1242 - Kendrick stands in the lottery corridor, gazing at the double doors through which he will soon be taken to be locked in for the entire night.
Grayson Hall's introduction tells us that what is taking place in the gazebo will soon lead to attempted murder. In the remake of yesterday's ending, you can almost see Morgan's mind snap when he learns that Catherine is pregnant--and Bramwell the papa.
You do want the child to live, don't you, Bramwell? asks Catherine. Of course I do, he assures her, putting his hands on her arms, whatever made you think I didn't? She leans against him--I don't know, she says, I'm just so confused about everything. (Damn pregnancy hormones!) He holds and comforts her. Morgan watches, his face seeming to turn to angry stone. You will let me know what you plan to do? asks Bramwell. Yes, promises Catherine--and it will be soon, but now I have to get back--I said I was only going to make a short visit to the Old House. Stay a little longer, he begs, pulling her back into his arms. I can't, she protests, you know I can't--but doesn't leave the circle of his embrace. This is where you belong, in my arms, you know that, he murmurs. I can't take that chance, says Catherine. Bramwell caresses her back. Morgan will be suspicious already, she warns--I must leave. She rushes off. Bramwell watches her leave, his ardent feelings reflected in his eyes.
Morgan returns to Collinwood, his face stoic, his mind working like a mouse in an exercise wheel. Kendrick greets him--I came in here to put your drink down, he says, looked around, but you were gone. I'll take that drink now, says Morgan. Kendrick pours one for him and hands it over. Morgan is staring into the fire. Morgan? asks Kendrick as the other man drains the drink in one swallow--where did you go? Out for a walk, says Morgan. What happened out there? asks Kendrick. Nothing, says Morgan. Don't say nothing, says Kendrick, we had a drink a little while ago, you were fine, now you seem very disturbed about something. Disturbed? asks Morgan--it's a mild way of talking about it. Would it help to talk about it? asks Kendrick. No, it wouldn't, says Morgan quickly--strange, how you can know someone all your life, then one day discover you really never knew them at all. Annoyed by this cryptic statement, Kendrick asks, who are you talking about? Kendrick, asks Morgan--did you ever have the overwhelming urge to commit murder? Murder? repeats Kendrick--you're not serious, are you? Yes, I'm quite seriously, says Morgan, furious. Then I think you DO need to talk to someone, says Kendrick--what have you been doing for the last hour? I spent my life talking, being reasonable, says Morgan angrily, but it's been all a waste of time! (If you'd done more than talk in the bedroom, you might not be in this mess, Morgan!) It will do not good to brood over it, says Kendrick--you will only defeat yourself, can't you understand that? I appreciate your concern, says Morgan, but there is nothing I want to talk about--in fact, I'd like to be left alone. Whatever you say, says Kendrick, who leaves the room and heads upstairs.
Morgan pours another drink. Catherine returns home. He calmly greets her in the foyer. Were you waiting for me? she asks. Yes, he says, hands behind his back. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, she says. No at all, he says--how is everything at the Old House? She stares at him, taken aback by his tone.
Is something wrong? asks Catherine. Whatever made you ask a question like that? Morgan queries. I don't know, she says, you just seem different somehow. All I did, he says with an ugly chuckle, is ask you if you went to the Old House--that is where you went, isn't it? Yes it was, she says. Well? he asks.
Everything's fine, she lies. Was Josette there? he asks. Josette?--yes, she was, replies Catherine. How did Daphne look? he asks. Quite peaceful, says Catherine. Bramwell was there, I presume? asks Morgan. Yes, he was, says Catherine. What did he have to say for himself? asks Morgan. I didn't speak to him, says Catherine, impatient at this interrogation--he was only there for a moment. Does he expect the entire family tomorrow at the funeral? begins Morgan. She interrupts--why are you asking me all these questions? I'm sorry, my darling, he says, I didn't mean to sound as if I were interrogating you--I'm sorry. I'm very tired, she says. Go upstairs and rest, he urges, you're going to have quite a big day tomorrow with Daphne's funeral--it's going to be quite an ordeal. Catherine closes her eyes--yes, she says, I will--good night. He steps closer to her, bids her good night, and kisses her forehead, then watches her walk upstairs.
Cemetery - Daphne's poor excuse for a funeral is attended only by Catherine, Kendrick, Julia, Morgan and Bramwell. Catherine reads from the bible, "But know that the lord is set upon the godly for himself--the lord will hear when I cry unto him, tremble and do not sing, commune with your own hearts upon your bed and be still--offer righteous sacrifices, and trust in the lord--there are many that might say, oh we might see some good--lift upon us the light of thy countenance, oh lord, who has put joy in my heart more than in a time that their grain and wine increase--in peace will I both lie down and sleep--for thou alone, oh lord, make us meet well, in safety."
As she reads, we see mourners' faces--Bramwell, Morgan. Catherine kneels down, tears apart a bouquet and drops flowers into the grave, then hugs Morgan, who leads her away. Julia adds her bouquet, picking it apart, kissing the last blossom before she tosses it into the grave; then she, too, rises and leaves. Kendrick goes over to Bramwell, who bows his head, but Kendrick is unable to say anything. Finally, alone, Bramwell kneels and drops earth into the grave, staring down with sorrow as his too-young wife is put to rest.
Morgan supports Catherine as they, Julia and Kendrick return to Collinwood. You bore up very well, Catherine, my darling, praises Morgan. Only on the outside, she says--you were right, it was an ordeal--I'm ready to collapse. Why don't you let Julia take you upstairs and get some rest? he suggests. Won't you come with me? asks Catherine. Not now, he says, I have some correspondence to take care of. I'll take you upstairs, volunteers Julia, then look in on Flora--she was so upset, Dr. Fletcher wouldn't let her go to the funeral--I hope her fever didn't get higher. I think I'll go up and see Melanie once more before tonight, says Kendrick. Do you think that's wise? asks Julia. It's what I want, he replies firmly. They all head upstairs, leaving Morgan alone. He goes into the drawing room, sits down, takes out a sheet of paper, and begins to write.
Old House - Morgan brings a note and slips it under he door, then, grinning smugly, leaves.
Bramwell finds the note, reads it: "Bramwell, I know the truth now--are you man enough to face me?--the West Wing of Collinwood at five o'clock--Morgan." (Bramwell looks very handsome in his funeral clothes.)
The truth?--what truth is he talking about? wonders Bramwell to himself--is it possible he's learned about the child?--I must find out!
4:00 - Collinwood drawing room - The clock chimes the hour. Three more hours until darkness, muses Kendrick, and then...I WILL break the curse--I must! He rubs his eyes. Morgan returns to the house and smiles at Kendrick. Did you go up and see Melanie? asks Morgan cheerfully. Yes, she's quite the same, says Kendrick--how are you? How do I look? asks Morgan. Like the cat who swallowed the canary, opines Kendrick. Join me in a drink, suggests Morgan. I've never seen a man change his mood so quickly, remarks Kendrick as Morgan pours them drinks. I don't know what you're talking about, says Morgan. You've been grim as death all day, says Kendrick, and now you're suddenly full of life again. Morgan picks up the drinks--let's drink to the future, he suggests. What happens to you when you go out for a simple walk? asks Kendrick. Oh, I do a lot of thinking about life's problems and how to solve them, says Morgan. Obviously, you just solved a big one, says Kendrick. No, not yet, says Morgan, but I expect to before nightfall. Nightfall, says Kendrick--it isn't far off, is it? It's beginning to get to you, isn't it? asks Morgan, I mean about going into that room. I don't know, maybe it is, admits Kendrick. Put it out of your mind, advises Morgan, patting his shoulder, I've all the confidence in the world you're going to survive this night, and many more like it.
He smiles. What brought that on? asks Kendrick--just before, you were as pessimistic as everyone else in this house. Let's say that I've looked into my own private crystal ball, and seen what the future holds for this family, says Morgan. You couldn't be a bit more specific, could you? asks Kendrick. I could be, says Morgan, but that would take all the enjoyment out of it! Out of what? demands Kendrick. Morgan chuckles--patience, he says--now, why don't we drink to the future? They do. And now, if you'll excuse me, says Morgan, I have a matter of the utmost importance to attend to. Where are you going? asks Kendrick. Don't worry, says Morgan, I'll be back before your time comes--he goes upstairs. Kendrick sets down his drink, covers his face with his hands, and paces the drawing room. Julia enters--have you seen Morgan? she asks. Yes, he just went upstairs, says Kendrick. Good, she says, he's probably gone to see Catherine. I hope she can handle his mood better than I could, says Kendrick. What are you talking about? she asks. You know how he was all day, Kendrick reminds her, how he was at the cemetery--he came in here a few minutes ago like he just came from a festival instead of a funeral--I don't understand it. I don't, either, agrees Julia.
4:50 - Bramwell enters Collinwood and heads upstairs.
Morgan, in the lottery room corridor, checks his pocket watch: 5 PM. He enters the cursed room and closes the doors. Bramwell comes in--Morgan? he calls. Hearing a sound behind the doors, Bramwell asks, "Morgan, is that you?" He opens the door and enters the room.
Morgan hits him over the head with a candlestick, knocking him unconscious.
Welcome to our special guest room, dear Cousin Bramwell, says Morgan smugly--I trust you'll have an interesting evening--I look forward to seeing you in the morning. He drops the candlestick at the unconscious man's feet, leaves the room, locks the door and drops the key into a vase sitting on a table a few feet away.
Julia and Catherine sit in the drawing room while Kendrick paces. The clock strikes. Five thirty--one half hour to go, remarks Kendrick. How do you feel? asks Julia. Empty, he replies. I wish there was something we could do to make it easier for you, says Catherine. It seems so inadequate to tell you to have courage, says Julia. I'm not afraid, says Kendrick, if that's what you're both worrying about. You can hardly be blamed if you were, says Catherine. It's the waiting, says Kendrick, I've been waiting since last night--I just want to get it over with!--he slams his fist against the mantle. That isn't going to be necessary, says Morgan from the doorway. Where have you been? asks Catherine. What does that mean? asks Kendrick. It means you aren't going to go into the room, says Morgan. Kendrick stares at him--of course I'm going into the room, he says, I was picked in the lottery last night! Julia and Catherine move in closer.
You'll just have to ignore that now, says Morgan--because someone else has gone in in your place. What are you talking about? asks Julia. Cousin Bramwell graciously volunteered says Morgan grinning. Bramwell? cries Catherine in disbelief. I imagined that might upset you, says Morgan triumphantly. Is this some kind of joke? demands Julia. If it is, he says humorously, it's on Bramwell, isn't it? What have you done to him? demands Catherine. Nothing at all, my darling, replies Morgan. Bramwell would never voluntarily go into that room, says Julia--what have you done, Morgan? You knew about this earlier, didn't you? asks Kendrick, furious--that's how you knew I would survive the room! Morgan, give me the key to the room, orders Julia. Catherine is standing by the liquor cabinet, apart from the others, pondering where her baby's father is right now--and how much she really does care for him. What key? asks Morgan. Give it to me, demands Julia, I will let him out of that room. You are going to do nothing of the kind! insists Morgan--Bramwell is in that room and that's exactly where he's going to stay! Catherine's face is slowly collapsing as she realizes what her treacherous husband has done. Oh Bramwell! she cries, and runs from the room. Bramwell, Bramwell! mocks Morgan--now you know where my wife's REAL affections lie! You had no right to do this, Morgan! says Kendrick through gritted teeth. I told you, Kendrick, that I'd find some solution for the future and I've found it, says Morgan--I'd just like to know if she'll love him in the morning as she loves him now!
Catherine runs to the lottery room doors and bangs on them, frantically calling, Bramwell, can you hear me? Bramwell, still splayed out on the floor on his back, comes to and hears Catherine begging, speak to me! Catherine, he calls, holding his aching head as he rises to his feet. Are you all right? she asks. He tries the door and finds it locked. Can't you open the door? he asks. No, she wails--Morgan has the key--he's determined that you're to spend the night in the room!
NOTES: Morgan's revenge, sweet to him, evil tasting to Bramwell and Catherine. I watched Catherine's face change as the full import of what her husband had done to her lover hit her, and rejoiced that she finally realizes who she should have married in the first place. What will become of Bramwell? Will he die or go insane--or will he finally be the one to break the curse?
You've got to love Kendrick. He's a plucky, wonderful guy, and we have to hope he and Melanie will finally find happiness after all this horror. He was all set to meet his fate, but Morgan once again took it upon himself to decide that someone else should go into the room other than the lottery winner.
What a sad funeral for poor Daphne, so few mourners! I realize the family is being decimated here, but Curtis used to spring for extras here and there (as you will see in the pre-Barnabas eps). It would have been nice to see other people saying farewell to Daphne, who was so sweet, and a doctor's daughter, she should have had plenty of mourners.
The suspense is growing now as we head to the last four shows of DARK SHADOWS.
Love, Robin