421 - (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.  On this night, one man, living though dead, cannot resist his desire to see the woman he loves, a woman who still waits for him to rise and come to her, regardless of what horror and grief his coming may bring.

We see the bite again, but Josette is in a different nightdress and Barnabas bites her on the opposite side of her throat.  It was still a great scene.

Josette lies in bed, looking as sated as a new bride on the morning after her wedding night. Her pulse beats hard under the puncture wounds Barnabas left on her throat. Natalie knocks at the door and Josette quickly covers the marks with a scarf. Natalie comes in and starts to open the drapes, but Josette tells her not to--too much light. Natalie is puzzled by Josette's behavior, languid yet joyous, talking about how, after the day, night comes.The Countess, concerned, observes how pale she is.  She tells her niece a story about having a tea party with the servants and Ben's unwanted attentions toward her. When Josette doesn't react to these bizarre stories, Natalie is even more upset. She's happy, Josette insists, but her alarmed aunt says she wants them to make arrangements to go, to meet Andre in New York right away. Josette refuses to go, and Natalie guesses, "Barnabas--you're still waiting for him. Or has he already come?" Josette reminds her that Natalie said Barnabas was dead, but Natalie mutters something about witchcraft and how fantasies become reality at Collinwood. There's nothing you can do, Josette tells her distraught aunt, and after Natalie leaves, she closes the drapes, lies down and contemplates the heady joys she must have found in Barnabas' arms the previous night.

Natalie goes to the Gaol to see Vicki, and with Peter (who Vicki assures Natalie is her friend) standing by, listening, promises her anything--money, freedom--if she'll just release Josette from the spell she's put her under. Once again, Vicki denies weaving any spells, but Natalie doesn't believe her, accusing her of putting Josette under a spell so her prophecy about Josette's death will come true.Josette has refused to leave, frets Natalie, who asks to see the book so she can prevent the young woman's death herself. Vicki tells the shocked Countess that Josette jumped from Widows' Hill and describes the events of that evening--Josette was serene, happy. She lost a ring, gold with a black onyx stone. Glass shattered, doors blew open, and a great sound echoed through the house. Natalie says Josette doesn't own a ring like that and accuses Vicki of working with Satan and refusing to help save Josette. Vicki denies this, but Natalie's parting shot is, "Tell your master I will save Josette,"--even if it means my own end.

Peter is annoyed that Vicki keeps sacrificing herself to help these people. They'll use all this at her trial, he warns. She insists she feels if she keeps being honest, it will help her, and says she can't understand their behavior--people in her time don't believe in witches!Peter asks Vicki how she would react if someone from the 21st century came to her in 1968 and told her her own future. Vicki admits she would think that person crazy, and wouldn't understand-- exactly the way the Countess reacted. It suddenly (finally!) hits her what he's trying to say, and she calls herself a fool.  Peter and Vicki begin to talk about more romantic issues. He wants her to stay, and wonders if she has ever thought about it. Yes, she confesses, but can't imagine living out her life here. Does she have any siblings, or a fiance, questions Peter, and she explains her fiance was killed in a plane accident. When she tries to describe an airplane to him, a machine that flies people through the air, he smiles and says she IS crazy. She grins back--there's so much he doesn't know, but when he asks if she's making fun of him, she assures him she isn't. Stay, says Peter, and she says he almost makes her wish that. They kiss, and she seems to like his kissing her far more than she ever liked Burke.  "You're just a girl," he says. "I'll make you forget the rest."  (?)

Nightfall. Josette locks herself in her room, and she's thrilled when Barnabas enters through the secret panel. Does you hate me, he asks?-I was almost afraid to face you again. She assures him she loves him. He tries one more time to talk her out of her decision, reminding her of the life they will have to lead--can she give up her family and friends, live a secret life, afraid of even a knock at the door, the risks, a life of chance? Yes, she assures him. The only thing she fears is his telling her he doesn't love her, but he promises her that isn't true. They love each other, she reminds him, and she trusts him. She will be different, as he is, Barnabas points out, does she understand that?She realizes he is dead, yet alive, she says. No ceremony can make her more his wife, Josette says, her eyes gleaming, a smile of joy on her lips.  Barnabas slips his onxy ring off his own finger and places it on Josette's. She hugs him, ecstatic.  Natalie knocks at the door. Barnabas hurriedly tells Josette to meet him at the Old House later. Josette opens the door to let Natalie in.  Her aunt heard her talking to someone and was worried, but she can see no one is there. Then Natalie spots the ring on her niece's finger and gasps. "Where did you get it--you must tell me!" the Countess demands.

NOTES:  FABULOUS EPISODE, and wasn't that a nice "wedding" ceremony between Barnabas and Josette? Well, it's as close as they ever got, isn't it?


422 - (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-faces now hostile and suspicious because of her special knowledge of what is destined to happen.  The death, for instance, of a young woman whose doom will be preceded by the loss of a certain ring.

Josette refuses to tell her aunt anything about the ring, and says Vicki's prophecy is absurd-nothing is going to happen.  When Natalie demands again to know where she got the ring, Josette merely says, perhaps from Mama.  Although Natalie insists they return to Martinique immediately, Josette refuses.  It's almost as though you don't want to save yourself, laments Natalie.I'll be all right, Josette assures her.  Barnabas is dead, insists Natalie, and won't return-you can't waste your life grieving for the dead!  I am not grieving, not anymore, says Josette.  Then there is nothing to keep you here, says Natalie.  There is nothing that can make me leave, counters Josette-it's my own life and I will live it here at Collinwood.  If there are forces preparing a special destiny for me, they will find me here-for now, I'd like to be alone.  Natalie reluctantly complies.

Foyer - Natalie gazes at Barnabas' portrait, focusing specifically on the ring.She remembers when she saw his ghost and wishes she could see it again, to plead with him to help Josette.  Joshua enters and explains to Natalie that Barnabas planned to give his ring to his wife-but fortunately that never happened-although I'm sure Angelique had her sights set for it.  Was the ring unique or part of a set? Queries the Countess.  Our jewelry, like our pride and ambition, is without equal, he replies.  Josette wanders downstairs, appearing to be sleepwalking, murmuring something about going out for fresh air.  She suddenly faints.  Joshua shouts for Riggs to get some brandy, then spots the ring on Josette's finger.  He's astonished.  Barnabas must have given it to her, suggests Natalie, but Joshua, shocked, whispers that it's impossible-Barnabas was buried with that ring?

In the corridor outside Josette's room, Natalie instructs Riggs neither to let anyone into Josette's room not let her niece leave.

Foyer - Natalie attempts to discuss the ring with Joshua, but he pays no attention to her, and hastily leaves the house.

Josette's room - Remembering her promise to go to Barnabas, Josette shouts for her aunt.  I've been instructed not to let you out, Riggs tells her.  I'll have you dismissed, she threatens, but Riggs just ignores her.  She searches for the secret panel, then pounds on the door, screaming to be released.  The panel opens behind her and Barnabas enters."They tried to keep us apart, she tells him--nothing can keep us apart, ever again.  This night will fulfill all my longings."  She asks him if he's come to take her away.  Yes, he says.  Then come-let us go and never return, she says.  Never, agrees Barnabas.  Show me the way and I will follow, she murmurs.  It is a road with no return, warns Barnabas, a world of darkness.  Lit only by our love, says Josette-we will share eternity together.  Yes, eternity, agrees Barnabas.  Are you certain? He asks, it's not too late-you can still be free of me-you can have life, find love, perhaps, in the world of light and the living.  The time for questions is long past, she says-I don't want to be free of you-I'm yours-I must go with you, not to death and darkness, but to a world of unending joy-come take my hand and we will go together.  They clasp hands and enter the corridor beyond the secret panel.  Barnabas closes the door behind them.

Mausoleum.  Joshua enters, pausing for a sad moment before Sarah's grave before entering the secret room.  I saw the ring on Barnabas' hand before I closed the coffin, he remembers-who would dare defile the dead?  He gazes down at the coffin, thinking, "I never gave you love, but I wanted at least to give you peace."  He vows revenge if someone has disturbed his son's rest.  He lifts the lid of the coffin and stares in horror at its empty interior.
NOTES:  Joshua now knows something weird has happened, but is probably thinking graverobbers.  How sad for this poor man to have to visit his son and daughter in their graves.

Romantic moments between Josette and Barnabas-but does she have a clue about what will be expected of her?  She's a woman in love, does she realize she must die to be with Barnabas-and live forever as a vampire?

Love, Robin.

I always adored Suki's wild outfit, her crisp, delicious conversation with her straying hubby and her witty remarks about everything from their marriage to Millicent's money.  She's one of my favorite "quickie" characters, and I wish they had brought her in as another DS character down the line.  Like Elizabeth Eis as Buffy Harrington, Suki's character really makes an impression.    

Big Bird?  

Love, Robin  

Tough choice between Ben and Willie, given the awful things they were forced to do for Barnabas.  At least Ben didn't have to pimp hookers for Barnabas' drinking pleasure.  Willie had to go get cattle to satisfy the vampire's thirst, so I vote for Willie as the most "handy" man.

Love, Robin

I am not spreading tales here, but John Karlen has had a well-publicized gambling problem (horses), and it seems to have interfered with his acting career.  At last year's fest, I asked him straight out if he was still playing the ponies, and with both a gleam in his eye and some shame on his face, he confessed that he was.  

So perhaps that explains why we never see him on TV anymore.  I think he spends his days at the local race tracks, which is a shame.  I'd love to see him paired with Tyne Daly, too!

Love, Robin

419 - (Jane Draper) - 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.  It is here, in this time, that the darkest secret in the history of the Collins family was born.  On this night, in the dark and forbidding confines of the old Eagle Hill Cemetery, one woman will begin to learn the terrible secret.

Barnabas forces himself to not bite Josette and pushes her aside savagely. He orders her to leave. She doesn't understand--he's changed. Yes, he agrees, and because of it, she must leave, never see him again. It's too late for them.The way of life he could offer her now is impossible. She insists she'd do anything to be with him, but he won't allow it. He tries to make her see--he died, she knows that, yet here he is! She wants to be with him. He came back, but this must be goodbye, Barnabas insists. He explains that he is fearful for her--his life will be eternally in fear of the day, and even though it's an existence some would envy, it's terrible. He returned from the grave, but not by choice; this was the result of a curse and they can't be together. She clings to him, assuring him their love will overcome these obstacles, but he insists they cannot see each other. She refuses to let him go, but he pushes her away. They stand on opposite sides of the mausoleum, both distraught and miserable.

Nathan and Millicent are hanging out in the drawing room at Collinwood.  He's consulted the Farmer's Almanac to find a perfect day for their wedding, and suggests March 2nd. Why so soon, she asks. He wants their happiness together to begin ASAP, says Nathan, trying to slide an arm around her. His job in Collinsport will be finished in two months, and he doesn't want to risk being separated from her. She doubts Joshua will agree, but seems joyous that he wants to marry her so badly--and so soon. Josette interrupts their almost-kiss. When Millicent tells her she and Nathan are getting married, Josette's reaction is an automatic, "Very nice." She seems to be in shock, and Millicent notes how pale she is. Josette wanders into the drawing room as Millicent says goodnight to Nathan in the foyer. Millicent offers sherry to Josette, but she refuses. She asks why the other woman is so sad. Josette explains that it's too late--Barnabas promised to come back, he has, and now he doesn't want her anymore.Barnabas is on his way to England, insists a confused Millicent. No, says Josette, I saw him tonight.

At the Eagle, the 1796 version of the Blue Whale, Nathan orders bartender Mooney's best rum to celebrate his engagement to Millicent.  The place is empty because of the recent attacks on local women, laments the barkeep.  A blonde walks in (and I always thought this lady was a total hoot), and we learn it's Suki Forbes, Nathan's WIFE from Baltimore! He apparently left her home eight months ago while he pursued his career, rum, and other women-and he never sent her any money, either, she complains. Nathan wonders how she found him, and she explains that a Navy man isn't hard to track down. "You ought to know," says Nathan grimly. (Oooh, rep diss!) She questions him about his latest innocent conquest, and he demands to know what she wants to get her ass back to Baltimore immediately.Does his latest girlfriend know he's already married? questions Suki evilly, and Nathan grabs her wrist. She's even brought their marriage contract with her, Suki exults. Nathan promises to give her what he's saved--about $400--if she goes back to Baltimore on a carriage leaving at daybreak. She says that would be fine--until the barkeep informs her that Nathan's fiancee is a very wealthy Collins. You can almost see the dollar signs dancing in Suki's pretty blue eyes as she says, "That's interesting" and belches in a most unladylike fashion on her second rum.

Collinwood - Millicent gently tells Josette she thinks all her heartbreak and bad luck of the last few months has made her. . .ill. Josette explains that Barnabas didn't go to England, that was just a story Joshua told, and Millicent must keep it a secret. She tells Millicent she did have a strange dream, one that told her where to find him--and she did, in Eagle Hill Cemetery. He seemed different, but wouldn't tell her what had happened to him, only that it was all over between them. Why did he tell her to wait? wonders Josette. Millicent reminds Josette she's returning to Martinique in only two days, and Josette comments she doesn't think she can live until then. Millicent leads the upset Josette upstairs as a dog mournfully howls.
Barnabas stands in front of the mausoleum, a sad, lonely figure. He's glad Josette is going, and vows not to see her before then. If he does, the temptation to make her what he is will be far too overpowering, and he loves her too much for that.

NOTES:  I adore Suki.  She's one of DS' best brief role players, IMHO.  I love her voice and the way she goes after Nathan, who we now know for sure is a wicked, untrustworthy man.  At least he helped Vicki at the beginning, but now he wants Millicent for her money, that's clear, and makes no bones about it to his current wife.


420 - (Jane Draper) - 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.  She has also learned that the early history of the Collins family is one of an evil reign of terror.  It just seems to go on through all eternity.

Josette gazes sadly out her window, sadly pondering--one more day, and Collinwood will be just a memory.  Millicent comes in to check on her. Why isn't she sleeping? I can't, says Josette, she feels Barnabas' presence.  Millicent gazes with sympathy at the love-struck young woman, but indeed, Barnabas is standing in the woods, gazing up at Josette's window. He wants her to come and look out so he can see her face one more time.  (didn't he promise himself not to even see her at the end of the previous ep?--take your own advice, Barn!)Josette thanks Millicent for her concern and care, and congratulates her more properly on her engagement to Nathan.  Millicent says they haven't yet set the date, nor have they gotten Joshua's approval. Josette offers to speak to the patriarch on Millicent's behalf, making a knowing comment on Joshua's feelings about un-moneyed men like the Lieutenant. Millicent says that she's always dreamed of marrying someone like Nathan, and she'll make sure she gets Joshua to consent. Josette says she wishes she'd gotten to know Millicent better. Millicent spots Nathan heading to Collinwood and excitedly races downstairs, taking time to pinch color into her cheeks first.

Outside Collinwood's front doors, Nathan tells Millicent he thought he saw a man who looked just like Barnabas a distance from the house, in the woods. Millicent says everyone is going mad--Josette thought she saw Barnabas, too, but darn it, he's on his way to England! If Nathan saw him from a distance, he could have been mistaken, points out Millicent, and besides, if it WERE Barnabas, why would he skulk in the woods? It's puzzling, agrees Nathan, and as he enters Collinwood, a dog howls. They go into the drawing room and he asks if she's considered March 2nd for their wedding. There's been so much tragedy, especially for Josette, sighs Millicent, but Nathan takes a guy's sensible view of things--Josette is young and pretty and will eventually find someone else. A man would take that view of things, says Millicent; men fall in love over and over, but when a woman falls in love, it's forever. Nonsense, says Nathan, kissing her neck, insisting he hasn't fallen in love until her. (son of a bitch!)  Millicent doubts Josette will ever recover.
There's a knock at the door, and in walks Nathan's wife, wearing a loud, stunning yellow and blue confection. She scares the crap out of both Nathan (who assumes the jig is up) and Millicent (who obviously has hidden doubts about Nathan) when she announces she's Suki Forbes, but then goes on to say she's Nathan's SISTER! Suki plays with Nathan's head, chastising him for not telling Millicent about her. Suki plays up to Millicent, admiring the house, but learns that it belongs to Joshua Collins, not her. Suki blathers on about wanting to spend time with her brother, and Nathan counters by saying he has so little time, working for the Navy. Millicent pipes up that surely Joshua will give him time off to spend with his sister, and, gooey-sweet, Suki says she feels she and Millicent will be great friends. Suki's gushing is cut off when she spots Barnabas gazing through the window. She calls his face evil, but he's gone by the time Nathan checks outside. Nathan asks Millicent to make a cup of tea for his sister, and kisses her hand to ensure she'll do it.Left alone with Suki, Nathan demands to know her game, and she says she's learned HIS game. He gave her $400 and expected her gone, but knowing about Millicent, Suki realizes there's lots more where THAT came from--she wants in! She learned about Millicent because the conceited Nathan bragged so much to the poor folks about snagging a rich Collins, everyone in town knows. Nathan insists he truly loves Millicent, but cynical Suki says he just loves her money, and SHE is growing fond of it herself. Suki is sure Millicent doesn't have her family's consent yet, and he, Nathan, doesn't have Suki's consent, either! Millicent carries in the tea and asks the stone-faced Nathan if she can tell--then breaks the news of their engagement to Nathan's wife. "How divine!" gushes Suki. Her brother is so forgetful!

It's 2 AM and Barnabas is tired of waiting for Josette to come to the window, so he goes to her instead. Josette spots a bat outside the window, then Barnabas appears. He tells her he had to see her, just one more look, but she tells him she can't leave, she wants to be with him. He insists it's impossible--what he's become--she must leave, he insists, but she says she can't now. Her feelings would not change, no matter where she goes, she whispers, and she would always be fighting the urge to return to Collinwood to find him. Forget me, implores Barnabas, but she knows he doesn't mean that; he came to her because he couldn't stay away--their destinies are one.She wants to be with him, no matter what, no matter what their new way of life would be. "Don't let me go!" cries Josette. "Please take me with you!" She falls into his arms.  Barnabas, hating himself, pushes her hair out of the way and this time, sinks his fangs into her proffered throat. (This last scene was so romantic, and even his bite is about as gentle as it can get. GREAT scene!)

NOTES:  So Barnabas has finally given in to his base vampire desire and bitten Josette.  What will happen to her now?  And to him?

Will Suki continue to play with Nathan and Millicent?  Won't he have to divorce Suki before he can legally wed Millicent?  How long does that take in this day and age?  Will Millicent learn what a blackguard her fiance truly is?

Love, Robin

415 - (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 on this night, a promised storm threatens Collinwood, and a child has unknowingly discovered the most horrifying secret she will ever know.

Naomi despondently tells Millicent they haven't found Sarah yet.  If Vicki isn't vicious, why didn't she tell Naomi about Sarah sooner, demands Millicent, who immediately apologizes for her outburst; she's accustomed to saying what comes into her head.
Barnabas searches for his sister, promising to take her home if she comes to him. He runs into Ben and haltingly explains to him that he went to Collinwood and Sarah spotted him from the window and followed him. The vampire confesses he went to the village, and is ashamed when Ben turns away from him. His wife knew him well, says Barnabas bitterly, to curse him eternally to night. The only thing left living in him now, he admits, is his hatred. Ben sends Barnabas to his coffin and says he'll continue the search until Sarah is found.

Cemetery - Sarah is huddled against Jeremiah's tombstone when Barnabas passes right by her, but she shrinks away from him and he doesn't spot her. Ben is finally the one who finds Sarah, but she seems afraid of him, too. He reminds her of a doll he once whittled for her, promises to start another, and scoops her into his arms. "Barnabas," she silently mouths to him. He carries her home in a torrential downpour, and when Ben brings her to Collinwood, Naomi's joy is short-lived when she realizes how sick Sarah is.
The following day, Naomi sits at her very sick daughter's bedside.  Although Millicent tries to convince her that Sarah looks better and Naomi should drink her tea and keep up her own strength, Naomi isn't buying either; the medicine the doctor left hasn't helped, and she knows the child has pneumonia, even if the doctor is too kind to say so. Ben brings up some compresses for Sarah's forehead. Sarah smiles at Ben and tries again to say "Barnabas", but no one understands, so they give Sarah a chalkboard and chalk and she writes her brother's name. Millicent tells the child Barnabas is away, but Sarah shakes her head. He'll be back, promises Millicent, but instead of comforting her, Sarah turns away, fearful.  Naomi feels the child's forehead; her fever is up.  They apply the compresses. Ben gazes at the dusk sky; Barnabas rises from his coffin and calls to Ben--he must know what's happening with Sarah! The dogs howl, scaring Millicent, who goes downstairs to get some dinner. Ben promises to stay with Naomi, who wishes the dog would stop howling, although he knows Barnabas is anxiously waiting for him for news of Sarah. Ben tells Naomi Barnabas has always been kind to him, they're friends. Naomi wonders why Sarah seemed frightened at the mention of Barnabas; Sarah would never fear her own brother. Ben suggests the child had a nightmare, which makes sense to Naomi.

Mausoleum - Barnabas frets about Sarah--should he risk going to Collinwood? Ben finally shows up and tells him how sick Sarah is. Barnabas blames himself--if Sarah hadn't seen him. . .he must see Sarah! Ben tries to talk him out of it, and explains Sarah hasn't spoken since she was found, although the doctor says there's no reason for it. Perhaps if she sees him as she remembered him, suggests Barnabas, she won't be afraid.  Realizing Barnabas intends to go no matter what, Ben agrees to help him.
Millicent insists Naomi go get something to eat; she'll stay with Sarah, who is holding her doll in her arms. Ben comes in and offers to stay with Sarah if Millicent has anything to do. She does want to go get her stationery and write her lawyer, so she leaves Sarah with Ben. Barnabas quietly enters and Ben leaves the room. Barnabas sits on his sister's bed and tells her he's sorry he scared her, very sorry. She gazes at him silently, and he begs her to try to get better. "Hold me," she pleads weakly. He does. She reaches up and touches his face. "I love you, Barnabas," she murmurs, "I always will." Then, to his horror, she dies in his arms. He holds her limp body close. "No," he sobs, heartbroken.

NOTES:  A child's death; nothing is sadder.  We really needed those tissues this week, folks! Sarah's death scene was one of the most difficult to watch I can remember on this show.  Sarah is the first victim of the curse Angelique set on Barnabas, but many more sad scenes are to come.


416 - (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.  She finds herself both witness and participant as the ancient agonies of the Collins family slowly unfold.

(Who else is totally tired of this intro?  I sure wish they'd come up with something new.  It was dull the first time around, after hearing it so many times, but hearing it twice a day is really lame.)

Joshua returns from a business trip and is disgusted to find Naomi already drinking in the morning and blathering about a little bird who flew straight into the sun. This is her way of telling him of their little girl's death, which stuns him. She's glad Sarah died, she informs her husband, she was suffering so. He assures her he would have come home if he'd known, but she is in no mood to listen to him: "Daughter, son, wife--what do they mean to you?" she cruelly demands. Hearing that Vicki warned Naomi of Sarah's impending death gives Joshua something concrete to focus on, and he decides the witch was responsible for his daughter's death and he's going to seek revenge. Naomi insists Vicki tried to warn her, but Joshua says this was just her way of covering up for putting the mark of doom on Sarah. Joshua vows retribution, but Naomi accuses him of seeking it only because something was done to HIM, someone had the gall to take his daughter, his property, away from him--not because of grief or sorrow. Revenge is all he has! Joshua begs her to speak no more, and tries to walk out, but Naomi first says she doesn't want to be alone--and then that she does. One senses she doesn't want to be alone with her husband, who simply doesn't understand, but you can see the intense grief Joshua is trying to keep under control. She tells him that Sarah is laid out in her blue dress, and she's brushed her hair, if he cares to say goodbye.
Joshua goes to the gaol and listens with ill-concealed impatience and anger as an upset Vicki, hearing of Sarah's death, tries to explain to him how she knew Sarah was going to die, and how much she loved her. She reveals the truth, that she's from the future and knew this from reading a Collins history book, but when she is finished, it's clear he doesn't believe a word of her claim. He advises her to enjoy her few remaining sunrises and sunsets, because he's going to see to it that there won't be too many of them, and the fire she sees in them will remind her of the fiery witch's death she has to look forward to--and her eternity in hell beyond that.

As Vicki gazes forlornly at the sunset, Ben is watching the sun go down, too; Barnabas has risen for the evening. In the secret room, Ben tells the vampire that Sarah's funeral is over, and that Miss Winters is in trouble for killing the child. No, says Barnabas--I killed her. He wants to turn himself in to save Vicki, but Ben wants to help her escape, and asks Barnabas for money to do so. No, Barn decides, they might get caught; he'll turn himself in, and if he's not back by sunrise, and it's the end of everything, including his own undead existence, so be it. Ben won't allow it, but Barnabas says he can't stop him. They hear someone enter the outer room--it's Naomi, who rests her head on her daughter's coffin and murmurs her name.Joshua comes in and tries to pull his grieving wife to her feet, that he wants to take her home, she insists she wants to stay with her children and starts reaching for the ring. Joshua cautions her--no one must know about Barnabas being in there, or they will exhume his body and burn it! She laments that she not only failed to save them from dying, but from Joshua's bitterness and coldness-they both must stay, says Naomi. She wanted them buried; their life was stone and now they are entombed in stone forever. "My children, my poor, lost children," mourns Joshua, truly revealing his grief to his wife. This time, Naomi leads her sorrowful husband home. (A beautiful, touching scene by both actors.)

"Father. . .Mother, don't go," cries Barnabas, listening inside the secret room. As Ben and Barnabas leave the mausoleum, the latter reveals he has changed his mind about facing the sunlight. He can't disgrace his family with such a revelation; however, Ben will return at sunrise and stake him while he slumbers. Ben is horrified at this suggestion and refuses--until Barnabas painfully explains that it will save him from an eternity of agony. "Free me," begs Barnabas, gazing at Sarah's coffin. "Give me peace--give me to the waiting arms of the sleeping dead." He begs Ben to say yes, and when he does, giving him a vow of "Yes," Barnabas gazes heavenward, hope on his face. "Yes!" he repeats exultantly.

(Superb performances from all today, and this was one exceptionally sad episode.)

Love, Robin

FAB-U-LOUS, Ringo, baby, just fab!

I am impressed with your effort here and gotta give it an 85--it's got a great beat and you can dance to it!

Seriously, my friend, this looked so real, I was thinking how many Quentin-Philes were going to order one.  

Barnabas is my favorite, so if you have anymore time on your hands, could you. . .?

Love, Robin

413 - (Joan Bennett) - 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.  The terror that has plagued the Collins family now has spread to the village of Collinsport itself.  Held captive on a charge of witchcraft, Victoria Winters is the one person who knows that this is the beginning of a 200-year-old nightmare.

Collinsport Gaol - Peter tells Vicki he wants to tell Trask the truth--that he released her to go to Collinwood. Otherwise, Vicki will be convicted, the way things stand now. Vicki fears this will land Peter in more trouble than she's in, and the unselfishness they're displaying makes it obvious these two young people are starting to care about each other.
You're very special, she says, doing what you think is right, no matter what others think. We're two worlds apart, says Vicki.  Peter says he's glad she's in his, and seems sorry to hear her say she badly wants to return to her own world. He asks if there's someone special in her life in the future, but she prefers not to discuss it. She has no idea how she was transported 200 years in the future, but she's very grateful to him, and kisses his cheek to show it. Wow, you must be from the future, marvels Peter, because women in his time wouldn't do THAT!  He assures her he liked it. (Hey, they had prostitutes who I'm sure would do much more!)

Peter tells Vicki he's been reading the Collins family history book, and she suddenly remembers that Sarah's 11th birthday is two days off, and that, according to the book, she dies of exposure on her 11th birthday!  (I thought it was 10th, but why quibble?)  Sarah must be kept inside until after her birthday, says Vicki, or she'll die.  She asks Peter to bring Naomi to see her so she can warn her--and tell her it's a matter of life and death if necessary!

Collinwood foyer - Sarah comes downstairs and asks her mother where Josette is. She went into town, says Naomi. I made her a candle to cheer her up, says the little girl-Josette can light it and bring Barnabas, who the child is sure she still loves, home. Sadly, Sarah tells her mother SHE misses Barnabas, too, and wants to see him. Naomi, a catch in her voice, tells her daughter that Sarah won't see Barnabas for a long time, perhaps not until she's grown (perhaps, Naomi was implying, when Sarah has a child who might resemble her brother?) Sarah says she'll light the candle in Josette's window and bring her brother back-soon.  Naomi, wishing it could happen as much as her daughter does, looks miserably after Sarah, who runs defiantly.
Ben enters the tomb as Barnabas is rising, and comes into the secret room. He advises Barnabas against going to the village again; there's a lot of ruckus as a result of his attacks on the women--he's taking chances and might get caught. Barnabas reminds Ben that this isn't his choice; it's necessary for his survival! Barnabas tells Ben he's going to keep his promise to Josette and return to her. Ben cautions him against doing this; it might shock her too much to actually see him return from the dead. Barnabas feels she'll be expecting him, but agrees that perhaps a more gradual preparation would be a better idea--he'll leave her something that will let her know his return is imminent.
Naomi goes to see Vicki at the gaol. She's unhappy to hear that Josette told her about Barnabas' death, and explains about Joshua's insistence that the story about their son going to England be the accepted story.  Poor Naomi is stunned to hear about this mysterious Collins history, and seems on the verge of believing Vicki is a witch when she starts warning her about keeping Sarah inside the house until after her 11th birthday, but Vicki points out that whether she's a witch or not, or whether the book is true or not, it won't do any harm to keep Sarah inside for a couple of days. Naomi sees the love Vicki has for her daughter and decides to trust her and do as Vicki suggests--to the latter's great relief. Naomi also asks if the book predicted Barnabas' death.  No, says Vicki, and explains the history said he went to England.

Sarah is about to light the candle in Josette's window when she peers outside and sees Barnabas looking up at her! Sarah calls to him, but he quickly recedes into the shadows, not wanting her to see him. Sarah races downstairs, intent on finding him, and Barnabas hurries away-she mustn't see him! Sarah asks why he's running away and begs him to come back.
Naomi, leaving the gaol, asks Peter about the book. It exists, he says, he's seen it. Naomi, unaware that it is already too late, is anxious to get back to Sarah, and he escorts her back to Collinwood.

Sarah walks through the cemetery, searching for her brother. She approaches the mausoleum and calls to him through the gate. I'm cold and scared, pleads Sarah, and when she gets no answer, says, "I'm coming in to find you!" Sarah enters the mausoleum and looks around.

NOTES:  Not as much high drama and excitement as the last few days' episodes, but we do need a breather, don't we? This is going to be sad, folks. Prepare yourselves with tissues again.  Would it have saved Sarah if they'd told her he was dead, or would she have refused to believe it and chased after what appeared to be her brother, anyway?


414 - (Joan Bennett) - 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 dark, mysterious night, a child has run from the house following her missing brother-he must escape her, lest she find out his terrible secret.

At the mausoleum, Sarah petulantly accuses Barnabas of hiding from her. The gate closes, locking the child in.
At Collinwood, Millicent gushes to Nathan how much she appreciates his showing her the eclipse, even if it WAS really late. They discuss Barnabas' odd, hasty departure for England, and he takes her in his arms. She blathers on about a sense of humor being a character defect, according to her lawyer, banker and broker, and he insists they're just in love with her themselves. She says he makes her feel scared (probably all that passion). He stuns her (and himself) by asking her to marry him, confessing his honorable intentions surprised him as much as her.  She says she shouldn't accept as quickly as she does, and says yes, then squawks when he tries to kiss her. They must be even more proprietary now that they're engaged, insists the daffy heiress. He will probably leave the Navy so they can be together always, and so she doesn't have to follow him to ports where she might contract God know what illnesses, but he will find suitable employment, even if it does take time. (Translation: we'll live on your money, which I will squander.  I will gamble, booze it up and cheat on you as often as possible.  When did Nathan become such a bad, if cute, guy?)  He promises her a wonderful life and gives her a big smooch, but they dart apart upon hearing Naomi calling for Sarah.

Sarah rattles the gate. "Let me out!" she cries.

Nathan offers to get Riggs and Ben and search for Sarah.  Millicent remarks on how masterful Nathan is, and Naomi fears Joshua's wrath when he returns from Portsmouth and finds out their daughter is missing.  She's sorry she ever left to go to town, and tells Millicent about what Miss Winters told her about Sarah dying on her birthday.Millicent thinks the witch is cruel for saying such a thing, but Naomi insists Vicki isn't a witch, that she told her in order to save Sarah.  Millicent suggests Miss Winters cast a spell on Sarah so she would already be gone by the time Naomi returned, a statement which shocks Naomi. "I think more than people give me credit for," Millicent pouts. (LOL!)  Unable to bear just waiting around any longer, Naomi joins the search.

Sarah sits against the mausoleum wall, weakly begging Barnabas to find her.

Barnabas goes to the docks, where he meets the flirtatious, heavily make-up Ruby Tate. She recognizes him, and they flirt. Since the married man she was expecting to meet didn't show up, Barnabas is certainly an excellent substitute, purrs Ruby, although I do wonder why you're staring at me like that.  (hungry!)She clasps his arm and says she can't wait for her friends at the Eagle to see her with Barnabas Collins! No one must know they met, he says, still gazing raptly at her. He makes a half-hearted attempt to leave without harming her, but she insists that he stay, and melts against his chest. This gives him a good opportunity to munch on her throat, and he attempts to fang her, but she realizes something isn't right, and backs away. "You're the one!" she cries.  She backs away from him, then topples into the water. "RUBY!" screams Barnabas, but she's gone, presumably drowned.

Millicent and Nathan meet in the foggy woods.  She tells him Naomi is out searching, too. Collinwood and all its inhabitants are cursed, laments Millicent, and I'm frightened. Everyone who tried to love and be loved--Angelique, Josette, the whole lot of them--ended up miserable. She doesn't want them to have a similar fate! It's thundering.

Millicent asks Nathan if he searched the graveyard, but he is sure Sarah would be too scared to go there (shows how much he knows about kids).

Barnabas kneels before Jeremiah's tombstone and tells him how ironic it is--they used to laugh at others' follies, but they were both the true fools, both killed by Angelique. Jeremiah was more fortunate--at least he is a ghost who will eventually find rest. Not so Barnabas, mouth stained with blood, doomed to roam eternity as this creature he's become. He groans aloud in despair; Millicent hears the pitiful sound and asks Nathan what it was. A dog, he says. Barnabas enters the mausoleum and is startled when Sarah pops up and joyfully calls him. He tries to keep his back to her as she begs her big brother to take her home; she's so tired! He tries to tell her he can't, and she can't tell anyone she saw him, but when he turns and she sees his bloody mouth, she cries, "You aren't Barnabas!" and runs from him. "Oh no," moans Barnabas, realizing dawn is upon him.

NOTES:  Barnabas can't follow his little sister himself--who is going to save her?  Or is she doomed to die, just as Vicki told Naomi, and nothing can be changed from what originally happened?

Barnabas is one miserable vampire, and Nathan is chomping at the bit to get his hands on Millicent's money.  Vicki is in serious trouble and Sarah appears doomed.  How will this sad story resolve itself?  Can history be changed?

Love, Robin