451 - (Nancy Barrett) A seance has been held in the great house of Collinwood, a seance which has suspended time and space and sent one woman Winters on an uncertain and frightening journey into the past, back to the year 1795. There, in the village of Collinsport, Victoria Winters has been unjustly condemned as a witch, and the powers of darkness themselves are invoked to undo the curse left behind by a cruel and terrifying force.

Bathia calls out for light and Josh brings over a candle, which makes Barnabas scream and fall away. She grabs her throat. Terrible power, she declares--Angelique is among them, and her power is evil! Joshua gazes around, terrified. Barnabas sits in the chair, still. Joshua wants her to begin again; he felt it was going to work. She can't, insists the white witch--there's danger here for her--life and death for both Barnabas and her, battle between her spirit and Angelique's. He reminds her she has the power, but she says Ang does, too. She must help Barnabas, insists Joshua. She says she can't, but Joshua promises her money, anything. She won't, she's terrified, her powers are only human--nothing more can be done. Barnabas awakens and begins speaking of a ravaged countryside where innocent people are made monsters. He sees good men turned evil, and the source of the evil, the cause of the terror is himself!Joshua begs Bathia for her help. She struggles to decide, then says they must go to the house of the first curse. Not this house, she knows. The Old House, says Joshua. She needs something from the living Angelique, and must not be disturbed--it could prove fatal. Her survival will be her reward, she says, and would mean the death of an evil spirit and the lifting of the curse. In any case, she is hopeful. She tells him to take Barnabas to the Old House and wait for her there (with a little assist from someone feeding her the forgotten lines, a classic blooper). Barnabas follows his father out of the room, and Bathia takes the cross and prays: The power of goodness and light are yours, she says--silence, silence, fear not!

Joshua checks the house to make sure no one is around, then leads Barnabas out the servant's entrance. Millicent spots them leaving. "Barnabas," she says, "I told them you were not dead--I told them!"

Old House - Angelique's portrait hangs above the mantle (when was this painted?) and Barnabas pitifully asks why she looks at him like that. Don't look, suggest Joshua. Don't look at the eyes, warns Bathia, but Barnabas tells them those eyes are looking into the pit of his soul.Joshua gives her a ribbon that he thinks belonged to Angelique. The painting glows when Bathia passes the ribbon over it, and she says it's certain it belonged to her. Bathia warns Joshua again-nothing must interfere this time, if the circle of faith is broken again. . .He promises. Her work and existence depend on his promise, she says, and begins again.

Drink in hand, Nathan asks Naomi about Millicent. He thought Millicent in town with Naomi. He doesn't like her wandering around. Perhaps Millicent is looking for him, suggests Naomi. She's checking on Daniel. He says he'll be there for some time yet and pours himself another drink. He hears insane laughter and finds Millicent hiding behind the drapes. She's giggling madly. Did he bring her flowers? No. When a gentleman courts a lady, he brings a token, she says. He reminds her they are married, not courting. Why are you here, to distress me further? she asks. You're already my wife, he says. Not possible, she protests. He goes to grab her to take her upstairs, but she reminds him of her honor--who will defend her now?--her cousin Barnabas was there. Nathan is surprised.She'll speak to Barnabas and Nathan will come to a bad end, she predicts. She sounds sad, pitying her poor lieutenant, who is destined for such a bad end--never, she moans, never. Nathan realizes his bride has gone crackers, for real. Naomi tries to escort Millicent upstairs, but she protests and says she'll see Barnabas tomorrow. Naomi says it hurts to hear her speak of him. Your grief will end, says Millicent, I will talk with Barnabas tonight and we will see him together, at the Old House--he was in the tower room. Nathan orders Naomi not to listen, but Millicent prattles on about the lights, which Naomi said she saw, too, despite Joshua's protests. She found Barnabas in the tower room, says Millicent, or a man who looked like him. It couldn't be says Naomi. Millicent tells her Joshua has taken Barnabas to the Old House. Naomi starts to leave, but Nathan tries to talk her out of it. It's not safe, he says, but she says she's capable of taking care of himself and he should tend to his wife. Millicent recalls he has a wife and they can never marry. She is betrayed. I will kill you, she cries, and attacks him. He slaps her across the face, grasping her wrists; she sobs for help from Barnabas.

Old House - Barnabas lies on a table, and Bathia walks around it, creating a circle of faith. She holds Angelique's ribbon. It's so dark, says Bathia, so dark--the light will find and destroy Angelique forever!--first, a final warning--free this man from your curse--surrender your power! Barnabas begins to moan, twist his head. She will find her in the dark, swears Bathia, and burn her in the light of her own fire. Barnabas continues to moan. Naomi knocks at the door, hears sounds from within, checks the window, which is covered with a curtain. She calls to Joshua. "Mother?" says Barnabas. He's out of the trance, declares Bathia, all is lost!Joshua goes to the door and Naomi interrogates him. I heard voices, she insists. You heard nothing, says Joshua, ordering her back to Collinwood, now! She goes, quickly, apparently sensing her husband's seriousness. He tells Bathia to proceed. Barn tells them he heard his mother's voice. Bathia holds up a candle and tells him to look at the light. He covers his face and cries, "I CAN'T!" over and over. She tells Joshua that the spell is broken, she can't lift the curse. She's defeated, and what will happen now has yet to be revealed. She's terrified, in great danger. Joshua tells her to leave, and she begs for water. Fire! she cries. Giggling is heard; Angelique's portrait glows as poor Bathia is consumed in flames, screaming, and disappears, leaving no trace of anything. The camera pans on Angelique's smirking portrait and Barnabas' stricken, disbelieving face.

NOTES: How awful! A white witch loses her life and Angelique proves herself just as powerful in death as she was in life--she's seen to it that Barnabas cannot escape her curse. Joshua has tried and failed in this urgent endeavor, which must be a bitter realization for a man who isn't used to it in business, but is rapidly becoming so in his personal life. Sad. Barnabas? calling to his mother always gives me a sensation of having been punched in the belly, it's so awful. A mother never stops loving her son, or a son his mother!


452 - (Alexandra Moltke) A seance has been held in the great house of Collinwood, a seance which has suspended time and space and sent one woman on an uncertain and frightening journey into the past, back to the year 1795. There, Victoria Winters has been condemned as a witch, and sentenced to hang by the neck until dead. One man could save her, but to do so, he would have to reveal a terrifying secret.

Joshua comes in from a storm and tells Naomi, who is plying him with questions, that he pities Millicent, who is with her husband, where she belongs. They need complete privacy, he says. She demands to know what he was doing at the Old House, and he dodges the question by asking why she went there.She explains they found Millicent there, claiming that's where Joshua had taken Barnabas. Naomi knows something strange is going on, that he's keeping something from her, but it's impossible: Barnabas is alive. Joshua looks surprised--and wary. Joshua reminds her she saw her son in his coffin, and Millicent, is mad. Naomi saw a light in the tower, as did Millicent--why did Joshua lie about the light in the tower? I didn't lie--one of the servants must have gone up there, says Joshua--it's insanity to think Barnabas alive and hidden in a room in the tower just because she saw a light. She heard his voice, crying out in pain, insists Naomi--it was Barnabas. Both of our children are dead, Joshua says--the mind can play strange tricks, believe it for your own sake. She did hear voices, if not Barnabas?, says Naomi--what happened at the Old House? I was there with a woman named Bathia Mapes, who had the power to exorcise a curse, confesses Joshua--I believe--reluctantly--that the Collins family has been under a curse. She's surprised to hear of his belief in the supernatural, but he says too much has happened--the witch was Angelique, he reveals--Ben Stokes accused her of it, and I believe that now, says Joshua. I summoned Bathia to exorcise the evil, but her attempts failed. Why did he keep it a secret? She asks. I didn't understand the powers of darkness and didn't want you touched by them, he answers. He's been wrong about other things, including Miss Winters--he'll try to help her--talk to Judge Hanley, tell him she's innocent--he'll have to listen to him. Naomi says the execution is set for dusk tomorrow evening, so he'd better be quick. She is astonished at how he's changed and believes he's still hiding things. He says he's told her as much as she needs to know--believe that for both their sakes.

At the gaol, Peter comes to see Vicki. Once in her cell, he hugs her. She's thrilled to see him--he was gone so long! They kiss. She asks what happened in Salem, and he has to report he didn't find Trask. No one knew anything about him. He stopped at several inns but couldn't find Trask. Vicki wonders why he'd leave a note exonerating her, then disappear. He promises they'll come up with something, but she thinks it's hopeless. They hug. Joshua comes to the cell and joins them. He has come to apologize to Miss Winters, he said, he was wrong about her--he knows she's innocent.Vicki is surprised to hear of this change of mind, and Peter demands to know why. Joshua says it was Stokes' testimony, and when Peter presses, says he doesn't need to offer any other explanations. He's asking Judge Hanley to reopen the trial on the grounds that Abigail was an unreliable witness--he's willing to say that. He was fond of his sister, but she was wrong about Vicki, who, very gratefully accepts his apology. Joshua tells Peter to meet him in the meeting room--he hopes that what he is about to do it enough. Peter and Vicki are pleased, and Peter says this might be the miracle they've been hoping for. They kiss again, smiling hopefully at each other through the bars.

Joshua tells Hanley that he's decided she's innocent--he wants a stay of execution and a new trial. The judge asks if there's new evidence, and Joshua seems to feel his opinion is enough (hell, he's a Collins, that isn't enough?)--Vicki isn't capable of witchcraft; Sarah loved her; Vicki was good to Sarah. Mrs. Collins said much the same, the judge reminds him. Surely Joshua's opinion counts for something, but the Judge says it's too little, too late now--unless he has new evidence to offer. Joshua tells him that Abigail was not in her right mind when she charged Vicki--she was a fanatic, always seeing the devil somewhere, and long before Vicki came to Collinwood--her opinion isn't reliable. The judge says Trask proved Vicki guilty. Joshua shouts that the Reverend was a charlatan. Peter reminds the judge about the note, but the judge had to discount it because there was no corroboration from Trask. Joshua shouts that the judge seems determined to send the girl to the gallows, unwilling to care if she's innocent or guilty. The judge assures him he cares a great deal, but he doesn't believe her innocent. Opinion isn't evidence. What about Angelique? That had to be discounted, too, says the judge--Stokes was unbalanced when he testified. What more can he say, asks Joshua, to stop the execution?Produce a new witness, advises the judge, who knew Angelique and can offer absolute truth she practiced acts of witchcraft--that's the only way. Joshua is forced to admit he can't produce such a witness, and the judge says the sentence of the court must be carried out--Vicki must hang! Peter looks miserable.

Peter and Joshua return to Vicki's cell and give her the bad news. Joshua apologizes, says he did as much as he could."Goodbye," he says sadly, and she bids him he same. Peter says there's still a few hours--that miracle might yet happen. They hug, and the jailer tells Peter he has to go. Peter asks for another minute--I can't leave her, I love her. Vicki protests that he'll only make it worse for her. He tells her he loves her and always will, and asks her to remember that. She can't even look at him, but watches him leave. Out in the meeting room, Peter, desperate, grabs the gun from the jailer's belt and holds him at gunpoint. He demands the keys and tells him he'll kill him if he makes a move or shouts for help. The jailer unlocks Vicki's cell and Peter pushes him in. I won't let them hang you, he tells Vicki. He hands her the gun and tells her to shoot the jailer if he moves. When Peter starts to gag him, the jailer attempts to wrestle the gun away from Vicki. The gun goes off, a bullet striking her in the shoulder, and Peter knocks the jailer unconscious. They hear voices; Peter tells Vicki to lean on him--they must get out of here! There's knocking at the door, and Vicki leans heavily against him as they exit the gaol as fast as they can through a back door.

NOTES: Very exciting ending as Peter, realizing they've been defeated, takes the law into his own hands and busts Vicki out of the pokey. Good job, except for getting her shot, but she's out, and perhaps they have a chance to save her. Imagine Joshua's anger at realizing that his mere word isn't enough to free a condemned prisoner! How dare they, he's a COLLINS, damn it!

I know a lot of people don't like Roger Davis, here or in real life, but honestly, when Vicki and Peter fell in love, it was damned romantic, IMHO. I thought they were cute together and didn't notice how much he touched his hair or his tendency to shout. He was cute, and they looked adorable together. I thought it nice that Vicki found someone after losing Burke.

The question is, will Vicki escape her fate?

Love, Robin

I liked the study, it seemed like a peaceful, cozy room.  

Liz had a nice, big bedroom, and Vicki's wasn't bad.  Carolyn had the most modern-looking bedroom for the time, and I thought that quite cool.

For privacy, give me the cottage, though.  Nice, small, intimate. . .a great place to write and think--and turn into a werewolf, if the spirit hits you!

Love, Robin

Nathan had succesfully blackmailed Joshua into allowing him to marry Millicent, and he figured the faster they married, the more quickly he could get his hands on her fortune, which is his only real desire in this union.

DARK SHADOWS never had good weddings that lasted for days and days, like other soaps.  

SPOILER AHEAD!!!




Even when Carolyn Stoddard, the primary Collins child, got married, it was a quickie affair with very little preparation or fanfare.  

And in the final storyline, 1841PT, there are weddings galore, nearly all off-camera elopements, with one very quick one in the Collinwood drawing room (Morgan and Catherine).  

I guess Curtis didn't appreciate how much the ladies love weddings.  Barnabas' wedding to Angelique was so fast, almost without thought, yet that woman haunted him based on those vows FOREVER!

Love, Robin  

That's where mine came from, Robin. The TSS on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown? I'll laugh like hell!!

Yes, Rainey, that's the exact store! I was born and grew up a Levittown girl, and for years, that was THE place to go for us teens!

Small, small world!

Love, Robin

Um. . .what are we supposed to be looking at?

Love, puzzled, brain-dead,
Robin

449 - (Nancy Barrett) - A seance has been held in the great house of Collinwood, a seance which has suspended time and space and sent one woman Winters on an uncertain and frightening journey into the past, back to the year 1795. Where, in a tower room, one man, a secret from most of the family, waits impatiently for a curse to be removed.

At the Old House, Joshua impatiently checks his pocketwatch, then paces a few steps. He looks out the window. Natalie knocks at the door and he lets her in. He thanks her for meeting him. He sent her a note, which has made her curious. He gave great thought to where they could meet, which she calls flattering. This is difficult for him, he admits. She tells him she hoped never to enter the house again. Josette's portrait is gone, shocking her. He says Barnabas hung it in Josette's room. It was there the night he died, she reminds him, he must be mistaken. Joshua agrees, the portrait was there, and Barnabas DID move it. He tells her Barnabas isn't dead, which puzzles her. He doesn't understand himself, says Joshua. She wants to see Barnabas--why did Josette jump if he is alive? Joshua refuses to let her see him, reopening her sorrow. He needs her help. This surprises her. Naomi doesn't know, says Joshua, and it would be cruel to tell her. How has he changed? demands Naomi. He's under a curse, reveals Joshua, and again asks for her help. Joshua tells Natalie Miss Winters isn't the witch, and Natalie guesses Angelique--Peter Bradford told her that, too, so she must accept it. Joshua asks her about her powers; he needs to fight this thing, undo it. She says if she had that power, she would have stopped what was happening long ago. He hopes she can help him-provide a witch to take off the curse--she might know of something. He reluctantly confesses that Barnabas is at Collinwood. She says they are dealing with the unknown, so the house must be empty--she will send a psychic message and if it's heard, whoever responds may have the power to lift the curse, and this person must be a friend or enemy.Joshua promises he will make it so, and she says she knows of one curse that was ended. As they are leaving, the candles blow out. Angelique's portrait appears in place of the one over the mantle. They realize she heard and will try to stop them--they must hurry! Angelique's portrait continues to glow malevolently after they leave.

Nathan and Millicent come home and greet Joshua. The servants are all leaving and Joshua wants them to go to the Inn with Naomi and Daniel to hear the governor speak--they cannot miss it and will stay overnight. Joshua isn't going, and Nathan is suspicious, observing that he is walking well. Are you ordering us to go? Queries Nathan, and Joshua indicates he will if necessary.Forbes insists on speaking alone with Joshua, and tells Millicent the decision to go or not should be theirs. Nathan asks why Joshua is clearing the house. He asks about Barnabas, and Joshua orders him never to mention that name again. He has interests, insists Forbes; yes, says Joshua, which he has used to blackmail him. Will Barnabas be gone when they come back? Nathan asks. Take your wife and leave, says Josh. Are you afraid you're losing your power over him? demands Nathan. Get Millicent out of the house, repeats Joshua, and marches upstairs.

Millicent complains her headache is worse. She sees the light in the tower, and she asks if he sees it. He says no, and he will spend the rest of his life trying to understand her mind. Who lives up there? Nathan asks her. She should go up there and find out, he says slyly--face the reality. She couldn't, she says. There is no light in the tower, he insists, and she must check it out for her own good. She'd be afraid, but he says she must conquer her fear-for their lives. He refuses to go with her. She refuses to go. He says she made him so many promises, how can she be afraid to walk upstairs to a place she lives in? Even though she still sees the light, Millicent claims she doesn't see it anymore. He accuses her of telling him her first lie--she still sees the light, admit it!Yes, she cries, she does see it, but she doesn't want to find out what's there. You must-you will-tonight, her husband insists, and she gazes at him fearfully.

Joshua watches the carriage drive away. Impatient, he goes into the drawing room where Natalie waits for him. There is a table with a candle in the center. Think of Barnabas she advises. That's all I ever think of now, says Joshua. She warns him strange things might happen-ignore them. She puts out all the candles. She sits across from him. One is held hostage by a witch's curse, says the Countess--he needs help--the curse must be lifted by someone--whoever hears my call, come to us-come now! Nathan walks stealthily down the stairs. He listens at the double doors, then deliberately knocks his sword into them, making a loud sound. Joshua pulls open the doors and demands to know what Nathan is doing there. He can't find Millicent, says Nathan. She's with Naomi, says Joshua--follow the carriage on horseback. Joshua closes the doors and returns to the table. They must start again, says Natalie, and once more, she calls for help to lift the curse.

Millicent, a candle held in a trembling hand, approaches the tower room. She sees the light and is terribly afraid. She remembers that Nathan told her to open the door and see what was there. She resolutely returns, unlocks it and pushes it open. We see her shadow, then shadowed hands grabbing her from behind. "Why did you have to come here?" demands Barnabas of a hysterical Millicent, clutching her tightly. No! she cries, and sees the coffin. She thinks he's going to kill her, that the coffin is hers. She pulls away from him, screaming for Nathan. He grips her again, warning her that she must not tell anyone she saw him there, but she is too far gone to be rational--I must tell! She wails--you must let go of me, Nathan will kill you when he hears of this! He asks her to promise not to tell anyone, but she says she can't, pulling out of his grasp again.She sees his face, his fangs, as he says, harshly, "Then, my dear Millicent, you give me no choice!"--and he bites into her throat (and gets a good mouthful of blonde curls) as she screams uncontrollably.

Joshua paces, waiting for a response to Natalie's entreaty. She sits at the table. The candle goes out. She doesn't know what that means-perhaps Angelique doesn't want whoever is coming to see the light from the window. They go into the foyer, and the lights go out there, too. Both are afraid. They hear footsteps outside. Joshua opens the door. Natalie orders him to get away from the door--someone is coming. The doors blow open, and an old woman in a black hood stands outside, leaves blowing around her. "You have sent for me," she says, in a creepy voice, "but the man you have sent for me to see-that man has already gone!" Joshua holds Natalie and they exchange looks of terror.

NOTES:  The tower room scene was brilliantly done. Poor, crazy Millicent, if she'd only been able to promise to keep her mouth shut, Barnabas would have let her go. But she didn't, and he had to bite her and now things are really going to head downhill!

Great stuff. Joshua loves Barnabas so much, you can't doubt it for one moment here, so desperate is he to find a way out of this for Barnabas. He and Natalie haven't been especially close, but he turned to her in his time of need, and it's apparent he respects her. It occurred to me that Natalie and Joshua make a very nice-looking couple, too!


450 - (Nancy Barrett) - A seance has been held in the great house of Collinwood, a seance which has suspended time and space and sent one girl on an uncertain and frightening journey into the past, back to the year 1795. And a father, determined to save his son from a curse, indulges in black magic himself to summon someone-anyone-who can make his son well again.

It's hard to think of Joshua as someone who is participating in black magic, as the intro states, but to cure his only son, he's willing to do anything. You also see here how very determined Angelique is to force Barnabas' curse to continue.

Joshua asks the old woman to clarify her statement about Barnabas. There is no one under a curse now, she says, but there is madness locked in a room--not a man, a woman. She hears laughter, a woman is laughing at them. Angelique, guesses Natalie. The old woman says they can't see and hear everything she can, and they should be glad. She gazes at the portrait. Both Joshua and Natalie insist Barnabas is still there, and she sends Joshua upstairs to check. Much tragedy and tears have been in this house, says the old woman, with more to come.No, protests Natalie, help him! To remove a curse, fight evil for a man's soul is tough, the woman says, I've been tempted to place curses, too, and understand both sides--life and death, and not only for me--the moment the curse is removed, Barnabas might die. Again, Natalie protests. Do they want to take that chance? asks the old woman.

Joshua calls to Barnabas and enters the tower room. He finds Millicent there, and she tells him it's improper for him to be in her room. Barnabas is in England, she says, though others think him dead--I can't stay in this house with everyone coming into my room!--everything's always my fault, always. Joshua grabs her and demands to know what Barnabas did--where is he?She smiles, giggles, and thanks him for asking her to Barnabas' wedding. Joshua realizes she's truly lost her mind, and cries, "Millicent" in a horrified voice. She asks if he's feeling well, then asks again what he's doing in her room. He begs her to remember how long ago Barnabas left. He spots the marks on her throat, but she says they're nothing. "Barnabas, oh, my poor Millicent," sobs Joshua, promising to make it up to her--Barnabas can't help it. She tells him to stop the man claiming to be Barnabas to cease using his house-he resembles him, but he's clearly not Barnabas--so different. Joshua says he's doing what he can about it. Millicent giggles again. She doesn't remember what he does, but Joshua does, and he gazes sadly at her.

Bathia Mapes, the white witch who responded to the Countess? call, sits at the table in the drawing room. Natalie fears something has happened to Joshua, but Bathia says he didn't find what he expected. She doesn't know the exact form of the curse, says Natalie, but Bathia says all of them are in danger-if they love him, or he loves them. Joshua returns and reports that Barnabas is gone. He tells Bathia she was right, about Barnabas and mad Millicent. She didn't go to town, says Joshua, she went to Barnabas, and now he is not there. He tells Natalie to stay with Millicent until she goes to sleep. Joshua asks Bathia if she knows where Barnabas is. No, she replies--the witch who placed the curse is very strong. Fight her, begs Joshua, or he'll kill a stranger--don't allow it to happen, so many lives have been ruined, taken! She asks Joshua to bring Barnabas' portrait into the drawing room so she might try to bring him back--Barnabas might hear her, but the witch is countering their efforts, too, she reminds him.Barnabas, huddling against a pillar on the docks, says he'll never go back after what he did to Millicent. He's scared. Where can he go? Hide?

Joshua sets up Barn's portrait in the drawing room. You didn't tell me everything, she says--you must trust me, tell me all--I need a name for this enemy. "My son. . .my son is a vampire," Joshua says painfully, made so by the curse--won't he be human after the curse has been removed? Nothing is sure, she says, but now she knows how to start. Joshua closes the doors on Bathia and the portrait. Natalie comes downstairs--Millicent is asleep, she says--what happened to her? Joshua can't tell her; he's too distraught. She asks about Bathia, and he explains she's trying to bring him back, probably from the village--his mother is in town, Nathan, Daniel, what if he's seen?--what if his mother sees him? Joshua is very close to tears. She comments on how human he is and touches his arm in sympathy. Bathia calls to Barnabas, summoning him. He's still on the docks, in a storm, when he hears her call. A doxie appears and smiles beckoningly at him. He approaches her slowly. The devil need not own you, chants Bathia. You will see a light, and when you see it, follow it--flame, go where I send you-bring him back to me--follow the light. The doxie is caressing his face, but Barnabas, puzzled, pulls away when he hears Bathia's call, and sees the candle flame appear in front of him. The doxie stares at him, confused.

Joshua paces and demands to know how long this will take. He sends Natalie up to check on Millicent. Bathia comes out-he has heard, she says. She doesn't know whether he'll listen, but he had heard.

In the tower room, Joshua and Bathia wait. He is here! she announces. The door opens and Barnabas, shamefaced, enters. Bathia gazes at him, tight-lipped. Barn asks her what she's going to do to him. Fight she who set the curse, says Bathia, and your mind and soul will be my battlefield. He tries to speak the name of the one who placed his curse and chokes, but she presses her hand to his throat and he gasps out, "Angelique!" He asks her to send his father out, but she insists there must be a witness. The takes out a cross, holds it in front of him, and he cries out and covers his face. She tells him she will place it on his coffin to deny him sanctuary. I cannot be cured, says Barnabas--it will end in your. . . "I will end it," promises Bathia--I will keep Angelique from doing you harm, a circle of faith she will dare not trespass, and the evil in you will come out. She calls to Angelique's spirit and tells her to speak to her through him. Barnabas? face changes at his dead wife's essence enters him. "You will die!" promises Barnabas. Bathia isn't afraid."No!" screams Barnabas, laughing. I will put my hand on your heart, she says. He orders her to not touch him; the hand will burn if she does! I am not afraid, says Bathia. She places her hand on Barnabas' heart. Joshua cries out, "He's dying!" but she orders Angelique to not hide from her. You are lying, still in him, carrying the curse, accuses Bathia--we won't give up until you leave his body! With a harsh shout, Barnabas rises from the chair and begins strangling the old woman across his coffin. Fiercely, Joshua calls out his name: "BARNABAS!"

NOTES:  To watch the anguish on Joshua's face as this elderly woman tries using good magic against evil is very painful. Barnabas is so ashamed over what he did to Millicent, his guilt is palpable, and my heart aches for him, and for Joshua, for Millicent and even Natalie, who realizes now that HER servant was the author of all this terror and death, and is still working on the Collins family from her grave. We want so badly to see Barnabas beat this curse, get out from Angelique's power-but which witch will win-good or bad?

Love, Robin

The day I got my very own (sadly, plastic), Josette's music box in the mail in 1970 was a happy day for me!  While I preferred the original song, I liked the second, too, and was delighted to have that tune where I could play it whenever I wanted.  

I found my own Barnabas' ring in the defunct Time Square Stores.  When I looked into a case in the jewelry department, I was so excited, I could barely breathe!  I asked the salesperson to let me see it, and she handed it over.  I slipped it onto my forefinger (perfect fit, didn't even need to use the adjustment) reverently and bought it then and there.  It looks exactly like the ring Barnabas wears, and yes, I still have it!

Never got myself a Willie beater, but I do think of that, and Barnabas' cloak, as DS' most familiar props.

Petofi's hand box, which showed up all over Collinwood, LOL, as well as that crazy afghan.  I had a similar one, but it fell apart a few years ago..

Julia's medallion!  She hypnotized so well and often with that blasted thing.  "Find the center of the light!"

Love, Robin