Old House; she won't be safe being left alone at Collinwood. She won't be safe no matter where she is, she reminds him, but Barn promises to lock her in a room at the Old House and prevent her from seeing him--he'll be forced to come to you, says Barnabas, and I will be ready for him. Julia protests the danger Barnabas will be placing himself in, but he urges her not to worry about that--will you come with me to the Old House, he asks--"For me?" She agrees, reluctantly, and he says she can resume the experiment in the morning. She can't, after what happened last night, she protests--I couldn't function during the day, I'm too weak. He reminds her that many lives depend on their going ahead with the experiment. Although Julia realizes Adam will carry out his threat, but she's too weak during the day to proceed with the experiment, no matter what Adam does. They realize this is a huge dilemma.

Adam comes to the terrace, where he runs into Jeff and Vicki. She tells Jeff Adam is the man who kidnapped her, and Jeff attacks Adam, who knocks him to the ground. Vicki screams for help and Barnabas and Julia hear her and race outside.

Jeff is regaining consciousness when Julia and Barnabas appear, and Vicki tells them Adam attacked him. Julia kneels to check Jeff, who has a bad bump on his head. Jeff wants to get inside and call the police--the man who hit him is the same man who attacked Vicki in the woods. Vicki realized that as soon as she saw Adam, she explains. Vicki helps Jeff into the house and Barnabas tells Julia they must go to the Old House, since Adam was clearly on his way there to check the experiment's progress.

Jeff calls the police and tells them Adam ran into the woods after hitting him. The sheriff is sending all six of his available men to search for Adam, reports Jeff. He and Vicki go into the drawing room, where he asks if she's sure the man who attacked her was Adam. It's not possible, he mutters, just a hunch he had about a week ago.  He rubs his head and asks her about the incident in the woods. I was walking back to Collinwood; Adam suddenly appeared, picked me up--I fainted--I don't know where he took me, and the next thing I remember is returning to Collinwood to see you--the two days I was missing are still a total blank. He asks her to try to remember more, and she says she has tried, but. . .something Adam said--"You will help me."
That puzzles both of them. What could it mean? Jeff tells Vicki to wait there for him; there's something he must check on, something to do with the hunch he mentioned earlier. He smiles and kisses her before he goes, and it's a nice moment. Before he leaves, Vicki asks him why he can't tell her, but he promises to tell her everything as soon as he gets back. He kisses her again, caresses her hair, tells her not to worry. (She looks pretty in green.)

Old House - Adam fondles the equipment down in the lab, looking around. He checks the mirrors, the notebooks, seems angry. He takes a glass beaker and smashes it. He hears a door slam upstairs and is soon joined by Julia and Barnabas, from whom he hides at first. I've been waiting for you, he complains--where have you been? They were at Collinwood, explains Barnabas, and heard what happened on the terrace. Vicki recognized me, says Adam, and Barnabas chastises him for not being more careful--the young man called the police. Adam says they won't find him. They will eventually, says Barnabas.
Adam accuses him of wanting him to be captured, that would relieve him of his promise. Barnabas says he hasn't gone back on his word, but Adam impatiently says it's been 2 weeks since he promised him a mate. Barnabas tells him to be reasonable, but Adam says they have an agreement--no one at Collinwood has been hurt. Barnabas says they need more time, and asks Julia to try to make him understand. She says she is a doctor, but there are many complex factors in this experiment, and they need several weeks to complete it. Adam isn't pleased to hear this, but Julia says it's her fault--she's been ill. Adam doesn't believe her, but she says it's true. Adam suggests maybe they're hoping the police will find him so they don't have to go through with the experiment. Barnabas denies this and says he must give them the time they need. How many weeks? demands Adam, but Barn says they can't be that specific. Adam insists on hearing a time frame and Julia says she might be able to complete it in 4 weeks. Adam agrees to that. Barnabas reminds him of the MIGHT; it isn't that easy. Adam says four weeks--that's all. Barnabas asks him to keep away from here, but Adam says he doesn't trust him and will come back sometimes to check the progress of the experiment and remind him of what happens if he fails--Vicki first, then everyone else at Collinwood. Barnabas assures him this reminder isn't necessary, but Adam believes it is--he wants Barnabas to think about it, and not forget, and do what he asks. Adam bids Julia and Barnabas good night. They watch their "son" leave, exchanging a look of despair. Barnabas sits down and Julia caresses his shoulder.

Jeff searches the woods, flashlight in hand. He sees Adam exit the Old House and disappear into the shadows.

Julia tells Barnabas she didn't know what else to tell Adam except that she was sick, and Barnabas says she couldn't very well have told him the truth--he wouldn't have known what she was talking about--he's going out to destroy Tom. She wishes she could help; he knows it isn't her fault. Fearful, Julia asks what they'll do when Tom summons her again;
Barnabas promises to do everything possible to keep him away from her. He has no choice--despite the danger, they only have 4 weeks to complete the experiment. They've barely gotten started, says Julia, promising him she will try to work tomorrow. He escorts her to Josette's room, where he plans to lock her up.

Jeff watches through the window as Barnabas tamps out the candles in the drawing room. Jeff finds the doors to the Old House locked (AMAZING!) and tries the window, which, miraculously, is unlocked! (as usual!) He climbs in, sneaks downstairs and gazes at the laboratory equipment. Why do they have all of Lang's equipment and instruments down here? he wonders. He picks up a scalpel and stares at it. He finds Lang's private journals. He was right, Barnabas lied to him. They didn't dispose of the creature's body, they found a head and completed the experiment! They brought that THING to life, created Lang's monster--but why?? What was their interest in such a project? What could they gain? Jeff ponders all this, then comes across the woman's body on the table. "Oh, no!" he cries, holding his head in horror. "Yes, Mr. Clark," says Barnabas, walking from the shadows, "we're going to create another one."

NOTES: What a finale! We knew it was only a matter of time before Jeff realized Adam was Lang's creation. Now that Barnabas has admitted the truth to them--that they are creating a mate for Adam--how will Jeff react? He'll probably want to go to the cops right away, but Barnabas will explain about the danger Vicki and the rest of the family is in, and insist Jeff assist them, given that Willie isn't proving reliable.

How solicitous Barnabas is toward Julia, but it sounds like his main concern isn't her, so much, as the experiment, and that he's counting on her to complete it. Once again, misguided motives--and it looked like he really gave a damn about Julia herself, didn't it?

Love, Robin

640
I snuck in a reading of this latest chapter at work, and was so mesmerized, I forgot to answer the phone!  Who wants to do work when something this fantastic is waiting to be read?

Keep those chapters coming, Mark!

Love, Robin

641
Current Talk '02 II / Re: This is complicating things alot isn't it?
« on: July 17, 2002, 12:10:41 PM »
This is a fascinating portion of the Adam storyline.  Frankly, I think it needed some vampires to spice things up.  I always find myself yawning over this storyline as a whole.  It just didn't do it for me as others did.

But wait until today's shows!  You haven't seen anything yet, my friend!

Love, Robin

642
Calendar Events / Announcements '02 II / Re: VAM & THE GUYS
« on: July 17, 2002, 12:08:08 PM »
Looks like you had a blast, VAM!  The actors are always so much fun at the fests, and so willing to pose and sign autographs for hours.  I really admire how much they give to us.

Love, Robin

643
Robservations / Robservations 7/17/02 - #564/565 - JOOOLIA!
« on: July 16, 2002, 08:29:02 PM »
564 - When Julia finds Joe sitting in the hospital, she asks about Tom. He did regain consciousness, reports Joe. I'm glad, she says--did the police speak to him? Joe, seemingly in a daze, says Tom told him what happened. Julia asks if it was an animal who attacked him. Ashamed, Joe hangs his head. If it wasn't an animal, she says, the police should be involved.
But they won't be, ever, says Joe--Tom's dead. Julia is stunned.

Julia expresses her condolences. She said she called the night before; Tom was better. He was, says Joe, but then he just died. Julia notes the self-hatred in Joe's voice, and she offers to call his doctor. She can see he isn't well, but he says he's just upset. There's medication for that, too, says Julia (for everything!), and Joe says if you're as guilty as I am, it wouldn't help. She says she knows he couldn't help it, and he agrees with that. She offers to call Maggie, but Joe says she doesn't know yet and he keeps putting it off--Maggie once dated Tom, and they always liked each other a lot, even if it wasn't serious. Julia says Maggie will be upset if she doesn't hear this from Joe, and he says he can't quite believe it himself. He came to settle the account this morning, saw Tom last night, and he was talking--but he isn't going to talk anymore! Julia asks Joe if his car is outside, and when he says it isn't, she offers to take him home. There are things to do that can't wait, insists Joe, and she observes he's been under a strain and should rest today. There's going to be a funeral, says Joe, today. She remarks how fast that is, but Joe says that's what Tom wanted. He saw him a few hours before he died; if something happened, Joe is his only relative, so it's up to him--the funeral is today and that's the end of it. Julia comments on how upset he is, and he screams at her, "It's my life"--and he doesn't want her interfering. She doesn't understand, she says, and isn't sure she understands what happened to him--at all. She walks away, and he gazes mutely, sadly, after her.

Old House - Willie drapes a sheet over the woman's body on the table, looking grossed out. Barnabas comes down to the basement and Willie is immediately frightened. Barnabas is annoyed over Willie's fright and disgust. Willie was terrified, no one should ask anyone to rob a Grave (or drain a calf, something else Willie once had to do--which is worse?). Barnabas points out that he did do it, but Willie vow he will never do it again--every time he touched it, he felt sick, and couldn't sleep last night. Barnabas says Julia will give him a sedative next time, and Willie backs away, swearing there won't be a next time. Willie accuses Barnabas of not listening to him--he doesn't know how it makes someone feel not to be paid attention to. People pay attention to you, points out Willie, because people listen to you--no more, insists Willie. Barnabas is revolted by all this too, he says--he and Julia don't want to create this mate for Adam. Willie reminds him he told them to kill Adam. Well, I didn't, says Barnabas.
Willie says Barnabas should kill Adam--he'd think of something. Barnabas reminds him why he's doing this, and Willie bitterly comments that it's to keep Vicki alive--he'd do anything for her. It's not just Vicki, Barnabas reminds him, but every member of the family. Listen to Willie Loomis for once, says Willie, this is going to be a lot of trouble, it's dangerous!--this equipment will be found! This room has seen other secrets, says Barnabas. David might come playing around, says Willie, and the cops will descend on them again. Barnabas understands the risks, even more than Willie, he says. If they bring this person to life, says Willie, who will provide the life force? Barnabas doesn't know. Willie says he wants nothing at all to do with it, but Barnabas says he's already involved and can't cry about it now. They hear a door slam upstairs; Barnabas sends Willie up to see who it is. He orders Willie to control his nervousness, and Willie retorts, "If that's Adam up there, or if I go up and find Adam, I'll kill him, even if you won't!" Barnabas calls after Willie, and shoots him a stern look of warning.

Barnabas pages through a notebook, glancing with revulsion at the body under the sheet. Julia comes downstairs and Barnabas tells her they must do something about Willie; he'll give them away without knowing it. There are more important things to do today, she explains. Now you can start your work, says Barnabas, then notices she isn't paying attention. She tells him of Tom's death, which upsets him. She explains that she saw the official reports, and the cause of death was animal bites and loss of blood. There were two fang marks on his neck, which mystified the doctors. They wouldn't think vampire.
Julia says the body was taken to the mortuary, so there will be no further investigation--until next time. Julia tells Barn they should go the police, an idea he calls mad. They can't track down Tom's killer, says Julia, and Barnabas sarcastically asks her if they should tell the police all they know about vampires. She realizes it's ridiculous, but they have to do something. Tom will rise from his coffin--tonight. Julia tells him Joe decided to bury Tom this afternoon, and Barnabas believes Haskell must know, if the burial is that swift. Julia feels he's misreading Joe, he wouldn't be a party to something like that. But Joe didn't go to the police when he caught Willie in the cemetery, points out Barnabas. He came to you, she says. They agree Joe wouldn't keep this secret, and that Tom himself requested the quick burial. Jennings knew, they realize, and blood lust will overpower him upon awakening. We know how to stop him, says Barn. Julia pointedly asks if he COULD. Yes, says Barn firmly, and calls upstairs to Willie. Barnabas asks Julia to recall those moments before dawn when he'd have to go crawling back to his coffin, hoping someone would find and stop him before another dusk released him. He remembers that agony only too well to let anyone else experience it. Barnabas tells Willie there's something they must do, and Willie shakes his head. Barnabas says all three of them will do this together, taking an equal chance. He orders Willie to make a wooden stake with a sharp, dagger-like point. Willie wonders what the joke is, gazing fearfully at Barnabas, and Barnabas assures him this is no joke. "Start. . .now!" barks Barnabas.

Cemetery - It's storming. Joe stands beside Thomas Jennings' fresh grave (1944-1968 reads the tombstone). Joe looks pretty creepy in the lightning, asking Tom if he should go to the police--what good would it do now? What could he say, that he, last night, let Angelique into his hospital room? The dogs howl, unnerving Joe. He won't go to her, not tonight, he tells himself. How could he, knowing she put Tom there? Barnabas, Julia and Willie come across the lone mourner. Willie begs them to come back later. Julia says she'll get rid of him, and leaves Barnabas with the lantern. Joe again vows not to go to Angelique. He sees Julia and demands to know if something else has happened. Nothing, she says, she's worried about him. He assures her he can take care of himself, but she went to his house and Maggie's worried about his depression. He says he's the only one who can help himself, and she encourages him to join her at Collinwood. He thanks her, but says no. She says he can have dinner--Carolyn and Vicki would be delighted to see him. She doesn't know why he doesn't want to be with Maggie. . .he says nobody knows that. Don't punish yourself anymore than you have, it's dangerous to be out here, says Julia. How? he asks. She asks him to accept the help of a friendly doctor, and he seems to acquiesce. Willie, on the other hand, is pure basket case--Joe isn't going to leave? What's Julia telling him? They see Julia and Joe moving, and Barnabas tells him they aren't robbing a grave, but dealing with an enemy, one he knows only too well. Barnabas moves toward the grave, and Willie, clutching the stake and hammer, reluctantly follows. Willie joins him at the graveside, fretting about someone coming. Barnabas orders him to start digging, and Willie takes the shovel in hand and begins.

Julia and Joe walk through the woods, where Julia notes the sounds of the dogs nervously. Suddenly, Joe tells her he can't go to Collinwood, not tonight. You aren't returning to the grave? she asks--where are you going? I have somewhere I have to go, says Joe, not the cemetery.
She tells him he can't go back to the cemetery, and he screams at her that he isn't and disappears into the night.

Willie and Barnabas have lifted Tom's coffin from the ground. Barnabas asks Willie for the mallet before they open it, then orders him to open it. It's empty! He's gone, says Barnabas. They're too late!

NOTES: Anyone for a rousing chant of Jooooooooolia?

Poor Joe--does Julia have an idea of what he's going through? Does she suspect the vampire who attacked Tom has also victimized Joe? He's working so hard to resist Angelique's siren call, but having a very hard time.

Julia asked Barnabas an interesting question--COULD he stake a vampire, given what he's been through? Or will he make Willie do all the dirty work, as usual? Willie sure was sniveling in this ep, but who can blame him? He's always given the worst, most back-breaking jobs!


565 - Julia works alone in the lab, surrounded by multi-colored bottles of fluids. Barnabas comes downstairs and gives her the bad news--Tom Jennings' body was gone when he and Willie dug it up, and now, just as he walked in the darkness such a short time ago, another vampire walks. What are they going to do?
Julia tells him they will go on with the experiment, but Barnabas feels he must find Tom Jennings. He wonders if Cassandra is somehow involved, they never did find her body--this is the sort of thing she would do. But Cassandra aged and died, points out Julia. Nicholas must have something to do with it then, says Barnabas, but Julia says they must stop thinking about this. For nearly 200 years, he was like that man out there, night has a special meaning to him and always will, says Barn. He remembers well his own urges to attack someone. "I must find him, Julia," insists Barnabas, but she refuses to let him go. Barnabas knows the agony this man and his intended victims are going through and has to stop it. Remember Vicki, advises Julia--Adam kidnapped her once, if anything happens to Barnabas, what will happen to the experiment? "You will do it," says Barnabas, but Julia reminds him that she can't deal with Willie, Adam, plus do the experiment--she needs Barnabas, and he must face his responsibilities. Barnabas agrees with her. Adam has allowed them so little time.

Collinwood - A dog howls. Jeff, standing in the drawing room, hears it and looks nervous. He sits down. Vicki comes in and notes he's early. He had to see her, he says, but she says she was just about to go to the Old House--Barnabas sent her a note and wants to see her. Jeff is perplexed. Vicki knows Jeff doesn't like her seeing him, but Jeff complains he doesn't like Barnabas "hanging on" her--Barnabas loves her. We're only friends, says Vicki, but Jeff knows if it were up to Barnabas. . .Vicki asks Jeff if he's always going to be this jealous. Probably, he says, caressing her hair, hugging her, and gives her an out (take it!) He suggests she go see Barnabas tomorrow, but she insists she promised Barnabas. Jeff isn't happy, but says she should just call him. He has no phone, says Vicki. Jeff suggests she wants to be alone with him. (no trust there) Vicki counters that she just doesn't want Jeff glowering at Barnabas, and it will be quicker if she runs to the Old House. Jeff insists on driving her, and she relents on that. He says someday, he'll find out why she's so fascinated by Barnabas Collins. Outside, as they leave, the dog howls, and lightning flashes outside in the storm.

When Vicki shows up at the Old House, Barnabas greets her with, "You shouldn't be out tonight!" You asked to see me, she reminds him as Barnabas gazes nervously around. I should have come to Collinwood, he says. Vicki tells him she can't stay long, and he says he's delighted to see her. Barnabas offers her some sherry and tells her he has something that belongs to her--he presents her with her engagement ring. She puts it on, pleased--she thought she lost it forever. Barnabas says Willie found the ring in the woods.
Vicki is puzzled by the ring's appearance, but wants to offer Willie a reward. Barnabas says that isn't necessary. She can't wait to show it to Jeff, she says, and thanks him. They hear the dogs howling. Barnabas says she shouldn't go alone tonight. She assures him Jeff is waiting for her in the car. Barn says he wishes Jeff would come in. (I don't believe he really feels that way!) Julia interrupts, greeting Vicki. Barnabas explains he was escorting Vicki to her car, but Vicki says that isn't necessary, if Julia's been waiting for him. Julia says she's been doing research, and Barnabas says they've been doing a project on Eric Lang. Julia has found something in a journal she doesn't understand, so Barnabas tells her to leave it on the desk and he'll look at it later. Julia sits down to look over the notebook.

Jeff doesn't believe Vicki when she tells him Willie found her ring in the woods, but Vicki says she must have dropped it there. He chides her for believing everything people tell her, and she says that's better than doubting everything, like him. She thought he'd be happy she found it, but he just wishes he understood. So does Vicki. Vicki feels if someone other than Barnabas had given the ring to her, like Carolyn, he wouldn't be angry.
Jeff doesn't want to hear anything about the three days Barnabas spent looking for her; he wishes she knew what had happened to her. Vicki, staring at her ring, wishes the same thing. She is thinking deeply, and says she keeps listening to the sound of the sea. It makes her feel as if she were in a room alone, looking at her ring, and wondering if she'd ever see him again. She keeps hearing the sea. . .Jeff asks her to describe the room, she might be remembering. Vicki can't get a picture of the room, she just keeps hearing the sea, over and over, against the shore. What does it mean? she asks, but he has no idea.

Jeff kneels in front of Vicki and tells her he thinks she was locked in a room alone, and heard the sea, and there was nothing to do but stare at the ring and wonder when they'd be together again. She would have remembered, she insists, then puts it down to some sort of daydream. Jeff agrees it's always easier to dismiss it than face the fact she was kidnapped and locked in a room. Vicki can't figure out who could have done such a thing, but Jeff says he wonders if Barnabas has an answer. The night she left the Old House, she started back to Collinwood--but Barnabas stayed there, insists Vicki. Did he follow you? asks Jeff. No, replies Vicki vehemently. Odd how he came to have her ring, points out Jeff. Perhaps, says Vicki, but it's just a coincidence. Jeff says she might be right--or might not--he's leaving to see Barnabas! Vicki is sure Barnabas had nothing to do with what happened to her, but Jeff thinks he knows more than he's telling--if Barnabas were involved, asks Jeff, would she rather not know?

Barnabas is preparing to go out to meet Willie, whose courage is lost when Barnabas is late. He tells Julia to keep trying to make sense of the notebook. Julia leans against the chair in which she's sitting and says she's really tired, and wishes he and Willie didn't have to go out. They must--Adam is impatient. Barn asks her if she'll be there later, and she asks if he needs her. Tomorrow morning is soon enough, says Barnabas. She tells him she'll close up the lab, then. Barnabas tells her he's very grateful for what she's doing, and she smiles at him, looking happy--and like she wishes he'd said something more intimate. (poor woman, wishin' and hopin') She's down in the lab, listening to the radio (can't identify the song playing), putting things away, when Jeff knocks at the door, calling for Barnabas. When no one answers, Jeff comes right in (will they NEVER lock that damn door)? He looks around the living room, touches a piece of statuary, finds Lang's notebook. Uh oh, what's this doing here? he wonders. Why would Barnabas be reading that? Why? Jeff picks up the notebook and reads about assembling the strongest legs and sturdiest heart, and finding a mind of genius caliber. Jeff rubs his face like he's getting a headache. He hoped he'd never see that handwriting again. The months he made him do his work. . .then again, if he hadn't worked for Lang, he wouldn't have met Vicki, so some good came of that association. Why is Barnabas interested in this? Why? Jeff paces the living room, glances out the window. Julia wanders in and sees him--you frightened me, she says. He apologizes--he was waiting for Barnabas. Barnabas isn't here, says Julia. She asks if he simply walked in. Jeff says yes, the door was open. Julia came up for the notebook, she explains, and he says he recognizes it as Lang's journal. Julia tells him she and Barnabas are considering writing a book, and Jeff begins to laugh, crazily. He doesn't think exposing Lang's attempt to create a man would do Lang's memory much good. That isn't what the book's about, says Julia, and they're going through all the journals. Jeff notes Julia's nervousness, which she puts down to exhaustion. She tells Jeff Barnabas and Willie drove to Bangor, but Jeff says Vicki told him Barnabas would be home all evening. He changed his plans, says Julia, but she'll tell him Jeff stopped by. Jeff is sure she will (but doesn't look like he believes it). He says he'll be interested in reading her book on Lang, then departs. Relieved that he's gone, Julia returns to the lab. Unknown to her, Tom Jennings is looking through the window.

Down in the lab, Julia writes Barnabas a note--she found Jeff Clark in the drawing room, and he saw Eric's journal. He didn't believe. . .she hears footsteps and stops writing. . .my story about the book--your story, really. More footsteps. "Barnabas," calls Julia, "is that you?" Tom Jennings steps into her line of sight, smiling. Julia asks who he is and what he wants.
He approaches her, his eyes feral and full of need. He opens his mouth to reveal large, long, sharp fangs. "I know who you are!" screams Julia. "Stay away from me! Stay away!" The vampire, lasciviously opening and closing his mouth, lunges at Julia, who screams and screams.

NOTES: There was a time when Julia would have been delighted to succumb to Barnabas' vampire bite, but one senses she doesn't appreciate or desire the attentions of Tom very much at this point. Julia being attacked by a vampire is going to compromise the experiment, and what if she becomes a vampire, too? Would Barnabas be able to stake the woman who has become his closest friend?

I can't stand Jeff. Just because he knows Barnabas' feelings for Vicki doesn't mean she returns him, and his jealousy is unfounded and childish--but then again, so is he. Vicki accepted Jeff's engagement ring, and that should be enough for him to trust her--the lout!

That was one exciting ending, wasn't it?

Love, Robin

644
Thank you so much, Julianka! I'm very glad you enjoy Robservations and I completely agree with you that the screen captures provided by our Mysterious Benefactor add some very delectable icing to the cake!

I was enticed to post Robservations here because I knew the addition of scenes from the show would enhance them beautifully.

Thank you again!

Love, Robin

645
562 - Joe orders Willie to come to the sheriff's office with him--he must be insane to rob a grave. Willie denies robbing a grave, but stutters over what he's doing there--it's none of Joe's business, says Willie defensively. Joe grabs Willie's arm and they begin to struggle. "You can't!" protests Willie.

Angelique realizes that something is interfering with Joe coming to her, she can sense Joe isn't responding, and begs Nicholas to help her. She has the power, Nick assures her, use it to force Joe to respond. Angelique calls to Joe again to come to her. Joe, struggling with Willie, releases him. "That voice," says Joe, but Willie hears nothing. Joe covers his ears--he can't listen. Willie asks what's wrong with him, isn't he taking him to the police? He should, agrees Joe, listening to the voice in his head. Joe knows what he should do, but Angelique's voice is all he hears. "No!" screams Joe hoarsely. "I can't let it happen." Willie is confused. Is Joe trying to decide whether or not to take him to the police? Joe says he can't decide anything, the decision has already been made. He wanders away, he's going where he has to go. Freaked out, Willie calls to Joe to come back, pleading with him. Angelique grins, it worked! Joe has heard her and is responding to her call. Excellent, praises Nicholas, now Joe will NEVER be able to resist her. She looks feral and hungry and happy.

Willie races back to the Old House, screaming for Barnabas. He runs around the house, looking for him. Barnabas comes in and Willie tells him Joe caught him in the graveyard--he caught him digging up a grave. Barnabas wonders how Joe, who seemed so ill this morning, had the energy to leave his room. All Willie knows is that Joe was heading for the police, and they have to get out before they come. They'll search the basement, find out everything, blathers Willie.
Barnabas assures him they'll fabricate a story, then asks Willie what he told Joe. Willie says he gave no explanation. "Fool!" cries Barnabas, who says they'll tell the police Willie wasn't responsible for what he did--Willie was in a mental hospital, so Willie could simply display irrational behavior sometimes. Willie protests that it isn't fair to dump the blame for this on him, especially since he didn't want to go in the first place. It's all you can do, says Barnabas--Willie getting caught was the risk they had to take. In a panic, Willie refuses to accept the blame. Barnabas asks if Joe went to the police. Willie is sure he did--where else would he go?

Angelique hears the door open and close. Joe is there. She was expecting him, she says. In a tortured voice, he says he didn't want to come--he wish he's never seen her. She says he doesn't mean that, and he says he does. He doesn't understand why she has this power over him, and she says it's the power of love. He doesn't love her, he loves Maggie, he protests--he doesn't even know her. She tells him her name is Angelique and his is Joe, and that's all they need to know about each other. He turns away; he doesn't want to be there, he HATES himself for being there! Ang assures him he won't feel that way for long--come to me and put your arms around me, she wheedles, holding out her arms and smiling. He refuses. She tells him it's useless to resist. "Come to me," she says, and Joe, looking like a man entranced, comes closer. She slides her arms around his neck and bites into his throat. (Weird, isn't it, how some vampire victims can't wait to give their blood to their attacker, while others protest, as Joe does?)

Once again, Joe awakens, his neck dripping blood. Angelique kneels next to him and asks how he feels. He doesn't know. He thinks he's all right. He's happy, and so is she. "Your eyes," he says, "I can't look away from them."
She tells him he belongs to her now and he must remember that and never try to resist her again. He wants to, he says, but he can't. Why? she asks. He shouldn't be here, he protests, there are other places he should be. He belongs with his cousin, he says, at the hospital--Tom Jennings will come out of his coma and I should be there. Angelique says, "Tom Jennings will die. That's the way life is. We die." Joe leans on the mantel. He should be with Maggie. Ang tells him to forget about her--he will in time. I'm in love with Maggie, he says. Angelique reminds him, "You need me." Joe admits that's true. In time his need for her will prove stronger than his love for Maggie, promises Ang. Joe wishes he could think when he's with her, but he can't. Don't think, it's useless, she tells him, just as resisting me is useless. She asks what interfered with him coming to her earlier, and he tells her he came across Willie Loomis in the graveyard.

Nicholas asks Joe what Willie was doing in the graveyard, and Joe asks where he came from. "The other room," says Nick. Did you hear what we were saying? demands Joe, wide-eyed. Nicholas overheard part of their conversation and found the last part quite interesting. Joe is angry that he was eavesdropping, but Nick insists it's his house. Angelique asks Nicholas for a few moments alone with Joe, but the warlock sends her to her room--he must talk to Joe. Joe doesn't want to speak to him--he wants Ang to stay, and, as he tells Angelique, "We don't have to take orders from him." Angelique tells him she must, and promises to see him again soon, very soon. She glides away, and Joe asks what right Nick has to give her orders--what's his power over her?--what's the power of this house? Nicholas tells him HE asks the questions. Joe doesn't feel he has to answer them, but Nicholas says if he doesn't, he can't see Angelique again; he can only see her when Blair says he can. "Your power over her is that strong?" asks Joe, and Nick says yes, and therefore his power over Joe is strong, too. Answer a few simple questions, orders Nick, and Joe agrees. He tells Nicholas Willie was digging up a grave, and he warned him he was going to the police.
Did you do that? queries Nick, and Joe says no, not yet. Nicholas is pleased, and Joe wonders why, but Nick says "Never mind." Instead of doing to the police, says Nicholas, you will do something I will tell you to do, and if you wants to see Ang again, you will obey. Joe looks horrified. Even though Nicholas' orders make no sense to Joe, after Nicholas urges, "Just do it," Joe reluctantly agrees. Joe asks when he'll see Ang again, and Nick says do what he told him to do--then he can see her. "All right," says Joe, and leaves. Nick is smiling.

Willie's suitcase clumps down the stairs and he firmly tells Barnabas he's getting out. Barnabas tells him he isn't going anywhere. When someone knocks at the door, Willie is sure it's the police. Barnabas tells him to go upstairs, he will handle this. It's Joe Haskell, not the police. He tells Barnabas he saw Willie in the cemetery at Eagle Hill, digging up a grave. Joe was about to report it to the police, but he chose to come to Barnabas first. Barnabas puts a friendly hand on Joe's shoulder and confidentially tells Joe he's very worried about Willie, whose behavior is, at times, very irrational. Barnabas is sure Willie is basically harmless, which is why Joe decided not to report him to the police. He owes Willie for saving his life, he explains to a relieved Barnabas, and doesn't want to give Willie more problems with a police record.
Barnabas promises to keep an eye on Willie and asks about Joe's speedy recovery after being so ill this morning. I wasn't as sick as I thought, replies Joe. Barnabas asks what Joe was doing in the cemetery, and Joe responds he was visiting a friend and took a shortcut through the woods. Willie races downstairs, overjoyed. He wonders why his employer isn't happier, and Barnabas says he finds Joe's behavior very strange.

Angelique sits, radiantly happy. Nicholas says she shouldn't--he just talked to the hospital, Tom Jennings is coming out of his coma, and if he says anything about seeing her coffin, they will both be exposed. Angelique looks appropriately dismayed, and Nicholas is downright grim.

NOTES: Superior performance from Joel Crothers today as the tortured Joe, and watching Nicholas and Angelique together is like watching a pair of black widow spiders spinning a web. We KNOW Tom Jennings isn't going to fare well!

Sometimes vampire victims seem almost in love with their attackers, other times they protest the attachment. Strange how it's different for almost everyone.


563 - Angelique asks Nicholas if she has time to go to Tom now. No, says Nick, he'll go in the morning as a concerned visitor. What if Tom speaks? asks Ang. Nicholas assures her it will be taken as the ravings of a confused man. What if they won't let Nick see him, asks Ang, and he says that would be a shame for himself and Tom--then he'd let Ang take care of him. She'd like that, wouldn't she? Yes, she indicates hungrily. Nick predicts a climax for Tom Jennings tomorrow that his doctors won't expect.

Collinsport Hospital - Nicholas walks the hall, but when he starts to go into Tom's room, claiming to be his lawyer, the nurse refuses him entrance. I must see him, insists Nicholas. Maggie interrupts, bearing flowers. The nurse tells her Tom is improving and allows Maggie into the room. Nick tries to follow, but she bars his way. Maggie has permission from the doctor, the nurse informs him. Maggie arranges a beautiful bouquet of red and pink roses on Tom's desk. Tom looks pale, his neck bandaged. Maggie tells him she and Joe have been visiting daily--they're so glad he's getting better. He looks at her, says her name. She asks if there's anything Joe can bring him, and indicates they're relieved he's going to be all right. He says, "Coffin-room, room with a coffin!" Maggie thinks it's a nightmare, but he says not. The nurse comes in to escort Maggie out, but Tom tells her to get Joe--there IS a coffin in the house. The nurse injects Tom with something that sends him to dreamland, and Maggie urges him to rest.

Out in the hall, Nicholas waits. Maggie comes out. You waited for me, she notes, glad he did. Nick is annoyed that visitors can't get any info from the staff of this hospital--is Tom out of his coma? Yes, says Maggie. Nick says that's great--but has something new developed? The accident happened after Tom left his house, and he feels responsible. Maggie says Tom isn't behaving like himself, but now he's talking about coffins. Nick is all ears to this. Maggie explains that Tom kept saying, "Room, coffin," over and over. Do you think he really saw a coffin? asks Nick, and Maggie suggest perhaps it's a terrible memory. He and Joe are cousins, she says, and Tom will tell Joe all. Nick says not to worry, he's positive "her" Joe will take care of everything.

Dusk, Blue Whale - Joe sits at a table, twisting his fingers around each other. He drinks, covers his face with his hand, very preoccupied. Maggie comes in. He points out that she's late; She's furious with him that he didn't show up or call last night. She wasn't even going to come, but wanted to tell him about Tom. He apologizes for not showing up, but she wants an explanation. Then she says to forget it, she doesn't want to be one of those women who force men into making excuses.
Joe tells her he fell asleep, he laid down after work and fell asleep--until 2 AM. She was worried about him, she tried phoning him! He didn't hear the phone. He glances at the door and she asks what he was thinking. It's getting dark, he says. He asks about Tom. Maggie promised him Joe would come to visit him tonight. Joe rises and looks out the window, miles away. Maggie asks about it, and he complains it's gotten dark so quickly. He lights the candle on the table and Maggie asks what's bothering him. "Nothing!" he shouts, banging his fist on the table, making her jump in her seat. "Nothing"!

Angelique sits up in her coffin, a rose clutched in her hand (that's strange!). Her fangs descend, ready, and she calls to Joe in her mind. "Where are you, Joe?" The man she is calling rubs his face. Maggie says, sarcastically, "All right, nothing is bothering you." He asks if she wants to finish her drink, and she says they have lots of time before hospital visiting hours--is he listening to her? Sure, he replies, but is unable to repeat what she just said correctly. She's annoyed that he isn't listening to her, and he screams at her again, "It's hard enough as it is!" Maggie is perplexed.

Angelique calls to Joe to come to her, he needs her, as much as she needs him. Come to the house by the sea, she calls, and Joe's eyes widen. Maggie finds his expression a puzzle, his behavior is very peculiar. Then he stands and says he has to go to the hospital, now. She says they won't let him in now, but he leaves, anyway, and Maggie sits down with a sob, leaning her head on her hand in despair. Nicholas finds her sitting there, looking downcast, and says he's completed the diagnosis of her problem--a lover's quarrel--he saw Joe storm out and offers her a shoulder to cry on. She isn't crying, she says, and he suavely offers her a confidant. She doesn't know what to say, but he does--he'll sit there and charm all her problems away. Maggie smiles and says she'd like that. Nicholas sits down, removes his gloves, and grins at her like she's going to be his dinner.
Maggie is smiling broadly as she watches Nicholas pull his handkerchief off another tall drink. She protests she shouldn't, she doesn't drink that much. He says this evening they should do everything they don't normally do, break all the rules! If she hates to swim after dark, they'll swim. If she's always home till midnight, they'll stay out until dawn. The camera focuses on his eyes as he tells her he's trying to take advantage of her, and she says she doesn't believe him. She promises him she'll see, and he says he likes women who have a sense of themselves. She isn't sure she does, but he says she must, since she didn't chase after Joe when he left. She isn't sure she ever wanted to have that much of a sense of herself. Nicholas is caressing the fruit in his drink with his ring finger and she says she's taking herself too seriously. I like serious women, purrs Nicholas, observing she feels guilty about sitting there with him. Nope, she says. You will, he predicts, after we have dinner. Are we doing that too? she asks. He says the evening hasn't turned out at all as she expected, has it?--do you mind? he asks. She answers that she should, but. . . Nick says if he were a magician (and he illustrates with the straw from his drink), she would be carefree and smiling. She says he IS a magician (honey, you don't know the half of it!), in a way, and he agrees. She says she'd love to have dinner with him, no guilt--she's tired of staying home, waiting--"Let's have some fun!" They raise their glasses in a toast to each other, and smiling, drink.

Joe enters the house by the sea, where Angelique waits. He tells her he doesn't understand why he comes there, he should be at the hospital visiting Tom, with Maggie. What's wrong with me? he asks, rubbing his head in confusion. She says he'll see Tom tonight--both of them will visit his cousin. Why, asks Joe, then it hits him--she did this to Tom, didn't she? He grabs her by the arms, shakes her. "DIDN'T YOU?" he demands. She nods.  "No," says Joe, and she pulls him into her arms and feasts on his blood again, changing his mind as only she can.

In Tom's hospital room, Joe tells his cousin he's glad he's feeling better, they were worried. Maggie told him they were both coming tonight, says Tom, but Joe says she couldn't make it. Tom tells Joe to go to the police and tell them he isn't the kind of person who lies--it sounds strange, but it did happen, and to him--Blair, that's when it started--he saw the coffin. Joe says he knows Nicholas Blair well and there's no coffin there. Tom insists there is, and Joe must help him. Tom explains that he left Blair's house and was walking through the woods. It was dark, and it really happened--this beautiful girl, blonde, strange eyes, silent, wings like a bird, and there she was, standing there looking at him. She came toward him, her arms outstretched, and he couldn't move--she did this to him, she DID this to him!
He can tell Joe doesn't believe him, although he says, in a neutral voice, that he does. Tom begs him to go to the police if he believes him, and Tom fears Joe is only telling him he believes him. Joe promises to go and he'll see him tomorrow. Tom is delighted to hear his cousin is willing to help him. Joe opens the blinds, then the window. Tom asks what he's doing. It's hot in here, says Joe, but Tom disagrees. Joe suggests his cousin get some sleep. The relieved Tom leans against the pillow. Joe turns out the light over his bed, bids him good night, and leaves.

2 AM - Tom sleeps. A dog howls. The curtains blow in the wind. Tom moans in his sleep, twisting against the sheets. We hear the squeaking of a bat. Tom pulls off the bandage covering his throat. Angelique stands in his room.
Slowly, she approaches the bed, her fangs exposed. She leans down and feasts on Joe's cousin's throat, oh, so happily, draining him.

NOTES: Imagine the guilt Joe feels, knowing he was setting up his cousin for death--and after falsely promising to help him! Of all the terrible things the bad people do in this show, this is one of the worst--getting between Maggie and Joe, forcing Joe to participate in the murder of his cousin! It's really nasty, and both are only in it for their own ends--Angelique, to sate her vampire hunger and keep her secret, Nicholas so he can work on Maggie and cause dissension between the once-happy couple.

Nicholas is surely the smooth one, working on Maggie after her argument with Joe, putting the make on her while she's vulnerable. He's a snake, but a good-looking, charming snake!

And now, Tom will die, and another vampire will stalk Collinsport. Who will his victims be?

Love, Robin