Yes, MT, Barnabas telling Beth how to kill him was pretty strange. I have no explanation for it, unless the writers felt they had to reassure the viewers that he wasn't in any serious danger.

I remember the missing staircase at the OH, but I just don't remember whether it's happened already or not.  I think maybe it did. Gah.

I did a lot of transcribing for a friend (the person who first introduced me to the show) who didn't have access to the SciFi (as it was called then) channel, so I had to do a lot of rewinding. I can't imagine having that kind of time now!

Good question! If Dirk were just your average vampire victim, the thought of shooting his vampire never would have crossed his mind. But Laura had messed with his mind first, so he must have a major case of cognitive dissonance.

I think you're right, MT--he does seem to have lost a bit of that vampiric pallor. The Robservations frame grab is the same as the Dark Shadows Wiki one.

Barn is furious with Magda, who thinks that if Quentin dies, his children will escape the curse. Barn snarls that there's no escape for either Quentin or Magda. She levels the gun at him, reminding him that there are still silver bullets in it. The werewolf stirs, and Barn says that if they can keep the creature alive till dawn, then Quentin will survive too.

It's almost dawn, and the werewolf is still breathing. Magda notes that he'll be all right, but Barnabas is still unforgiving. Now remorseful, Magda says, I was crazy with worry about my sister’s children. I was the one who cursed them, I got to be the one to help them, or there’s no hope for them. Quentin is a werewolf for the rest of his life, and my sister’s children carry the curse too. But I don’t know any way out of all this, no answers! she wails. Just then the rooster crows, and Barnabas knows he must gain his coffin. He orders Magda to find a way to break the curse. He makes her hand over the gun--which has only four bullets in it. (I think you're supposed to leave one chamber empty, so there should be three.) Magda says she must have lost one. The clock chimes five times, another warning to Barnabas. Is it right to pray for a cursed thing like this? she wonders as Barnabas prepares to leave. But he crossly grants her no quarter: You cursed him. If his life is lost, so is yours. After Barnabas leaves, Magda looks down at the creature and says, Quentin Collins, the day you met my sister, all hope died for everyone. Nonetheless she crosses herself and starts to pray. But suddenly the werewolf (obviously recovered) revives. It growls and springs toward her. She holds up her pentagram, and the creature recoils. It runs out, knocking over a table in its haste.

Somewhere in the woods, the short, brown-eyed werewolf transforms into the tall, blue-eyed Quentin. He looks down, horrified that once again his clothes are torn and bloody (though he looks as fabulous as ever in his near-topless condition). What have I done? he gasps as he gets to his feet. Then he tells himself miserably, What has _he_ done? it’s not me, I can’t help what happens! Suddenly he hears sobs. He looks around and sees no one, but he calls to the invisible weeper, Who is crying? Don’t be afraid--I promise not to hurt you.

Strangely for someone with such a dreadful secret--and who would have a lot of explaining to do if anyone saw him--Quentin staggers in the front door of Collinwood. Suddenly he hears the sobbing again, and a strange woman appears. It is the ghost of Dorcas Trilling, the werewolf’s first victim. Her clothes are torn and bloody, testimony to the werewolf’s savagery. Let me help you, he pleads. Murderer! she cries over and over again as he wipes his mouth nervously. Stop that! he cries. Everyone in the house will hear you and know! He starts forward to seize her--but the mystery is explained when, still repeating the terrible word, she vanishes before his eyes.

Having washed and changed, Quentin is in his room, but even his favorite music can't keep his hands from trembling. Once again, he sees Dorcas--this time in the mirror--and once again she repeats her accusation. Judith hears Quentin begging Dorcas to leave him alone. Judith comes in, finds him alone, and scoffs at the idea of anyone else in the mirror. She comments that he's behaving like an animal that's been cornered. He pours himself a drink and yells at her to get out.

At dusk, the clock on the mantel at the Old House chimes seven--is it summer, and is Collinwood near the Arctic Circle? Magda is gazing at the basement door when Barnabas emerges to face another night. [We catch a brief glimpse of a doorway--without a door--where the stairs to the right of the front door should be.] Barnabas asks where Quentin is, and Magda tells him how the creature attacked her and ran out. Why didn't you go after him? Barnabas asks, and Magda reminds him that she gave him the gun. She reports that Quentin is at Collinwood, getting drunk. He knows nothing, then? Barnabas asks. Yes, Magda admits. I been thinking and searching for an answer. I thought of someone who might help--an old gypsy woman who lived in the forests of  Augedon (sp??). She turned Count Petofi into a werewolf. (Magda had told Sandor about him earlier). She knew everything, Magda continues. Gypsies came from everywhere to consult her. She was an old woman when you were a child, Barnabas says, incredulous. Yes, Magda says, but she had a daughter, Julianka, and if that daughter is alive, perhaps she has the knowledge. The problem is, the world is wide for the gypsies, so where might she be? Barnabas asks. She belonged to the Romano tribe, Magda answers. Not long ago, there were some near Boston. King Johnny Romano was there--perhaps she is too. We must hope she isn’t too far away, Barnabas says. We have no idea how much longer it will be before Quentin’s destiny catches up with him. It could be tonight, tomorrow, anytime! We must act quickly. I’ll to Boston right way, Magda says, but Barnabas says, No--I want to speak to Quentin first. As Barnabas prepares to go out, Magda quietly tells him, I’m sorry for what’s happened. I want the same thing as you--for the children to be healthy and well and free from the curse. Barnabas stops and looks away guiltily as he remembers how, far in the future, he and Chris Jennings uncovered the tiny coffin and its pitiful contents. What’s the matter? Magda asks. I got a cold feeling about you just now, as if you know something about those two children I don’t--something that’s going to happen. Barnabas tells her, Start packing--you have a long trip ahead of you. After he leaves, she stands there, thinking.

Barnabas does a very nice materialization in Quentin's room. For a moment, Quentin thinks he's still alone, then turns around in surprise. Barnabas tells him that there's no full moon tonight. Barnabas says he's there to offer Quentin his help, but Quentin is extremely distrustful and tells him to get out. When Barn stays, Quentin asks why he wants to help, but of course Barnabas can't explain.  Then you'd better go--right now, Quentin says. Then what happens to you? Barnabas asks. I can take care of myself, Quentin huffs. So you can wait for the next full moon? Barnabas asks. How will you take care of yourself next time, and all the times after that? Quentin drinks without replying. Speaking with a passion born of bitter experience, Barnabas continues relentlessly, How will you take care of yourself as the world moves in on you, as more and more people find out and start hunting you down? Answer these questions and I’ll leave. Quentin counters, I’m not entirely ignorant of supernatural matters. I intend to keep trying to end the curse. I’m sure you’ve tried everything you can, Barnabas says, but obviously none of it has worked. I intend to keep on trying, Quentin assures him. And I will keep trying with you, Barnabas declares. This offer is very unlike you, Quentin observes. I wish I could understand it. There are many people dear to me whose lives are at stake, Barnabas explains, and their lives depend on you. With a grin, Quentin replies, A very suitably veiled answer--more in keeping with my mysterious cousin's character than concern--at least, concern for me. It's all I can give, Barnabas says. All right, says Quentin. Do you have some idea of a plan? Do you know of a way to end the curse? Not at the moment, Barnabas admits, but there are ways to end these curses. There was a Frenchman in the fifteenth century who lived as a werewolf, and he died but was buried in sacred ground, so he was cured when the curse was ended. There are other cases in which curses have been ended, and I intend to find out how. How? Quentin demands. We will find that out, Barnabas promises. I've taken steps in that direction--a gypsy Magda is searching for. She's gone to Boston, and when I learn something, I'll tell you. He puts a reassuring hand on Quentin's shoulder, but naturally Quentin is understandably unhappy to learn he must depend on Magda for the moment. Barnabas starts to leave, but Quentin stops him with a bitter request: Barnabas! If you find out I'm going to be like this always, promise me something. Promise me that you'll shoot me through the heart some lovely, moonlit night. His glass shatters when he tosses the glass to the floor.
                                                                                                                               
As Barnabas passes through the foyer, Judith asks to speak with him.  I have business at the Old House, Barnabas says, anxious to return there. Please stay, she begs him. Something urgent has happened that disturbed Jamison very much. I need your help, she tells him, and I don’t know who else to ask. You know so much about the family--who everybody is and was. Perhaps you must recognize the name David Collins. Who is he? Shocked, Barnabas asks for more details. Judith tells him, Jamison awake from a dream a few minutes ago, screaming. Screaming what? Barnabas asks apprehensively. To his horror, Judith replies, David Collins is dead! David Collins is dead!. Motionless, eyes wide, Barnabas gasps, Oh, no!....

Poor Quentin--at least he doesn't have a supermoon to deal with as we do now! 

Under Barnabas's power, Beth must reveal that the werewolf is Quentin. Shocked, Barnabas asks how it happened, and Beth explains about Jenny. Barnabas is even more shocked when Beth tells him about Quentin and Jenny's two children. Barnabas knows that Quentin will have to be told sooner or later and is concerned about the prospect of the werewolf's resuming Quentin's form in a jail cell. At least he seems to be worried about Quentin the person--as little as Q. deserves it at this point--than about the Collins family's reputation. Why are you so interested in all of us? Beth asks. Do you trust me? Barnabas asks her. I don’t know, Beth replies, even though Barnabas just bit her--his hold on her is very light, it seems. In time you will, he assures her. I just want Quentin to be rid of the curse and well again, Beth pleads. Are you in love with him? Barnabas asks gently. I am, Beth admits, almost in tears. I just want to believe everything will be all right, but I don’t see how it can be. I lie awake and wonder how and where it will end. Barnabas says, I already know how and where it will end. I want to know when. On this cryptic note, he leaves. Beth takes out another pentagram on a chain, studies it for a moment, then puts it around her neck.

At the front door of the Great House, Magda takes out a little pearl-handled revolver and loads it with silver bullets. Judith answers the door and says they aren't buying anything. It’s important, Magda insists, and it’s between Beth and me. Beth has gone to bed, Judith says with maximum rudeness as she tries to close the door on Magda. (Only at Collinwood would the servants go to bed before their mistress!) Judith and Magda--who are very well matched--have a big argument before Judith practically chases Magda off. She goes back into the house, and the camera pans over to the revolver, still hidden in the planter. Judith turns out the lights in the drawing room, makes sure the French windows are shut, closes the front doors, and goes upstairs. After a moment, Magda slips in through the window. Somewhere nearby, a wolf howls.

In the dark drawing room, Magda overhears Beth and Barnabas conversing in the foyer. Barnabas says he'll do his best to convince Quentin that he wants to help him. After I get Quentin back to Collinwood, I plan to have a talk with Magda. Is it possible to get her to end the curse? Beth asks, afraid to hope. His tone implying the use of force if necessary, Barnabas says, I will make her end it.

From inside the drawing room, Magda hears him say it--and his tone of voice. Beth says she'll wait up until Barn brings Quentin home. After he leaves, Magda steps out into the foyer. Did you get the pentagram to the baby boy? she asks anxiously. Yes, Beth replies--and one for myself, she adds, showing Magda that it’s around her neck. The boy is wearing his now. And does Barnabas know everything? Magda asks. Yes, Beth replies, I had to tell him. You’re a fool, Magda scoffs. He wants to help Quentin, Beth argues. He can’t, Magda says flatly. I’m the only one who can help him, Magda declares, I know the only way to help him. What is it? Beth asks. Instead of answering, Magda pulls aside the collar of Beth’s dress and gasps when she sees the bite marks. I cannot tell you, she decides. Are you going to harm him? Beth asks. Magda replies grimly, I cannot harm him more than he has already been harmed. You got to trust me, you got to believe that what I will do will end his misery. She walks out, retrieves the gun from the planter and finishes loading it.

Out in the woods, the werewolf growls as it catches sight of Collinwood. I guess I would too! 

Wearing a gorgeous red velvet dressing gown, Judith comes downstairs and is surprised to find Beth still up. She orders her off to bed, but the phone rings. Judith reports that the sheriff says the creature is only wounded.

Beth goes up to her room again, but this time it has been thoroughly trashed. She leans against the dresser for a moment, sick with fear, then leaves. Downstairs, Judith finishes her conversation with the sheriff, then looks up in horror as the werewolf crouches on the balcony above her. Though wounded, the creature is still agile enough to jump off the balcony and move menacingly toward her. Just as Judith starts screaming, Beth hurries out through the servants’ door. She advances on the creature as she holds up the silver pentagram to keep it at bay. It  suddenly turns tail and flees through the open drawing-room window.

Gun drawn, Magda is stalking the woods when she hears someone else nearby. She ducks behind a tree and spots Barnabas, who moves on without seeing her. He is holding his cane out in front of him like a weapon. Nor does she make her presence known. After he has passed by, she emerges.

Beth has made tea (not brandy??) for Judith and speaks to the sheriff on the phone. Judith wants him to send men to guard the house. (What about the good people of Collinsport??) I fear we’ll all die if the creature returns, Judith worries. What was it about you that scared off the animal? (How Judith could miss the pentagram I don’t know.) I don’t know, Beth lies. I wasn’t blind, Judith insists. Beth insists that the creature was more frightened than they were. Judith wants to wait for the police--and she wants Beth to wait with her. The sheriff ought to be replaced, Judith fumes. He said the animal was probably so weak, it crawled off to die. She doesn’t notice the misery on poor Beth’s face. She continues, Yet it was strong enough to almost kill me! Beth offers her more tea, hoping to get her to stop talking. Instead Judith paces up and down and complains, I can’t live through another night like this one. They must find the beast and destroy it!

Still growling softly, the wounded werewolf climbs to the top of a rock and seems to lose consciousness--but only for a moment. He spots Magda as she approaches the rock and starts growling. She hears him and looks up. She and her cursed brother-in-law eye one another. He gets ready to spring on her, but she shoots him. With a howl of pain and rage, the werewolf tumbles to the ground....

MT, I'm glad we got to see Evan summoning Satan. HAA's hand gestures are so very eloquent and elegant.

It's a good thing Evan didn't send Tim to Braithwaite's to buy jewelry--he would have bought the whole store, lol.

DS Wiki has a frame grab of DS doing his famous sideways bend as the pains begin. Yikes!

Evan cues the hapless Tim with the queen of spades--shades of The Manchurian Candidate?

It's the afternoon before the first night of the full moon--Quentin's second full moon as a werewolf. While he and Beth wait for-- whatever, Quentin observes ruefully, Maybe I'm beginning to pay for all the things I did and got away with. Beth wants to speak to Magda. Quentin argues that he's already tried and failed, but she marches out anyway.

However, Magda's first visitor is Tim. Claiming to have found an old alchemy manual, he wants to buy some nightshade from her. I’ll give you ten dollars for one ounce, he offers. Who do you want to kill? Magda asks in alarm. I’ll give you twenty dollars, and no higher, Tim says, stepping closer so they’re nose to nose. Give me fifty gold pieces, Magda says. Tim nods his agreement. (After all, he isn’t spending his own money!) Return in one hour, Magda orders him. I can’t wait one hour, Tim insists. You must, she insists back, then asks, Why do you trust me? The ordinarily peaceable Tim suddenly twists her arm behind her as he answers, Because I will kill you if you mention this to anyone.

This scene is one of the most devastating in the whole series. Kudos to GH and TC. At 6:30, Beth comes to plead with Magda. What do you care about? Beth asks. Questions! Magda snaps impatiently. Do you care about Sandor? Beth asks. He’s my husband, and we do fight a lot, Magda replies, giving the impression that she likes the fighting too. Beth starts, If Sandor were Quentin, and you were me-- You are keeping me from more important things, Magda says, now that she’s got Beth’s drift. What would you do if Sandor were Quentin, and tonight, the moon would be full? Beth persists. I would wear my pentagram, Magda replies coldly. No, Beth argues. You aren’t that callous--you’re a woman. So was Jenny! Magda cries. Quentin didn’t mean to kill her, Beth reminds her. But he _did_! Magda snaps. I will help you, she says unhappily. Quentin means death to anyone who loves him--remember Jenny, she warns. Jenny wouldn’t want what you have made him, Beth insists. You know this? Magda asks. Yes! Beth replies. You aren’t a gypsy, Magda argues. No, Beth says, and I’m glad. I wouldn’t want the power to do the evil you do. Magda tells her, I have helped Quentin more times than you know. Help him now, Beth pleads. You can remove the curse. I don’t want to, Magda says. It’s the only way to let my sister’s spirit rest, to be avenged. She _is_ at rest! Beth cries! Must we go on forever like this? Must the curse last forever? Beth pleads. Magda answers, Every night there is a full moon, he will be at its mercy, every month, all the rest of his life. Can’t we do something Beth sobs. I can’t go back without some hope. Don’t go back, Magda suggests grimly. You have no right to speak to me that way! Beth exclaims angrily. I could spend the rest of my life with Quentin, marry him, get money somehow, travel, and find a cure! You would marry him, Magda says in surprise and dismay, knowing that his son-- What about his son? Beth asks abruptly. Magda says grimly, If Quentin had a son, it would be the same for him as for Quentin. You’re mad! Beth exclaims, horrified. Magda answers calmly, That is the curse. Then you have cursed your own kin! Beth tells her. Jenny had no children, Magda protests even as she is struck with suddenly dawning horror. Remember the dolls, Magda? Beth reminds her. I gave them to her because her own children were taken away from her. You’re making this up! Magda says desperately. I'll take you to them, Beth offers. They’re twins, a boy and a girl. They live twenty minutes away--shall we go now? I wouldn’t believe it even if I saw them, Magda insists. You would, Beth answers--because the girl looks just like Jenny. How did we not know? Magda asks in horror. Edward and Judith were the reason, Beth says. Tell me, Magda says faintly as she sinks into a chair. I will tell you everything, Beth says, but you must promise never to tell Quentin. I promise, Magda all but wails, I must know! Beth begins: Jenny was aware that Laura was trying to steal Quentin from her. When Edward found out, he forced Quentin to leave. Laura couldn’t bear Collinwood without Quentin, so she followed him. Jenny was never herself again afterward. Edward went to see her to offer her money to go away, and that was when Jenny told him what she had told no one else--she was pregnant. Why did she not come to me? Magda groans in anguish. We’ll never know, Beth replies sadly, continuing, Jenny was quite mad by the time the children were born. Edward didn’t want to see them. He didn’t want any reminder of his own brother, none. It was as if his own life was based on the idea that Quentin had never existed. So there is a son! Magda cries, near the breaking point. God, forgive me! Jenny, forgive me! Can you hear me, my sister? Forgive me! Leave me alone! she tells Beth. Help them now! Beth pleads. Magda tells her, Go to town, get a pentagram, and put it around the little boy’s neck. He must wear it all the days of his life. You can’t end it! Beth realizes. Oh, a child! Magda groans in misery. A child! I did not know! Magda has completely fallen apart; weeping, she orders Beth out.

Quentin is pacing in his room when Beth hurries back. In perhaps his first unselfish gesture toward her, Quentin tells her wearily, You shouldn’t be here. I know your attempt was useless. It’s dark, she tells him. Do you feel any pain? Aren’t you afraid to be in the room with me? Quentin asks. Something’s happened, she suggests hopefully. As he takes her in his arms, he asks, Should we hope that’s true, for the moment? That the nightmare is over, and the moon can go back to being something for lovers to watch? Yes, she says, laughing and weeping at the same time. Suddenly the pains start. Beth doesn't want to leave, but he orders her to. She runs out.

Evan also contemplates the moon as Tim, who has returned with the nightshade, continues his reading. Evan suggests a game of cards and says that soon Tim will bring him a brandy. When? Tim asks dully. You’ll know, Evan tells him: When the real moment comes, it may not be brandy; it could be tea or sherry. I understand, Tim replies. Evan warns him, We can’t control what it will be. I know, Tim answers with no apparent interest. They play for a moment or two, then Evan turns up the queen of spades. Seeing the signal, Tim mechanically gets up, pours a brandy, and shakes a little of the powder into it while Evan smiles approvingly. (The powder, by the way, is in plain sight on the tray with the brandy--evidently Evan trusts Tim to keep it hidden when he makes the real attempt.) Tim brings the brandy over. Good, for your first time! Evan says approvingly and sets the glass down. Tim looks puzzled. He picks up the glass, sniffs it and puts it to Evan’s lips. You are going to drink this, he tells Evan. No, Evan gasps, but Tim puts his hand to Evan’s throat and tells him, You will drink this brandy--you are going to drink it....