788 - (Grayson Hall) - The first light of dawn breaks over the great estate of Collinwood, a Collinwood that has been victimized by creatures of the supernatural. On the night that has just passed, one such creature, a werewolf, has been captured and placed in a cell in Collinsport Jail. And now, with the arrival of the dawn, a horror-stricken Edward Collins watches a strange and frightening transformation from a beast to a man.
Note: Jail is spelled "gaol" in this century, too.
Fortunately for Quentin, he transforms into a hideously deformed man, much like Evan, his face a mangled mess. "I've never seen you before!" cries Edward--"Who are you? Answer me!" The man doesn't answer, enraging Edward. Quentin tries to speak, but chokes on the words.
Quentin peers through the bars at Edward, who doesn't even recognize his brother's suit. Magda enters. She tells Edward, you were right. Right about many things, rants Edward, you've known about this creature all along!--you know who he is, don't you? She says no, he accuses her of lying. Think what you want, she retorts. Why are you here, if you aren't lying? asks Edward. Curiosity, says Magda, just as you are. Who is this man? demands Edward. I'm just as shocked by his appearance, insists Magda. Again, Edward refuses to believe her. Ask him who he is, says Magda. He can't or won't say, says Edward. She looks at the creature and says, "Unable." Edward agrees--what a pity he can't speak, because if he could, I think he could tell us something about YOU. He knows nothing about me, says Magda. Edward offers her advice--now that they've found him, it's just a matter of time before they find and destroy Barnabas, too--if you want to do yourself some good, he advises, start helping us and stop fighting us--think it over, I'll be at Collinwood in case you change your mind--are you staying? For a minute, Magda says--my curiosity hasn't been satisfied yet.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0788-1.jpg)
If you manage to communicate with him, says Edward, let him know his days are numbered. Edward exits. (Don't the sideburns give Quentin away?) Look at me, Magda tells Quentin--do you understand nothing of what has happened? Forest of Oshden, mutters Quentin, they took me there! You don't even know who you are or who I am, laments Magda. "There were nine of them," says Quentin, "nine gypsies." The hand has changed you, states Magda. "The hand!" yells Quentin. Edward didn't recognize you, reports Magda--your secret is still safe--we must get you out of here. "Nine gypsies standing around the fire," says Quentin, "closing in on me!" Magda, fearful, realizes Quentin has no idea what she's talking about--I must tell Barnabas what has happened--he'll know what to do. When she leaves, Quentin grabs the bars and pushes his face through, staring out at her.
Edward relates to Judith the incredible story of how the animal's features turned into those of a man at the crack of dawn--a grotesque man. Judith appears to be in a trance. You haven't reacted to anything I've said, points out Edward. I'm glad they caught the animal, says Judith, but I have something else on my mind. Edward wonders--what could possibly be of more concern than the animal that almost killed you? All right, says Judith, the animal has been apprehended and we're all safe, but insist we not discuss it all day, it's morbid. This annoys Edward--what is the matter with you? he asks. Nothing, she says, tapping her beringed hand on the table. Edward stiffly asks, are you having second thoughts about your ridiculous marriage? No, my marriage wasn't a mistake, maintains Judith. "Give it time," says Edward sarcastically. I will, with the full knowledge that, if it fails, it was no more ridiculous than yours, retorts Judith. Touche, says Edward--do you want to tell me what's troubling you? I had a disturbing dream, says Judith, but I don't want to discuss it. It might be better if you told me, says Edward. Leave me alone, orders Judith. He leaves, saying I'll be in my study if you needs me. Judith thinks to herself, if I had told him the dream was about Minerva Trask, he would have laughed--why should I dream of her, why?--what was she trying to tell me? "Danger--the Queen of Spades"--that's all she kept saying!--what was she talking about?--what did she mean? I must stop thinking about it, says Judith--it was just a dream, and meant nothing. Judith turns and sees a hand of solitaire set up on a table that was empty a moment before. Judith screams. Edward comes running in and nervously agrees the cards weren't on the table when they were just talking. Judith says, I didn't leave the room since you went to your study--how did they get here? Edward doesn't know. Judith looks at the cards. Edward asks what she's doing. She turns over the top card--the Queen of Spades. She's calling me, says Judith--she wants me to go to her. Edward is aghast. Where are you going? he demands. She wanders from the room, card in hand, and leaves the house. Edward calls out for her to come back, but she ignores him.
Cemetery - We see Minerva's headstone, which says "Who departed this life 1897, age 50 years." I've come to you, says Judith--what do you want to tell me? Edward appears, calling his sister--what are you doing here? This is where she appeared in the dream, says Judith. Who? asks Edward. She's here now, says Judith. Edward reads the stone, says the dead woman's name. Yes, says Judith. He asks, have you taken leave of your senses? She's trying to tell me something, just as she did in the dream, says Judith. Edward suggests a sane, rational explanation for Judith's dream--your own guilt, of marrying Trask so soon after his wife died. Judith denies this. Come home, insists Edward. I want to stay, insists Judith--I must stay, I'm wanted here, not you. Edward orders her to stop talking nonsense. "I'm the one," says Judith, and nearly faints, alarming Edward. Judith tips her head back and closes her eyes. Edward wants to take her home and get a doctor--come with me, he pleads.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0788-2.jpg)
"I will thank you to call me Mrs. Trask," says Judith--"I will come home when I am ready." (She seems in a total, weird trance.) Edward stalks off, leaving her there. "I know what must be done," says Judith, smiling. "I know now." We again view Minerva's tombstone.
2:40 PM - Collinwood - Magda comes downstairs. Edward returns and asks, why are you here? Looking for Beth, says Magda. I haven't see her all day, says Edward. He closes the drawing room doors and calls 453. It's the still-face-challenged Evan Hanley who hesitantly answers the phone. Come over as quickly as you can, insists Edward. (Magda listens carefully). Pop-eyed Evan asks if something is wrong--tell me what it is. I think Judith is losing her mind, reports Edward. I'm not sure I can get there at all, says Evan, despite the urgency of the situation, but I have a list of appointments and don't know if I can clear them this quickly. This is an emergency, says Edward angrily--get here this afternoon, or I'll look for another lawyer in the morning. Evan hangs up, then checks his hideous reflection in the mirror. Magda walks away from the door, making sure Edward doesn't catch her. He assures her, nothing is going on that concerns you--why are you looking for Beth? Nothing important, says Magda, I just read her cards sometimes. Why? demands Edward. She wants to look into the future, says Magda. Did you consider what we discussed earlier? asks Edward. Yes, she says, I thought it over--if I could help you find Barnabas, I would, but unfortunately, I can't. "Perhaps the future you should be concerned about is your own!" suggests Edward coldly. Gypsies aren't like other people, says Magda, "You have your little crises and they're very upsetting--our lives are one long, continuous crisis. We know it, we deal with it, we always survive it!" (I love this little speech, it's wonderful.) Judith enters, slamming the door. She gestures to Magda and asks Edward, who is she, and what is she doing here? Edward and Magda exchange looks. Well, asks Judith, isn't either of you going to speak up? Magda laughs--you're making jokes, she says of Judith. "We do not make jokes, Madame," says Judith--"We run a very proper school here." School? asks Edward. Judith isn't feeling well, says Magda. I'm feeling fine, says Judith--"If you came in answer to that ad we placed in the paper, you are wasting your time! She fingers Magda's clothing with disgust--I don't like the way you dress, and your jewelry is hideous!--send her away, Judith orders Edward, who calls her name twice. Judith ignores him, and says, send my daughter to me. Edward says, you don't have a daughter. "Of course I do," says Judith sternly, "and I wish you'd stop calling me Judith--my name is Minerva, and you may address me as Mrs. Trask!" She flounces into the drawing room as Edward and Magda exchange quizzical, stunned glances.
3 PM - Edward closes the drawing room doors, then answers a knock at the front door. It's Evan, whose face is restored! I'm glad you decided to do the intelligent thing, says Edward. Magda comes out of the servants' quarters. Evan apologizes for his hesitancy over the phone. She spots Evan and drops her purse on the floor. Edward, annoyed at her fear, asks what she's staring at. Evan is staring at Magda, who kneels to pick up her purse. She greets Hanley with a good afternoon. He tips his hat and says she's looking well. "You are, too," she says, incredulous, cowed and scared.
Magda goes to the servants' entrance and exits as Edward describes Judith's aberration--it started with a dream she had last night, about the first Mrs. Trask, then she seemed to think she was being haunted by the woman (does it seem to anyone else that scenes are missing?), and now she actually thinks she IS the first Mrs. Trask--I'm sure of this, says Edward, having spent most of the day with her. Evan asks exactly how she's been behaving--how is the illusion manifesting itself? She thinks she's Minerva Trask, responds Edward, and I'm terribly concerned about her state of mind--I'm especially concerned that Trask will take over the house if Judith isn't in her right mind. Do you believe it's gone that far? asks Evan. I'm not sure, says Edward, but if it has, it's your duty to legally protect us. Evan agrees. I want to take you in to see Judith now, says Edward. I want to speak to her alone, says Evan, I think it will be easier to evaluate the situation without a third party in the room. Edward agrees to wait in the study. As he's about to open the drawing room doors, Magda comes out, calling to Evan--I must speak with you, she says. "You and I have nothing to say to each other--GYPSY," he replies icily, through a smile.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0788-3.jpg)
She tells him how lucky he is that his face has been restored--how did it happen? Evan laughs, and says, "Wouldn't you like to know?" Was it the hand? she asks eagerly. You're wasting your time, says Evan--I'll never tell you. I'm asking on Quentin's behalf, she says, there was a full moon last night, and Quentin transformed--the police caught him and put him in the Collinsport Jail. Then he changed back this morning and they know who he is, guesses Evan. No, says Magda, because the hand did to Quentin what it did to you--he isn't recognizable, but if your face is back to normal now...then his will be, too, then they will recognize him, and that's why you must help him! "You've come to the wrong man," says Evan. "I have no intention of any further involvement with Quentin--and I have no desire to do anything that would help YOU!" She turns away from him, sounding as if she's spitting out something disgusting.
Judith sits in the drawing room playing cards. Evan enters and asks to speak to her. "YOU! YOU ARE THE ONE!!" she cries. I don't understand, says Evan. She grabs a letter opener from the desk and approaches him threateningly with it. "You made Timothy Shaw poison me!" she accuses. Evan is shocked.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0788-4.jpg)
She comes relentlessly forward, intent on stabbing him, getting revenge for his part in her murder!
NOTES: Interesting developments. We know why Evan wanted to speak with Judith/Minerva alone, and now his worst fears are realized--she remembers him and his part in her murder! Who will save him from her intended revenge? How did Evan get his face back to its handsome appearance? Was that an incredible scene between Barnabas and Edward at the jail or what? So sad, what their once-friendly relationship has turned into! Didn't you get the impression that Magda was treating Evan like some sort of god, even feared him, for using the hand to cure himself? She was practically bowing at his feet!
How cool that the hand actually prevented Quentin from being found out, even if it failed to cure him of the werewolf curse. I would think Edward would recognize Quentin anyway, but I guess he does look different enough to make Edward not want to be related to him! Great how they ended that earlier ep, making it seem that Edward witnessed the werewolf turning into Quentin, but we saw in the ep that followed that the creature's human form is uglier than his animal form. Doesn't it sound as if Quentin is possessed by a character we haven't seen yet--Count Petofi? We can safely assume the hand is responsible for that, too!
Good eps. I had actually forgotten Minerva possesses Judith. She will have scores to settle with Trask, too; if she knows of Evan's part, and that Tim was badly used, she should know about all of it.
789 - (Clarice Blackburn) - 1897 was a time of many terrifying events in the great house of Collinwood, and these events had a lasting effect on all who lived there, and all who would come after them. But perhaps no single event was so cruel and frightening as the deliberate plan of one evil man to induce madness in the mistress of the house.
Minerva is doing the intro? Oh boy! She tells us some evil man is inducing madness in the mistress of the house.
3:05 - Judith accuses Evan of making Timothy Shaw poison her, and she comes at him with a letter opener, holding it like a deadly knife.
Evan dodges Judith as she says, I know exactly what you did--"You and my husband planned it, didn't you?" demands Judith. You thought you could blame Shaw. Edward comes in and wrestles the letter opener away from Judith. She HAS gone completely mad, says Evan--she accused me of being responsible for Mrs. Trask's death.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0789-1.jpg)
Judith sits quietly by the fireplace. I knew I shouldn't have let you come in alone, says Edward. Judith comes out of her trance and asks, what's happened to me--what is Evan doing here? Edward tells her, you tried to kill Evan. Judith can't believe it--I didn't know he was here. You aren't well, says Edward--can you remember anything since morning? No, says Judith, I can't--but she staunchly refuses his offer to call a doctor. Confused and scared, she says, I need a little rest, that's all. Edward tells Evan to stick around and very slowly helps his sister up to her bed. Evan, probably scared into leaving skidmarks in his drawers, helps himself to a drink. Trask comes in--where have you been for the past 24 hours, he asks Evan. We had better decide what to do about your new wife, advises Evan, and quickly--for some reason, she imagined herself your first wife, and accused me of being responsible for her death! Is this a macabre joke? Asks Trask. No, replies Evan says--she was like someone possessed--she seems to have recovered for the moment, but if this manifests itself again, we could be in serious trouble--REVEREND. Is possession by Minerva possible? asks Trask. Yes, says Evan, that Minerva's spirit is restless shouldn't come as a surprise to either of us. If the spirit is a danger to us, it must be silenced, says Trask. It's a ghost that won't rest until it causes trouble for us, warns Evan. There must be a way, says Trask--find out what it is. Evan is thinking wicked thoughts--fear, he says, even though Minerva is dead, Judith still has an enormous fear of her--perhaps we can use that fear to our advantage--by bringing Trask's first wife back to haunt Judith. Already happening, Trask reminds him. But not to our advantage, says Evan. What will you do? asks Trask. I will explain when the time comes, promises Evan--remember, Judith changed her will in your favor, and if anything happens to her, you are master of the house. Evan has a point--Trask smiles. I mean to be taken care of, says Evan. I will guarantee you nothing until I know what you plan to do, says Trask. Come to my house this evening, says Trask--I'll show you--oh, and bring a picture of Minerva, will you?--if my plan succeeds, Judith will never be a problem to Trask again, and you will be a very rich man. Trask smiles at this thought, pleased.
Edward joins Trask in the drawing room. Evan left, reports Trask. Edward is annoyed to hear this. He'll be home later this evening, Trask assures him. I'll call him later, says Edward, but I wants a word with you. I prefer to speak to Judith first, says Trask. Edward insists it cannot wait. OK, says Trask. I want you and Judith to annul the marriage, says Edward--we both know it's a disaster(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0789-2.jpg)
--Judith was never suited for marriage, nor will be. Have you always decided what's best for your sister? asks Trask. Yes, says Edward, I know her better than you do--why do you suppose she's never married until now? I neither know or care, insists Trask--I love her and will do everything in my power, devote all my time to ensure she is well and happy. He excuses himself curtly and heads upstairs.
Judith lies on her bed. She answers a knock at her door--no one is there. She closes the door, starts to return to bed. Another knock. Again, no one there. She closes the door. The third knock makes her rub her hand nervously over her face, this time she asks who it is. It's Gregory, darling, he responds. She smiles happily and opens the door--did you knock a moment ago? She asks. No, why? he asks. Someone did, says Judith, but there was no one there. Perhaps you just thought you heard a knock, he suggests. I'm so glad you're here! says Judith, and hugs him. Edward gave me quite a scare, says Trask--I'm very concerned over your state of mind. No reason to be, says Judith. That's what I told Edward, says Trask. I just had a disturbing dream, she says. I don't agree with Edward, says Trask. I'm not myself today, admits Judith, but it has nothing to do with you. We will face it together, he promises, you should not be afraid. Not as long as you're with me, she says, hugging him. I'll stay with you, says Trask, but must make one more trip to the school--I'll be back ASAP and stay with you, he promises. I'll be miserable without you, she says, a statement that seems to bring him great pleasure.
8 o'clock, Hanley residence - Evan, dressed in black velvet robes, looking quite satanic looking with his hair slicked back, flips through a book. He asks Trask, who is sitting down, "Why the long face?" Surely, says Trask, you can understand my discomfort at participating in this sort of thing.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0789-3.jpg)
Of course, says Evan, "But we can't always be on the side of the angels, can we?" (Good dig!)-- Did you bring the picture of Minerva? Trask hands him the photo and asks, what are you going to do? Yes, this will do nicely, says Evan--the goal of our ceremony is to conjure up a black ghost of Minerva--in effect, we will create a thing that will appear to Judith--she will think it Minerva's ghost, but in fact it will be a hallucination under our control. Will this thing be visible only to Judith? asks Trask. No, says Evan, that's the one dangerous factor about the plan--when it appears, anyone will be able to see it, so you must go to Judith immediately and prevent anyone else from coming near. Trask asks, how does the photo fit in? At the height of the ceremony, says Evan, I'll set fire to the picture, and if I've been successful, the apparition will appear to Judith. Trask decides he'd better return to Collinwood at once. I will begin the ceremony at 8:30, says Evan, which will give you plenty of time.
Edward descends the stairs at Collinwood. Trask returns home, asking about Judith. I think she calmed down a bit, says Edward. I expected that after the talk we had this afternoon, says Trask smugly. Before you go, says Edward, I want to ask you some questions. I don't want to leave Judith alone anymore than necessary, objects Trask. The clock is striking 8:30 as they head into the drawing room.
Evan begins his ceremony to conjure up "The subservient spirit of Minerva to appear and show herself to Judith Collins. (Not Trask?) Wherever she may be, in a fair and human shape without deformity--show thyself presently and manifest only that which I desire. He lights the black candles and holds Minerva's photo into one of them, setting it afire.
Judith lies in her bed, reading a book. In the corner of her room, Minerva appears. Judith covers her face and screams.
Edward tells Trask--what's most curious and disturbing about Judith's behavior is what she said to Evan Hanley--she accused him of murdering Trask's first wife--why would she make such an accusation? Considering her state of mind, says Trask, she didn't need a reason--you yourself said she was completely irrational. Judith calls to Trask. He and Edward join Judith at the foot of the stairs. She hugs her husband--thank the Lord you're home! She says, upset. I said I'd be home early, he reminds her. Edward notes Judith is trembling and asks what's wrong. A slight chill in my room, she says, as the men flank her. I'd like to speak to Judith alone, says Trask, and escorts his wife into the drawing room. She sits down, he sits beside her and asks--tell me why you lied to Edward?--I can see something is wrong in your eyes. She confesses, a few moments ago, in my room, I saw Minerva's spirit in the corner of my room. He smiles quickly, then says--it had to be your imagination--even if spirits were possible, Minerva's never would, she was kind and tolerant, and I'm sure that, wherever she is now, she looks upon our union with the greatest of joy. He clasps her hand. I suppose so, says Judith. Now you know how I feel about liquor, says Trask, but a little brandy might be just what you need right now. He gets up to pour her one to calm her nerves. Judith says, "Minerva is here again, on the other side of the room." Trask looks where Judith directed and sees Minerva sitting in a chair, doing needlepoint. Trask, of course, claims no one is there--no one in the room but us. "But you must see it," insists Judith, upset. "She's there in that chair!" It's all in your mind, says Trask. It can't be, wails Judith. Look at me, orders Trask--remember what I said earlier about being afraid. I remember, says Judith, clearly terrified. For some reason, continues Trask, the memory of Minerva is dominating your thoughts, when you should be thinking about us and our future together(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0789-4.jpg)
--if you think about THAT, everything will be all right, he assures her--it's what you want, right? Yes, very much, says Judith. Turn around and look across the room, he orders--tell me what you see. Judith sees Minerva, of course, but claims to see nothing. "There!" says Trask. Didn't I tell you? I'd like that brandy now, says Judith, who downs it quickly, hand trembling. You're still very upset, he notes. I'm all right, Judith assures him--I don't see her anymore. "Her?" asks Trask. "Your wife!" says Judith. "But Judith," says Trask, "YOU are my wife!" He grins and says, keep reminding yourself of that--"I am Mrs. Trask." Say it, he says, my students don't hesitate. I'm not feeling well, says Judith. Go upstairs to rest, he suggests. Won't you come with me? asks Judith. I have a few things to do down here, he says. Can't you do them later? asks Judith pitifully. You're acting afraid to go up to your room alone, says Trask--you aren't afraid, are you? No, says Judith, her terrified eyes almost bulging from her head. She sees Minerva, still sitting and sewing, and hesitantly asks, will you come up when you're finished? She walks through the darkened foyer, covering her face with her hands when she gets to the newel post. Slowly, she walks upstairs. Minerva follows her up. Judith turns and says, don't come any closer--"Don't come near me!" she orders the apparition.
NOTE: Evan and Trask are absolutely horrible men who deserve to die. What they are doing to poor Judith, on top of what they have done to Minerva, is unspeakably disgusting. Evan has been the Collins family lawyer a long time; how can he gaslight the woman who has probably made him rich this way?
Poor Judith! Every man in her life that she's trusted has turned against her!
Love, Robin