I always thought Angelique's room was a reworking of parts of the cottage, with the sloping ceiling added. Certainly the fireplace is from the cottage and is much too big for a servant's room.

I don't have the DVDs or videos, so I don't know whose portrait is above the fireplace. Anybody else?

Loved your long post--you said almost everything I would have said!

Joshua makes it clear to Vicki that she can't go anywhere without Sarah. In those days, some servants would have been expected to stay indoors 24/7, except of course for church on Sunday.

I love GH as the countess. She is obviously enjoying herself immensely. Her scenes with LE are terrific. The countess wonders if she can have a cup of hot tea. Joshua hints that he won’t allow tea to be served at Collinwood--our first indication of his political views. Later he refers to the townspeople, who fought for equality less than twenty years ago. Does this mean he has one teeny redeeming characteristic?

JB looks absolutely radiantly beautiful, even in black and white. BTW, the beautiful arch that we first saw in Tony Peterson's office now adorns the master bedroom.

And yes, welcome (so to speak) to Angelique! Clearly she is expecting more of a welcome from Joshua. She gives the drawing room such an appreciative and anticipatory look that we already know she expects Barnabas to treat her as more than a servant.

After dinner, Barnabas finds the countess reading her tarot cards. He pooh-poohs them as superstition, but she insists they're really sophisticated and offers to show them to him. Barnabas looks at the cards as the countess explains them. Your card is the Magician, she tells him, because you have won Josette (whom the countess obviously loves dearly). Barnabas thanks her for the neat compliment. In answer to his questions, the countess tells him, The symbol on the Magician’s card is the sign for infinity--eternal life. Don't you want to live forever? Of course, he replies lightly. But the countess sees another card and says, No, you wouldn’t!

And then of course, there's famous scene in Barnabas's room. He looks especially nice in his poet's-sleeve shirt. JF and LP play this scene to perfection!

Me too! And I totally agree with your spoiler.

I also like how the Old House--that is, the original Collinwood--is full of daylight and brightness, with quite different furniture in a lighter, more elegant style than Barnabas has had Willie install. I'm sure Naomi is responsible.

But then he wouldn't have been the Nicholas we know and, um, love! And it's only fitting that his main fault should be the first deadly sin. 

Humbert and anyone.

Maybe, MT--but then we would have missed the hideous yellow of Elizabeth's caftan.

The (I think) final shot of Vicki standing near the amazingly new-looking Old House is pretty spiffy. The colors look very bright and fresh, at least in the Robservations thread.

One last, telling detail: The suddenly commanding Roger questions Phyllis. She replies, My name is Phyllis Wick. I was engaged by the solicitor in Boston, and I am ready to report to Mrs. Naomi Collins. I’m to be the nursemaid to a nine-year-old girl named Sarah. The others are astounded to hear her mention “Mrs. Collins.” No such person exists in 1968. Barnabas stands behind her, speechless and immobilized with shock. He is the only person present who has any idea of what has actually happened--and he can't tell anyone.

The beautiful arch also shows up again fairly soon [spoiler]in Joshua and Naomi's bedroom at the Old House in 1795.[/spoiler]