A toss up between Angelique and Nicholas, both of whom said their incantations with such verve and fun.  I loved it when Nicholas attempted to bring Maggie into the fold, then ended his incantation with a kiss.  As for Angelique, she's the queen of spells, what more can I say?

And for an honorable mention, Barnabas reciting the incantation that sent Julia rushing into madness (remember knowing the secret number of the universe, or whatever)?  
Love, Robin

Indoor plumbing--the thought of doing my business in a chamber pot, especially at a certain time of the month, grosses me out.  Along the same lines, tampons.  I guess the ladies used rags.  Ewwwww!

Electricity and everything that goes with it--TV, computer, appliances to make a woman's work easier, refrigeration (eating spoiled food probably killed a lot of people back then).  

I sure wouldn't miss corsets.  I bet lots of women perished because they couldn't breathe properly!  

Modern medicine--my diabetic son would apready have perished without insulin.  I guess my husband and I would have, too, without diabetic pills.  Pretty scary to contemplate.

Love, Robin

429 - (Clarice Blackburn) - A seance has been held in the great house at 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.  There, Victoria Winters is helpless to alter the tragic events being acted out before her terror-stricken eyes.  Josette Collins, she knew, was destined to die a horrible and violent death.  And now it has come to pass.

Mausoleum secret room - Barnabas leaves his coffin and finds Ben waiting there.  Why have you stopped your work? The vampire demands.  I don't want you to come out and see what I'm doing, says Ben.  Why should I avoid the sight of an open plot of earth? demands Barnabas.  You know it's not an ordinary grave, says Ben hesitantly.  Are you afraid I would hate the sight of such an open plot of earth? asks Barnabas, his voice growing harsher--are you afraid I would take hold of such a man?--are you afraid I would grasp his throat and fling him into the earth?--Josette is dead!--how DARE you dig her grave?  Barnabas grabs his throat.  Ben struggles, gasping for breath.  Would you want anyone else to do this work? he asks Barnabas, who finally lets him go and, despairing, orders him to finish.  Stay inside, implores Ben. Is there a wind tonight? queries Barnabas--does it blow off the sea, through the trees, down the meadows?  Yes, says Ben.  Are there stars? Asks Barnabas.  It's dark, answers Ben.  Darkness will hide what must happen this night, says the vampire, pleased--why should anyone live when she is dead?--they all feared the plague--well, I will visit upon them a pestilence that will leave them nothing but the wish for a sudden and speedy death!--all I want is drestruction, blood, and death!Don't hurt innocent people, begs Ben.  Abruptly, Barnabas announces he wants to see Josette's body.  Ben reminds him gently how she died, and pleads with him not to look at her, to instead remember her as she was.  Was she wearing my ring? asks Barnabas.  Learning she was not, he says he must find it--she must be buried with it.  Ben tries to talk him out of this--Joshua saw Josette wearing the ring, and came to check Barnabas' body--and found the coffin empty.  So he knows, says Barnabas.  He knows nothing, says Ben, he assumed it was graverobbers.  Then he came back, explains Ben, and saw you in the coffin--now he thinks he imagined it all.  Then the danger is past, says Barnabas.  Never! Replies Ben--forget the ring, please!  It was my pledge to her, and hers to me, insists Barnabas stubbornly.

Collinwood, drawing room - Trask tells Abigail that the tragedies will continue to befall the Collins family as long as the witch lives.  She's angry the judge is prolonging the trial--could he possibly be under Miss Winters' influence? Trask doesn't think so--Bradford is the problem.  I have made repeated attempts to indicate his error, says Trask.  Make it clear to him that he cannot advance without the influence of our family, says Abigail.Trask decides to pay Bradford a visit.  I wish we could find that book, says Abigail, to save us all, we must bear much.  As Trask is exiting, Ben enters with a load of firewood.  I want you to testify how Vicki sent you to steal my hair ribbon, she says, but Ben insists Vicki wasn't responsible. You're lying! accuses Abigail--and while you're digging Josette's grave, consider its purpose--and reflect on what a return to the back-breaking labor in prison would do to him.  (such a mean, spiteful woman!)
Peter's place - He is reading through the Collins family history book when Trask comes calling.  I'm busy! shouts Peter.  I won't require more than a moment, says Trask. Peter hides his book under his coat on a chair, and lets Trask in, who immediately launches into the meagerness of Peter's home, the coldness, and the bare furniture.  Leave, says Peter.  You'll have no future if you defend Miss Winters, warns Trask--do you really want to incur the enmity of the Collins family?--continue living a life of squalor?--eating food barely fit for a swine?--wearing clothes that would disgrace a scarecrow?  (nice, Rev, but I think you look more like a scarecrow!)  Trask grabs hold of Peter's raunchy coat to emphasize his point, but Peter forces him to let it go.  The way I live is no concern of the Collins family, says Peter--you're a hypocrite!--isn't it a waste of one's life to destroy everything you don't understand?Trask is outraged by what he calls Peter's insolence.  Leave! Demands Peter.  Trask stalks out, infuriated.  Peter picks up the book, wraps it in cloth, and leaves his meager lodgings.

Cemetery - Peter buries the book.  Barnabas hears the sounds of digging and quietly calls, "Ben?"  Peter, startled, heads toward the mausoleum, asking who's there.  Barnabas retreats into the secret room.  Peter enters the outside room of the tomb just in time to spot the secret door closing shut.  When Ben comes in and Peter relates what happened, Ben assures him he just imagined it--and besides, you're on Collins property and you'd better leave.  After Peter leaves, Barnabas joins Ben and is agitated, sure Peter saw him--I must kill him! Insists Barnabas.  (the paranoia got an early start, didn't it?)  Peter is Vicki's only hope, points out Ben, and no danger to you.  Barnabas walks into the cemetery and stares down at the filled-in grave, his face rife with sadness.  I do not know what powers are mine or how far they reach into the dark, he says, but I promise I will summon their full force to call her back.  No! protests Ben, don't!  I have made my own dark conquest of the grave, says Barnabas, hers will be next--that I swear.

NOTES:  I guess in his misery, Barnabas wants only to bring Josette back to him, but he has no idea in what form she will return--if he even succeeds.  He is being very selfish now, and really should allow her rest after her earthly torment.  Ben is right.

Peter has buried the Collins family history book--is that a good thing or a bad thing?  Will it hurt or help Vicki?

Love the plotting of Abigail and Trask.  Some pretty hot stories have been written in fan fic about these two, believe it or not, presenting them as two randy people. Hard to believe, seeing them in these episodes.


430 - (KLS) - A seance has been held in the great house at 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.  There, Victoria Winters tried to prevent a tragedy from happening, a tragic death of a young girl.  But she could not.  Nor can she avert the flood or terror that will follow in its wake, for on this night, there is one who would summon the dead girl from her grave.

After the funeral, the others have departed, and Natalie, with Abigail standing sympathetically by, sobs over Josette's grave. Barnabas watches from the mausoleum, wondering if Josette still hates him, and determined to bring her back to him.The Countess asks Abigail to leave her alone, and as she places a small bouquet of flowers on the fresh grave, Natalie laments that she had such high hopes for her niece when they first came, but life was unkind to Josette. Now all she has left is despair. She hopes death will at least bring her peace. "Goodbye, my darling," sobs Natalie, and she prays. Ben comes and gently helps her to her feet; he's there to place the headstone. He liked Josette, he tells her, she was kind to him, and it could have been worse. . .Josette chose to die as she did, perhaps that was what she wanted. The church bells mournfully toll for Josette, and Ben escorts Natalie to the carriage.

Ben enters the tomb, where Barnabas sits on a coffin, places his hand on his shoulder and tells him it is done. "No!" cries Barnabas fiercely--I am going to bring her back!Ben calls this idea crazy, but Barnabas is determined--Angelique brought back Jeremiah, why can't he command the powers of darkness to do the same for Josette? Ben protests, reminding him Josette didn't want to come to him, didn't want to be what he was, she hated him! Let her spirit rest, begs Ben. Barnabas, growing steadily angrier, denies this, and finally tells Ben to shut up or he'll kill him.  (he used to treat him so kindly.) He orders him back to Collinwood. "GO!!!"  After Ben leaves, Barnabas kneels at Josette's grave and calls her to return to him. The air is filled with the sound of sobbing. He implores her to come back--"I love you. I need you. Return to me!" Josette wants to know why he has disturbed her rest--I cannot return to you!

At Collinwood, Abigail offers Natalie a brandy. She assures her the witch will pay, and laments that if others had listened, they might have prevented Josette's death, which doesn't much comfort Natalie. The wind blows the window open and when Natalie goes to close it, she hears the sound of sobbing--it's Josette, the Countess says, beginning to cry.
Barnabas refuses to let Josette go. They are lost to each other, she sadly tells him. Barnabas insists their love can span time and space, and orders her to come to the Old House, which was to have been their home, to her room, which was to have been their bridal chamber, and meet him there. Josette again begs him to leave her be, but he insists she obey him.

Natalie tells Abigail it was Josette's cries she heard--she sounds as if she's in trouble and needs her. She wants to go to the grave, but Abigail says it's her imagination.

In Josette's room at the Old House, Barnabas tells Josette's portrait that he's waiting for her--"Come to me." The earth over Josette's grave begins to churn and shift. We see a pair of white slippers and the hem of a white gown drifting through the cemetery. Barnabas continues to call to Josette, ordering her to come from the land of the dead. The white slippers ascend the Old House stairs. Barnabas notes how deadly silent the room is--the clock stopped! The door blows open and Josette, her face covered in a bridal veil, enters. He's pathetically happy to see her, but she doesn't feel the same. He forced her to come, and demands he keep his distance. She assures him she doesn't hate him, she's beyond all that. She feels nothing. He wanted them to be forever together, he says. He asks if she forgives him, and she replies there is nothing to forgive--they have gone to their respective fates. They can't be together, she says, and he must allow her to rest. He presses her to stay, relentlessly, and she finally lifts her veil to reveal her torn, tattered, hideously deformed face. Barnabas gasps, "No!"
NOTES:  Barnabas was totally selfish in this episode, and while I felt sorry for him, I thought he should have listened to what Josette was saying. The sight of her face must have driven home to him how self-centered he was being to bring her back and insist she stay.  Since he became a vampire, he behaves as if the world revolves around him--and I suppose he thought it did--but not anymore.

Love, Robin

427 - (Alexandra Moltke) - A seance has been held in the great house at 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.  There, each of the Collins ancestors resembles a present-day member of the Collins family, but the names and relationships have changed, and Victoria Winters finds herself a stranger in a sea of familiar faces--not friendly now--forced almost out of recognition by the hatred they feel f or her.

In a series of rapid cuts, the faces of Abigail and Trask are shown against a stark black background, accusing Vicki of witchcraft, detailing every attack in town.  Trask declares that Vicki will be brought to trial without warning, before she can enlist the services of her master.

Vicki's cell - When Peter joins her, Vicki senses something is very wrong, and he tells her the trial begins today.  She's glad to hear it--the judges will believe her innocence and she wants to get it over with, anyway.  He informs her of Josette's death.She gasps "the Countess couldn't prevent it? I told her everything I knew!"  That prophecy isn't going to help you one bit, says Peter, and Naomi isn't going to testify--Ben delivered a letter from Joshua to him this morning--he isn't even going to let her come to the trial.  The guards arrives.  Peter and Vicki embrace quickly, and they all leave the cell.

Courtroom - Three judges sit on an elevated bench.  The chief judge tells Vicki she's been charged with witchcraft, and asks her plea.  Innocent, says Vicki.  The trial begins.  You have one last chance to denounce your master and relinquish your powers, Trask says.  Vicki possesses no powers, says Peter.  Possession is the proper word, insists Trask, because that's what this trial is about--the possession of innocent souls by a witch!  He talks as though Miss Winters' guilt has already been decided, complains Peter to the judges.  Limit the editorializing, orders the judge.  Trask calls Abigail first.  She takes the oath and stands in the witness box, then describes Vicki's strange arrival--she was responsible for Jeremiah's death!  Trask and Peter get into an argument over that, and the judge forces them to stop.  Abigail explains how she made arrangements with their solicitor in Boston for a governess, but that woman, Phyllis Wick, never arrived--it's witchcraft, says Abigail, and she hasn't been seen to this day!  Abigail discusses how scandalous Vicki's clothing was, and that Barnabas first invited Vicki inside, "and with that gesture, sealed his fate and that of so many of my beloved family!"  She tells of Joshua's disappearance, and the cat--clearly witchcraft had taken hold of our home!  Abigail testifies that Barnabas finally agreed to permit Trask to exorcise the house.  Peter insists on questioning Trask.  The reverend does so after Abigail is dismissed.  Trask goes into great detail about the ceremony, sounding fanatical.  Trask and Peter get into it again as the latter says that Vicki ran from the house because of a fire--and Vicki agrees.There was no evidence of a fire in your room, says Abigail.  The judge restores order to the courtroom.

Later:  Gently, Trask questions Natalie, grateful to her for testifying in her hour of grief.  She tells of Vicki's prophecy and the events that led to her niece's death.Questioned, she describes the Collins family history book and how she saw Vicki in her room while still in her jail cell--only a witch could be in two places at once, says Trask triumphantly--what further testimony do we need to prove her guilt?  Peter protests indignantly.  Trask suggests that the misguided Peter is under some sort of spell himself, "and if you continue the way you are gong, sir, your turn in this court will come, I promise it."  Yes, sir, it may! Shouts Peter.  He admits it! Says Trask.  Vicki protests as Peter admits he allowed Vicki out of her cell to retrieve the book.  This man should be relieved of his position at the jail! Declares Trask.  Vicki admits Peter did take her to Collinwood but shouldn't be punished for it--"I've done enough without hurting anyon e else!" cries Vicki.  "An admission!" exults Trask--"at last!"

Jail cell - Peter and Vicki dissect the trial thus far. She's concerned he might get into trouble because of what he did for her.  Perhaps we should turn the book over to the court, suggests Vicki.  No, says Peter.  What about Ben Stokes--he believes me innocent, says Vicki--he looked at me very seriously and said, "I know you're not the witch."  Peter decides they're going to get Ben to testify.

NOTES:  I love Jerry Lacy's Trask in this trial.  Bombastic, dramatic, he really knows how to hold a courtroom in thrall.  I give him a 10.  Peter gets a five, and that's only because I'm feeling generous today.  Based on the trial thus far, I'd say Trask is way ahead.

Will Angelique allow Ben to testify on Vicki's behalf?  Somehow, we doubt it.


428 - (Nancy Barrett) - A seance has been held in the great house at 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.  In that troubled time, Vcitoria Winters will learn that none who live or work at Collinwood wil remain unaffected by the evil which has plagued the hreat house.

Outside Collinwood's front door - Peter knocks, and Millicent answers.  Peter asks to speak to Ben.  You should have gone to the servants' quarters, says Millicent petulantly.  I apologize, he says, I'm not familiar with the house.  Ben is digging Josette's grave, she informs him--and if you see Barnabas, please tell him I want to see him.  Unnerved by her odd manner, he tells her Barnabas is dead.  Millicent says that's absurd, and starts giggling.  Peter quickly closes the font door, her encroaching insanity frightening him.  Millicent gazes at Barnabas' portrait, then hears someone else at the door.  It's Nathan, and she struggles to close the door in his face, but he pushes it open and insists he speak to her.  You think I'm still the innocent, gullible creature you lied to and deceived! She accuses.  Nathan assures her he never saw her that way, and his love for her is genuine--I was going to tell you about Suki when I was free.I once believed in the fundamental goodness of people, blathers Millicent, but no longer--now I know my money made me considerably more attractive than I really am.  I wouldn't care if you gave up your fortune, says Nathan (yeah, right).  I must find someone to defend my honor, she says--you cannot tarnish a person's good name and expect to avoid the consequences!  Barnabas will defend my honor, she declares, by challenging you to a duel.  Barnabas is in England, says Nathan, shocked.  He's here, she insists, I've seen him, and so has Ben.  He asks for more information as she begins playing with a letter opening.  I cannot allow you to be free to hurt others, and since there is no one else, I will have to do it myself! she wails, and attacks him with the letter opener.  Nathan fights her off.  Joshua enters, slips his arm around the crying young woman, then tells Nathan to stick around and leads her away.

Joshua returns to Nathan and, furious, tells him if Millicent, who told him the whole story, had succedded in her murder efforts, Nathan wouldn't have been missed by one member of this family.  Nathan insists that Suki came to Collinsport to finalize their divorce.  How convenient, says Joshua sarcastically--you no longer have a wife to deny it!--Suki's death was opportune for Nathan.  I had nothing to do with her death! Says Nathan hotly.  Why did she pose as your sister? Demands Joshua.  I told Suki I was in love with Millicent, says Nathan, and they had agreed to handle it this way.  Why was Suki at the Old House? Asks Joshua.  I was meeting her there so we could discuss this matter in privacy, says Nathan.  I think that your wife discovered that you were going to marry into a fortune.  She was dying when I arrived at the Old House! Shouts Nathan.  I believe you, says Joshua harshly--I believe you lack even the coarse type of courage required to murder someone--that does not absolve you of the way you treated Millicent!  I love her! Says Nathan.Forbes, you are too much of a swine to love anyone but yourself! Declares Joshua, and I'm going to report your outrageous conduct to the Navy--you are no longer welcome on any of my property, including the shipyards.  My work requires me to be at the yards! Protests Nathan.  If you are caught on Collins property, warns Joshua, you will be shot on sight--now leave!

Cemetery - Ben is digging Josette's grave.  Peter joins him and introduces himself, but Ben avoids all his questions about the witch.  What did Ben mean when he said Vicki wasn't the witch? Persists Peter--why did he say a witch had sent him to steal Abigail's hair ribbon?  Vicki is not guilty, admits Ben, but he won't name the real witch.  I want you to testify, says Peter.Joshua Collins will punish me if I do, says Ben.  Joshua joins the two men, and upon learning of Peter's mission, orders him to leave.  With Peter gone, Joshua brings Ben to the mausoleum.  Some people have seen Barnabas in the woods, says Joshua.  Impossible! Says Ben.  I agree, says Joshua, but there must be some explanation, especially for what I witnessed--several nights ago, I found Barnabas' coffin empty.  Ben pretends astonishment.  I've heard reports from Millicent and others that you've been seen lurking around the mausoleum.People are imagining things, says Ben, I can't believe the coffin was empty.  I'm going to prove it so, insists Joshua, and despite Ben's protests, they enter the secret room, where Joshua lifts the coffin lid and gazes down, horror-stricken, at the sight of his son's body in the coffin.

NOTES:  Poor Joshua, first he has to run off Nathan, then Peter, and now he goes with Ben to the tomb and sees Barnabas IS there!  He has to worry about the fragile Millicent, too, and his wife, who wants to testify on Vicki's behalf.  This is a strong man, with a hard shell, but it's going to crack under all this pressure.

Love Nathan here, Joel Crothers really got a chance to shine.  He got to play a villain; too bad Alexandra Moltke wasn't given the same shot.

Love, Robin

Every time someone asks,

Did I startle you?


Love, Robin

You have to suspend disbelief with DARK SHADOWS or go nuts, I've found.  

They just didn't want to waste time on characters lighting candles, I guess, so they had Evercandles, even in deserted rooms no one had entered in centuries--the Collins equivalent of the Eternal Flame.



Love, Robin

425 - (Grayson Hall) - A seance has been held in the great house at 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. There, each of the Collins ancestors resembles a present-day member of the Collins family, but the names and relationships have changed, and Victoria Winters  finds herself a stranger in a sea of familiar faces. On this night, in a deserted old shack on the Collins estate, preparations are being made for a man and woman to be united in death as they never were in life.

Fishing shack - Ben builds a coffin, and a finished one stands nearby. Barnabas enters and expresses disappointment that he hasn't completed both. I'm leaving Collinwood, reveals Barnabas, and I will not be alone-I will have Josette with me. Ben is horrified to hear this, and reminds his master that he vowed to stay away from Josette. I tried to resists, says Barnabas, ashamed, but I could not. I thought you loved her! says Ben. I do, says Barnabas. Then how can you do such a cruel thing to her? asks Ben. Josette wants this, the vampire insists. No one would want this, asserts Ben, and I won't be party to it. You're my servant! Cries Barnabas, grabbing his throat, and I'll kill you if you don't obey! (throat grabs inherited by Julia from Ben.) Nearly strangled, Ben agrees to finish the coffin. Have a closed carriage here by midnight, orders Barnabas, to carry the coffins to the ship. He leaves. Ben decides he has to warn Natalie, but when he tries to go, he finds the door is locked. Angelique's laughter fills the air, and her face materializes in front of him.You will stay here, she commands-I would not let them be together in life, and I will not let them be together in death.

Josette's room - How do you feel? Natalie asks the young woman. Very relaxed, replies Josette--there is no need to worry. I will worry until this day is over, Natalie assures her--I am grateful none of the signs Miss Winters prophesied are coming true--no sign of a storm, and so   far, you've shown no signs of being despondent. The book is wrong, says Josette, I am very content. You'll be safe in two hours, when it is midnight, insists Natalie. I feel completely secure, says Josette, as if no power on earth could do me any harm, and I'm under the protection of a powerful force. Confused, Natalie asks Josette if she left the house voluntarily the previous night.  Josette denies being with anyone. Why did you go to the Old House? asks Natalie-there is nothing but tragic memories for you there. That's not completely true, says Josette-not anymore.  What caused your collapse? asks Natalie--why were you calling for Barnabas?You wouldn't understand, says Josette softly, noticing that her ring is missing. Her agitation ignites Natalie's; her aunt realizes the prophecy is starting to come true. I must go to the Old House to look for my ring! declares Josette, climbing out of bed--Barnabas will expect me to have the ring. This statement horrifies Natalie, who tries to stop her. They struggle, overturning a small table, breaking the lamp that was on top of it. "The sound of glass shattering," remembers Natalie, who glances at the sky and is aghast to see storm clouds beginning to gather, obscuring the moon. The door blows open, terrifying both women. Natalie runs to close it, stepping out into the hall a moment to call to Riggs.  The wind blows the door shut behind her, leaving her in the hallway and Josette still inside. Neither woman can force it open. Josette moves away from the door, oblivious to her aunt. A dreamy expression on her face, she opens her music box and listens to the tune. She hears Barnabas summoning her, and she apologizes to him for losing his ring. I found it, his voice tells her--meet me at Widows' Hill--leave through the secret panel and come to Widows' Hill. She does as she's told and leaves. For a moment, a laughing Angelique appears.

Fishing shack - The two completed coffins please Barnabas, who asks if the carriage is ready.  Aye, says Ben, leaving to get it. Barnabas hears Josette's voice calling his name, asking him to meet her on Widows' Hill. He realizes it's Angelique using his beloved's voice. What are you planning to do? he cries--no, Josette, don't go to the cliff!

Riggs has finally forced open the door to Josette's room. Natalie is horrified to find it empty.  Spying the open secret panel, she takes a candle into her hand and steps inside.

Widows' Hill - Josette searches for Barnabas. Laughing, Angelique assures her that Barnabas is coming soon. Frightened, Josette asks her former maid why she has returned. Sarcastically, Angelique replies that she was always a loyal servant to her--I have returned to warn you, to show you what will happen to you after you go away with Barnabas--he is evil, Josette! "That's not true!" wails Josette-"Barnabas loves me!" If he loved you, mocks Angelique, he would have told you that he plans to change you into the monstrous thing he has become--he is planning to kill you, and after you are dead, he will bring you back to life-but then, you will no longer be the beautiful creature you are now--he will have transformed you into a grotesque, blood-thirsty animal." STOP! begs Josette. "Look over the cliff," bids Angelique, "and see yourself as you will become--go on, Josette, look into the future and see how you will change!"Josette covers her face with her hands, unable to bear it, but is compelled to look up and see the apparition appearing before her--herself, dressed in the clothing of the grave, her face, so pale, eyes sunken, cheeks gaunt, her mouth hanging open to reveal long fangs and a thin trickle of blood on her mouth. "TAKE IT AWAY!" screams Josette, but Angelique urges her to keep looking at it--"That is what Barnabas will do to you!" Barnabas comes up behind Josette, calling her name. She turns to see him and orders him to stay away--"Don't come near me! I know what you are--I know what you are! Don't come near me! Don't touch me! I don't want to be what you've become--I don't want that to happen-please, I'd rather die before I'd let that happen! He lurches forward and grabs hold of her. Too close to the edge of the cliff, they struggle. Josette breaks away and backs away from Barnabas, finally turning to step over the edge of the cliff. Her long, wailing scream fades and is abruptly cut off.Barnabas, gazing down, shrieks her name, over and over, agony in his voice.  Angelique's laughter, high and crazed, fills the air, mocking him.

NOTES: A pivotal episode, of course. This more or less matches the story Barnabas told Carolyn and Vicki one stormy night at Collinwood. Josette was running and he was running after her. Of course, there is no mention of Angelique, because she had not yet been thought of. Josette said she would rather die than become what Barnabas was, and so she made her choice to take her life. How cruel Angelique was in death, first forcing Barnabas to remain a vampire, then robbing him of the one person with whom he wanted to share a vampire eternity. One wonders how he could possibly have admitted to loving her in 1840, but we have to assume things had changed drastically by then.

I feel sorry for Ben. He's trying to do the right thing and knows it's wrong for Barnabas to turn Josette, but he's also his servant. I think it's safe to say that the human Barnabas would never have grabbed Ben's throat as he did in this episode, and it's sad to see Barnabas' kinder feelings eroding in this new state.

Pretty wonderful episode, and another sad ending for Barnabas' hopes for happiness, even after death.


426 - (Nancy Barrett) - A seance has been held in the great house at 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. There, each of the Collins ancestors resembles a present-day member of the Collins family, but the names and relationships have changed, and Victoria Winters finds herself a stranger in a sea of familiar faces. And this night, a night which began with bright moonlight, has turned dark. And a woman has thrown herself from a cliff, the victim of a witch's curse. The agony is over for her, but just beginning for those she has left behind.

Mausoleum - A numb Barnabas stumbles in and tells Ben what happened. I couldn't stop it, he says brokenly, she stood on Widows' Hill--I heard the ocean pounding the rocks below--she turned, ran from me. . .she died, hating me." It was the curse, Ben says, trying to assuage his master's guilt.In despair, Barnabas describes how he saw Josette's crushed body on the rocks below--she is gone from me, and I have eternity without her. Ben suggests that Josette might return to him on earth. She died by her own choice and will not return--no one who loves me shall live, declares Barnabas--that was the curse. Sensing his dead wife's presence, he shouts, I will end the curse--you will kill no one else that I love-do you hear me? I will go to my father and let him do what must be done. The gate clangs shut, Angelique's cruel laughter echoing through the tomb.  Barnabas tears at the bars, screaming to Angelique, Are you determined to keep me in this hell you have consigned me to?--Have you no pity?--I know you will not let me die--I will never love anyone again--you need kill no one else!--I will never show love for another human being again!-Your curse is over!--go back to your grave! The gate swings open, creaking, slowly, and Barnabas orders Ben not to follow him--"If this is the way eternity is to be, it can begin." He walks away from the mausoleum as Angelique continues to laugh at him.

Collinwood, drawing room - Naomi reports to her husband that Natalie cried herself to sleep--I loved Josette since the day she came here--she was exactly the kind of young lady I would have chosen for Barnabas. Don't think about Barnabas, urges Joshua. There's no name I can mention that does not have grief attached to it, mourns Naomi mournfully. They expected death in the war, but that is over, says Joshua--we are at war with the powers of darkness. Naomi refuses to believe that witchcraft was responsible for what happened. Millicent comes in, black flowers twined in her hair. When Joshua tells her of Josette's death, she seems emotionless, and says, "At least she died loving Barnabas." Naomi is shocked at this statement, but Millicent says that she herself would like her last thought to be of love. Men change, says Millicent, and seldom for the better. Are you feeling well? queries Naomi. "The more one learns, the worse one feels, says Millicent, I did not realize life was like that--probably a well-known fact no one bothered to tell me." Is Nathan coming over? Asks Naomi. He is not welcome tonight, says Millicent. Forbes is grieving for his own loss, points out Joshua. "Men's minds contain their secrets much better than men's don't you think? asks Millicent, who then leaves to take a walk. Her parting shot: I love the night--the darkness lets you see only what you want." Walking at night isn't safe, warns Naomi, but this doesn't deter Millicent, who leaves anyway. Joshua refuses to follow her despite Naomi's request that he do so; he says that death affects each of them differently--Millicent will be back shortly.

Cemetery - Barnabas kneels by Jeremiah's grave, his face filled with sorrow. "I am glad you cannot see me now," he says-now Josette will lie beside you-the husband she did not love-you will be together in death as you never were in life-the choice was not your own." He rises. Millicent calls his name, walks up to him, asks for a favor, but he never says a word. Ben calls to her; when she turns to look at him, Barnabas disappears, confusing and astonishing Millicent. Barnabas is away, Ben reminds her, but she insists Barnabas has returned--perhaps no one bothered to tell her about it, she adds peevishly. I should take you home, says Ben. I have not done what I came here to do, she says, choose my last resting place. She enters the mausoleum. It's not what I would have chosen, she says, but then I can't think of what would be ideal. She decides she'd like to be buried beside Sarah, "Because we both lived very little." Remember that, she says, and have today's date marked on the stone--no matter how long I may live, I died this day--I want Nathan to know that. (poor Millicent, you're a bastard, Nathan!)Ben doesn't comprehend her prattling.  Barnabas will, she assures him. He again tries to convince her she didn't see Barnabas-perhaps she saw a ghost. Barnabas is not dead, she reminds him. (whoops, Ben!) When he tries to argue with her, she reminds him he's a servant. Don't speak of what you saw, cautions Ben. She giggles, saying that he's a man and is trying to deceive her--bitterly, she asks if her reputation for gullibility has reached even him. She cries about her shame, then wonders if Barnabas ran from her because he thought her a ghost. She thanks Ben for showing her the tomb and leaves.

Drawing room - I've written to Andre about Josette's death, Joshua tells Naomi. He shows her the deposition for Miss Winter's trial--Abigail will represent the family there, which begins the next day.  Naomi wants to testify, but Joshua forbids it--Abigail will be the only Collins at this trial! He worries Naomi will become hysterical if she testifies, creating a public disgrace.Naomi insists.  "You are my wife (goodbye city life?)--you will obey me," commands Joshua. Millicent enters and asks for Barnabas. He's in England, says a nonplused Joshua. Surprised, Millicent says she thought they would want someone to defend her honor, and Barnabas had the dueling experience--I saw him at Jeremiah's grave. You're ill, says Joshua, and asks Naomi to take her upstairs. I have been ill all my life, says Millicent, sounding loony, but I've never been alone until now--Barnabas must kill Nathan--I suppose it would be in the course of a technicality, like a duel, but he must kill him--Nathan was married!--Suki was Nathan's wife!She bursts into tears.  Barnabas MUST defend her, Daniel isn't old enough--why did Barnabas run from her?--even Ben denied seeing him--they must punish Ben for lying to her--and if you have not seen Barnabas, and I have, then someone must find out why. Yes, agrees Joshua, someone must find out why. Outside, dogs howl.

NOTES: Outstanding Barrett performance today. Sad seeing Barnabas apologizing to Jeremiah for what happened, mourning that he and Josette will lie together in death when they didn't love each other in life.

Millicent sounds as if she's truly losing it. Finding out about Nathan's betrayal has sent the already-fragile heiress over the edge, and she will teeter there for quite some time.

Love, Robin

I think I agree with those who believe that those who loved Barnabas had to SAY "I love you" to him in order to die, not necessarily right before dying, as Naomi and Sarah did, but at some point prior.  Verbalization is the key.

Who knows for sure?  Angelique's spells always seemed a little "off" anyway, working one moment, non-working the next.  She really did need a stint in Witch School.   Whatever Mama taught her, she didn't pay close enough attention.

Love, Robin