My, my, my, Willie's tight pants and where on EARTH are you people looking?  For shame!  What would Sarah Johnson say?  

I wonder what Willie would say if he knew that his master, Barnabas, was once married to the dark-haired vixen?  Would the thought of sloppy seconds appeal?  

Oh, now *I* am going to have to discipline myself, and I have no idea what the Jewish equivalent to Bob's three Hail Marys, two Our Fathers, and an Act of Contrition would be!

Honestly, people, let's get our minds out of the gutters!

Love, Robin, thinking that on second thought, the gutter can be a mighty fun place to hang out!

Several years ago, I cyber-adopted "Wicked Nick" when both of us were posting on the Sci Fi Bulletin Boards.  At 17, he showed tremendous talent and promise beyond his years, and I have no doubt that he will continue to share his incredible gifts with this fortunate world.

Congrats, my dear cyber-son!

Love, Mama RobinV  

489 - Tony paces the study. He's waiting for Cassandra, and when she shows up, he says he wants to discuss Dr. Lang--he doesn't know how or why, but he suspects she had something to do with his death. She stares at him, wide-eyed.David's voice fills the air, and he's with Mrs. Johnson in the foyer. David asks Mrs. J why she's so quiet, and why didn't Roger pick him up. Mrs. J says to ask her no questions, she'll tell him no lies (LOL!). Roger bounces downstairs, pleased to see his son. He tells Mrs. J to go get Cassandra. David asks who that is, and Roger puts an arm around his son's shoulders and leads him into the drawing room.

Tony reminds Cassandra he just accused her of murdering a man--doesn't she have anything to say? She can't talk to him now, she says--wait for me in the gazebo and I will join you there ASAP. He starts to say something, but sloppy editing puts us right out of that scene.

Tony and Cassandra stare at each other, and it appears she's hypnotizing him. He walks right past Mrs. Johnson, who tells Cassandra David and Roger are in the drawing room. Cassandra fusses with her hair and dress. She's so nervous! She wants Mrs. Johnson to wait for her. David won't bite you, says Mrs. J, but Cassandra really wants to make a good impression. Cassandra asks Mrs. Johnson if she feels all right, a question which puzzles her--I feel worn out!--I slept well--I always feel worn out, so I feel the same today as any other day. (I love this lady!) Cassandra expresses concern for Mrs. J, but Sarah says she's the healthiest person in the house. Cassandra checks herself once more in the mirror and Mrs. Johnson does, too, after she leaves.

Roger explains to David that his new mother, Cassandra, is quite a bit younger than he is. David doesn't know what to say, but he isn't reacting much at all--is David angry, happy, disappointed? David says if his father is happy, he is, too. Cassandra enters. Roger introduces her to David. She greets him warmly, gushing over how many wonderful things she's heard about him, but David is silent. She says she'd be shocked, too, if she were him. She asks him to do his best, as she will, to become good friends. She reaches out for him, but he backs away, and Roger scolds him for doing so. Cassandra tells her husband not to do that, it will take time for David to get used to her--it's only natural. She leaves them alone to talk "man to man." She assures Roger she and David will get better acquainted soon enough, no need to rush. David agrees, and Cassandra says she's taking a walk so father and son can talk. Roger says he's disappointed in his son and David apologizes. Roger says it takes very little effort to be civil, even to someone he dislikes--and he should get to know her before he dislikes her (perhaps David is more intuitive than his father).He didn't say that, objects David, he doesn't know how to act in front of Cassandra. Roger's good humor returns. He understands. Give Cassandra a chance, and he will grow to love her as much as he does. David says yes, but doesn't sound like he means it, and Roger makes a face. Run outside and play, suggests Roger. David wanted them to talk more, but Roger is through talking. He knows Cassandra will try to befriend David, and he hopes his son will do the same. "Yes, Father," replies David forlornly, walking slowly to the door in his Nehru jacket.

Gazebo - After Tony lights a cigarette, he gazes raptly at his lighter flame for a moment. Cassandra appears. You're always so serious, she complains, I've never seen you smile. I didn't come to talk about me, says Tony. How could I have had responsibility for Lang's death? Queries Cassandra. You wanted him dead, accuses Tony. Absurd, she says. I was Lang's lawyer for the past six months, says Tony, and I went to his home to get some papers to clean up his estate--when I got there, I realized I'd been there before, and not in a legal capacity--I was there a few days ago, I went to get something for you, something you badly wanted--a medallion--I don't know why I did it, but I do strange things when I'm around you. She asks if he thinks he does these things against his will? Yes, and you're responsible, he accuses. She tells him to look at her--she's an ordinary young woman who can't possibly force him to do anything against his will. She tells him to look deeply into her eyes, deeper, deeper, and he does.Hypnotized, he says he can hear her. She tells him to sit down; he does, gazing up at her. She needs his help again--he's Julia Hoffman's lawyer, and Cassandra has reason to believe that woman is interfering with her plans, trying to prevent the dream curse from reaching its intended victim. She describes the dream curse to Tony. Julia had the dream and hasn't yet told it to Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. J. can't have it unless Julia tells her about it. She asks Tony to watch Julia carefully, where she goes, who she sees, what she does--don't do anything to her, but find out why she's resisting. Tony agrees. One more thing, says Cassandra, forget I had anything to do with Lang's death. He promises to forget; she gazes fondly at him and brushes her fingers across his forehead. He comes out of the trance, but is confused by her interest in him--she's a married woman and they shouldn't be seeing each other alone this way. But you ARE seeing me, she points out, but he doesn't understand why--she has a strange effect on him. It's obvious, she pronounces--you're falling in love--with me. He looks at her, and they come together in a nice, juicy kiss--which is witnessed by David! They kiss again, clutched in each other's arms, and David turns away from the upsetting sight.

Cassandra returns to Collinwood and gazes at Barnabas' portrait, batting her eyes. Roger comes out and tells her David has to get used to the idea of having a young, lovely stepmother--he'll adjust. We're going on a honeymoon the next day, he says--David knows of our marriage, so off we'll go. She doesn't think they should abandon the boy so soon, it's such short notice. They aren't abandoning him, says Roger, they'll return. She tries to talk him out of it, but he says David can survive a month without them, and they can at last be alone together. (have they consummated yet?) He wants to go upstairs, but she says she'll pack after dinner. He gives her a peck on the cheek and hurries upstairs. She looks pissed off at this turn of events and ponders how to handle it. She sits down by the fire, lips compressed. Mrs. Johnson comes in, asking where David is. Cassandra doesn't know. Cassandra asks Mrs. J if she's seen Julia. Earlier, but she left, says Mrs. J, and she didn't speak to her at all--like any other day. Mrs. J is perplexed when Cassandra inquires if Julia seemed different. She went to Dr. Lang's, reveals Mrs. J, but she doesn't know why. Cassandra asks if Mrs. J believes in dreams. No, I never dream, insists Sarah, I am a practical woman with no time for dreams. Cassandra rubs her temple as if a headache is brewing. David enters. She greets him with a huge smile. I don't care about my dinner, says David sternly--I want to speak to you--I saw you in the gazebo with Tony--and I'm going to tell my father I saw you kissing Mr. Peterson!Cassandra tells David he didn't see what he thought he saw. David accuses her of not loving his father, and she denies that. He doesn't believe her, he says, crossing his arms, he's going to tell his father. Cassandra locks him in the drawing room alone with her and demands, "How are you going to do that, David, if you cannot speak?" He tries to sweep past her, demanding she let him go, but she gazes into his eyes and tells him he won't be able to say anything. Try, she suggests, but he has been rendered mute. "You see, you aren't going to tell anything to anybody," she says harshly. She orders him to go over and sit down. He grabs his throat, shaking his head at her, but she's insistent, and he goes to a chair and sits. She tells him starting now, they are all going to be very, very concerned about David. She opens the doors and calls for Roger--"David, something is wrong with him, he can't speak!" Roger kneels in front of David and asks him what's wrong. Don't bother asking, says Cass, he can't respond. David indicates he can hear his father, and that something happened when he was outside. Cassandra suggests the boy is suffering from shock. Roger rises and grabs a pad of paper and a pencil. Write down what happened, says Roger, and Cassandra urges David to do it, too. They're trying to help, encourages Roger. Start writing, says Cassandra, but the pencil falls from David's hand. Roger is horrified--he's taking David upstairs and calling the doctor. "Poor child," croons Cassandra. Roger tells her until they know what's happening with David, they have to postpone the honeymoon--he's sorry. Cassandra understands, David's health is their first consideration. Roger leads David upstairs. Cassandra grins--she killed two troublesome birds with the same stone!

NOTES: Casting spells all over the place is our Cassandra--dreams, putting Tony under her spell (what, we wonder, are her extra-curricular plans for him?), making David mute. She's going to have to go through a lot of machinations to keep her dream curse going, and the people at Collinwood aren't going to prove quite as malleable as she hopes.


490 - Julia awakens from having her dream and calls, sobbing, for Barnabas to come to her. She tells him she had it again--even more frightening than the first time. Barnabas says Julia now knows what it is he discovered years ago--there's no escape from the witch--Julia will have the dream until she's so scared she's forced to tell Mrs. Johnson.Julia insists she must tell Mrs. Johnson before she loses her mind. Barnabas wants them to do the experiment tonight. Find some way to get hold of yourself, urges Barnabas coldly. Julia wonders if Cassandra can somehow control the experiment, but Barn believes she knows nothing about it. However, Barnabas admits he isn't sure of anything, including the experiment but he believes it's his only chance of escape. Another dawn is coming, and time is my enemy, not Cassandra, says Barnabas. If they fail, this could be the last dawn I ever see. There's a knock at the door and Julia insists Barn answer it; she's fearful it might be Mrs. Johnson. Barnabas points out their voices have already been heard. Sure enough, it IS Mrs. Johnson at the door, and she tells Barn she has no idea why she's there. Julia covers her face, silently screaming.

Barnabas tries to order Mrs. Johnson back to Collinwood, but Julia insists that she must speak to her--I'll never make it, Julia sobs--if you want the experiment to succeed, she tells her, I must clear my mind of this dream! Barn fears if Julia tells her the dream, who then will Mrs. Johnson have to tell it to?--what if it's me?--and the curse is brought back to me? They have to take the chance, Julia insists, showing him her shaking hands. He's willing to take the chance, he says, but when he orders Mrs. J back to Collinwood, she says she has to stay, thought she doesn't know why--she awakened from sleep, got up, got dressed and came to Lang's for some reason she doesn't even understand.Barnabas wants to take her back to Collinwood, but Julia again tells him she has to speak to Mrs. Johnson--it's too overwhelming! Barnabas, shaken, says, "All right--tell her."

After telling her the dream, Julia asks Mrs. Johnson to remain awake as long as she can, until tomorrow morning, if possible--when she sleeps, she will have the dream. Mrs. Johnson told Cassandra she never dreams. You're going to have one, says Julia, and a terrifying one!

11 PM. Julia, calm now, examines more of Lang's books. She tells Barnabas she's finished, and hasn't thought about the dream since she told Mrs. J. She'll be fine to do the experiment. There's another knock at the door. Barnabas sends Julia and the books to the lab--he'll get rid of the intruder. It's Vicki. She thought he'd already left when she got his note. I'm leaving sometime tonight, he says. Your note was vague, and sad, she says--I had the feeling you were saying goodbye to her forever.No, says Barnabas, but he isn't sure when he'll be back--and even though he'll be gone, he'll still be very close to her--almost anything is possible, he reminds her--he'll be with her in spirit and she might feel his presence through his cousin, Adam, from England--he's due in a few days. Barn is sure the family will be very kind to him. Vicki promises that. Barn says she'll like him very much, and she agrees. My cousin and I share a great deal in common, explains Barnabas, and he will become fond of you very quickly. Vicki wonders if Barn is leaving because she hurt him, and if so, could never forgive herself. I have business interests in England, he says, and must tend to them. Vicki apologizes that she couldn't give him the same love he gave her. Someday, he assures her, we'll talk again and I will tell you things I couldn't tell anyone else before, and you'll know it's just as well you don't share my feelings how--that loving me would have been the greatest mistake of your life. It's starting to storm. Vicki says a sad goodbye, to which Barnabas responds, "Until we meet again." He sees her out, looking very perturbed. His face is superimposed with that of Adam, who lies in the lab, awaiting his life force.

Once again, Adam and Barnabas lie side by side on the tables in the lab. Julia checks out the equipment. Julia examines a slide under a magnifier, and her eyes look huge. She tells Barn she's ready, and he says to begin. She reminds him this is the last time she'll see him as he is now, and he insensitively says that's the point of this, to save him from what he is now. Yes, she says, and Barn says time is running out--start, or there will be no hope at all for him. Julia starts the liquids flowing through the glass beakers, turns on the electricity, lifts both switches at once. Barnabas' body arches in pain as the electricity crackles. Dials roll, paper tapes run through the machine. Barnabas moans, and he tells Julia it must be working, he feels himself getting weaker, his life slipping away from him. He seems to welcome this, but Julia appears alarmed. Julia grows uneasy; puffs of smoke erupt from several places, unnerving her, and she spins the dials crazily. She turns off the power, then checks Barnabas' pulse. He's still alive! He gazes at Adam and asks her what happened. She had to stop, she failed, that's all, it's all over! He says it mustn't be and insists she let him up--they're going to try again. Julia refuses, it's too dangerous. Find out what you did wrong, he insists, correct it, they still have enough time--look through Lang's journals and trace what you did wrong. He supports himself on the table, telling her they came close to finishing it--they're trying again! Barnabas gazes at Adam. "I wanted you to live," he says. "I wanted my empty shell to be on that table. I wanted you to be standing over me, and looking down on my lifeless body. Live! Is it not still possible? LIVE!" Adam's eyes open."You're alive!" Barnabas says exultantly. Then, as it dawns on him, with bitter irony, "We're BOTH alive!" Adam turns his eyes in the direction of his "father."

NOTES: When Lang left his message on the tape recorder about what would happen if both Barnabas and the creation lived, I assumed they both would, and wondered what complications would ensue. Here we have Adam and Barnabas, both alive, and we know something Barnabas and Julia don't--if Adam dies, Barnabas reverts back to being a vampire, so Adam's survival is pivotal to keeping Barnabas curse-free.

Very silly Frankenstein scene, with Julia going nuts and twirling those dials like a mad scientist. Reminded me of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Then again, you have to excuse DS for these excesses, I think Curtis had a blast doing them, even if the cast didn't.

Loved Barnabas' soliloquy to Adam, expressing his hope that his body would be lying dead on the table and Adam gazing down at him. But things didn't quite go as planned--why didn't Lang include this all-important info in his journals of the experiment?

Love, Robin

SPOILER. . .








I was always fascinated by Dr. Longworth's experiment, which made more sense to me than Dr. Lang's.  When you get right down to it, neither experiment worked out very well, since Longworth's alter ego, John Yaeger, kidnapped Maggie and Longworth ultimately ended up dead.  

While Barnabas was vampire-free for a while, Jeb Hawkes ultimately turned him back into a vampire (I always wondered what happened to Adam when he did that), so Lang's experiment didn't hold.  

So I'd say neither experiment worked.

Love, Robin  

I own much of DS on MPI tapes, and for Mother's Day my husband ordered the first DVD set for me, which I'm eagerly awaiting.  

I prefer the MPI tapes over homemade because I know that the Sci Fi channel edits the shows to make more room for commercials.  The MPI tapes are complete, unedited, and I much prefer them.

1795 was my favorite storyline; it was a cohesive and emotionally satisfying ride with all loose ends pretty much tied up.  

Love, Robin

485 - Lang works on his creation, distracted. He can't forget the nightmare. He answers a knock at the door, it's Julia. She asks him what's wrong, and he says, "The dream! This is exactly like the dream!" Upset, he asks her what's happening to him.

Julia can't tell him what's happening to him. He says he can't work because of the dream. She asks what he's done about an assistant, and he can't even respond. She asks if something's happened to stop the experiment, and he says he must return to work. He only has a limited amount of time or the body will deteriorate, after 48 hours at the most. He can't keep being interrupted. He shakes his head, he's had many dreams and always been able to get up and back to business. This dream. . .she asks what's different about this dream and he curtly asks if she's asking as an analyst. He tells her his dream, every detail, concluding with the last door--his creation, without a head. He stared at the years he spent working on this, dreaming of it, he suddenly knew the experiment would fail. Julia glances at him with sympathy.It was a dream, she assures him, and he finally smiles. She's right! He thanks her. She asks him to allow her to assist him in case of emergency. He doesn't want her because she doesn't believe in the experiment; she wants Barn as he was before (what does he mean by that?) Perhaps it's for the best, she doesn't know, but she tells Eric he can depend on her.

Barnabas and Willie hear a dog howling outside the Old House. Willie says, "Well, if you won't be needin' me anymore. . ." Barnabas has an errand for Willie to run--take a letter to Elizabeth Collins at Collinwood. Barnabas is upset at the howling, and a grinning Willie suggests he isn't as changed as he thought he was. "That's very perceptive of you," says Barnabas, annoyed, and turns away from Willie. It's odd he should feel this urge on this night, and he's sure it's something Julia would explain psychologically--a man faced with the unknown, his last night on earth as himself, so naturally everything he has done seems preferable to what he faces. Or is it worse than that--is he reverting to what he was? No answer from Willie, who asks about this last night business--he fears for his own position. Barnabas says he explained it all to Willie last night--there will still be a Barnabas Collins, but he'll be in a new body--he's named him Adam. The first man, observes Willie. Yes, says Barnabas, and he will be the first of a new breed. The letter for Liz will give Adam an entree to Collinwood. Barnabas himself will be away for an indefinite period of time, and in his place a young cousin from England, Adam Collins, will arrive. Willie doesn't like it, which Barnabas says is a shame--he can always return to Windcliff. Willie frets "Adam" won't like him, but Barnabas assures him this new man will behave toward Willie exactly as Barnabas does (too bad, Willie, it would have been nice for him to be kinder to you), and Willie will treat him as he does Barnabas. Barnabas doesn't know that, protests Willie--he might come out of this different. Barnabas seals the envelope as Willie worries things won't be the same; suppose they won't let Adam live there, what will happen to him? Trust me, Willie, says Barn, things are changed at Collinwood--make sure only Liz gets that letter. Willie asks if Barnabas will see him before he leaves. Very likely not, says Barn. He assures the anxious Willie he'll recognize him upon his return, being deliberately unsentimental--even in the other body, he'll know who he is--I promise.Willie is still sure it won't work, and as the dogs continue to howl, Barnabas tells him it will work--because it must! Willie leaves with the letter.

Cassandra is wearing the infamous butterfly dress as she answers Willie's knock, anxiously asking if anything has happened to Barnabas. He has a letter for Liz. She isn't here, says Cassandra. Willie says he can't give it to her--I don't know who you are. She introduces herself as Roger's wife--Liz will be back very late, adds Cassandra, asking him in--I've been alone all evening. Willie reluctantly enters, staring at her. She offers him a seat in the drawing room, and sits across from him. She talks about how absurd it is of Barnabas not to have a telephone--one would think he lived in the 18th century (dig, dig). She asks Willie if he's known Barnabas long, and he says on and off for a spell. Do you know him well? she asks. He chuckles meaningfully. They don't see much of him, he avoids them, says Cass. To stay inside that house all day long? He doesn't stay inside anymore, says Willie--he goes to see Lang a lot now (tightlipped). Cassandra speculates Lang and Barnabas are working together--that's impossible, of course. She asks Willie if he worked for Barn before his accident. Sure, says Willie, he was very different then. Sometimes, he's almost the same, comments Willie. Is he? asks Cass--interesting.She knows Willie is busy, so she offers for him to leave the letter with her. Willie refuses. He was told not to-- Barnabas is going away. This upsets Cassandra--where is he going?--I must talk to him about Roger, it's very important! Something about Dr. Lang's, says Willie, and he hears Liz? car pull into the driveway. "Good night, Willie," bids Cassandra, smiling widely.

In the lab, Lang tells Julia assembling a body is easy--a heart can be started, breath put into lungs, but no one ever has been able to transfer a life force, the soul, into another body. He shows her his notebook. She will take Barnabas' pulse and heartbeat. Both are in white lab coats. Julia asks if Barnabas would be in pain and he reminds her she promised not to get emotional. Barnabas will be unconscious after the first phase, he explains. Barnabas, wearing a blue silk robe and pajama bottoms, enters the lab, pausing for a moment as thought getting up his courage."I am ready, doctor," he says to Lang as Julia looks at him longingly. Lang removes the covering from the face--this is how Barnabas will look (music miscue). Lang says there will be certain alterations in the face, to be done later. (The creature's face is all scarred.) Barnabas says he doesn't care how he looks--the old desires are coming back upon him again. Lang tells Barnabas to lie down on the other table. Julia and Barnabas exchange a glance before he takes his place. Lang tells Julia to tighten the straps. Barnabas gazes at Adam as Dr. Lang affixes an electrode-studded headband to his head, the same on the creature's body. Lang orders Julia to check the oxygen mask, then tells Barnabas they are ready--he's confident. Barnabas assures Eric he's equally confident, then tells Julia he's glad she's there. She smiles worriedly and thanks him. Lang shouts for Julia to take pulse reading #1.

In the drawing room, Cassandra holds an Eric Lang clay doll in her hands. She tells it she has power over the doll and over Lang himself. She can break off an arm and really break his arm. She can make him burn wherever she touches the figure. Her power was given to her by the devil himself, and she will know it soon. Eric fiddles with the dials and Julia tells him Barn's pulse is normal. He pushes up the switches and the sound of electricity cackles in the air. The lights blink on and off, and Barnabas' mouth works, his eyes glazed. Eric lifts the second electric switch, and Barnabas screams in agony, his mouth wide open. "Give him something!" cries Julia. "His heartbeat is slower!"

Cassandra continues to play with her clay Eric doll, pushing a pin into the chest--not enough to trouble you, she says, just enough to make you wonder. . .

In the lab, Eric grabs his chest, demanding that Julia check the other pulse. No sign of life, she says, and Eric fiddles more with the dials.

The pain is worse now, says Cassandra, not enough to stop you, but when the pin goes in deeper, doctor!

Eric screams fiercely. Something explodes in the lab. Eric grabs his chest, pulls off his glasses. A panicked Julia pushes Barnabas' table away. The pain subsides, and Eric, draped over a table, gasps for breath. "BARNABAS!" cries a horrified Julia. Barnabas himself lies on the table, completely still. He looks dead.

NOTES: Well, Eric was quite the usual over-actor today, but it seemed more called for, given the circumstances. Not exactly high-tech special effects, but we didn't watch DS for that, did we?

Poor Julia! We knew she would be by Barnabas' side, even though she completely disagrees with this experiment. Have Cassandra's machinations killed both Eric and Barnabas? She sure is a bitch, just toying with Eric this way, torturing him for daring to help the man she once loved and now despises.


486 - Julia listens anxiously to Barnabas' heart. Lang calls to her, and gestures to his chest. She fills a syringe and returns to Lang's side, administering a shot. He tells her to check Barnabas' pulse; she does and tells him it's very slow. Give him three cc's of this, he says, giving her a vial. She is reluctant; he nearly killed him, but Lang says she'll save him if she gives it to him. She wonders what Barn will be like--if he lives--as she prepares the shot. Julia injects the drug into Barnabas' arm and Lang weakly calls her name, begging for her help. She helps him to sit down in a chair and says she's getting an ambulance. No, he protests, she can't ruin the experiment. Barnabas calls to Julia, and there is a "Julia" chorus as Lang joins in. Barnabas awakens and asks if it's over. He realizes, with disappointment, that he is the same. He sits up on the table, staring at Eric. Julia explains he had a heart attack during the experiment, which Barnabas blames on Cassandra. He must go--he has to prevent her from killing him! Barnabas nearly falls as he steps off the table--they must save Eric so they can try again, insists Barnabas. He's getting dressed. Eric weakly apologizes to Barnabas, who assures him he'll be all right. Julia tells Barn she wants to stop Cassandra, but he says he has to attend to this himself. Barnabas leaves, walking with difficulty. Julia returns her attention to Eric, who refuses to allow her to take him to the hospital. He tries to tell her Barn will become a vampire if she doesn't do it. The medication is becoming less effective, he gasps to Julia, which Barnabas doesn't know. Increase the dose, advises Julia, but Lang says that won't work. The body will decompose after 48 hours, so she must try again before that time is up.He grips Julia tightly for emphasis, but she protests she doesn't know what to do. The records are there, says Eric--get them--get my books--very important. She takes the notebooks and insists she can't do it--she'll kill him. You'll save him, counters Eric--bring the records. Eric takes the notebooks and tells her she must--there is time!

At Collinwood, Cassandra asks her clay Dr. Lang doll if he's had enough pain. She stopped him from what he was doing. Perhaps she won't kill him yet, she wants to drag it out, make Barnabas and his friends pay, and suffer, and enjoy their games. She continues to stab the Lang doll, telling him to feel the pain a little more.

Lang grabs his chest. Julia says there's no more digitalis, and he tells her to get more from his desk downstairs. When she leaves, Eric takes his own pulse, and, finding it pretty weak, calls Julia again. She must know! he says. Fading fast, he turns on the tape recorder, (or thinks he does, another classic blooper), to record his voice. "Julia," he says, breathing with difficulty, "if you do the experiment again, if both Barnabas and my creation live--if they both live--Barnabas will be free and healthy as long as Adam lives. Adam will drain Barnabas' affliction from him, but will not suffer from the disease itself if he lives. But, if Adam dies, Barnabas will be as he was before."

Cassandra, still teasing the Lang doll, decides he's had enough--the end will be death. Mrs. Johnson pushes open the doors, yelling, "Mrs. Collins, I will not put up with this," causing the startled Cassandra to push the pin all the way though the Eric doll. Julia races back into the lab. Eric tries to gasp out what he recorded on the tape, but he only gets out a few words before falling down on the desk, dead. Julia tests his pulse at both wrist and throat, finding him gone. (no CPR, Julia?)

Cassandra slowly withdraws the pin from the doll, as Mrs. Johnson tells her she takes her orders from Mrs. Stoddard, not Cassandra, and this note about her and Roger having breakfast whenever they want is unacceptable. Barnabas comes in and tells Cassandra he wants to see her alone. He apologizes to Mrs. Johnson, who sourly calls it par for the course in that house. Cassandra thanks Barnabas for saving her. He accuses her of trying to kill Eric. What has happened now? she asks, irritated.I swear I'll see you burn if you kill him! threatens Barnabas. Cassandra insists that she doesn't understand his accusations. Admit who you are, Barnabas orders, and she tells him she's told Roger, who believes him mad. Barnabas grabs her arm, twirls her around--if you tell me, I will agree to anything, he says--what do you want of me?--"Do you still want me? I will be yours if. . ." The phone interrupts them, and she tells him he's mad. Smiling, he says, "It was easier in the past, wasn't it? Yes--even for me." He drags her close, gazing at her throat, and it looks as if he's about to bite her. "What are you staring at?" demands Cassandra, struggling, covering her throat with her hand--"What is it?" Mrs. Johnson walks in on this compromising situation and Cassandra quickly covers what appears to be an intimate embrace by saying Barnabas caught her as she was about to faint. Mrs. Johnson says Dr. Hoffman is on the phone, very important. Barnabas gazes warningly at Cassandra before picking it up. He hears the bad news--Lang is dead--I did all I could, says Julia, but he died. Barnabas tells Julia he?ll be there shortly, and stops Cassandra from leaving the room. You've killed Eric Lang, accuses Barnabas, and she just stares at him.

Lab - Julia tells Barn Eric tried to tell her something important before dying: "If they both live, then, listen, listen," and then he lost consciousness. Julia hates this room, this experiment, it killed him as much as she did. If not for the secret, he'd have let her send for help. Barnabas tells Julia they can't be emotional about Eric's death; his every instinct tells him to let go, get revenge, but there is no time--the experiment will go on, as will Julia. While the body may have 48 hours, Barnabas isn't sure HE does--his vampirism is returning, all those urges--Eric's formula is less effective. She prepares the potion. Barnabas desperately tells her he wont be a vampire again, he must escape Angelique--he can't be the victim of a witch. He's enjoyed his freedom--will she let him go back to the dark?She gives him the liquid and promises they will do the experiment, but first she has to study, so it will be successful. Barnabas drinks, looking very sad.

Julia studies Lang's notes, clearly exhausted. She has to go to bed, she tells herself, but steadfastly refuses to give in. Finally, her head falls forward and she sleeps. Her beckoner is Mrs. Johnson, and the fourth door contains a dark-haired, skeleton bride, which makes Julia scream harshly..."No. . .no," sobs Julia upon awakening.

NOTES: I always wondered if Lang would have died if Mrs. Johnson hadn't picked that moment to enter the drawing room. Oops! It's almost funny, in a way, until you realize that this "oops" causes a man's death.

Now Julia has had her dream and will be forced to tell it to Mrs. Johnson. She loves Barnabas--will she be more successful in preventing herself from telling it to the housekeeper?

Loved the scene between Barnabas and Cassandra! So much hatred between them, and she's being so obstinate in admitting who she is! Mrs. Johnson must have wondered what the hell was going on between these two, finding them in what surely looked like a compromising position. Fainting, indeed! Mrs. Johnson probably thinks the new Mrs. Collins is a slut. Imagine Barnabas offering himself to her to save Lang. Would she have accepted if things had gone differently? Would she and Barnabas have left Collinwood together? Ah, the speculation!

Love, Robin

I really don't think Vicki Winters was THAT out of it--she surely would have noticed a big difference between "her" Jeff and this suddenly very tall, muscular man with Jeff's head sewn on top of the very broad shoulders!

Really, Vicki wasn't quite THAT messed up, was she?

Hoping against hope,
Love, Robin

483 - At the Old House, Julia sits in a chair and gazes into the fire. Barnabas comes downstairs and asks how she is. She says she still has strong reservations about his plan, and he says he intends to go through with it. There are matters that need attention, and he needs her help. She promises anything. He asks if she makes decisions about her patients. Yes, she responds. "I want you to arrange for the release of Willie Loomis," says Barnabas, surprising Julia.

Julia rises from her chair. She can't get him released, she says, well, she can, but why does he want him released? Why not? asks Barnabas--you receive periodic reports? isn't he improving rapidly? Yes, but he isn't completely sane, says Julia. She received the last report a month ago, so he could be perfectly normal by now, right? asks Barn. (or is that Dr. Collins?)Or he could be dangerous and disturbed, counters Julia, but Barn insists Willie is no danger. Why do you want Willie released? asks Julia again, and Barnabas goes into a whole big speech about how Willie was shot down by the police, accused of murder, and confined to an institution--all because of him. Julia assures Barnabas he had no way of knowing Willie would try to warn Maggie, but even so, Barn feels responsible--this is very much on his conscience. Julia says, "Your conscience" in irony, and Barnabas retorts, "You say that as if you believe I don't have one--well, I do, and I want to clear it before I change my life." Julia asks if that's the only reason he wants Willie released. What other reason? asks Barn, and Julia says she finds it interesting he never had pangs of conscience about Willie or anyone else before. Barn asks if it's inconceivable he could perform an act of kindness. Everyone is capable, smirks Julia, but let's be honest, with you, it isn't, shall we say, characteristic. Barn insists he's been very fond of Willie, and Julia says he's also been very cruel to him. Impatient, (and I think he even stamped his foot), Barn demands to know if she's going to grant his request or isn't she? She can't answer now, she says, she has to see if it's practical or possible. Barn says it's both, and she wonders how he knows--he hasn't seen reports or visited Willie, so she finds his "conscience pangs" curious. Barn reminds her until recently, he couldn't function during the day to see Willie, but she says she could have arranged it--he never asks. Barnabas makes a determined face, and tells Julia he wants an answer. She says she'll call Windcliff and request a progress report. That will take several days, protests Barnabas, and Julia says that can't be helped. Barn says their own eyes and ears will be more effective--let's go to Windcliff, see Willie, and make our own decision, today. There's little time before Lang's experiment, and he wants to do this for Willie right now. It will only take a few hours--is that too much to ask? coaxes Barnabas. Unsmiling, Julia agrees, and they leave together, Barn gallantly helping Julia into her coat.

At Windcliff, Barnabas waits in a waiting room, thumbing through a magazine. Julia comes in and announces a nurse is bringing in Willie. She reminds him he agreed to accept her decision, and that Barn is to treat him as he would under normal circumstances--no leading questions. Barn tells Julia not to try to intimidate him, and she says she isn't--she just wants to make it clear her concern is what is best for Willie, not Barnabas. The nurse ushers Willie in. He's in a maroon bathrobe and looks a little spaced out. Barnabas greets him and asks if he remembers him--it's Barnabas. Willie hasn't seen him in a long time, but he does recognize him. Barn asks him if he remembered where he lived. "The Old House," answers Willie--I sometimes think about the Old House. Barn asks if his thoughts are pleasant, and Willie smiles and says yes. Barn asks if he'd like to go back there. "Barnabas," cautions Julia, stepping forward. Willie seems eager; he wondered when he would go back. Julia tells Willie they're concerned about him. "Why?" asks Willie. Julia says he's made remarkable progress and there's a chance he might be able to leave. Where would I go? asks Willie, and Barn says I'd like you to go back with me. Julia asks Barnabas to let her ask the questions, but Barnabas insists no further questions are necessary--obviously, Willie is himself. Julia says that's her decision, and asks Willie what he remembers about the time before Windcliff. Willie remembers working for Barn at the Old House, and Julia asks he if remembers why he was brought there. "Maggie Evans," replies Willie. It was night, he went to her house and there were a lot of men outside, policemen. Barnabas looks nervous. Willie continues--I wanted to tell her something--but can't recall what.Julia asks if Willie wants to leave, and he seems puzzled at first, then says he'd like to work for Barnabas again--they were good friends and Barn did a lot for him--does Julia think there's a chance he can go?--he's not weak anymore, he's strong, and wouldn't cause anyone trouble. Barnabas promises to do everything they can to get him released, and Julia gives Barn a look and tells Willie he has to go back to his room. This upsets Willie--he's going to have to stay here? Julia says she and Barn will have to talk, and Willie, almost childlike, asks Barnabas to tell Julia he wants him back, and not forget. Barnabas promises not to forget, and Willie returns with Nurse Jackson. Julia angrily informs Barnabas he made THAT as difficult as possible, and Barnabas insists Willie is ready to leave Windcliff. Julia denies this. He's the way he was before, a little more subdued, more reticent, not dangerous, Barnabas says. Julia sarcastically thanks "Dr. Collins" for his diagnosis. Barnabas calls her peevish, which annoys her. Barnabas has made up his mind--there was something pathetic about Willie's appeal to them--he can't live with himself if Willie stays here, and Barnabas will accept full responsibility for him if he is released. Julia still isn't sure she will. Barnabas says, manipulatively, "You didn't need to--I could tell that your heart went out to him every much as mine did." And you can tell Julia will acquiesce, perhaps against her better judgment. (Back in human form, Barnabas is as manipulative and charming as ever!)

Willie joyous returns to the Old House. Barnabas tells him he must obey certain rules: remain inside the house and go outside only if accompanied by Barnabas. When Willie asks why, Barnabas explains that certain people will need time to adjust to his being home. Willie asks if Barnabas thinks he'd hurt anybody, and Barnabas assures him on that score. He sends Willie to his room to rest, and Willie goes upstairs, a smile on his face. Barnabas tells Julia he's as docile as ever. Too docile, says Julia. She's concerned that he may have left Windcliff too soon, unable to cope with the outside world. "Leave him to me," advises Barnabas, but Julia shakes her head, not at all pleased. Willie sneaks out the back exit of the Old House and disappears into the night.

At the Evans cottage, Maggie puts together a frame. Hearing a knock at the door, she says, "Come in, Joe." When no one enters, she opens the door--Willie is there, and she backs away in fear. He asks her not to scream--he's been released, don't be afraid. He tried to kill her, she cries, backing away, but he insists he won't hurt her--he wasn't going to hurt her when he came last time. She says she'll call the police, but he asks her not to do that--it would get Barnabas angry. She stops at this, and he explains that Barnabas came to Windcliff today and brought him back to the Old House--I'm not sick anymore, and I had to come see you right away. Maggie, nervous, just wants him out! She shouldn't be scared of him, he says, he must tell her what happened that night. He never would hurt her. He chases her around the couch and she brandishes the hammer. Willie explains that he'd come to warn her about the danger she was in, he always liked her, never would have heard her. There's a knock at the door and Maggie screams for Joe to come in. Joe enters, pulling Maggie into his arms, and Willie runs out. Joe asks how he got in there and Maggie, in tears, just begs him to hold her tight.

Old House -- Willie, holding a shotgun in his hands, hides behind a column. Joe bangs the knocker on the door loudly, then enters, demanding Willie. Barnabas admits he arranged for Willie's release, and Joe says the man is a maniac and Barnabas must have lost his mind. Barnabas assures Joe Willie has been judged normal and he is going to be responsible for him. Joe says he's doing a poor job--Willie almost finished what he started several months ago--he went to the Evans cottage to kill Maggie! Willie glances through the window, gun clutched in his hands. Barnabas tells Joe he must be mistaken, but Joe says he saw Willie there, and stopped him just in time. Willie promised not to leave the house, says Barnabas, and Joe asks Barnabas to go get him--he wants to speak to Willie himself. Barnabas asks to handle this, but Joe says he sees Willie or goes to the police.Barnabas assures Joe Willie's release was legal--unless he committed a crime and Joe can prove it, the police won't do anything. Joe wants to know why Barn wants to protect Willie, and Barnabas responds, because he's a sick man--if Joe wants to blame anyone for what happened, blame him--he wasn't very careful. Joe refuses to let it drop that easily, as long as Maggie's life is still in danger. Barnabas promises that isn't so. How can Barnabas guarantee that, he can't keep tabs on Willie day and night. Joe tells Barnabas to warn Willie that if he ever goes near Maggie again, he'll kill him. Barnabas watches Joe leave, his forehead creased with worry.As Joe leaves, Willie moves out from behind the column and pretends to shoots at Joe, laughing maniacally--but fortunately, the gun wasn't loaded.

NOTES: GREAT to have Willie back, isn't it? And while Barnabas is human now, he's still as manipulative in many ways as he was when a vampire.

Willie is apparently not cured, and still has a violent streak that can't be erased. Notice how cleverly he manipulated Barnabas into getting him out--not that it took much--but one senses Willie learned a few things at Windcliff, and really hasn't change much.

Now that he is human and can function during the day, we will see Barnabas becoming more involved with the people around him, not just the family, but outside the family circle. So far, he isn't scoring brownie points with either Maggie or Joe by taking Willie back into his employ.


484 - Barnabas broods in his chair as a smiling Willie returns home, rifle in hand. Holding his temper in check with difficulty, Barnabas asks Willie if his visit to him during the daytime at Windcliff didn't surprise him--he doesn't need to "go out at night" anymore. He wants to discuss Willie returning to Windcliff. Willie doesn't want that, but Barnabas says he's going to send him back and have him keep them there for the rest of his life. Willie looks horror-stricken.

Contrite, Willie begs Barnabas not to send him back, but Barn reminds him he broke his promise and went to Collinsport. He asks Willie what he did there, and Willie says it's been so long, he had to go see what it was like. Barnabas, angry, presses, and Willie admits he went to see Maggie. Barnabas calls this act stupid and insane, but Willie says he had to try to speak to Maggie. You almost ruined everything, accuses Barnabas, and your blunder brought Joe there to warn him that if Willie goes near Maggie again, he'd kill him. Willie admits to eavesdropping outside the window; overhearing Joe's threat. Barn asks about the rifle--was Willie going to use it? No, says Willie nervously. Barn demands he give it up, but Willie doesn't want to--he wasn't going to use it, it wasn't even loaded. Barnabas again demands the rifle and Willie passes it to him. Willie says he meant no harm by what he did and again gives his word not to go into Collinsport again. Barnabas is silent, then asks if Willie is sure he can keep that promise this time. Willie assures him he can and Barnabas says he'll give him one more chance. Putting the rifle on the desk, Barn explains he's doing this for himself, not Willie. Willie doesn't follow, and Barn says he's less perceptive than he was before he went to Windcliff--didn't Willie realize how unusual Barn's visit was yesterday--during the day? Willie says he thought Barn had forgotten him. Oh, yeah, says Willie, finally getting the difference, that's right! He asks what's happened, and Barnabas says nothing compared to what is to happen--he'll be free of the curse after almost 200 years! Willie asks how. It's too complex to explain, says Barn, and explains he'll be undergoing an operation. Julia quietly enters and listens as Barnabas goes on to describe that the doctor doing this procedure will need some very simple assistance. "And that's why you were released from Windcliff, Willie," says Julia, stepping into the room. She angrily approaches Barnabas and says she never should have believed him. Defensively, Barnabas says Willie needs to be occupied now that he's here, and Julia points out that Willie knows nothing about a medical lab. He'll only have to follow orders, says Barn, and Julia sarcastically reminds him Willie can't follow HIS orders, how will he follow Lang's? She ran into Joe in the village and feels Willie shouldn't be allowed to assist Lang. Barnabas tells Willie he can assist Lang or return to Windcliff. Willie gazes from Barn to Julia and says he'll do whatever Barn and Lang tell him to do.Barnabas glances with satisfaction at Julia, who is clearly not happy at being outfoxed again.

Julia is holding the rifle and puts it down when there's a knock at the door. It's Lang. Julia is brusque with him. He's come to give Barn one more treatment. Julia says he's with Willie, his new assistant. Oh, yeah, Lang remembers. Barn said he'd find someone. Julia said she arranged Willie's release, and Lang is pleased. Julia gives a piece of professional advice--don't go through with the experiment tomorrow, he can't do it alone. He'll have Willie, says Lang, but Julia says if Willie helps him, he'll fail. He might not even need Willie, says Lang, but there's someone better qualified--Julia! She says no, but he warns that there might be a risk to Barnabas. This doesn't sway Julia. She'll let Barnabas run the risk of dying? wonders Lang. If Barn knows the dangers of the experiment being done by Lang alone, he won't go through with it, counters Julia.Your will against mine, says Eric, calling her a formidable adversary. He believes she'd do anything to keep Barn off the operating table. Willie was once in Barnabas' power and has hidden resentments that could destroy everything for Lang--she knows Willie--don't let him into that lab! Lang agrees. He will try to find another assistant, but assistant or none, the show goes on tomorrow!

Jeff lies on the sofa, at the Evans cottage, reading. He hears the tinkle of Josette's music box and then a bang at the door. He can't stop thinking about the dream. He has to do something about it or go out of his mind. There's a knock at the door for real, and he answers. It's Lang. "No, it can't be," Jeff says, agitated. It's happening just like in the dream, again! Lang says he isn't there to hurt him, he needs him for the experiment. They begin to scream at each other, and Jeff tells him about the dream he had last night. It almost killed him! Lang asks him to describe the dream, and Jeff says he won't let him leave the room until he tells him.Jeff describes his dream and how Lang was his beckoner, yadda yadda yadda. Jeff feels he would been decapitated, had he not awakened (pity he did), by the guillotine. Jeff feels relieved for having told Lang. He HAD to tell Lang and no one else, Maggie told it to him, exactly the same dream, with only one door. He got to two. The third door, says Jeff, grinning, must be yours. Lang looks solemn.

At Lang's house, the doctor falls asleep in a chair (doesn't anyone own a bed?). The dream begins. His beckoner is Julia, final door contains a headless man in a turtleneck, reaching out for him and laughing.Lang awakens with a start and clutches his head, gasping for breath.

NOTES: DS liked using headless people. I never understood why.

I can't blame Julia for being angry with Barnabas for manipulating her into releasing Willie, but don't we already know who will really assist Lang with the experiment? As pissed off as Julia is, she doesn't want Willie working on the experiment because she's concerned he has hidden resentments against Barnabas, whom she loves and will do everything to protect and keep safe.

Lang and Jeff, two old yellers. It's so annoying having the two of them in the same scene!

Love, Robin