*falls down laughing*

Judith's gloating is one of the high points of the whole series. JB is fabulous! She also seems to know how to do needlepoint embroidery properly.

Carl and Edward are absolutely furious about the will, but Quentin is surprisingly pragmatic. He decides to devote himself to a life of dissipation and promptly leaves for Beth's little garret room. He is just about to kiss her when they hear a knock on the door.

It's Rachel, who wants to speak to Beth. Allow me, Quentin tells Beth grandly and rushes to open the door. No, Quentin! Beth says, but she’s too late. Rachel stammers apologetically to Beth, I didn’t realize you had company. With a smile, Quentin assures her, You think you interrupted some sort of tryst, but you’re wrong. I was just inspecting the servants’ quarters, a service I perform from time to time to make sure everyone is happy in their work. Beth turns away, wishing “Mr. Collins” [s.b. “Mr. Quentin”] a cold goodnight. Undeterred, Quentin tells Rachel, You’re looking lovely. If I may say so, you’re one of the most attractive women ever to set foot in the house. Beth’s back is turned, but she lifts her chin. Don’t you agree, Beth? Quentin asks, Stung to jealousy, Beth turns to face them as she says even more coldly, Who am I to disagree? Well said, my dear, Quentin replies. He wishes them both goodnight and leaves.

Rachel tells Beth about seeing the light in the window of the Tower Room, but Beth says it's just a storage room. Beth reminds her, I told you earlier that your curiosity would get you into trouble. Yes, I know, Rachel answers, but something about the house is beginning to disturb me. Forget the Tower Room, Beth warns her. Mr. Collins decided to turn the Tower Room into storage. When you saw me, I was finishing putting some linens into a trunk. She turns down her bed, a clear signal that she wants the conversation to end, but Rachel asks, Weren’t you afraid to go into that room? I was told it was haunted. Who told you that? Beth asks. Quentin, Rachel replies. [Should be Mr. Quentin to you, missy!] Beth warns Rachel, You should never believe anything Quentin tells you. Everything he says is said with only one thing in mind. What is that? asks the innocent Rachel. He likes pretty faces, Beth answers. I don't think I have to tell you any more than that. Rachel gasps and turns away from her, mortified for the second time today.

In the drawing room, Judith celebrates her new status by pouring herself a brandy. She is looking around at everything that now belongs to her when Edward comes grumpily downstairs. He is dressed in his nightgown and robe. Is this to be a feature of the new regime--being roused by a servant in the middle of the night? he asks crossly. Judith replies, I’ve made a decision and want to inform you of it. What was so earth shattering it couldn’t wait until morning? Edward asks. I’ve decided to move into Grandmother’s room, Judith announces--it’s only fitting and proper. And you woke me to tell me about it? Edward asks. I thought you’d want to know about it, Judith replies. How very considerate, he says sarcastically. Do you approve? Judith asks slyly. Edward replies, It’s such a weighty matter, I’ll have to go back upstairs and sleep on it--may I? By all means, Judith replies. Don’t be too upset with me, she mock-pleads. This is all so new to me, I can’t resist making the most of it. You’re doing splendidly, sister, just splendidly! Edward says in disgust and stomps back upstairs.

Entirely disregarding Beth’s advice, Rachel is back in the hallway just outside the Tower Room. Once again she listens at the door. From inside comes a repeated creaking noise. On the inside of the door we see the shadow of a rocking cradle; lying in it is the doll that Beth brought. But who is rocking the cradle?....

Gosh, Joey, I never thought of that!

Perhaps it was earlier than Barnabas thought, or perhaps time itself has mercifully slowed while he rescued Rachel. He professes to be as puzzled about it as Rachel. The clock chimes a warning, but Rachel assumes it’s for her and says she must get back to Collinwood. Barnabas self-sacrificingly offers to walk her home (perhaps time has run backward), but Rachel thanks him for his kindness and leaves. Barnabas looks out at the dawn and hurries to the basement.

Barnabas finds Magda waiting for him and tells her all about Angelique. He orders her first to guard him during the day so that Angelique can't get near the coffin. His second order is more complicated: Go to Collinwood and take your cards with you. You are to ask for Judith. She hates us! Magda protests. Barnabas tells Magda, You are to say you saw a sign in the cards that may solve the mystery of the missing will. Magda gets very interested. Do you know where it is? she asks. Don’t play innocent, he warns her sharply. We both know Sandor had the will and was forging a copy for Quentin when I found and took it from him. I’ve hidden it somewhere in Collinwood, and you are to tell Judith where it is--but leave me out of it. Judith is to believe you found the will through the magic of your cards. Why are you willing to make me look so good? Magda asks. Barnabas answers drily, Perhaps I have an innate fondness for gypsies who have fallen on hard times. Magda is suspicious, but Barnabas warns her, Don’t ask questions--I’m doing you a favor. He opens the coffin as Magda stares at him, then suddenly walks over to her. Don’t entertain any thought of betraying me! he warns her. In a ghastly parody of a caress, he moves the hair away away from her throat, lifts her chin and pushes her head back. You know what I can do, he reminds her. (Magda looks actually half tempted; Julia would have swooned instantly!) Magda watches him get in the coffin and shut it. Looking both angry and worried, she runs her hand over the lid, then gazes off into the distance and makes plans.

At 3:15 p.m., Rachel (now wearing the blue gown Quentin wanted Maggie to wear) emerges from the servants’ door as Judith comes downstairs. Judith inquires after Rachel’s health; with a smile, Rachel assures her she’s much better. Judith says, When I spoke with Mr. Collins [Quentin? Edward?] this morning, he was very concerned about what happened to you last night. That was very kind of him [whichever], Rachel says. Judith warns her about Quentin's corrupting influence on Jamison. He dreams of someday being like Quentin, Judith says with disgust. Let's hope that he wakes up in time to see what a disaster that is. [That makes me sorry that we’ll never know what the adult Jamison--who of course was Elizabeth and Roger’s father--was like.]

Great scene with good writing! Beth opens the front door behind Rachel. Judith is dismayed to see she is carrying a beautiful doll, right out in the open, as well as a package. Judith even more dismayed a moment later when Rachel exclaims over it. I’m sure Nora is going to adore it, she enthuses. Nora? Beth asks, caught off guard. The next instant, realizing her mistake, she exchanges a glance with Judith as she tries to cover her tracks by assuring Rachel the doll is for Nora. Judith tells Beth to come to the drawing room for a word. Rachel offers to bring the doll to Nora. No, Beth says, I’ll bring it up in a few minutes. As Rachel moves toward the stairs, she hears Judith’s first words to Beth: Have you lost your mind? Beth stammers an apology, but Judith says, You came in the front door as if nothing were wrong! As Rachel pauses to listen, Judith reminds Beth, Anyone could have been standing in the foyer! I’m sorry, Beth says again, I wasn’t thinking. No, you weren’t, Judith agrees. She continues, We do have a certain nosiness in this house. It seems ridiculous to me that I have to remind you how careful you must be. You can’t become emotionally involved. I’m not, Beth protests, but Judith says, If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have been so careless. Beth apologizes again and pleads, It’s just that I felt sorry for her. She is so lonely. Judith says crossly, Feeling sorry for her isn’t part of your job, and if you can’t remember it a change will have to be made. Yes, Beth replies dutifully. Outside, Rachel runs from the doors and hurries upstairs.

Rachel tries to get some information from Beth about the children's mother, but Beth isn't forthcoming. Judith overhears the end of the conversation and warns Rachel about excessive curiosity.

Magda arrives at Collinwood and tells Judith, I must see you--I have something urgent to tell you. Judith says, You and your husband are no longer welcome at Collinwood. Remembering her mission, Magda says, You will welcome me when you understand the reason for the visit. Judith says coldly, If you’re trying to ingratiate yourself with me as you did with my grandmother, you’re wasting your time. You’re wrong, Magda persists. I am here to tell you where you can find your grandmother’s will. Now may I come in? Grinning broadly, she steps past the speechless Judith into the house.

Judith is suspicious of Magda. You have something up your sleeve, gypsy, she sneers. What is it? I have seen signs in the cards, Magda replies. I don’t believe in the cards, Judith says. If that’s all it is, leave now. Magda reminds her, You know we were right when we predicted the arrival of the stranger. Judith brushes that aside as coincidence, since the so-called stranger turned out to be a relative. Magda must have seen him in the village before she made her prediction. Magda says, If you don’t want to hear about the sign in the cards about your grandmother.... and heads for the door. Wait! Judith tells her. I do want to hear what you have to say. Magda leads the way to the drawing room. She lays out nine cards on the table and tells Judith, The arrangement means nothing to you, but it will--soon. You have the card of the queen [of Cups], inverted, representing your grandmother after death. Below the queen, the Joker, on the other side, the Tower of Destruction. The three cards surround the ace [of Cups], protecting it from the outer circle of kings and knaves and fools. You’re making no sense, Judith grumbles. It’s simple, Magda replies. The tower is the room where your grandmother died. The secret is safely hidden in the heart of the room, from all family members. Where’s the heart of the room? Judith asks. The will is there somewhere, perhaps in a book--a book that was important to Edith, a very, very old book. The family history, Judith guesses at once. Magda assures her that’s the right place. I’ll check the family history tonight, Judith decides. As they walk to the front door, Magda asks Judith to let her know if she finds the will. Don’t worry, Judith assures her. If there is a will, everyone will know soon enough. Magda leaves, smiling. The door is barely closed after her when Judith practically runs upstairs.

Barnabas is waiting for Magda outside the house. How did it go? he asks. I was magnificent, she assures him grandly. Judith suspected nothing--she is as greedy as the rest of the family. Barnabas orders her to wait for him at the Old House; after she nods assent and leaves, he knocks on the door. Rachel opens it and he gives her the charm, warning her to wear it always.

As Rachel goes through the servants’ door, lost in thought, Judith comes downstairs, her face a study in amazement and triumph. She walks into the drawing room and shuts herself in. She actually smiles as she thinks to herself, I can't believe it! She said she would take care of me. I never imagined that it would be anything like this! I am in control now--in control of everything! Things are going to be very different in this house from this moment on! she promises herself.  Her exultant mood is interrupted when Rachel knocks on the door and says apologetically, I think I said something to Nora that I shouldn’t have. Without thinking, I asked Nora how she liked her new doll, but Nora said Beth never gave her one. Judith says, I will speak to Beth about the doll and see to it that she gives it to Nora.

Cool final scene! Meanwhile, Beth walks along the hallway outside the Tower Room, carrying the doll and a lamp. We can see that the hallway is actually a landing that overlooks a staircase at stage right (on our left). When she reaches the door, she leans in toward it and calls softly, Jenny--it’s Beth. I am going to come inside, and I have a nice surprise for you. She very deftly manages the doll and the lamp as she reaches into her pocket, takes out a key, and unlocks the door. She walks into the room and closes the door behind her....

Improbably good scene with Dirk and Angelique. As her spell-casting music comes up, she tells him, You don't know me or your life. He replies, "I think you're very nice." Somehow this actually works for me.

Once Dirk has interrupted Angelique's spell, Rachel recovers but arrives at what she thinks is the only possible explanation. There must be something wrong with me! she says, starting to panic. Barnabas assures her there isn’t. It’s the only answer! she exclaims. Oh, Mr. Collins! she cries as she buries her face in his highly available shoulder. I’m so frightened, she says as she leans into him, thereby exposing her very biteable neck. Barnabas struggles to resist as he pulls her collar away and gazes down.

Edward comes in and is shocked, shocked at their apparently compromising position. At his pompous best, he is even more ridiculous than his grandson, Roger! Barnabas rescues them both, but Angelique, alone again at the cottage, is entirely unappeased. She starts casting a new spell, and Rachel arrives at the cottage, where Angelique puts a spell of obedience and forgetfulness on her.

Dirk returns and tells Edward that there was a strange woman in the cottage. (RD has some trouble with his lines, and LE helps him out.) Edward gets huffy about another one of "Quentin's women," but Barnabas quickly puts two and two together. He finds nothing amiss at the cottage, but when he opens his coffin for his day's rest--!

Poor Jamison never realizes how his beloved uncle Quentin is using him.

One of the best chase scenes ever as Quentin has a dream in which Edith chases him around the room. In the dream he ends up strangling and burying her. Just as her hand (with her ruby ring) claws its way up out of the ground, Quentin wakes up. He walks over to the window, which was boarded up in 1967. Now the dawn’s early light streams through. His rooms are still trashed, and he still blames Barnabas.

Turns out that Evan is an amateur satanist as well as a lawyer.  He suggests summoning "someone from the flames of the netherworld" to deal with Barnabas. Are you serious? Quentin asks, taken aback for once. If our plea is strong enough, the powers of darkness will respond, Evan replies. And to make sure our plea is strong enough, he adds, bring the boy with you this time. He will be our symbol of innocence--our sacrificial lamb, so to speak. To his dubious credit, Quentin immediately warns him, I won’t do anything to hurt Jamison! Evan blandly reassures him, We will merely use him. He won’t be harmed. We won’t know if it works until we try. If you want to do something about Barnabas, meet me at the cottage at eight--with the boy. Give me the will--I’ll get Sandor. Hesitantly, Quentin hands over the document.  Stop worrying! Evan chivvies him. In a few weeks, you will be the Master of Collinwood! As Evan leaves, Quentin smiles faintly, but he still looks worried.

Someone--presumably Beth?--has tidied up Quentin's rooms. Evan has returned. Sandor wants $500 in gold to forge a new will that will leave Quentin with everything. He says that Edith wrote with a fine hand--but wouldn't a lawyer's clerk do the actual writing? Jamison bounds in, glad to see his uncle, but checks himself at the sight of Evan. Quentin tells the boy that he's too unwell to attend Edith's funeral and would he please tell that to Judith--and then can he come back after the funeral is over. After Jamison leaves, Evan comments dryly, It would be nice if one of us attended the funeral. He takes himself off.

Later, Jamison, wearing what looks like a three-cornered hat, visits the OH, where Sandor is hard at work.  I didn’t think anyone would be here, Jamison tells him. What do you want? Sandor asks as he quickly turns his work over. Nothing, Jamison replies. I was going back to Collinwood. I stopped here because I often come here to play. What are you doing here? he asks. Sandor says, Your uncle Quentin wanted me to clean up. I don’t ask questions, I just do what I’m paid to do. How could my uncle pay you? Jamison asks ingenuously. I know he doesn’t have any money. You shouldn’t ask so many questions, Sandor warns him--do you understanding what I mean? No, Jamison says, prepared to argue. Jamison spots a long, narrow red box. To Sandor’s dismay, he opens it and finds black candles. I was hoping it was candy, he says lamely. Sandor takes the box, leans in very close and advises Jamison, Go back to Collinwood--it’s going to be dark soon! He laughs evilly as Jamison hurries off, forgetting to take his cap. Sandor returns to his work.

Jamison returns to report to Quentin, who is relieved that the old lady is buried at last. Quentin offers to take the boy on a long walk--and after dinner, he has a surprise for him. We are going to take a look into the future tonight, he says when Jamison presses him for just a hint. With a crystal ball? Jamison asks eagerly. No, that’s for gypsies, not for men like you and me, Quentin answers. I can’t tell you just how, but you have to promise not to be frightened. At first, what you see might be rather strange. Do you trust me? Yes, Jamison says. You trust Mr. Hanley, don’t you? Quentin asks. Jamison hesitates and asks, What does Mr. Hanley have to do with it? Quentin says solemnly, Mr. Hanley knows a lot more than people think he does. He knows certain words, magic words. When he speaks them, visions appear--visions of the future. This is heady stuff for Jamison. Quentin assures him, It’s nothing more than a game--but a secret one. Innocently thrilled to be part of something (1) secret and (2) with his uncle Quentin, Jamison promises not to tell anyone. With everything settled, the two set off for their walk.

That night, at the cottage, Evan supervises Sandor as he arranges black candles around the room and a black altar before the fireplace, which is now lit. Sandor wants to ask questions, but Evan tells him, Don’t be curious--just do as you’re told. Someone knocks, and Evan lets Quentin and Jamison in. Jamison tells Evan, Quentin told me that you can make people see into the future. Is that what he told you, Evan comments dryly. Well, I hope he didn’t tell you that I always succeed. What’s that table? Jamison asks. It’s a kind of altar, Evan explains. But don’t worry--it’s part of the game. We’ll start immediately. I want you to stand by the altar and look directly into the flame of the candle. While I’m talking, you’re to concentrate very hard and keep looking into the flame--or the spell will be broken. What will you be doing? Jamison asks Quentin. I’ll be looking with you into the flame, Quentin assures him. Evan begins by taking a black goblet from the altar. Holding it above Jamison’s head, he proclaims, I address myself and those with me to the powers of darkness. I call upon the flame to summon you. I call upon the raven and the viper, he intones, all of the dark creatures of nature, to draw you here like a rising mist from out of the darkness of the earth. As the wind begins to howl, Evan makes his appeal: Rise up and help us, for there is an enemy in our midst who must be destroyed. Still holding the goblet in one hand, he spreads his hands apart: Rise and help us, and we shall repay you with a gift of innocence! Thunder booms and Jamison calls out, No, no stop! Putting a hand on the boy’s shoulder, Evan warns him, Be silent--don’t break the spell. Jamison leans toward the fire and says, It is going to be here soon! I feel it! What are you talking about? Quentin asks. Be quiet! Evan orders him too. Jamison’s terror increases as he stares into the fire. It’s a woman, he cries, a woman! I don’t want to stay here! He starts to move away, but Evan takes his shoulder, assuring him, No one is going to hurt you. Jamison screams, Let me go! He runs out of the cottage. Quentin steps closer to the fireplace, staring into it with alarm. Evan tells Sandor to go after Jamison. Sandor hurries out. Keep him quiet and safe, Evan calls after him. Quentin steps over to the door too. We’ve got to get out of here! he says, his voice scaling up with fright. Sandor will find him, Evan says, assuming he’s talking about Jamison. Quentin exclaims, You’ve gone too far! Look, in the flames! Evan looks, his eyes widening. As they watch the fire with more alarm, a skull-like apparition--with blond curls--materializes in the midst of the flames....

Eventually I decided it must have been Magda, but I have no evidence to support that conclusion.

Edward threatens to put Carl in an asylum until Carl tells him that he knows their grandmother died without telling him the secret. But Carl is sure that someone in the house does know.

Edward has called a meeting of all his siblings, and what a grand quarrel they have! They argue about who knows the secret until they remember that someone else spoke with Edith before she died. Edward sends Carl to get Barnabas.

Carl enters the OH without knocking (it runs in the family) and yells for Barnabas. We can see that Magda and Sandor have done more work, and Josette's portrait is back in its rightful place over the drawing-room mantel. About to open the metal door, Carl is intercepted by Sandor. Sandor says that Barn is out and will be back tonight. Carl wonders what Magda and Sandor are still doing at the OH. He's hired you as his servants, Carl realizes. You could say that, Sandor replies ironically. Carl doesn't want to return to Collinwood without Barn because no one will believe a word he says. Sandor finds this hilarious and says there must be gypsy blood in the family--no one trusts anyone else.

Rachel is out on the terrace, admiring her new surroundings. Quentin arrives and offers to show her the house. We can cover the main structure, then the West Wing--where I live. [Presumably he has his bedroom particularly in mind!] Uncomfortable, Rachel moves away from him to look at the other side of the house. Is that tower part of the West Wing? she asks as she indicates it. Quentin replies, The tower is one place we’ll have to stay away from. No one in the family has been in the tower room for over a hundred years. He leans in close to Rachel as he explains, It is an old family legend that a woman committed suicide in that room back in 1796. [We know that the legend is true, and that the woman was poor Naomi.] So ever since then, everyone thinks it’s haunted, Rachel guesses. Yes, Quentin agrees. Do you think it is? she asks him. I consider it an interesting legend, but that’s all, Quentin replies. Do you believe in ghosts? Rachel asks. Do you? the future ghost asks back. I don’t know, she says slowly. I think you do, Quentin says teasingly. Maybe that’s what scares you about the house. Quentin practically buries his nose in her hair as he assures her, Don’t worry--you’re perfectly safe here. Rachel moves away again, saying, I know that--but thank you for your concern. Quentin moves closer again to tell her, I like you, Rachel. You are shy--and innocent. You are very beautiful. Rachel thanks him again, and Quentin practically puts his nose in her hair again as he says, I think we are going to be very close friends. Unsure of how to reply to that, Rachel doesn’t. Quentin leaves, grinning with anticipation, but in his conceit he hardly notices that Rachel is staring at the tower, fascinated.

Carl brings Sandor back to Collinwood, where Judith tells Sandor that she wants him and Magda off the property within 24 hours.

Still on the terrace, Rachel notices a light suddenly burning in the tower room.

Edward and Judith argue about the tower room. Even though Edward doesn't want a report, Judith reports that Beth goes there three times a day and pays the weekly installments to Mrs. Fillmore.  I felt you’d want to know, Judith insists. I have washed my hands of the entire affair, Edward barks at her. Is Beth satisfied with her end of it? he asks. Judith says stuffily, She should be. You’re paying her enough--too much, I think. Silence and loyalty cannot be bought cheaply, Edward says. Beth would serve _him_ for even less, Judith replies. Consider the extra payment a form of insurance, Edward says, adding, From this day on, I want neither to be told nor reminded of that problem. I’m not interested in it at all.

Rachel bursts in and tells them about the light in the tower room. Edward glances at Judith as he tells Rachel, That’s impossible. Rachel insists she saw it; Judith hurries out of the room; the camera follows her as she starts upstairs. Edward asks Rachel why it disturbs her. Rachel explains, I was speaking with Quentin [should be Mr. Quentin Collins to her!] a short time ago, and he told me about the legend of the tower room. Edward says, And Quentin made a mistake in telling you, because it stirred up your imagination, apparently. No, Rachel insists, I did see a light. There isn’t a light, Edward insists back but asks anyway, Was it an electric or candle light? Rachel says, It was too bright for candles, so it had to be electric. That proves you were wrong, Edward says coldly. There is no electricity in the tower room. He offers to take her back out onto the terrace to show her there are no lights.

After they leave the house, Judith hurries back down the stairs and into the drawing room, looking for Edward. She is clearly shaken, as if she has averted some kind of catastrophe.

On the terrace, Edward points up to the tower. The room is dark! Rachel exclaims. That is right, Edward replies. Just as it was dark before. It has been dark for over one hundred years. Rachel was obviously convinced, but now that she’s not sure, she’s very upset....