Mass confusion. I thought this was the ep. where Julia actually visits the very grumpy Tate and we meet the annoying Michael, though he isn't as annoying as Alexander.

Poor David freaks out when he wakes up out of a sound sleep and realizes that Quentin has come back. "Grant" still wants answers from Julia.

After his shock, David goes downstairs, expecting to see the ghostly Quentin materialize at any moment. He hides in the drawing room and watches in terror through a crack in the doors as Julia leads Grant Douglas downstairs and out of the house. As he sees the man’s face, he realizes he is seeing Quentin Collins--a very corporeal Quentin Collins.

Just outside the doors, Quentin again demands a full explanation. Julia promises to give him one. David listens from just inside in amazement as Julia addresses the man as “Mr. Douglas.” I’m sorry I couldn’t more helpful, she says. So am I, he replies. He walks away from the house. (In a storm? This ep. aired in December 1969. And how did he get back to town if Julia drove him to Collinwood? Or did he suddenly acquire a car?) As David waits for Julia to go upstairs ahead of him, he remembers. Grant Douglas was in the accident--Carolyn met him at the antique shop. But why does he look so much like Quentin? And how can he without _being_ Quentin?

The Todds are out when Julia arrives at the antique shop the next day. She questions Alexander without much success. Elizabeth brings David and Amy to the shop for a play date. Amy makes two mistakes: She calls Alexander "Alex" and picks up a doll. Alexander tells her she can't play with it because it's for sale. When he reaches for it, Julia notices that he has the same red crescent-shaped birthmark as the baby did. Elizabeth assures her that the kids will be all right without adult supervision. Julia reluctantly leaves with her.

Dr. Hoffman is nosy, Alexander comments in annoyance. Amy makes her third mistake when she spots the photo of young Carolyn. Give it back, Alexander orders her. David looks frightened. You stole it, Amy guesses. You have a crush on Carolyn! she adds with a giggle. Alexander orders David to get the photo. David tries to persuade Amy. Alexander took the photo without asking, she points out. As Alexander starts toward Amy, David holds him back and says, Wait, I’ll get it. Amy comments, I don’t understand why you’re afraid of Alexander--you’re bigger than he is. David might be about to explain, but Alexander gives Amy a look that would kill her if looks could kill.

Elizabeth leads Julia to the storage room, which is actually Quentin’s outer room. I’m still thinking about Alexander, Julia says. The way he looked at me when I left the shop makes me think that somehow he knew he had outsmarted me. You just haven’t been around children enough, Elizabeth says. You’re treating Alexander like an adult. Julia feels compelled to offer some advice: Don’t let Amy and David play with Alexander. Elizabeth is amazed. Julia says, I don’t think Alexander has any friends. I don’t know why I feel so strongly about it, but I do. Paul was very upset the day Alexander was at Collinwood, she reminds Elizabeth. I hope you aren’t taking Paul’s wild stories seriously, Elizabeth says. Julia replies, At this point I don’t know what to believe--which is very unusual for me. She steps over to the paintings, not noticing how Elizabeth glowers at her.

Back at the shop, Amy still refuses to give Alexander the photo of young Carolyn. David warns her, If you don’t do as Alexander says, I’ll send Quentin after you. Amy whirls around in shock, protesting, Quentin is gone! No, he isn’t, David says. I heard his music. Would like to see him?Frightened now, Amy says, I don’t believe you! I’ll tell if you scare me! She runs into the back room and shuts the door. David smiles and asks Alexander to follow her and keep her in there for a few minutes. Alexander complies. David picks up a book with a red tag clipped to it, picks up the phone, and starts dialing.

Julia finds a painting that is almost identical to the one she bought at the antique shop. But this one is signed: Harrison Monroe 1968. I bought this one at a charity auction last year, Elizabeth says. Despite the undercurrent of menace in the air, the two women share a laugh when Elizabeth tells Julia, Roger told me to come right up here with it! May I show the painting to Professor Stokes? Julia asks. Elizabeth says go ahead. What’s so important about Charles Tate? she asks. Julia tells her that Professor Osmund said he died ten years ago--there must be some explanation.

Amy and Alexander have emerged from the back room. Alexander gives David the book with the red tag, which we can now see says to return it to Grant Douglas. David insists that Amy play hide and seek because Alexander wants to. I’m too old, Amy declares, Don’t try to scare me with Quentin again. I won’t, David replies, if you’ll shut her eyes and start counting. Amy closes her eyes and starts to count. David gestures to Alexander to go upstairs. David hides near the front of the shop. Amy finishes counting to ten and calls out, Ready or not, here I come. She opens her eyes to start looking--at the exact moment that Grant Douglas opens the shop door to reclaim his book. Poor Amy is frozen with terror. She calls to David. Grant smiles pleasantly and comes closer, but Amy backs away from him, screaming, Don’t let him get me, David! David, please! She runs upstairs, leaving Grant very puzzled. David emerges and says they’re just having a game. You should go after her, Quentin suggests. You seem to have frightened her, David comments innocently. Quentin stares at him. You’re David Collins, he guesses. David says yes, adding, I called you about the book. Is the little girl is also a Collins? Quentin asks. Her name is Amy Jennings, David replies. She just lives at Collinwood. Well, David Collins, you are a most unusual young man, Grant tells him. He takes the book and leaves, thus ending his first meeting with his great-granddaughter. David smiles triumphantly.

Meanwhile, Amy is in the upstairs hall, getting closer to Alexander’s bedroom. She’s thoroughly frightened and calls to David for help. David, make him go away! she pleads. You win--wherever you are! Suddenly she starts to hear the slow, heavy breathing. Even more frightened now, she tells David, I won’t let you frighten me! She opens the door and steps into the bedroom. She brings both hands up to her mouth in horror at what she sees and screams over and over and over.....

Here is a note I made in trying to figure a few things out:

[spoiler][So why did Julia and “Grant Douglas” find Quentin’s room intact? Well, because Barnabas has changed history after all. Quentin never died, and in the changed 1897 story, Trask’s ghost never inhabited the room. Quentin’s ghost had survived because he had never resolved his guilt about being a murderous werewolf; under his sanctimony Trask was a murderer and then a suicide, pure and simple, so his soul is damned to eternal hell and doesn’t roam the earth, let alone haunt Quentin’s room. As we saw in 1897, Judith phoned Tim and told him to remove the brick wall after Trask died. Perhaps Tim insured himself and buried Trask’s body so that Judith couldn’t implicate him (Tim) if she later had a change of heart and confessed her guilt. (Or maybe he didn’t, and even in the changed 1969 story, the children still found Trask’s skeleton and buried it.) Perhaps Tim also moved Quentin’s Victrola back to his room as part of the coverup. Quentin wouldn’t miss it because he never returned to Collinwood after leaving for New York to find Amanda Harris--at least not until 1969. As for Amanda’s seemingly indestructible portrait, Tate did make a lot of drawings and portraits of her; and his portraits of her and of Quentin seem to be self-healing. The only thing left unexplained is the whereabouts of the I Ching wands. Petofi was the last person to have them, and they were in Tate’s studio at the time of the fire, so they couldn’t have been in Quentin’s room for Barnabas to find. On the other hand, perhaps in the original story, there was no fire, because Petofi never revived Garth Blackwood, and Petofi never found them.][/spoiler]

LOL, MT! Professor Osmund (played by Ronald Dawson) preserves his life by making only this one appearance on the show. He joins the legion of DS survivors, who include Dr. Reeves and Portia Fitzsimmons. 

Julia tries to get information from Elizabeth about the little girl whom Paul kept seeing, but the more she tries, the colder the temperature around Elizabeth gets. Chris arrives with the painting Julia bought at the antique shop and an envelope. Although she is a cult zombie, Elizabeth is still the epitome of correct and gracious behavior, and leaves to give the other two privacy, but Julia wants to finish their conversation later. (The painting that Chris arrives with is actually not the one that Julia bought at the antique shop, but a second one that she will find in the next episode!)

Chris reports, The lab technician at the hospital did what we wanted. It’s more important than ever, Julia says and fills him in on how “Grant” left with Olivia Corey. She must know or suspect he’s really Quentin Collins, Julia declares. Julia too has had her painting x-rayed. When they look at the film, both she and Chris can see it has a portrait beneath it. They wonder whose portrait it is. Julia says it’s not Quentin, because that was a larger canvas. Chris points out that a canvas can be cut down. They talk about Olivia’s interest in discovering whose portrait it is. Chris says that Mr. Nakamura took a color photo of the painting--and now Chris surmises Olivia is planning to have it copied and switch the copy with Julia’s. They have to discover whose portrait is under the landscape. Julia says there’s only one man to ask.

Naturally Stokes (who seems to know everyone) knows the expert restorer Professor Osmund.

Quentin asks Olivia about her own life. She tells him she began as a dancer and a singer. For a moment, Quentin remembers a song. He struggles to capture the memory, but it has vanished. Julia arrives to speak to Olivia alone. Quentin obligingly goes to the back room. (LOL!) With her usual directness Julia asks Olivia, Why have you brought “Grant” here? Olivia says she has a reason but won’t reveal it now. She tries to show that Julia’s theory about Grant = Quentin must be false, since Grant doesn’t look ninety-nine years old. We both have the same goal, Julia says, brushing aside Olivia’s attempt to throw her off the track. I suggest we cooperate. Olivia agrees to a truce, at least for now.

According to Professor Osmund, Charles Delaware Tate died ten years ago.

Quentin emerges from the back room to hear how the two women have decided his fate (another stereotype stood on its head!). Olivia tells him, We will work together to help you regain your memory. Dr. Hoffman will tell you how. She says goodnight and leaves. Julia tells Quentin, I’m going to take him to Collinwood to try the association method. I’m pretty sure I didn’t live a hundred years ago, Quentin says lightly. It’s somewhere to start, Julia replies. I have no other choice, Quentin replies. He gets his nice blue topcoat and leaves with Julia.

Working in deep concentration, Professor Osmund has applied a liquid solvent to a corner of the landscape while Chris and Stokes watch in suspense. To pass the time while they wait, Chris asks Stokes about the handwriting samples. Osmund turns to give them a slightly annoyed look. They take the hint and move off toward the desk so as not to distract him. The similarity between the two samples is astounding, Stokes tells Chris. It’s impossible to believe they weren’t written by the same person. But can you ask Julia if I can keep them a day or two longer. I want be absolutely certain before I announce my decision.

Julia and Quentin arrive at Collinwood. Very impressive, Quentin observes as he looks around. I wouldn’t mind being a Collins--but nothing rings a bell. He spots Barnabas’s portrait. This was the man who visited me at the hospital! he says. It’s not the same man, Julia corrects him---it’s one of his ancestors. Even now her loyalty is steadfast and undiminished! She takes Quentin upstairs.

Professor Osmund has continued removing the landscape. Now holds the canvas up for Stokes and Chris to take a look. Julia will never believe this, Chris says in astonishment. Why not? Stokes asks calmly. She knew there was a portrait under the landscape. The subject is going to be a shock, Chris replies--it is Olivia Corey herself. We can see that most of the landscape has been removed, and Olivia/Amanda’s face is clearly visible.

Julia has brought “Grant” to Quentin’s old room in the West Wing. [spoiler](Of course the children have long since removed the skeleton of Gregory Trask--if Tim didn’t bury him first. I made a note about this at the end of ep. 911.)[/spoiler] The morning-glory bell of the gramophone is now darkened with age, and the room is festooned with cobwebs. Obediently Quentin looks around again, but has to admit, I don’t recognize anything about the room or this house. Julia says, There’s one more thing we can do. She tells “Grant” to sit down and says, We will know whether or not you are Quentin Collins in a moment. She switches on the gramophone. As Quentin’s Theme begins to play, “Grant” leans forward to listen better--but it seems he remembers nothing........

Welcome, heavy breathing by an unseen creature/person/Leviathan/whatever!

David sets up his old Hot Wheels race track (I remember those!) for Alexander in what must be the Worst Play Date Ever. I also remember those transistor radios--they were cool.

Paul is wearing a shawl-collared cardigan as befits his new status as a gentleman of (enforced) leisure.

Maggie makes her first trip down the Great Staircase in her micro-mini dress. She talks to Paul, but Elizabeth, in full zombie mode, tells her to disregard what he says.

Roger emerges from the study, and he and Maggie chat pleasantly for a moment. Suddenly all the pleasantness is wiped from Roger’s face as he sees Paul Stoddard coming downstairs. Maggie beats a hasty retreat. My dear Roger, Paul starts. Don’t call me that, Roger snaps. How nice to see you again, Paul says cheerfully. It is not nice to see you, Roger answers, I don’t know why you’re back here. Your sister insisted on it, Paul replies blandly. Elizabeth steps out from the servants’ door and confirms it. _What?_ Roger practically shouts in dismay. Paul tells them, Well, if I remember you two well, I know that you like to quarrel alone. So have a pleasant battle. I will be my room waiting to congratulate the winner. If history repeats itself, I know who that winner will be. He goes upstairs. In the drawing room, Elizabeth tells Roger, Paul has changed--he tore up the check you gave Carolyn. I have forgotten nothing that he did in the past, and I’m not concerned with what people will say. [Apparently Roger shares this concern with his grandfather Edward.] All that concerns me is Carolyn’s happiness. I know I can’t do anything about Paul being back, Roger says, but I’m determined to find out the reason. I think it has nothing to do with what you’ve said. He storms out, leaving Elizabeth with an inscrutable expression on her face.

Paul is up in his room--which despite being called the Blue Room, is actually green, like every other room at Collinwood. He takes off his sweater and hears a child giggling. He finds Alexander hiding behind an armchair. David and I are playing hide and seek, the boy says, so I need to find a new hiding place. Paul grabs him before he can leave and asks, How long will you be staying in town? I don’t know, Alexander replies. Is Philip Todd really your uncle? Paul asks. Alexander pushes away from him and runs out. He slips through a curtained alcove in the hallway. Paul follows but doesn’t see where Alexander went. He calls a couple of times but gets no answer. He is about to return to his room when he hears slow, heavy breathing from behind the curtain. He comes closer as the breathing gets louder. He pauses to collect his wits and courage, then pulls the curtains apart. His eyes widen at what he sees......

After many credits reading "Fashions Courtesy of Ohrbach's," a new following credit appears: "Miss Scott's Clothes from Junior Sophisticates."

I've seen the Barnabas one a couple of times. TCM occasionally airs it when they're having a Joan Bennett festival or around Halloween.

I've only seen the Quentin one once, an extremely chopped-up version. I don't think I could see it again, though, because the end somehow tickled my funny bone.

Great post, MT! Barnabas is at his absolute scariest when he's smiling.

Dennis Patrick did the VO for this episode. He's great in this role. A check for $1,000 would get you a pretty long way in 1970. Maybe it wasn't enough for a real con man like Jason, but Roger probably bit his lip till the blood ran while he was writing the check. Lovely that Carolyn's faith in her father is totally vindicated--such moment are rare in the show.

The whole mask business is pretty creepy. Well, really, everything about Alexander is pretty creepy.

I read somewhere that Flora was JB's favorite role, although my favorite JB role has always been and always will be Naomi. As I've said elsewhere, JB gave Naomi real tragic grandeur as well as glamor, and never was she more beautiful.

Elizabeth is wearing a black dress with a large gold brooch in the shape of a lizard. As she did in some earlier episodes, she will continue to wear this brooch throughout this storyline. I thought it was really, really scary that she was one of the Leviathan people.

In the last scene, Paul pulls the January page off the calendar in his room, tosses it into the garbage, picks up his suitcase and prepares to leave. At that moment Elizabeth opens the door. Where is Carolyn? she demands angrily. She’s gone from her room and all her clothes with her. (That would take a moving van!) I don’t know where Carolyn is, Paul answers. I’m leaving town. And you’re taking Carolyn with you! Elizabeth snaps. Carolyn is in danger, Paul says urgently. Not only Carolyn, but all of us. There is some kind of conspiracy, like an organization. They are evil, terribly evil. They have frightening powers that they can use to torture people, to control their minds. They have been after me ever since I got here. Obviously not believing him, Elizabeth asks sternly, What do they want from you? Don’t you think that if I knew, I would tell you? Paul answers almost wildly. That is why I have been so terrified! We are all in danger because their leader is living right in our midst--it is Barnabas Collins! At the mention of Barnabas’s name, Elizabeth seems to believe him. I know how evil and strong Barnabas is, Paul continues. He is a threat to all of us! As she stares at him in total silence, Paul realizes: You haven’t believed a word I’ve told you. I might not have, Elizabeth replies, if you hadn’t mentioned Barnabas. I’ve been terribly distressed about the change in him since he came back. I kept believing it was because he was under some kind of strain. But now that you’ve told me-- It is the truth, I swear to god it is the truth, Paul says fervently. You can do something about it because you have more power in this town than anyone. In a voice that becomes more mechanical with every word, Elizabeth tells the astounded Paul, I want you to come back to Collinwood with me. If you know something about this danger, then you are the one to help us fight it. Paul reminds her, You said you would never allow me to set foot in that house again. I have a right to be wrong, Elizabeth replies. Sounding more possessed by the minute, she goes on, I don't know how things will work out for us, but I am convinced now that you have been acting out of love for Carolyn. That is all that matters to me. Tell me where she is. Shutting his eyes with relief, Paul says she is at the train station. Like an automaton, Elizabeth says, Go and get her. Bring her back here. I will phone Collinwood and tell them to expect us. He hurries out, and Elizabeth picks up the phone and asks for Collinsport 6187. We see a phone that rings once, twice, three times, then a small hand picks up the receiver. Alexander Todd, at the antique shop, hands the receiver to Barnabas. Elizabeth tells him, Everything is going to be all right now. He is returning to Collinwood with me.....

Wow, Joey! I don't remember that at all! It does sound very cool, though.