Mitch Ryan was one of my favorite actors on the show early on. It's too bad he couldn't control himself and had to get fired. I never did like Anthony George as Burke and/or Jeremiah. I think if Mitch had played Jeremiah, he'd have brought a very edgy quality to the role. Instead, we got bland, bland, bland, IMHO.

I believe, as Zahir said, the writers were already toying with the idea of introducing supernatural elements to the show, thus the Josette sighting. However, it really took hold with the Phoenix storyline, which came shortly after. When that went over well, it was decided to bring in a vampire. Again, to agree with Zahir, it became a rather sloppy, incongruous mess when it became clear that Barnabas Collins was too popular to kill off as had been originally planned. So, there we went, off to 1795, which is why, despite what Barnabas had said earlier about Josette Collins and why she took a flying leap off Widow's Hill, the whole story changed dramatically. Still, as a kid, I happily went along with everything as it unfolded, and still today, here we are -- rabid fans.

If I recall correctly, there's a scene between Carolyn and Julia once the 1795 storyline has concluded, and Vicki returns to the present. Julia says something to Carolyn along the lines of, "You're certainly back to your old self now." Carolyn responds and says (paraphrasing): "Yes. I've decided I need to live my own life and not live for Barnabas." It's obvious at that point that Carolyn is no longer under Barnabas' spell. As for Vicki, what can I say? She never really "understood" anyway -- LOL!

Actually, at the 2005 Hollywood fest, I asked Robert Rodan about something along these lines. I said that I thought there were a lot of sexual overtones to his portrayal of Adam concerning his infatuation with Carolyn. I asked him if he had tapped into any teenage-hormone awakenings to do that. He simply laughed and said, "No. Carolyn was just Adam's puppy dog. He loved to carry her around and cuddle her." So, my feeling is, if the portrayer himself denies it, I'm apt to believe it.

Interview with the author posted over at Dark Shadows Journal Online: http://www.collinwood.net/features/frank.htm

Thanks so much for posting this link. I was fortunate enough to have seen the time travel presentation on Sunday by Frank, but this is awesome as well.

Just two things to add to this thread:

1) I LOVED the first skit by the Collinsport Players! Everyone was phenomenal, and the script was imaginative and creative. Of course, our Prof. Stokes was a standout to me, but the rest of the cast performed very well. It was, as Midnite said, a departure from the usual comedic stuff and quite welcome and enjoyable.

2) The banquet food was atrocious and inedible! In fact, two of my roommates got sick from it. I tried it but was unable to eat it. It was as if someone put the lasagna together with Elmer's Glue! I, too, wound up eating at the Daily Grill afterward, which ticked me off. As Prof. Stokes said, we spent too much money just to have bread and salad. Then again, there have been festivals where even the chicken dinner was inedible. Bottom line, really is, it's not about the food. It's about the fun and being with friends. While I'm not happy about throwing away money, so to speak, I won't forego next year's banquet. It's just too much fun! And hey! Maybe next year, AngeliqueWins and I will get to stake the traditional cheesecake. This year, there was this godawful fruit tart which was disgusting! I dont' know what the filling was, but it almost tasted rancid. Everyone at my table just nibbled at the fruit and threw the rest out. What a waste!

Like Prof. Stokes, I both read the book and saw the presentation. All the issues brought up here are answered by both. I strongly suggest that those who haven't yet done so get the book and read it. What I loved about it is, it's very easily laid out and explained in terms even non-scientific types can understand and appreciate. The bottom line is, yes, time travel IS possible and backed up by the laws of physics. I mean, let's face it: Who'd argue with the genius of Einstein? As for time travelers, how stupid would it be if someone walked up to you in the street and said, "Hey, you know what? I'm from the future, and you're my great-great-great-granny?" Please! When that technology is invented, and I am sure it will be someday, just as sure as we got to the moon when it seemed an impossibility 100 years ago, there are sure to be some rules governing how one goes about traveling in time. For instance, you and I can't get in a spaceship and go to the moon; only astronauts can. When this does begin (notice I say when and not if), I can only assume it will be done by an elite group of people, just like our astronauts.