Yes, it's time to bid a fond farewell to Mr. Horace Gladstone, late of Boston, MA.

We did not get to see a great deal of this highly enigmatic character during the Parallel Time storyline.  Nevertheless, I think that we were able to determine that Horace was a very complex man with many hidden talents and interests.  For example, in addition to Horace's extensive understanding of the principles of chemistry, Horace displayed great powers of observation, on a scale greatly reminiscent of the legendary consulting detective himself, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. (Who can forget Gladstone's brilliant use of deductive reasoning in uncovering Dr. Longworth's deep, dark secret?)

Of course, Horace Gladstone's professional relationship with Angelique Stokes-Collins only further illustrates his wide range of interests in eclectic "disciplines."

The demise of Horace Gladstone marks the final appearance of actor John Harkins on Dark Shadows.  Mr. Harkins, a fine character actor, had previously portrayed both Garth Blackwood and Mr. Strak on the program.

By the way, you know that you're an obsessed Dark Shadows fan when you recognize former DS actors in their other acting gigs.  Years after Dark Shadows had been cancelled, while watching Peter Sellers and Shirley MacLaine in the film comedy, "Being There," with some friends in a movie theater, I saw a familiar face up on the screen.  "Hey, it's Garth Blackwood!" I shouted, in recognition of the distinguished-looking actor (Mr. Harkins) portraying a Washington Post journalist.  To which one of my friends responded: "Who the 'expletive-deleted' is Garth Blackwood?"

So, as Horace Gladstone enters that pantheon of departed and beloved Dark Shadows supporting characters (Buzz Hackett, Donna Friedlander and Jeff Clark to name but a few), I will always cherish my impressions of this truly fascinating Dark Shadows character; an impression of an intense (if not obsessed) middle-aged scientist hurriedly exiting a Times Square movie theater, still wearing his trademark and "de rigueur" raincoat.   Or the deep-seated impression that that prominent cut on the right side of Horace Gladstone's face has left on me over the years.  (Perhaps Horace was the unfortunate "recipient" of a Jim Beam bottle, that Buffy Harrington had savagely tossed at him, as Horace was peering through Buffy's bedroom window, no doubt, in trying to track down the elusive John Yeager?)

Au revoir, Mr. Gladstone.  You have upheld the highest professional standards of the world's greatest chemists.  We can now add the name of Horace Gladstone to those of Marie Curie, John Dalton and Linus Pauling.  Yes, Horace Gladstone, indefatigable scientist and former manager of an adult bookstore and novelety shop in the so-called "combat zone" of Boston, Massachusetts.  Horace Gladstone, of whom it may be truly said: "He was banned in Boston!"

How about Quentin as Grant Douglas, man of mystery?  Okay, we all know that he liked to chill out at the Kit Kat Lounge in nearby Rockport, ME,(and that he wore snazzy suits that Bruno Hess would have killed for!), but what adventures could Quentin/Grant have experienced during the nearly 72 years that he was traveling around the world?  Hey, maybe someone could write a book on those so-called "lost years of Quentin"?   

Happy Birthday, Cassandra Blair!

I just love women who have the same lustrous, jet black hair, that the venerable Mike Wallace has miraculously "maintained" over all of these many years.  (Rumor has it that Mr. Wallace utilizes Kiwi Black Shoe Polish to "maintain" that seemingly eternal raven-haired look of his.) 

Embalm them?  Hell, corpses in Collinsport were lucky to make it into the ground at all....I always got the distinct impression that they simply left Carl Collins on the curb for the tuesday trash pick-up, he disappeared so precipitously. 

Raineypark,

Sorry to correct you, but Tuesday is recycling day.  So, hopefully, the genuinely funniest Collins ever will be recycled in Parallel Time as, say, Shecky Collins, New England's greatest stand-up comedian!

Bob the Bartender, President of the Morty Gunty Fan Club. 

Hey gang,

I think that there is a bust of Napoleon in the PT hallway.  (And, I'm not talking about Napoleon Solo from "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." or former NY Met ballplayer Danny Napoleon either!)

So, maybe there are similar historical figures in each band of time.  Nevertheless, if I happen to spy a bust of either Kathie Lee Gifford or Orenthal James Simpson outside of PT Angelique's room, I'm outta here!!!

Bob the Bartender, President of the Arnold Stang Fan Club.

PS In Parallel Time, is the silver-haired Eric Lang, the longtime, beloved host of "The Price Is Right"?  ("Portia Fitzsimmons, come on down!!!")

Hey gang,

How about when Buffie Harrington came into Cyrus' lab (that looks suspiciouly like Count Petofi's former 1897 "digs" in the old mill) and, quite emphatically, informed Sabrina (a/k/a Ms. PT Wall Flower of Collinsport, ME of 1970) that, she, Ms. Harrington (looking every bit like Ms. PT "Congeniality" of Collinsport, ME of 1970, especially in that meretricious looking "metallic" blue coat of hers), wanted to "speak with Dr. Longworth alone"?

I'll bet that gave Sabrina some "food for thought," particularly after Cyrus' puzzling, spur-of-the-moment trip to Portland, to "consult" with some colleagues the night before!

I guess it's like what the Rev. Gregory Trask used to say, so often: "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!" (You may have heard both Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton invoke that famous Shakespearean quote frequently in the past.)

Bob the Bartender, who, like the late, great Jean Shepherd urges you all to always "think clean thoughts."

Yes,  but does the delectable Ms. Duval take credit cards so that one can, as the Italians say, "Put it on the arm or, simply, arm it!"?

By the way, isn't it great to see how Quentin takes such great concern getting involved in other people's problems (helping Sabrina with Cyrus' disappearance, assisting Steve after his #ss-kicking by John Yeager, etc.).   Yet the Q-Man has no time to find out why the garishly attired Damion Edwards is haunting Collinwood, not to mention the fact that Quentin's wife of two weeks has split for New York City and, is, probably right this very moment, consulting with a high-priced divorce attorney?

Yes, it's the "corno d' oro" in reverse!

But, what is it that the Italians say, "Amo l'omo tuo"? (Always love your man, or words to that effect, something that PT Maggie Evans-Collins is obviously endeavoring to uphold!)