Quentin takes the first tentative steps on the road to redemption when he tells Barnabas, "I know. I know why you're helping me." Maybe it's not pure empathy or compassion, not yet anyway, but it's a start. His old ruthlessness comes roaring back when he is complicit in Barn's murder of Carl.

I've always loved that scene. It's absolutely crucial and one of my favorites in the series. Quentin is at Barn's mercy--the moon isn't full, so Q. is a mortal man and mortally vulnerable. Barn actually does tell--okay, order--Quentin to try to keep Carl from blabbing, but as we (the audience) know, it's already too late. The scene with Trask and Carl is pretty hilarious, actually.

The scene where Trask confront Barnabas at sunrise is also a good one. Who's the good guy here? Who's the baddie? A great way to end a week of episodes.

Joey, your idea for the original timeline sounds logical to me.

Yes, Pansy should blame Dirk for all her troubles, including her forced early retirement, but I suppose Barnabas is ultimately guilty. And he knows it, otherwise he wouldn't have had such a fine soliloquy.

Funny how Barn has only to mention Josette's name and Angelique appears. We seem to be seeing a change in her--she is (or appears to be) sincerely concerned for Barnabas's safety. But of course she cursed him for all eternity and surely doesn't want to see that cut short. And Barnabas knows that Angelique always demands a price for any help she gives. So we end with a stalemate--again as the rooster crows its warning and Barnabas must seek whatever rest a vampire can find. Angelique’s cape wiggles Rachel's flimsy tombstone (1876-1897) and the one beside it. She gazes at Rachel’s inscription for a moment, then at Barnabas, who turns and looks back at her before disappearing into the mausoleum.

The suspense begins: Unknown to Barnabas (and probably to Angelique too), Carl has been watching his every movement. He emerges from behind some shrubbery in time to see Barnabas pull the ring in the lion’s mouth to open the secret panel. Perhaps suspecting an intruder, Barnabas looks up for a moment. Carl flattens his back against the building, and Barnabas turns away. Carl looks through the gates of the mausoleum--and sees what’s inside the secret room. Barnabas! Barnabas is the vampire! he gasps and runs away in horror.

Magda finds Quentin (drunk again) and tells him that she has the cure for the curse. She has to perform a ceremony when the full moon rises. Why are you willing to help me? he asks. She looks guilty, then asks harshly, Ain’t it enough that I'm willing to help? I have brought  a precious relic, a miraculous hand. When I put it on your heart, it will draw the curse from you. I've risked much to bring this back, broken many of our laws. Are you sure it will work? Quentin asks. I would not have stolen it if I weren't, she replies. He laughs at her thievery. I'd take the change from your pocket right now if I could, she says, insulted by his ingratitude. Admit the real reason you're suddenly on my side! Quentin says. Turning away from him, Magda murmurs sadly, I didn’t know! I did not know-- What? Quentin shouts. She finishes sadly, I remember how much Jenny loved you.

Fantastic scene where Carl tells Quentin what he knows: He charges in yet again and orders Quentin, Get rid of Magda--I won't speak in front of her. Unfazed, Magda chucks Carl under the chin and asks, Don't you like me anymore? Carl turns away and says, Just go, please! It's always a pleasure to leave this house, Magda says. On her way out, she adds, Quentin, Barnabas wants to see you this evening, at dusk. Carl practically jumps as he exclaims, Dusk, yes! He asks Quentin, Where are Judith and Edward? Both are dreaming of Judith's money, Quentin says jokingly. We must wake them, Carl says. We must do something. Do what? Quentin asks ironically. There are so many things waiting, so many choices. Not about this, Carl says gloomily. Sometimes I wishes I hadn't had the dream--the one where Pansy told me the vampire isn't dead. Dream again, Quentin suggests. Edward described the staking of Dirk in great, graphic detail. No, Carl insists, not Dirk! There's another vampire, Pansy said so in my dream! She said who made Dirk a vampire. Laura, Quentin guesses. No, Carl insists, I can prove it! I saw the vampire go to his coffin! I know you won't believe this. You've gone mad, Quentin says dismissively. No, Carl insists. Pansy told me to go to the mausoleum! There's a coffin there, I swear it! You must believe me! I know who the vampire is! Tell me, Quentin orders him. Barnabas, Carl replies. Quentin throws his head back to laugh, then suddenly stops as all the clues fall into place: Our cousin, he says quietly. Our cousin, that we never see during the day. Our cousin, who always appears at dusk. Tell me exactly what you saw! he orders Carl. Carl says, Barnabas went into the mausoleum, and I saw the door close. But I did note how to open it--but there's so much I don't know. A vampire stays in his coffin all day, Quentin says, lying there as if dead--at the mercy of whoever finds him. Carl says hysterically, He made Dirk a vampire, and all of us are next! Still holding his brandy glass, Quentin gets up from his chair and charges into the foyer as he tells Carl, We're going to the tomb. I don't know what we'll do when we get there. We’ll have to kill him! Carl says and goes off to get a gun. Gazing up at Barnabas' portrait, Quentin murmurs in dismay, Barnabas--but he’s my only hope. Without him, what will I do? Barnabas!

I imagine Quentin had decided what to do while Carl was off getting the gun. He displays all the skills and ruthlessness that made him a near-perfect spy. No doubt he used the same technique to arrange for Laura's (temporary) demise in Alexandria. In both cases, his hands would be clean--or nearly so.

Carl and Quentin arrive at the mausoleum. Open the door, Quentin orders his brother. Holding the gun in one hand, Carl pulls on the ring in the lion’s mouth, and the panel swings open, revealing the inner chamber. Quentin enters first, immediately spots the coffin and sets his hands on it. Open it, Carl says, still nervous and excited. Give me the gun, Quentin tells him--unless _you_ want to do it. Carl hastily hands over the gun. Gun in hand, Quentin opens the coffin, disclosing Barnabas in oblivious slumber, utterly vulnerable to anyone who finds him. Quentin and Carl stare down at him for a moment. Do it! Carl begs him. Quentin regards the helpless creature a moment longer--then closes the coffin. What are you doing? You have no choice! Carl shouts. Yes, I do, Quentin replies, training the gun on his brother. I'm the one who always plays the jokes, Carl protests, staring at the gun in his brother's hand. I'll kill you, Carl, if you run, Quentin warns him.  For god's sake, what are you doing? Carl gasps. I only ever do what I must, Quentin replies grimly. He keeps the gun pointed at Carl as he backs up the steps. Do you know how to get out, Carl? he asks. NO! Carl screams. Then you'll have to stay here, until dusk, at least, Quentin says. Quentin, please don’t close the door! Carl pleads, horrified, his face distorted into a weeping clown’s mask. Yes, Quentin replies, I'm closing it, and remember, I can do it with one hand while the gun is in the other. Oh, no Quentin! For god's sake, Quentin! Carl screams. Don’t do this, Quentin! Overcome with guilt and misery, Quentin shuts his eyes and leans against the outside wall of the panel as he listens to Carl’s hysterical shrieks.

Quentin is still horrified at what he's done when he visits the Old House, still intent on finding out why Magda is suddenly so willing to help him. He checks her throat and observes, He did not touch you. Magda’s surprise turns to shock as he continues, You have many secrets--not the least of which is how you’ve managed to exist in this house with a vampire. Magda listens, stunned, as Quentin calmly continues, Yes, I know--everything. I’ve seen Barnabas in his coffin. Magda wails in despair that they're all doomed.

Carl finishes screaming and huddles on the top step of the secret room, as far away from the coffin and its dreadful contents as he can get in the small space.

Somehow, Magda has persuaded Angelique (in her red and blue gown) to come to the Old House. I always wonder how amateurs handle these things, she comments condescendingly. Not wanting to waste time, Magda replies flatly, It was in the cards. Barnabas needs your help. But Angelique still refuses to lift a finger.

An ingenious piece of writing as Carl figures out how to escape. He's not really that stupid after all. Consulting his pocket watch, Carl tells himself, It must be getting dark! I have to get out. He pounds on the coffin with his fists. Then, to keep his panic at bay, he tells himself, Be logical. Somehow there’s a way to open that door. There’s got to be! he screams in sudden panic. I must get Edward or the police! He looks at the coffin, then hastily turns away as he wonders, Did the top move? Or was it my imagination? Figure it out now, he tells himself. Think it through--it’s just like those Chinese puzzles you have! Carl knows there has to be a mechanism to open the door on this side. He feels the walls but finds nothing. Then his foot strikes a brick on the top step. He tries moving it in various directions, then slides it to the left--exposing the mechanism inside. He pulls the ring, and the door slowly swings open. Laughing and crying hysterically with relief, he gambols out, leaving the door open behind him. He grabs a wobbly gravestone shaped like a cross as he shrieks, We’ll get him tonight! We’ll get Cousin Barnabas tonight! Bumping into the same two gravestones that Angelique did earlier, he runs off in giddy triumph....

Yeah, I think DB had a hard time with the original, nebbishy Tim.

Judith, still looking rather vacant, is frustrated that she can’t remember what happened. As Trask hands her a cup of tea, he tells her, Don't dwell on it--you know what Edward and I told you. Dirk's hold on you is over. He actually caresses her throat with one finger, observing, Even the marks on your neck are gone. She smiles as if she actually enjoys his touch [bleargh!]. We must think of the future, he says. Suddenly Tim rushes in. But before he can say a word, Trask orders Judith, Call the police and tell them Minerva's murderer has been captured! Just to make sure, he trains a gun on Tim as they exchange glares.

But Tim finally has an ace up his sleeve and he plays it brilliantly: He tells Judith that he found her standing over Rachel, gun in hand. Trask insists that Judith call the police, but then she starts to remember. She asks Tim how many times Rachel was shot. Three, Tim replies concisely, and Judith recalls that three bullets were missing from her gun. Horrified, she sinks onto the couch and covers her face with her hands. Dear Judith wasn't morally responsible, Trask argues. She was under the spell of an unnatural creature. Tim retorts, And I must have been under a spell too, when I killed Mrs. Trask. That's a convenient excuse, Trask sneers. Tim says, I must admit that I had something to do with Mrs. Trask's death, but I don't know how or why or who cast me under this spell. But I think I'll have the leisure to discover who that was--NOW. He looks at Trask pointedly; the Reverend looks stonily back. Judith calls, Gregory! I still want to call the police--but you, Gregory, must make the call for me. Never taking his eyes from Trask, Tim observes, That isn't such a good idea, is it? Trask suggests to Judith, I think you should just rest. I can't, she protests. You must call the police and tell them there are two murderers at Collinwood. She doesn't know what she's saying, Tim scoffs. Taking Tim’s arm, Trask leads him out of the drawing room as he says, I have to speak to Judith--but don't do anything you'll regret. He closes the double doors in dismissal, leaving Tim in the foyer.

Distraught and conscience stricken, Judith is ready to pay the penalty. Trask insists she wasn't responsible. Cupping her chin in his hand [bleargh again!] and making her look at him, he continues, I have fought against evil all my life and recognize the enemy. I know what the evil force wants you to do next--permit yourself to be destroyed because of Rachel's murder. But I did it, Judith insists. Only if you confess to the crime, only then will you be evil, Trask replies with unusually warped logic, even for him. Only then will you be lying. You didn't kill Rachel--Dirk did. But Dirk is dead, Judith argues. And so is Rachel, Trask replies. Will it restore her for even one moment if you, Judith, are destroyed too? And you could easily go to the gallows. Judith looks at him with horror. And if you died, Trask continues, ever more confident of securing his goal, my life would be bleak and dark and meaningless--I would soon die, too. Do you mean that? she asks in surprise. Every word, Trask vows. What do you advise? Judith asks. I advise silence, he replies. I will speak to the police myself. What about Tim? she asks. Relax, Trask tells her. I will do what has to be done. You can't keep Tim from telling the police about me, Judith argues. I can, Trask assures her. I will give the police the proper answers. There is a way, he says as he reaches for the phone. He asks the operator for the sheriff's office.
 
Out in the foyer, Tim is practically dancing with frustration because he can’t hear anything. (Somehow the drawing room must have become temporarily soundproof, because lots of other eavesdroppers hear all kinds of things.) He starts to leave quietly, then changes his mind and listens at the door for a moment, then walks away again. Judith listens as Trask tells the police that Tim Shaw has come back and is at Collinwood.

At 3:00 p.m., Tim is alternately still listening at the door and pacing. Judith’s misery turns to sheer amazement as Trask continues his phone conversation with the sheriff: Tim spent the night in Bangor. In the excitement of the night, I had forgotten I’d sent him there for supplies.... No, I had no idea she was dead. I am extremely shocked.… You can speak to Tim, yes, but he’s a most unlikely suspect.… You'll have to look elsewhere for the fiend who murdered my wife. After Trask hangs up, Judith tells him, I’ve never been so honored in my life. You let your wife’s murderer go free--for me. I had no choice, Trask replies. Would Minerva understand? she wonders. Trask assures her, Minerva was a most understanding woman. He calls Tim back into the drawing room and tells him, I've finished speaking with Judith and the police. I told the police I sent you to Bangor. I am sure you will support that story. Gladly, Tim answers, savoring the irony of Trask’s actions. Trask continues, Then you will leave Worthington Hall. Even more gladly, Tim replies. Do you think Mr. Hanley will still help me find a job? Trask advises him against approaching Evan. Perhaps I should speak to Miss Collins, Tim says. After all, I obviously do need a new position. Trask says, I suggest you leave this part of the country--the world is wide for a young man. Tim smiles as he answers, Collinsport is world enough for me just now. I’m sure Miss Collins can arrange a place for me. Judith says sternly, Mr. Edward handles the hiring. Tim assures her, I’m no ordinary applicant: I’m industrious, well educated, ambitious--and besides, I have an exceptionally good memory. Judith grudgingly agrees to speak to Mr. Edward.

Suddenly Carl bounds in, angry at all of them for not looking for "my Pansy," who could be starving to death in the woods somewhere. Regaining some of her old authority, Judith orders him not to mention her name again. Trask tells Carl that a search party was combing the woods, looking for the vampire--and somehow, Rachel was shot to death. Judith bows her head, unable to look anyone in the eye. Trask suggests they all all help Judith, who is most upset. Really a rather nice person if a complete idiot, Carl agrees. Judith wants Rachel's body brought back to Collinwood--so they can have the funeral immediately. Trask tells Carl, I suggest you and Tim go to the Old House to await the police--the sooner started, the sooner ended, he adds. Tim gives Trask a significant look as he leaves, taking Carl with him. Trask warns Judith, You must be more cautious--even Carl is suspicious. I know, Judith moans wearily. I'm sorry. I tried, but I couldn't. Yes, you can, Trask insists. You can do anything. I have supreme faith in Judith Collins. We will have the service this afternoon, Judith says. Yes, as soon as I've spoken to the police, he says. Thank you, Gregory, she replies.

The police have come and gone, and the undertakers have taken Rachel's body away, but Tim and Carl are lingering at the Old House. Carl offers his very genuine sympathy; Tim thanks him. Were you close? Carl asks gently. Tim answers, It's difficult for me, even now, to realize she's gone. It seems almost as though I myself had died. We were close once, very close. [Are we to gather that he carried a torch for her, but that she was naively oblivious?] I don't believe it, Carl bursts out. I don't believe Rachel died by accident. There have been too many accidents happening around here, and no one explains them well enough for old Carl's satisfaction. [Like Willie Loomis a century later, Carl often refers to himself in the third person.] My Pansy didn't disappear by accident, I know that. Who is Pansy? Tim asks politely. My missing fiancée, Carl replies and tells Tim his story. My Pansy is a wonderful girl, he enthuses. She’s beautiful, refined, cultured--and English, he adds as if this is her chief asset. But she just disappeared, he concludes unhappily. He suggests they return to Collinwood. I'll join you in a moment, Tim says. Carl reminds him that Rachel’s funeral will be held shortly, then leaves. Tim picks up a shawl from the strange round purple settee--possibly the shawl was intended to be Rachel’s, but she never wore it. Abruptly he hears a woman’s voice humming a familiar tune (familiar to us, but Tim never met the hummer). He listens intently. A chill wind blows out of nowhere, and Tim shivers, only partly from cold. Suddenly Pansy Faye appears before him. Who are you? Tim asks. Where did you come from? She, however, takes one look at him and says, You aren't the one I'm looking for. I have so little time--I must find him. Barnabas? Tim asks, nonplussed, but Pansy simply walks right past him. I must keep looking, she says. Terrified, Tim races for the door, shouting, CARL! Carl races back, and Tim meets him just outside the front door. There's a very strange woman in there, he tells Carl. She came from nowhere and came in asking for you. Nearly hysterical, Carl rushes into the house. In a forlorn, high-pitched voice, he calls out, Pansy! My darling Pansy! The camera pulls back to reveal the entire Old House drawing room--and to show us that Pansy has vanished.

Carl and Tim search the Old House (except for the basement, of course) but find no trace of Pansy. Now Tim suggests they leave, but this time, Carol stays at the Old House, calling to Pansy.

One hopes that Rachel is enjoying enough eternal bliss to be unaware that Trask, at the epitome of his hypocrisy, officiates at her funeral. Hardly more than a child herself, she had a wonderful way with children, he intones piously. They loved her as we loved her. We will long remember her bright smile, her youthful radiance--but most of all, her devotion, her dedication, to duty. Tonight, the littlest angels will have a lovely new teacher to care for them. Dressed in deepest mourning as if Rachel were a member of the family, Judith turns away from the coffin, crying into a handkerchief. Tim and Carl stand nearby; Tim can hardly conceal his disgust and impatience. Trask tells the young men, Will you take Rachel's body to the graveyard. I’m not coming--I don't want to leave Judith alone. I don't think it would be a good idea for her to go to the cemetery. She is much too upset to attend.

Well, that’s over and done with, Carl remarks as he tamps down the last bit of earth on Rachel’s grave. Tim, who has apparently buried his gentleness and a certain pedantic charm along with Rachel, announces, I’m going to Collinsport and get drunk. Carl tells him, If you see Pansy, tell her I’m looking for her. Tim agrees. Carl says he’s going back to the Old House to search again. Tim says, If you see Barnabas, tell him what happened. He’s been a very good friend. I’ll be back later with some flowers--after I get drunk. Tim leaves Carl standing alone at Rachel’s grave. Suddenly he hears Pansy Faye singing; this time she seems to have brought her own Victrola. Where are you? he calls out. Why can’t I see you? He gets angry and warns her, If you don’t come out, I’m leaving. He pleads one last time, Oh, Pansy, you’ll be frightened in the graveyard, at night, alone with the dead! A sudden horrid though occurs to him: Unless you’re dead too!...

I've always thought that crazy Dirk, and then crazy vampire Dirk, were RD's best characters in the show.

Tim and Rachel don't seem too affected after being bitten by a vampire. Maybe he was just noshing. He certainly must be hungry again if he's calling to Judith in the late afternoon. Did hunger pangs wake him up early?

I agree--Tim is quite an interesting character, and it will be interesting to see what happens to him next.

A very sad end for a favorite character of mine, and a very bloodthirsty, jolting one (for daytime TV, anyhow) for another.

Somewhere in the woods, Tim hears three gunshots. He races to the farmhouse to find Judith standing motionless, holding the gun--and Rachel lying on the floor, with a huge bloodstain blossoming on her chest. Judith murmurs that she had no choice. Rachel tells Tim it hurts. Don't talk, Tim replies. Everything will be all right--it _must_ be all right! he declares fiercely. I'm frightened, Rachel murmurs, and cold--so cold. Judith puts the gun on the lid of Dirk's coffin as Tim gently holds Rachel in his arms.

At Collinwood, Edward tells Trask about his frustrating hunt for the vampire. Barnabas is sure it's Dirk, Edward says, but Trask suggests that it might be Barnabas instead, and not only that, but that he's helping Tim and Rachel. Edward points out that Barn has nothing to gain from helping them. Trask sneers that because Barn is a Collins, he's above suspicion. Just then Judith returns, still holding the gun. Fearfully, Edward asks for it, but she just hands it over. He explains to trask that it's Judith's own gun, brought back from France (!) by their grandmother (!!!) (This would be the late, great Edith. We never do find out why she she went to France or why she brought back a fancy French pistol for her granddaughter.)

Trask and Edward follow her into the drawing room. Is Judith completely mad? asks the bewildered Edward. Not mad--possessed! Trask replies. She is possessed by a will much stronger than her own. What should we do? Edward asks. Take her up to bed, Trask suggests. Sometimes sleep separates the real from the unreal and strengthens the mind. What about the three missing bullets? Edward wonders. That will come out in time, Trask replies, but right now, I want to thank the powers that be for sending Judith back to us, then seek divine guidance against the evil spirit possessing her and plaguing this house. I've been successful with the higher powers in the past. I hope your success continues, Edward observes dryly. Judith needs it desperately. He takes his sister's arm and gently suggests, Why don’t you get some sleep. Yes, I must sleep, Judith says unresistingly. While Edward helps her upstairs, Trask closes the drawing-room doors, then kneels, spreading his arms out in prayer. Oh Lord, I ask for your help, he intones, adding presumptuously, Together, we must help this poor, afflicted woman possessed by an evil spirit of darkness. With your help, we shall drive the demon back to the hell from whence it came.

By the time Tim carries Rachel back to the Old House, it's long past sunrise. Carrying Rachel in his arms, Tim reaches the Old House. He shouts for frantically for Barnabas, then anyone, but unfortunately it’s well past sunrise. He settles Rachel on the couch and assures her that she’ll be all right. I feel very weak, she murmurs. Of course, he says soothingly. The pain is gone, she says. That's good, Tim replies hopefully. No, it's bad, she says. Tim shouts repeatedly for Barnabas, then gives up. He doesn't hear me, he says in discouragement. I don’t think he’s here, Rachel says. You’re badly hurt, Tim says, but that doesn’t mean.… His voice trails off, then he assures her desperately, You'll be all right--you need a doctor to fix you up. No doctor, she tells him. Yes, he insists, I'm going into town to get a doctor. I hate to leave you here, but I have to. I don’t want you to go, Rachel protests. I must, he insists. You'll be all right, really. No, I won't be, she says, and if you go into town, they'll catch you. I'm willing to take that chance, Tim argues. Please, she begs him, they're looking for you. I only have to go to the edge of town to Dr. Brooks's office, Tim says. No, she says again. Please stop saying no, Tim begs her. You don't understand, she says. If they catch you, they'll kill you! Her body convulses as the pain returns after her exertion. I'm going for the doctor, Tim declares. Please stay with me, she begs him. It wouldn't do any good for me to stay, Tim insists. Her mind wandering in her pain, she asks, Do you remember how when we were children, we pretended our fathers were whaling captains? That's why we were at the school. We used to sing sea chanties. I remember, he says, terribly upset. We used to sing softly, so Trask wouldn't hear us, Rachel recalls. Her strength is obviously fading. There's no point in us keeping up this pretense, Tim says roughly. You're dying--you know it. Yes, I do, Rachel replies quietly. Desperately Tim says, If I don't get help, you're going to die! Do you want that?

A rather smoky fire is burning on the hearth in Judith's room as Edward watches her sleep. She dreams about Dirk and hears him calling her in his mind. I did what you said, she tells him. I know that, he replies around his very large fangs, and you were quiet when they tried to make you talk. Come to me so that I can reward you--let nothing stand in your way. Judith mechanically gets out of bed and mechanically leaves the room. Edward almost stops her, then realizes that Barnabas was right. She’s going to _him_--the vampire--so Edward follows her instead.

Tim kneels by Rachel’s side as she lies dying. Faintly she asks him, Can you keep a secret? What is it? he asks gently. My father is coming back, she replies, to take me home to a big white house. I used to tell you about the beautiful white house overlooking the ocean. He’s going to come soon, but you mustn’t tell Reverend Trask, she whispers. It must be our secret. With a little sigh she dies. Tim checks her pulse, his voice trembling as he calls her name softly. He leans over her, sobbing quietly. The faithful friend and confidant of his childhood--his only true friend in the wide world--is dead.

Her hands resting on her master’s closed coffin, Judith tells him, I have come as you commanded me to. Edward arrives a moment later and orders her sharply, Stand away from the coffin! Calmly Judith tells him, You have no right to be here. Is he here? Edward asks. Is this where he hides during the day? He only summoned _me_! Judith says crossly. Get out of my way! Edward orders her. You mustn’t hurt Dirk, Judith protests. I won’t let you hurt him! I’ll hurt him and more, Edward snarls, then pleads with her, I’m trying to help you, Judith! I’m trying to save us all! Judith pounds uselessly on the coffin, calling out, Dirk! Dirk! He’s going to destroy you! You mustn’t let him! But her call is only a murmur, and she faints. Edward catches her and sets her down on the floor, then opens the coffin. He sees Dirk slumbering helplessly within. It’s Dirk, he whispers, shocked despite Judith’s calling his name, then slams the lid back down. It’s almost night, he mutters to himself--there isn’t much time. Now that he is somewhat prepared, despite his horror he acts quickly. He finds a large rock on the floor, then hurries upstairs, going just outside to look for a piece of wood to use as a stake. It is now dusk. He runs back down with a stake [perhaps he whittled one quickly?], opens the coffin again and poises his weapons to strike. As the sun sets in the world outside, suddenly Dirk opens his eyes. Edward hesitates just long enough for the vampire to reach out and grab him--but Dirk is out of time. Sick with horror, Edward drives the stake home despite Dirk’s shrieks. The blood pours from Dirk’s mouth as he fall back, eyes wide and staring, into the coffin.…

Wow, that's just beautiful. Thanks, MB!

While Tim is in the basement coffin room, the candle he lights goes out as he holds it. It spontaneously relights itself during the break for the opening titles.

When Tim hears someone open the cellar door above, he hides but for some reason leaves the candle on the box. Tim emerges from hiding when he recognizes the someone as Dirk. [Their scene is inexplicably lit by a strong overhead light, and Davis is truly outstanding in his suitably over-the-top performance.] What are you doing here? Tim asks in surprise. Dirk wonders the same about Tim. The Collinses sent you here to find me, he says suspiciously. They’ve been trying for several days. Are you all right? Tim asks. Yes, Dirk replies, but you shouldn’t have come here. This is my hiding place--I don’t want anyone to find me. I’m certainly not going to tell anyone, Tim promises. You won’t, Dirk agrees, because you aren’t leaving. That’s an odd thing to say, Tim comments. Dirk indicates the coffin and asks, Didn’t you find that weird? Yes, Tim says dryly. It’s unusual, to say the least, to find an empty coffin. It’s not empty during the day, Dirk assures him, suddenly looking very scary. What’s in it? Tim asks, with no idea of the answer he’s about to get. I am, Dirk answers with terrible calm. Still thinking he’s dealing with only an ordinary madman, Tim swallows hard and asks, You? If this is your idea of a joke-- Dirk grabs his arm before he can finish. There’s nothing you can do to keep me here, Tim says angrily. He tries to leave, but Dirk blocks the way. You give me no choice, Dirk answers, because I don’t want anyone to know I’m here, and you must keep my secret. What secret? Tim asks uncomprehendingly. Oh, you’re going to find out soon enough, Dirk replies. Have you gone mad? Tim protests. His incomprehension is lost in a scream of horror as Dirk charges at him, (unusually large) fangs ready to strike.

Trask tells Rachel, It will be easier to bare your soul [obviously not all he wants bared] to me now. The bookshelf moment is also well done.

When Judith (wearing her fancy blue chinchilla-trimmed outfit) comes to the school to condole with Trask, he --in typical crocodilian fashion--whimpers about what will become of the school withouth Minerva. The school still has you, Judith points out. No, dear lady, he says modestly, at best I'm a competent administrator. Minerva was the driving force, the life blood of this institution, and without her, the future seems very bleak. Judith says, With all due respect, I don't believe that. I have faith in you, and the future of your school. Miss Collins, he says, taking her hand in both of his, I am not deserving of such faith. I think you are, she says softly. Trask piously raises his eyes skyward as he says, I thank the Almighty for giving me the privilege of knowing you. Now a little uncomfortable, Judith withdraws her hand and urges him, You must get some rest--your ordeal isn't over yet. I can't rest until Minerva's murderer has been brought to justice, Trask says. I was shocked when I heard it was Tim, Judith says. Have the police found him yet? No, says Trask, and there's only one possible clue to his whereabouts--Rachel Drummond. She and Tim have always been close, he complains, and I believe she knows where he's hiding, but she has not cooperated. Would you like me to talk to her? Judith offers. Trask grins smugly as he replies, You are an extraordinary woman. Rachel may feel less inhibited with a woman. Sit down while I go to get her. He leaves, smiling broadly. Judith looks as if a new idea has suddenly occurred to her.

Meanwhile, Rachel has made her own way out her bedroom window. [Why didn’t she do this earlier, before Trask had a chance to grill her? Because it wasn’t in the script, I suppose.] She is walking through the woods and stops to rest. But hearing the dogs howl, she gets up again and nervously moves on.

Trask reports that Rachel is gone. Judith promises to warn Barnabas against helping Tim or Rachel and sweeps out. Trask phones Evan and reports that everything is in their favor--and that he will keep Evan's secret vice (the satanist thing, anyway) a secret.

Arriving at the Old House, Judith knocks at the door. Somewhere, a wolf howls. She looks through the window at the dark interior, opens the unlocked front door and enters the house. She calls to Barnabas but gets no response. Is anyone here? she calls. The front door opens and Dirk walks in, with heavy vampire eyeliner. Where have you been? she asks sternly. We've been searching everywhere for you for the past two days! You have some explaining to do! You dismissed me the other day, he reminds her. I don't care what I did, she retorts. While you're on this property, you're accountable for your actions--which have been very peculiar lately. Peculiar, huh? Dirk repeats ironically. What did you tell Jamison that upset him so the other evening? Judith asks indignantly. You don't know? Dirk asks. You told him some outrageous lie about Barnabas, Judith says, but Edward wouldn't give us the details. Oh, Mister Edward, Dirk  says sarcastically. He would spare you the gory details. Just what did you say to Jamison? Judith demands. Dirk says coyly, I'm not sure I should tell you--it might damage the Collins's good name. I know one thing, Judith tells him even more angrily. You aren't going to get an opportunity to damage that name. You have twenty-four hours to get off the property, and if you don't, the police will handle it. You won't get a chance to do that, Dirk says tauntingly. A lot of things have changed in the last few days, MISS JUDITH, and they're going to change even more, in just a minute. I don't have time to listen to anymore of this nonsense, Judith says disgustedly. She turns to leave. Dirk grabs her arm and tells her You'll listen! How dare you? she demands indignantly. Get out of my way! You don't boss me around anymore, Dirk retorts. Don't tell me what I can and can't do! Judith shouts. You will obey! You're wrong! he replies. Sometimes people change their roles in life. You’ve been a mistress so long, you don't know what it's like to be a servant. He moves toward her. Backing away, she warns him, Dirk--stay away from me. We are going to change roles, Dirk tells her with a mad smile. Oh, yes! I am going to become the master, and you will learn what it’s like to obey! Let me leave, Judith says desperately. I didn't mean what I said about the police! You can take whatever time you need to leave Collinwood. Her eyes widen. She seems stunned and unable to move as Dirk bares his fangs and closes in on her. [And for the first and only time, a character played by Joan Bennett is bitten by a vampire.]

Rachel arrives at the OH, but sees Judith sitting in the drawing room and retreats. What she doesn't see is the blood trickling from the bite marks on Judith's throat. Trask arrives a short time later. At first Judith mistakes him for Dirk, but Trask sees the bit marks and is horrified. In a plot twist contrary to vampire lore, he realizes that Dirk is the vampire.

The loyal Rachel arrives at the old Peabody Farm, enters the cellar, and spots the empty coffin. Why is that down here? she wonders. And where is Tim? She sees the still-burning (red) candle. He must have lit it, she guesses. He must have been here. I’ll have to wait for him to come back--but the coffin.… As Tim did just a short while ago, she opens the coffin; as he did, she finds it empty. She closes the lid and leans on it wearily. She hears someone come in behind her. She turns and see that it’s Dirk, staring at her avidly....