Thanks, MT. *more applause*

I guess Mrs. J's death in 1995 (how long ago that is now!) is the saddest of CB's deaths on the show. I remember that just before it happens, CB has a beautifully delivered monologue.

Thanks, Joey. I keep forgetting 1995 because CB's first death (as Barn's aunt Abigail) is so memorable.

Knowing that Seaview is a Collins property, I wouldn't be surprised if they built it and abandoned it right away, although I suspect the original plan was to have some old tragedy connected with it.

I guess that when it comes to hypnotizing people, Evan is no Julia Hoffman. 

MT, your last two paragraphs had me laughing out loud! I guess had to do something like S&M in order to have some street cred when trying to contact the Evil One. His wife (who we never see) is said to have expensive tastes, so I suppose he has to do some lawyering some of the time, but maybe his ultimate ambition was to sell his soul to get lots more money.

Sam Hall gives Minerva some unintentionally hilarious lines in this episode. Clarice Blackburn's deadpan delivery is wonderful!

This episode is the only one to start with a double image--a solarized profile of Barnabas superimposed over a slide of the Old House at night. And very nice it is, too.

This episode repeats the end of the previous one, except that when Barnabas finds Pansy Faye, not only does she have bite marks but a rope is around her neck. The writers must have realized they would need to explain why she didn’t rise as a vampire--but they forgot that any self-respecting vampire could strangle her with nothing more than his bare hands--or even just one hand, as Barnabas will do a long time from now.

In any case, Barnabas’s shocked and horrified reaction is exactly the same. No sooner has he dashed to bolt the door than Carl starts pounding on it, shouting that he has to talk to Pansy. Quickly Barnabas lugs the guts to the neighbor room--that is, he carries poor Pansy’s body to the secret room behind the bookcase--then lets Carl in. Carl is distraught, and Barn has to pretend he hasn't seen Pansy. Suddenly Carl spots Pansy’s little beaded purse on the strange round purple settee. She'd never leave without that! he exclaims. But she isn't here, Barnabas points out a bit desperately (even though throughout he maintains the same gentle demeanor he would with Jamison or Nora). Carl is afraid something awful has happened to Pansy. Barnabas replies, Whatever has happened is as much of a mystery to me as to you. As the mantel clock strikes 5:00 a.m., Barnabas encourages Carl to leave. Once Carl hurries off, Barnabas returns to the room behind the bookcase--and its dreadful secret.

At the House by the Sea, Charity brings coffee to Tim, who has been working on Evan's Latin book all night. She tries to get him to talk, but he is already halfway in a trance. He says, “The queen of spades.” Charity says, My mother will be furious if she finds out that you aren’t in your room. Your mother! Tim says with a sardonic yet mesmerized air. He takes out the vial of nightshade. What is that? Charity asks. He shouts at her, Leave me alone to do what I have to do! Horrified, she hurries out as he collapses across the desk.

Barnabas has laid Pansy Faye in a rather shallow grave somewhere in Eagle Hill. Rest, he tells her sadly, rest in peace. [If Sandor weren’t in Boston, probably he would have done the digging. I think this is the only time we ever see Barnabas doing manual work.] He starts to shovel dirt in on her; when he hears the rooster’s warning, he picks up the pace.

Tim is lying on his narrow bed (fully dressed), tossing and shouting incoherently when Charity returns and wakes him. He wakes with a start, jumping to his feet. I was having a nightmare about the police, he explains. What’s happening? Charity asks. Why are you behaving so strangely? Tim says, I’ll be all right once _this_ is over. Once what is over? Charity asks. This work I’m doing for Evan, Tim replies. He must want it badly, she comments. Charity has come because a messenger has brought him a note. Tim doesn’t want to open it in front of her, but she says the messenger is waiting for an answer--if there is one. He opens it and reads three words: QUEEN OF SPADES. Tonight, he mutters, he told me that when he sent me this message, I would know that the time has come--it must happen tonight! Tim tells Charity that there’ll be no answer to the message, then goes back to the Latin. Upset, Charity asks, Is this how you’ll be after we’re married? Never talking to me, never explaining anything-- Before Tim can reply, Minerva Trask storms in and scolds Charity. Why aren’t you in the classroom? Do you think this school will run itself? You’re supposed to be teaching a lesson on the Old Testament. Charity tries to explain about the message for Tim from Mr. Hanley. Indeed, Minerva sniffs, Mr. Hanley! Charity, go to your class! You don’t want to add to your long list of sins. (So much for Minerva's maternal feelings!)

Charity quickly leaves, but Minerva is still in a fighting mood, so she turns on Tim. What do you want? he asks rudely. What we’ve been paying for, Minerva snaps. All you’ve been working on is this job for Mr. Hanley, turning down your work at the school. Your husband got me this job, Tim points out. I don’t care if he did or he didn’t, Minerva retorts. The Reverend Trask leaves the running of the school to me--as you well know. She tells Tim smugly, My husband leaves the running of the school to me. He is more of a thinker, whereas I am a doer. I’m the one-- Leave me alone, Tim cuts in rudely--I want to finish this today. Did I hear you correctly? she says, affronted. Let you _what_? Alone, Time says. I want to finish this Latin today. You’re impertinent, Minerva snaps. We’d be better off without you. Tim agrees, You’ll be without me as soon as I finish this job for Evan Hanley. What about the debt you owe? Minerva asks. You won’t leave without paying the debt you owe us. Oh yes, the famous debt, Tim answers, his voice dripping sarcasm. How shall I ever pay off the debt? I will never be able to do so, will I? Minerva huffs that it’s a bookkeeping issue. Yes, Tim agrees, yours and his. Are you accusing me of dishonesty? Minerva cries, outraged. Yes, answers Tim, without turning a hair. You’ll be sorry, Minerva warns him. Perhaps we should go see Reverend Trask right now. You’re afraid, she taunts him. You know what he’ll say to you. Yes, I know, Tim says sarcastically, yes, indeed. I can quote it for you line by line, but I’m busy, so if you don’t mind, GET OUT and leave me to finish! he shouts. We’ll see what happens, Mr. Shaw, Minerva says. Before she storms out, we can see Charity listening at the door. She darts away from it just an instant before her mother opens it.

Carl returns to the Old House, calling first to Barnabas, then to Pansy. She is apparently not yet inclined to rest in peace, because Carl hears her humming her song. He calls out that his grandmother (that would be Edith) gave him a place to live in her will, so he and Pansy can be free of Judith. Barnabas arrives, and Carl actually grabs him and shakes him in his desperation. Barnabas orders Carl to let him go, and Carl tells him about hearing Pansy humming her song. As gently as if he were speaking to Jenny, Barnabas tells him that it's only natural for Carl to be upset, but she isn't here. Carl says he's looked everywhere, as Barn told him to do, but she's just missing. As is Dirk, Barnabas reminds him. Carl hits on a new hypothesis. He tells Barnabas, I think Dirk came to the Old House and forced Pansy to go with him! If he’s done anything to hurt her-- We’ve got to find Dirk! I know, says Barnabas sadly, I know.

Minerva has calmed down enough to talk to Charity about a prospective husband. Minerva thinks Tim won't amount to anything, so she suggests that Charity aim higher--say, at Carl. What does Charity think of him? I've never thought of him at all, Charity replies. Minerva opines, Tim Shaw doesn’t seem to have the proper qualities of leadership and will never be the man your father is. Tim is very different from my father, Charity observes. Too different, Minerva says tartly. I think you should end your engagement. I don’t want to hear sentiment, she warns her daughter with maternal care, or that you’re in love with Tim. I do like Tim, Charity admits, then strokes her neck pensively as she adds, There is someone else--what about Barnabas Collins? Her mother turns aside to hide a smile at Charity’s aspirations. Your instincts are correct, she agrees, but Barnabas is only a cousin, not one of the Collins brothers. [They both either forget or choose to ignore the fact that Barnabas is supposedly engaged to Angelique.] Be practical, Minerva advises, and fall in love with Carl Collins.

They hear a knock at the door a moment later. That’s Tim, Minerva says. I’ll go hear the children’s prayers while you break off your engagement. My daughter wants to speak to you, she tells Tim sharply, then hurries out. Charity tells Tim, I want to end our engagement. I don’t love you--in fact, I love somebody else--and I know you don’t love me, even if you do like me just a little. Did your mother tell you this? Tim asks, angry and insulted. No, Charity lies, she didn’t. Tim instantly says, I’ll apologize to your mother for this morning. This has nothing to do with that, Charity says. I can’t marry you--although I like you a lot. I still want to apologize, Tim insists. But Minerva promptly returns and orders Charity out. Your duties aren’t done until you say goodnight to the children. The dutiful Charity scurries away. Minerva adds pointedly to Tim, You, too.

Left alone, Minerva sneaks out a pack of playing cards--only to be discovered by Tim. He tells her not to bother hiding them, because he knows she plays.  Flustered, Minerva huffs, Everyone does. No one is absolutely perfect, and if you’ve come to plead about Charity, it’s useless. I never interfere with my daughter’s decisions, she finishes loftily. I came to apologize, Tim says handsomely. Minerva sniffs, Apologies are the devil’s invention, covering evil behavior. She seems more interested in her game and takes a sip of her tea. I wouldn’t want you to think badly of me, Tim persists. Whatever that means! Minerva sniffs. It would be a sin on my part to disregard your behavior, she continues resentfully. He tells her, The Reverend Trask and I have discussed the possibility of my leaving. That’s just as well, Minerva snaps. Evan Hanley has agreed to help me, Tim says, but I know you write all the references. Irritably she snaps, I just want to sit, relax and have my tea! Now you’ve gotten me upset. Angrily she slams down the next card--which happens to be the queen of spades. Tim instantly switches to automatic pilot and offers to refill her cup, ostensibly as part of his apology. That isn’t necessary, Minerva says. In a trance, Tim insists, I want to do something for you. Behind her back, he empties the vial of poison into the cup while she tells him rudely, Small favors won’t alter my opinion of you. I try to be as fair as God will let me be, but there are things I just can’t forgot, like that scene this morning, no matter how polite you are now. Tim hands her the tea. There is nothing further to talk about, she tells him dismissively. When he doesn’t move, she asks irritably, Why are you hovering over me like that? I don’t want to leave until I make sure the tea is all right, he says. Minerva raises the cup to her lips and drinks....

In the reshoot of the previous scene, Barnabas remembers the latch, but it makes no difference: Dirk is still gone.

Carl returns from Atlantic City with more than salt-water taffy.

Welcome, Pansy Faye! Kay Frye gives a totally committed performance as she sashays around the Old House drawing room, singing "I'm Gonna Dance for You." While Barnabas and Beth watch in amazement and dismay, she even wiggles her behind in their faces. This is the first performance by the one and only, the incomparable, the original Miss Pansy Faye, direct from London. Her song includes a mention of “Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay,” a song made famous in the late 19th century by the well-known music-hall entertainer Lottie COLLINS.] Carl applauds wildly (also a solo performance) at the end.

Judith's reaction to Carl's choice of a bride is predictable--and hilarious.  Did you bring someone terrible back from Atlantic City, like that tart you met in Albany last year? Judith asks sourly. Carl looks ashamed but insists, No one like that. This person is a world-famous mentalist and highly regarded. Scotland Yard used her once. As she sits down in the strange, three-person chair, Judith tells him sternly, You aren't sending for any mentalist to find Dirk! I don’t have to, Carl says--she’s here. Judith gets angrier and angrier as the oblivious Carl continues, I was on the train and saw her there. She looked so wan and pale, so I invited her to rest at Collinwood. Where is this _person_ now? Judith asks in her severest tones as she rises to her feet. At the Old House, Carl tells her. Just give her a chance--she’ll find Dirk for you.

Carl beams with delight as he introduces Judith to his intended. Pansy curtseys and says, Pleased to make your acquaintance, I'm sure. Judith greets her prospective sister-in-law with freezingly minimal politeness. Judith is really worried about this, Carl says anxiously, so we should begin. Harshly, Pansy asks, Did you bring something that belonged to the missing man? Carl brings over a chair for her and says, I sure did--cufflinks, I think. He hands them to her. That will do, she says. Grandly she tells them all, Please sit. Carl, put on my music. I've got to have my music to get in the mood, she explains, simpering. I'm sure you do, Judith replies with unmistakable sarcasm. Who knew Barnabas had a phonograph squirreled away? (Or maybe it was Magda and Sandor’s.) Carl dashes to the room behind the louver doors to the right of the fireplace. The music starts up (her song), and he dashes back out again. Pansy tells Barnabas, Please turn down the lights. It would make me feel a lot better--and I'd look a lot better, she adds with a cackle. Barnabas rises and does so. With a cold eye Pansy assesses the cufflinks: Worth about a quid, I'd say. The music plays. Go on, begin, Carl tells Pansy after Judith glares at him. Everyone sits except for Barnabas, who leans on the mantelpiece, watching her with barely concealed contempt. Pansy holds the cufflink to her forehead and concentrates. She says, There's someone out there, and I've got something of his--a pair of lovely cufflinks he needs! A gentleman by the name of Dirk--Dirk Wilkins! Pansy calls out, Where are you, Dirk? Let me know where I can find you! Let me know! Dirk! she cries, then falls forward in her chair. Alarmed, Carl says, That's never happened before! Something is wrong! Barnabas’s contempt turns to fear when Pansy apparently slips into a genuine trance. He’s dead! she announces. Dirk Wilkins is dead--and the person who killed him is in this house! While Barnabas looks on in horror, she slumps over, apparently unconscious.

Judith is affronted at what she thinks is sheer fakery and stomps out of the Old House, with Carl chasing after her. Naturally, Pansy remembers nothing of what happened. Who told you that Dirk was dead? Barnabas asks. A voice, she says--I don't understand it. I wish Carl hadn't asked me to perform, she sighs. I'd rather sing than do the mental act, any time. I have a lovely trained voice, as Carl knows, she says proudly. I know, Barnabas says with a smile. She didn't like me, did she? Pansy asks. I'll go see what I can do with him, Barnabas tells her. I want to go up there and show her I'm not afraid of her, Pansy insists. Stay here, Barnabas advises her--I'll handle it. But a moment after he goes out, she admits to herself, You really mucked that up, Pansy old girl. You should just go up to that big house and tell Carl Collins-- She jumps up from her chair and marches out.

Barnabas goes to Collinwood but from the foyer he can hear Carl and Judith arguing violently in the drawing room. I don't understand your being in love with a woman like that at all! Judith storms. I’ll keep on loving her! Carl vows. Beth joins Barnabas and tells him, Dirk isn't in the house. Barnabas tells her, Come with me--I know of a place Dirk has to be. If we get there in time, we can wait for him. Judith and Carl continue their argument about Pansy, not knowing that Barnabas and Beth ever came or went.

Pansy is walking in the woods when she hears a noise. Who’s there? she calls out. A giant bat swoops down on her, disregarding her screams.

Barnabas and Beth are at the cemetery, standing beside an open grave--presumably Dirk swiped someone else’s coffin. Barnabas tells Beth, Dirk has found his secret sleeping place--but where is he now? Now Barnabas is getting very worried.

Judith tells Carl, I feel a responsibility to this family whether you do or not. She says flatly, _That woman_ is not suitable! I'm more mature and wise than you are. Miss Faye will leave this estate tonight! Carl protests, so Judith tells him, You can go with her--that’s your privilege. But if you do, I’ll give you no more money--nor will you be allowed to come back ever again. Carl bursts into tears, sputtering with rage--but Judith has already stormed out.

Barnabas returns to the Old House alone. All is dark and quiet, and at first he misses the figure sitting in the chair. Miss Faye, he says, and gently touches her shoulder, but as she slumps over again Barnabas can see the trickles of blood running down her neck. Oh my god, he breathes. No!....

Yes, so can I. 

Yup, that's also true, I'm afraid. 

Jamison is about to open the coffin when he hears someone enter the house upstairs.

Dirk looks very much the worse for wear, with blood streaming from the puncture wounds in his neck. Barn orders him to sit down. Dirk asks why Barn hasn't killed him. You're more useful to me alive than dead, Barn says. Dirk's assignment: To convince Jamison that everything he (D.) told him (J.) was a lie.

Downstairs, Jamison decides it's time to go.

What happens if I refuse? Dirk asks, but he knows it’s really only an academic question. You can’t, Barnabas reminds him. You have no will of his own. I am your will, and you will do what I ask you to do. It may be too late, Dirk points out. No, Barnabas says. Do you think Jamison may have told someone? Yes, Dirk replies gleefully, but if he really does have no will of his own, he should be terrified at the prospect of Barnabas’s exposure. If Jamison has told anyone else, Barnabas warns, the first think I’ll do is kill you.

Jamison stumbles on the stairs. With his supernaturally keen hearing, Barn realizes he has an additional visitor. He goes to see who it is. Jamison hides behind the metal door when Barnabas opens it and goes downstairs, then he slips out the front door. Dirk is too far gone to notice him. Barn looks around downstairs but finds no one. He pops Dirk into the secret room behind the bookcase under the stairs.

Jamison marches into the Great House. Beth tries to get him to go to bed, but Jamison insists on waiting up for his father in the drawing room. Beth says she's going upstairs, but once she's out in the foyer she grabs a shawl and leaves the house.

Barnabas visits Dirk and finds him inexplicably weaker, not stronger. Beth hurries in to warn Barn that Jamison will undoubtedly blab to Edward, who is due home at 11:00. Beth takes one look at Dirk and realizes something is wrong. Barn admits that he went too far and that Dirk will not survive. Beth warns Barn again about Jamison, but Barn has a plan in case Edward comes to investigate. Everything seems so terribly hopeless, Beth says. Defeated, she sinks down onto the strange round purple settee.

Sure enough, the moment Edward returns, Jamison tells him that Dirk says that Cousin Barnabas is a vampire! Edward promises to investigate--after he takes Jamison upstairs.

When Edward arrives, Barnabas says he's shocked, shocked that Jamison believed Dirk--who after all is completely mad. I've never seen Jamison this scared, Edward says. You're a member of our family, and I won't believe anything without proof--but I must give Jamison the benefit of the doubt. What do you mean? Barnabas asks innocently. I'd like to look at your cellar, Edward replies. Jamison says he was there earlier and saw a coffin. I think you actually believe this story, says Barnabas softly. No, says Edward, I didn't say that. Take my word for it, Barnabas tells him--there is no coffin in my basement. Edward still insists on looking. My word is not enough? asks Barnabas, offended. Edward replies, Under the circumstances, not enough for Jamison, and he's the one I must deal with.

Barnabas takes Edward downstairs, but of course the coffin is long gone. Edward is puzzled, but Barnabas tells him, I think Dirk was bitter about being dismissed by Judith, and wanted to get back at the family, so he told this wild story about me. Perhaps his story wasn’t so wild, Edward muses. Surely you don’t think there is a vampire menacing all of us? Barnabas asks. There was a time I would have though it impossible, Edward replies, but since learning the truth about Laura … I can no longer dismiss the supernatural as a figment of the imagination. Then there are those strange, unexplainable attacks both here and in town. Charity Trask was one of the victims, if you recall. I do indeed, Barnabas replies. She had those strange marks on her throat, Edward continues, and the doctors couldn't explain how they were inflicted. Do you think they were made by a vampire? Barnabas asks. I don't know, Edward says, but I intend to find out, and very soon. How? Barnabas asks. I plan to track down Dirk Wilkins, Edward declares. I’m going to find out exactly what he told Jamison and demand to see whatever evidence he has. Edward goes upstairs and leaves. Barnabas remains in the cellar, thinking over their conversation.

As soon as Edward is gone, Beth comes downstairs, full of concern. I’m safe, Barnabas tells her, but only for the moment. Edward refused to believe there’s no vampire and will pursue it till he is satisfied. Then he smiles as he adds, And we must make him satisfied. Edward is looking for a vampire. Well, we will give him one. Dirk will not live out the night, but will die and rise as a vampire. I will see that Edward finds Dirk and destroys him. Then the matter will be closed and my secret safe. Pleased with his solution to the problem and apparently forgetting how “soft-hearted” Beth is, Barnabas instructs her to stay with Dirk until the end. 

Upstairs, Barnabas forgets to work the latch and simply opens the bookcase. But it doesn’t matter, because the secret room is empty. Dirk is gone!....