I suppose if the mainstays like Elizabeth, Roger, Carolyn, Maggie, etc. were all privy to and accepting of Barnabas' vampire curse, as well as the other sundry scandals at Collinwood, the tension and suspense would have been compromised to a large degree. Secrets are a major element of a captivating serial. I was always rooting for Barnabas and Julia to save the day, cover their tracks, and keep the Collins gang in the dark (shadows) - kind of a "what they don't know won't spook them" protective bond - they were the dynamic duo, the childless couple who'd adopted this family, and spent more time protecting them from sordid truths than pursuing their own wants.