My Big Fat Leviathan Wedding! (or not)

Jeb suggests to Barnabas that they have a second drink. Barn says he has only one drink at a time--does this count for blood too? In any case, Jeb proves impervious to the poison and tells Barn to bring Carolyn to the shop at 8:00. Barn leaves without another word.

At the Old House, Julia has explained to Quentin all about the Leviathans and the succession of strange blond boys at the antique shop. Quentin (looking utterly divine in a gray three-piece suit) has trouble believing it (despite being a ninety-nine-year-old immortal and sometime werewolf as well as an ex-zombie). Don’t try to understand, just believe, Julia tells him. She explains that the Leviathans are EVIL. Quentin instantly agrees to help stop the wedding.

Barn and Julia exchange notes and hatch a plan to get Carolyn away to Little Windward Island.

Angelique finishes an affectionate phone call with Sky, who is away for a week. She hangs up a moment before the doorbell rings. She is stunned to find Barnabas Collins on her doorstep. Without giving her a chance to speak, Barnabas launches into his urgent plea. Angelique is furious that Julia broke her promise; Barn defends her by saying he forced her to. Angelique tells Barn that she's happily married to a man who loves her--and that she is forbidden to use her powers if she wants to stay married. I only want you to keep Carolyn here for a week at most, Barnabas tells her. You have nothing to lose. I have everything to lose! she retorts. Carolyn knew me as I was--what if she tells Sky? Carolyn won’t recognize you without the dark hair, Barnabas argues. (Only in the DS universe would this be true!) I promise never to ask you another favor again. Angelique laughs at this idea. Why is Carolyn’s life in danger? she asks. Have you ever heard of the Leviathan people? Barnabas asks. Angelique turns to face him in shock, thereby giving Barnabas his answer. They are creatures of the underworld, she says. Not for much longer, he adds grimly. Angelique asks Barnabas to explain how he got involved with them.

Quentin returns to Collinwood and finds Carolyn at home. He thanks her for her help and tells her he is hale and well and has his memory again. I’m very happy for you, Grant, she replies. We must talk about that right away, Quentin says. Why don’t we go into the drawing room. Carolyn is a bit nervous when he shuts the doors. We are distantly related, Quentin says. [This is true--he is her great-grand-uncle!] I happen to be the great-grandson and namesake of Quentin Collins. Although Carolyn never saw Quentin’s ghost, she is certainly taken aback for a moment. Quentin says he's a writer and that Grant Douglas was his pseudonym. And even though the dust has hardly settled on the boulder-strewn grave of Amanda Harris, Quentin says, I stressed the “distant” relation for a reason--may I see you tonight? Carolyn admits she’s booked for tonight, but tomorrow would be fine. Quentin is about to suggest where when Jeb pushes open the doors and walks into the room. I hope you don’t mind, he says, plainly not caring if she does and certainly hoping that Quentin does the moment he sets eyes on him. Their hostility is instant and mutual. Carolyn makes the introductions. explaining that Quentin is a relative of the family. A close relative? Jeb asks hopefully as he shakes Quentin’s hand. Distant enough to be reckless, Quentin answers, and the battle lines are drawn. He talks right up, doesn’t he? Jeb asks no one in particular. I’m sure we’ve met before, Quentin observes. Do you mind if I call you Jeb? Not at all, Jeb replies, but I don’t think we’ve met. He and Quentin have a brief staring match before Jeb tells Carolyn pointedly, I want to confirm our date. Can you meet me at the Old House? Very romantic, Quentin comments sarcastically, but Jeb ignores him and tells Carolyn, The Todds wanted me to bring them something from Barnabas. He and Carolyn confirm eight o’clock. Quentin reminds Carolyn that her father’s killer is still on the loose. Carolyn will be safe with me, Jeb says (and he ought to know). It was nice meeting you, Quentin, he lies. Do you mind if I call you Quentin? I don’t mind, Quentin replies and favors Jeb with a sarcastic smile. Carolyn excuses herself to walk Jeb to the door; over her head Quentin and the almost equally tall Jeb exchange glares.

Barnabas brings Angelique up to date on the Leviathan situation and says that now he is fighting them. You're taking a terrible risk, Angelique warns him. Barn thinks he can keep the deception going and pleads for her help. Angelique acknowledges that if she refuses, Barn could tell Sky the truth about her. Always a gentleman, Barn tells the witch that if she does refuse, he'll leave her in peace. Angelique reluctantly agrees. You can bring Carolyn here, she says--but she must be out of the house before Sky returns. Barnabas thanks Angelique and heads for the door, but Angelique has the last word: Remember this, and remember it well. I still have all of my powers. If, because of you, and because of this favor I am doing you, if my happiness is ruined, I will never forgive you--never! Barnabas gives her a long look to acknowledge that he knows exactly what she means, then leaves the house.

We never learn how Barnabas, still a mortal man, managed to make the hundred-mile round trip to Little Windward Island in time to make plans with Quentin and Julia, but later this afternoon, the trio are reviewing their strategy at the Old House. Julia is to tell Carolyn she wants to take her to Portland to meet an old friend of Paul’s--promising to be back by eight. [This must be the longest afternoon in history!] Her car will have a convenient breakdown on the way. Quentin is all for just going to the shop and beating Jeb up himself. Barn warns him not to. I’ll explain in a moment, he says and tells Julia to go and get ready. Then Barnabas explains to Quentin, Dealing with Jeb at the shop would be suicidal. Because Jeb is not human, he must obey certain physiological rules: He can change from his natural self to Jeb anywhere he wants--but to make the transformation from Jeb back to his true form, he must be in that room. There is no other way he can do it. Why don’t we just kidnap Jeb and keep him from the room? Quentin asks sensibly. Barnabas replies, My way, even with its risks, is the best.

At 6:45, Julia is coming downstairs in her overcoat and calling to Carolyn--and getting no reply. Quentin and Barnabas arrive a moment later, and she breaks the news that Carolyn isn’t in the house. Before they can do anything, the phone rings and Julia hands it to Barnabas. Why aren’t you at the Old House? Jeb asks. I’m not due there until eight, Barnabas replies. I’ve made other plans, Jeb tells him. With a laugh, he says, I’ve decided that you aren’t to be trusted, so I called Carolyn and changed the time. You can’t proceed without my help, Barnabas insists. That’s what the book says, Jeb replies, and I’ve decided that the book is as obsolete as you are. Adding that Carolyn just walked into the shop, he hangs up. Barnabas shouts into the receiver, then hangs up and tells the others that it’s too late.

At the shop, Jeb makes a complete circuit around Carolyn, appraising her up and down from every angle with satisfaction. You’re making me uncomfortable, she protests. I won’t do it, Jeb replies and stops. What do you plan for our date? Carolyn asks. We’re just waiting for the Todds to return, Jeb says, then you should let me surprise you. You're everything I thought you would be, he tells her. I am going to be very happy with you. Why did you say that? Carolyn asks. Because I felt it, he answers. Everyone should say or do what they feel. Picking up one of a pair of figurines, he says, Right now I feel like doing this. He deliberately lets the figurine fall from his grasp, crash to the floor and break. Carolyn is shocked. It didn’t even belong to you! she protests. I dare you to break the other one, he challenges her. I wish I could begin to understand you, Carolyn says as she slowly reaches for the figurine. Maybe you can if you would just free yourself, he tells her. Just let it drop from your hand. With a slight, nervous smile, Carolyn lets it fall. Pleased, Jeb gets a Champagne bottle and two glasses. To celebrate your liberation, he says. I don’t understand, Carolyn says. You will--soon, Jeb promises. When Carolyn hesitates, Jeb tells her to drink. Slowly she raises the glass and takes a small sip as Jeb drains his. Where are the Todds? she asks. They’ll be back soon, Jeb assures her as he moves closer to her. Carolyn starts to get dizzy and stumbles; Jeb catches her. Everything is all blurry, she murmurs, then collapses into his arms. He holds her up quite like a groom carrying his bride over the threshold, except that in most cases the bride is wide awake and eager to participate. Nonetheless he gloats over his prize: You are all mine now, Carolyn! This is the beginning of your new life! He starts up the stairs......

Welcome, zombie Sheriff Davenport! He is the first zombie since 1897, when Quentin and Sandor each did a stint.

I guess it's the evening of the day of Paul Stoddard's funeral. Carolyn and Maggie almost argue over the Todds. Carolyn apologizes and goes out for a breath of air. The sheriff reaches the terrace before she does but skulks in the shrubbery when she arrives, followed shortly afterward by Jeb. He actually succeeds in sweet-talking her. And she is the first person to disturb his boundless egotism. I don’t know what to make of you, she says. Do you find me repulsive? he asks (and he should know). How can I? she answers. I don’t even know you. [good one, Carolyn!] They talk about fate a bit--she doesn't believe, he does and promises her that tomorrow she'll see that he's right. What happens tomorrow? Carolyn asks. We are going to be married, he announces, his irritating cocksureness shining through. Carolyn is indignant and appalled. She turns to leave, and he grabs her arm, shouting, You wait a minute! I haven’t finished talking to you yet! Let go of my arm! Carolyn shouts back, shocked and insulted. Jeb says, Suppose I were to tell you that it was written somewhere that you and I were supposed to be together. This cuts no ice with Carolyn. I would say you were crazy, she replies promptly. Now Jeb loses it too and shouts back, Don't you ever say that to me! You don't know who you're talking to! Carolyn isn’t fazed. Let go of my arm, she warns him, or I’ll scream. Jeb looks at her for a moment as if he’s about to throw a tantrum, then lets go of her arm. Without another word, Carolyn runs back to the house. Jeb leaves the terrace, and a moment later, the sheriff follows him.

Maggie is still downstairs, turning off the lights and showing a great deal of hamstring. Carolyn rushes in, angry and upset, but hurries off upstairs with hardly a word. Barn arrives a moment later, and he and Maggie compare notes. Maggie reports her lack of success in getting Carolyn to stay away from the Todds. She asks why this is important, but Barnabas says he can't explain. He asks her to keep watching Carolyn. Maggie promises to do whatever he wants her to. I’m glad I can count on you, Barnabas says. Do you know why I will? she replies. Because I have never known anyone to be as concerned about someone else as you are about Carolyn. Taking his hand and smiling at him, she adds, I'm glad you came back to Collinwood. Barnabas replies warmly, And I am glad to be back--to reality, to friends, especially you. He strokes her hand with his own.

Now a latchkey Leviathan, Jeb lets himself back into the shop--with the sheriff at his heels. Poor Davenport recognizes his murderer and asks why Jeb has called him from the grave. Jeb explains that the sheriff is only the first of Jeb's zombie army and threatens to send him back to the grave if he disobeys.

The next morning, Carolyn (still in black) is in the drawing room, having received a dozen long-stemmed red roses with a card. It’s a very small card, but perhaps Leviathan script is tiny but still legible. She helpfully reads the card to herself: Dear Carolyn: First, I'm deeply sorry about last night. My heart and mind went separate ways. I followed my heart. Second, may we, by mutual agreement of course, meet tomorrow at eight? Love, Jeb. Carolyn smiles faintly as she gets a vase from the breakfront by the fireplace. Barnabas arrives and admires the flowers--until he finds out who sent them. Carefully hiding his reaction, he tells Carolyn that Maggie spoke to him about Jeb. Carolyn laughs off the incident and goes to get some water. Barnabas realizes that Jeb is even more dangerous than he thought and decides to kill him--tonight.

That afternoon, at the antique shop, Jeb is arguing with Philip over the phone. (He has dressed for his impending wedding by changing the red pullover for a slightly heavier pale gold nubbly one.) I have everything under control, he insists. You and Megan can stay out as long as you like. I don’t need you to watch over me. I hope you understand that--for your own good. A moment after he hangs up, Barnabas arrives. I realize that I can’t dissuade you from the course you’ve taken, Barnabas says. I want to reach an understanding for the sake of our mutual cause. I realize we’ve been at odds ever since you became fully grown. If we continue this way, we will jeopardize our mutual goal, so I suggest we become friends. I promise to obey and abide by your decisions. I knew you would come around, Jeb replies smugly, but I’m surprised it happened so quickly. So you accept my offer? Barnabas asks. Jeb replies, I will accept any offer--of obedience. Barnabas proposes a toast and offers to fetch the bottle that the Todds keep in the back room. After checking to make sure Jeb isn’t watching, he takes out a vial and pours its contents into one of the drinks. He hands Jeb a glass and proposes a toast to their success. (Actually he’s supposed to be trying to poison him but I think Jonathan gives him the wrong glass!) Jeb raises the glass to his lips, then says he wants to propose the toast himself: To Carolyn Stoddard, and her future with me. Say it like you really it, he orders. Barnabas complies, pausing only a moment before saying the “future” part. They drink. Barnabas watches Jeb carefully.........
 

Uncle Roger and Gothick, I love your posts! I think it would have been brilliant to have Petofi arrive in the present (1969) with the box. We never did get a showdown between him and Quentin in 1897, and it would have been fun to have one.

I agree that Chris Bernau and Marie Wallace were utterly convincing as the Todds and really engaged me as their story progressed--or, I guess went downhill. They were tragic figures and I felt for them both. Then again, I didn't watch the show when it first aired. I was much older when I finally caught it on local public TV and then on the old SciFi channel in the 1980s.

It seems that whenever the ratings started dropping, DC would freak out and start plundering various sources (Dorian Grey, Orpheus, whatever, not to mention Dracula and Frankenstein) for plot lines. Most of the time, the writers did amazingly well at concocting stories, and when they got the chance they wrote some dialogue that was brilliant and even sensitive.

True, the Leviathan story speeded up toward the end, but by then it had gotten totally out of control and I was glad to see the end of it. I'm sure not everyone would agree, but I loved the whole parallel time thing.

Agree--Julia's outfit is peculiar. I don't think we ever see it again.

David Henesy broke his leg skiing, hence the wheelchair.

Jeb is very much of his time, that is , 1970. By having his own "enemies" list, he's on the same wavelength as Nixon.  Barnabas tries to defend Roger, Julia, and Maggie, but Jeb isn't having any. And then there’s Amy, Jeb continues, who is one of us, but against my permission. You would even kill one of us? Barnabas asks in amazement. (He doesn’t even bother to argue that Amy is only a child.) Even Mrs. Johnson is in Jeb's bad books. But the proud Barnabas is defeated at last when Jeb forces him to his knees.  I know how difficult it must be to only exist at night, to feel the lust for blood--so that it drives you like an animal after your prey. Still on his knees, the proud Barnabas listens in horror as Jeb continues with another laugh, Think of Josette--with Oberon and Haza standing guard over her. Haza can be much more cruel than I ever dreamed of. Finally David arrives and points out that Jeb caused the "accident" that broke his leg.

Jeb gives David his wristwatch, and Julia finally sees the red birthmark on Jeb's wrist. Quietly she phones "Grant Douglas" and asks him to come to Collinwood. Quentin arrives, all in spiffy gray--gray overcoat, gray flecked-tweed safari suit, and gray turtleneck. Julia asks for his help and takes him to an unspecified graveyard, where they stand before a headstone that reads, Michael Hackett, Born 1957, Died 1970. Somewhere along the way, Quentin has acquired a shovel, and Julia is just finishing filling him in on the birthmark situation. Jeb, Alexander and Michael are one and the same, she declares. We must open the grave. Even though I saw Michael in the coffin, I’m learning not to trust what I see anymore. What will you do if your hypothesis turns out to be correct? Quentin asks. I won’t know until I find out, she replies. That’s the way it goes, Quentin says with an ironic laugh, but he starts shoveling.

Barn tries to get through yet another sleepless night by visiting Maggie at Collinwood. It turns out that Maggie also has tried to get Carolyn to leave Collinsport. We think alike, Maggie, Barnabas tells her, with his first smile in a long, long time. You don't know how gratifying it is to find that out. Maggie agrees to try to dissuade Carolyn from going to the antique shop.

Having shed his overcoat and rolled up his sleeves, Quentin has unearthed the coffin and breaks the locks with his shovel. Julia’s hypothesis was correct. The coffin is empty.

I didn’t realize you were so concerned about the family, Maggie says. I’m concerned about all of them, Barnabas agrees. Once again, Maggie promises to do everything she can about Carolyn. I’m to check up on David, she says now. I don’t trust Jeb Hawkes. You are very wise, Barnabas tells her as she leaves. Alone, he gives way to anxiety. Staring down at his hands, he wonders, Am I wrong involving her? Even to the extent that I have? I must have help if I am to end this. A moment later, Julia returns. In her usual direct manner, she says, I need to talk to you immediately--and I won’t get put off again, she adds. You must listen to me this time. I will not, Barnabas says. I told you not to involve yourself. I am more deeply involved than ever, Julia retorts. I just found an empty coffin in Michael Hackett’s grave. What does that mean to you? she asks. Nothing, Barnabas says as he turns away with growing worry in his eyes. I will tell you, then, what it means to me, Julia says relentlessly. I pronounced that child dead two weeks ago. I would swear that he was dead. For some reason, it had to be faked that he was dead. I don't know how, but I do know why. In fact, I know so much about what is happening that you had better tell me everything. Maybe Julia’s insistence has helped Barnabas come to a decision. Slowly turning to face her, perhaps with a faint smile of relief, Barnabas says solemnly, All right, Julia--I will tell you the whole story.....

I almost forgot--there is a wonderful scene with Quentin and Chris coming up soon. Too bad they couldn't have had more like it. I don't remember which number it is or I'd know who wrote it.

The Leviathans aren't my favorite story line either, but that's a great choice, Josette!

In the reshoot of the last scene, the sheriff is already dead when Barnabas enters and surveys the wrecked police station. (So we don’t have to wonder after all why he didn’t try to save the sheriff.)

Paul's funeral. Elizabeth's ostentatious widow's weeds are in inverse proportion to her actual grief. And in fact, we can see no trace of emotion in her face as she talks on the phone, inviting the Todds to the funeral. Roger is actually wearing a black suit (a real one) and stuns Elizabeth when he opines that maybe there actually was something to all of Paul's crazy talk. He adds, Certainly he was a scoundrel and worthless, but I thinks the family should inquire privately into the circumstances of his death--and of course, hush it up publicly. Carolyn, also in black with a long chapel veil on her head, overhears this and derides her uncle’s hypocrisy. My father was murdered, she insists, and I intend to find out who killed him. You barely knew your father, Roger points out. I did know him, Carolyn retorts, and I’m glad I had the chance. Sobbing, she asks her mother if she can remember loving him. Elizabeth turns away. Roger calls Carolyn “Kitten,” possibly for the last time, and tries to get her to stop crying. Collinses aren’t supposed to cry, Carolyn says sarcastically, then adds, But this is the Stoddard part of me, the part that lets me feel.

A very subdued Barnabas arrives, glad to be in time for the funeral. (At last, he can attend one in daylight!) He tells Roger about his remorse at not helping Paul.

Jeb is quite put out when he returns to the shop and finds that the Todds aren't there. On the shop desk he finds a folded note that they left for him. He reads it and thinks to himself, The funeral, yes--Paul Stoddard’s funeral. This thought makes him smile.

At the cemetery, Carolyn is almost overwhelmed with grief and wishing that she had gone to New York with her father. Meanwhile, Jeb surveys the whole scene from his hiding place behind Jenny Collins’s gravestone (1867-1897). He smiles broadly with anticipation as he watches Carolyn avidly, with no thought for her grief, and certainly no remorse over having murdered his intended bride’s father and the sheriff too. His desire seems not merely carnal (though that’s part of it) but simply and totally possessive. Roger finally persuades her to leave. She vows never to forget her father.

Jeb has summoned Barnabas to the antique shop. Barn warns him not to change to his true form, even in his room, in case the police come. Jeb says that Barn isn't the boss of him and wants Barn to tell him about Carolyn. Tell me about her, he orders. Has she ever been in love? I won’t talk about Carolyn now, Barnabas says stiffly and moves toward the door. Jeb grabs him and demands an answer to his question. Barnabas tells him to forget Carolyn. Jeb refuses, but Barnabas tells him, You must! By killing her father you have caused her more grief than she has ever known in her life. In addition, you have spoiled the entire plan by killing the man who sold her to us and who was going to give her away. The book won’t allow me to give her away. Jeb practically pitches a tantrum, throwing a chair onto the floor as he shouts, Forget about the book! Barnabas insists, You must give Carolyn time to recover--until the time is better. As he stands outside the shop, he thinks to himself, I will see to it that Carolyn’s time never comes. Inside the shop, Jeb finds something else to throw around.

Sometime after the funeral, Elizabeth is observing the decencies (if not the spirit) of mourning by doing nothing but some very fine embroidery in blue on white linen. (It looks like Joan Bennett actually was a good needlewoman too!) Barnabas abruptly tells Carolyn that she should go away. Neither Carolyn nor Elizabeth thinks this is a good idea, and all Carolyn can think of is visiting Sheriff Davenport's widow. She's going through the same thing I did, Carolyn argues. lizabeth doesn’t want Carolyn to leave the house tonight, but Carolyn leaves, declaring, Mother, I know what I must do. No one is ever going to stop me from doing it again. Barnabas tries to prevail on Elizabeth to make Carolyn go to New York--she needs a different life. She needs to become one of us, Elizabeth says. She needs our sense of mission. The book will tell us when the time comes, Barnabas replies--and it won’t come for months. Nor do I plan to hasten it.

Megan and Philip are still away from the shop when Carolyn stops by on her way home. She reads back the note she has written to Megan: Dear Megan, I have been to Mrs. Davenport's, and I stopped by to thank you for coming today. I am sorry to have missed you. Behind her, Jeb comes silently down the stairs and puts his hands over her eyes. She starts with surprise, pulls his hands away, and turns around to see him smiling at her. I frightened you, he says apologetically (for him). I'm Jeb--Jabez Hawkes. I live upstairs. You are Carolyn Stoddard. His manner with her is surprisingly gentle, but it is the gentleness of overweening self-assurance rather than courtesy or compassion for her. How do you know that? she asks, seemingly mesmerized as she looks into his eyes. He says nothing, so she asks about Megan and Philip. They are out, he replies. She turns away, and Jeb says, Don’t be frightened of me. I-- I must be going, she stammers and turns toward the door. No, he says, Megan and Philip told me so much about you. You must forget your father. In her surprise, Carolyn turns to look at him and is again mesmerized. I will help you, he says. I’m afraid no one can, she tells him sorrowfully. Oh, but you don't know me, he says airily, adding with subtle innuendo, I know so many ways to help you--to make you forget. Carolyn forces herself to turn away and again starts for the door, saying, I’m sorry, but I have to leave. Jeb puts his hand on her shoulder. If she was mesmerized by his gaze, she is electrified by his touch. Fortunately for her, she still has her back to him. No, he says again, adding, You don’t look at me when you talk to me. Slowly she turns toward him again. That’s better, he says and notes, You are shy. This elicits a faint smile from her, and he adds, I like that--I like that very much. Desperate to flee but unable to tear herself away, Carolyn finally says goodbye and heads for the door, where she remembers her errand and asks him to tell the Todds that she left the note. Please don’t forget, she adds. As he joins her at the door, Jeb replies, I won’t--never. She quickly walks out of the shop and down the street, but Jeb steps outside to watch her retreat and calls out, Never. Then he turns toward the street and shouts, Never!

Some time later, Barnabas has rejoined Jeb, who still has only one thing on his mind. Barnabas is upset that Carolyn was at the shop and doesn’t know why she was there. She was destined to be, Jeb replies grandly--just as she is destined to walk up the stairs and into my room. I need company. Perhaps realizing for the first time _all_ the implications of Carolyn’s being the bride of a Leviathan, Barnabas asks, Will she become as you are when you’re behind that closed door? You should do some more reading, Jeb suggests, then explains, Carolyn will be the first so honored. Then each one of you will be able to take on any form. He looks upstairs, savoring the thought, but Barnabas retorts, And we will be as mindless as you when you change? Be careful, Jeb warns, but Barnabas continues, And we will murder as you do? If it is necessary, Jeb answers calmly. This is too much for Barnabas, who declares, You cannot have Carolyn. The rest of us will face our fate if we must, but you cannot have her! Enraged, Jeb retorts, I can! And I will! Friday--Friday, there will be a wedding! A wedding between Carolyn and me!......