Thanks, Gothick! That clip!!!! *thud*

Why, thank you, MT! I have no idea how it happened, but it's nice just the same! 

FAREWELL, HANNAH STOKES! This episode unfortunately was Paula Laurence's last appearance on the show.

I always felt bad that Quentin shlashes up the portrait of Maggie--it was one of the nicest ones they had on the show, and I don't think we see it again.

While Cyrus is attempting to psychoanalyze Quentin, he slips up by saying, Will is strange; no one ever knows exactly what he’s up to. Quentin is exhausted but still asks, Why do you say that? Cyrus starts to explain but remembers that he was Yeager when he saw the coffin in Will’s basement. But when Cyrus is Cyrus, he really is a good friend. He tells Quentin that he plans to give up his research and urges Quentin to get Maggie back to Collinwood. Quentin blows a fuse yet again but finally realizes that he's overreacting.

Great scene with Cyrus and "Alexis": Cyrus brings Quentin back to Collinwood, where they discuss Quentin’s “yearning” feeling. It was a feeling deeper than I’ve ever felt before, Quentin says, but I still don’t know for what or whom. Angelique comes to the landing and greets them (tripping on the top step as she comes down). She is wearing a strange gray-blue dress with a pattern like python scales. Quentin goes upstairs, ostensibly to try to rest, while Cyrus and "Alexis" stay in the foyer to discuss the “yearning” feeling Quentin had at the lab. Probing for information, "Alexis" comments, Quentin has seemed to be under the influence of very strong emotions since the night Maggie left--could his feelings for Maggie really be so deep? With an increasingly pained expression, Cyrus answers, Who knows the depths of the truest of our feelings? Who knows what emotions lie at the core of our being--waiting, lurking, ready to spring without wa-- Then he notices "Alexis" watching him. All I mean, he continues, is that Quentin misses Maggie but isn't ready to admit it. What can we do? "Alexis" asks. Why, nothing! Cyrus answers. He has to make the decision himself. Don’t you agree? Oh, yes, of course, Angelique answers as she must, but... well, the last thing I want to do is interfere with Quentin's relationship with Maggie.

Up in Angelique’s parlor, a deck of tarot cards is lying on the circular table. Hannah Stokes is tying on her cape when Quentin walks in on her. I was worried about you, Hannah says. “Alexis” said you were unwell. I’m better now, he says, but he still looks like a lost little boy. Hannah excuses herself and starts to leave, then turns back and gives him the most explicit warning she dares: Quentin, please be careful. But he barely seems aware that she’s left. Quentin picks up one of the tarot cards, which turns out to be Le Pendu (the Hanged Man).

Fearful for Quentin's life, Hannah urges Angelique to remove the spell. Angelique insists that everything is fine and that the spell will dissolve once Maggie returns. Then I want nothing more to do with it! Hannah announces, and despite Angelique’s repeated commands, she refuses to have anything to do with Angelique as long as Quentin is under the spell. She marches out of the house (and sadly, out of the story), past the startled Angelique, who calls to her in vain and seems frightened for the first time.

In his laboratory, Cyrus takes out the antidote from the safe and stares into the green liquid for a long moment. He thinks to himself, John Yeager is gone. He must never come back. He must be forgotten. But how? I can't erase my memory of him. Then the answer comes to him: But maybe I can--by working hard and helping others. No more experiments. His face aglow with medical fervor, he resolves, I will be a doctor again. I will forget Yeager's thoughts and the things that he saw and the things that he did. I will never think of them again!

Quentin tries to drown his sorrows but that seems only to make the spell worse. He stares at the slashed portrait and thinks that he's killed Maggie herself. He picks up the letter opener and aims it at himself--then changes his mind. A moment later, he turns away with an unnatural calm. I understand it all now, he tells himself, I know what it is I must do. He sits at the writing desk and pens a brief note.

"Alexis" returns to her room and deals out the tarot cards herself. Quentin didn't leave his hand for her to find, but she lays the cards out in the same pattern. She tells herself that the cards will tell her whether Hannah is right and if there is any danger.

Quentin makes his way up the stairs. On the landing, he obligingly reads the note to us: "I had to do this to be with the one I love." Yes--in the attic room, he thinks to himself. That was the meaning of the first dream--and what the tarot cards meant. It is all so clear now. So clear! He crosses the landing to the door leading to the upstairs hallway.

As Angelique deals the fourth, fifth, and sixth cards into the “H” pattern, a hangman’s noose casts a shadow on the wall of the attic room. Then the noose itself comes into view, with a chair directly below it. Reluctantly, Quentin slowly steps up onto the chair. Taking the noose in both hands, he brings it closer and closer to his head.

Quentin accuses Barnabas of being the cursed Barnabas, but Barn talks his way out of it. He does suggest moving "Alexis" to another room, and Quentin agrees. But Barn is full of questions about Angelique and Alexis. "Alexis" arrives with some flowers and tells Quentin he has a package from Paris.

Barn questions "Alexis," who replies rather huffily, Except for my looks, I am very different from my sister. And from what I have heard, Quentin was very much in love with his first wife, my twin sister. I’m sure he was, Barnabas replies, and they politely wish each other a good night. While Angelique wonders about this stranger who has suddenly dropped into their midst, Barnabas stands just outside the front door, wondering, Did this Angelique (remember, he thinks she's dead too and doesn't suspect "Alexis") have anything in common with the Angelique I knew? But then he decides, The most important thing is for me to get back to my own time. He uses his powers (i.e., he Disapparates) to go up to Angelique's room again.

Quentin opens the wooden crate (not a package) and reveals a really lovely portrait of Maggie that he had done in Paris. He reminisces about how much in love they were. This is not music to Angelique's ears, but she realizes that in order to defeat Maggie, Maggie has to be at Collinwood and hints that Quentin should get her back. Angrily he replies, I’ve made enough overtures, and Maggie must make the next move. Angelique says he is letting pride stand in his way, but this is the final straw for Quentin, who decides to go for a long walk to think. After he leaves, Angelique gives herself a congratulatory hug and promises Maggie’s portrait that “we” will get her back very soon. Angelique is just as hell bent as ever on destroying Quentin's second marriage, but she can't very well do it if the bride is still in New York. So she phones her aunt Hannah and orders her, I want you to bring all your herbs and amulets to Collinwood as soon as possible.

Angelique is desperate enough that she doesn't care what kind of spell she puts on Quentin as long as she gets him back somehow. Hannah whispers, It can’t be kept under control, and there’s no telling how Quentin will react. He could even become violent! I don’t care how he reacts, Angelique snaps, as long as he brings Maggie back here--that’s all I want. You may lose Quentin forever, Hannah warns. Smugly Angelique replies, I won’t lose him. He’ll be mine again in only a matter of time. Telling Hannah that they need to have everything ready before Quentin returns, she hurries from the room. Hannah lingers for a moment to look back at the portrait of Maggie.

Back upstairs, Barnabas is in Angelique's room--i.e., he didn't pop back into his own timeline, though he has tried to make it happen through sheer force of will. What's worse, Daniel comes in and recognizes him--and not as the descendant of the man in the portrait. You’re The Man in the Portrait! he exclaims. When Daniel tries to leave to get his father, Barnabas has to use his powers on the poor kid to make him forget that he ever saw Barnabas.

"Alexis" goes back down to the drawing room, pretending to be pleased that Quentin has just hung Maggie's portrait in the place of honor over the mantel. She makes him an offer he can't refuse--i.e., she fixes him a drink--and slips the potion into it. She leaves the room, saying, The two of you should be alone together. In a matter of moments, Quentin gets a distracted look, his eyes go out of focus, and he loosens his tie. Still holding the drink, he sits on the sofa to admire the portrait in comfort.

Hannah has lit the hearth in Angelique's room. Angelique compliments Hannah on her fire-building skills, then kneels in front of the fire to perform her incantation:Let the flames carry my thoughts to the one who is receptive to them. Quentin, hear me. Hear my thoughts. You are deeply in love with Maggie. You can think of no one but her.

Downstairs, Quentin takes another sip of the drink, but actually sets it down as though he can hear Angelique’s words: And without her, life itself is not worth living. You allowed Maggie to leave Collinwood....

Upstairs, Hannah warns Angelique again, but Angelique brushes her off and continues: Now you know what a mistake that was. You know how much you need her and want her. You will bring her back to Collinwood...

Quentin stands up and looks at Maggie’s portrait as Angelique goes on: .... because you can no longer bear the guilt you feel. At the word _guilt_, Quentin turns from the portrait and puts a hand to his head. Angelique winds up: The guilt is eating at your conscience and, Quentin, you must do something about it--very soon. Quentin staggers over to a chair and leans on it.

Now that she has finished her incantation, Angelique is satisfied. Quentin should be ready to do exactly what I want him to do, she says, so I will go downstairs and see him. Hannah wants to come with her, but Angelique orders her to stay put and runs from the room. Greatly troubled, Hannah turns to stare into the fire.

Quentin’s severe, lovesick melancholy makes him reach out to the portrait, but he leans on the mantel and bows his head. Suddenly angry, he turns away and stalks across the room. As if against his will, he turns to look at the portrait again, but then forces himself to look away and spots a marble-handled letter opener on the desk. Angelique enters. Are you all right? she asks. No! he snaps, as if crazed, I am not all right. Suddenly he picks up the letter opener and makes straight for her, implacable fury in his eyes. She screams and backs away.......

Yes, it was 1970 after all. I suppose a female scientist--even an assistant scientist--couldn't be TOO attractive. 

I think that if Amy or Daniel opened the coffin, Barnabas would have made them forget they saw him. He did it with Nora in 1897.

Welcome back to Barn and the rest of the crew!

I love NB as PT Carolyn and I love her wardrobe too--very sophisticated for Collinsport. I wonder where she would be and what she'd be doing if she wasn't manacled to Will.

Will and Carolyn have no idea who the strange man is. Will searches his pockets for any ID but comes up empty. What if he’s discovered our secret? Carolyn asks, terrified. When he comes to, he will ask questions. Will is unconcerned: If the stranger had opened the coffin, he points out, Barnabas Collins would have taken care of him. Maybe I should have let that happen. Will drags him upstairs. (The writers decided not to depict this feat owing to the size and weight differential between the two actors: John Karlen [Will] is quite a bit shorter than Christopher Pennock [Yaeger/Cyrus], so all we get to see is Will tugging Yaeger's feet around a little bit.)

While Will is downstairs "protecting his investment," Yaeger and Carolyn fence for a while, Yaeger trying to make her think he knows who or what is in the coffin, Carolyn trying to disavow any knowledge that there's a coffin at all, let alone who or what might be in it. The clock on the mantel starts to chime. You’re making me late for a very important appointment, Yaeger says. Eventually he tires of the game, guessing, Your husband left you on guard duty because he’s moving the coffin and there’s someone in it. I won’t forget about tonight, he promises. We will resume this conversation later. Then he knocks the gun out of her hand (but doesn't take it) and escapes through the front door while Carolyn screams for Will.

Will comes back up, and Carolyn pleads for Barnabas, terrified that the stranger will return and insisting that Will move the coffin. Why don’t we hide the coffin in the secret room behind the bookcase right here in the drawing room, Will suggests nastily. You can go to him there any time you want, he taunts Carolyn. Carolyn turns from him to wipe away her tears, but tells him, William, forget about me and think about that man who was here! He is evil, Will, evil--and he will come back. I know it. I know it. Will nods, finally acknowledging that she is right.

Down on the beach, Buffie hears approaching footsteps and calls out again. A familiar voice answers, At your service, and Yaeger strolls nonchalantly into view. He is not at all put out by what’s happened and in fact is even pleased with himself. When she asks where he's been, he says, On a new adventure. She gives him the antidote and answers all his questions, saying that she had no trouble getting into the lab or opening the safe, but he refuses to tell her what’s in the bottle. It never occurs to him to thank her. I have a right to know what’s going on, Buffie insists, but he shouts angrily, No, you haven’t! I stole this and I don’t even know why, she persists. But you enjoyed it, didn’t you? he says with conspiratorial glee. Although she’s confused, Buffie nods yes. I know you better than you even know yourself, Yaeger gloats. If you and Cyrus Longworth are such good friends, why didn’t you get the bottle yourself? Buffie scoffs. Why are you hiding here? Go back to town and get out, Yaeger orders her. I was scared coming out here, Buffie argues. Don’t you do what you’re told? Yaeger snaps. I thought you would at least come back with me, she answers. If anyone asks, you haven’t seen me tonight, Yaeger orders her. Who would ask? What have you done? she asks. Nothing, he says at first, then huffs, A man has a right to defend himself, Buffie. Now leave me. I will, she replies. But from here on in, you stay away from me too. Don't come around anymore. I don't want to see you.  With a smile he answers, But you will--you will. Never! Buffie insists. Yes, you will, Yaeger answers. I will see to that. After Buffie leaves, Yaeger stares at the bottle for a long moment.

Weak from starvation, Barn is forced to obey Will, who brings him upstairs. Meanwhile, Yaeger hates the idea of becoming Cyrus again, then realizes that it might be better to lie low--since he's a prime murder suspect. He drinks the antidote with the inevitable results.

In the end, Will has bundled Barn into the cupboard under the stairs. Barn begs him to set him (B.) free, pleading that Will must have enough of his story by now. But Will says no dice.

Larry Chase returns to the lab just a moment before Cyrus breezes in via the side door (though how he ends up back in his own clothes is left unexplained). Larry is surprised to see Cyrus there, explaining that the upstairs door was open. Cyrus says he decided not to stay overnight in Rockport (or wherever) after all. Larry starts to tell him about how Horace Gladstone was murdered. I almost saw who did it, he says. Cyrus doesn't want to hear about it, though, and when Larry describes how Horace was run through with a sword, Cyrus gets even more upset and refuses to talk about it. Gladstone was a fine chemist, he says, and more than that, a friend. Larry apologizes and tells him, I think the murderer was John Yaeger. It can’t be! Cyrus exclaims. The man had the same build, Larry says. Then he admits he couldn’t identify Yaeger in a court of law, and Cyrus rather testily says, You shouldn’t be so certain about accusing people. I don’t think Yaeger is capable of killing Gladstone. And besides, I sent Yaeger away from Collinsport yesterday. But he refuses to divulge any details. Larry says, If Yaeger isn’t blackmailing you, you should get rid of him. For the first time, Cyrus agrees with Larry. I was wrong to encourage him, he says. You have my word that John Yaeger will never walk the streets of Collinsport again. Never!

Will is still greedy for more information about Barnabas's life and presses him for details about Josette--the part of his life Barnabas least wants to expose to a stranger. The book is nothing without her, Will insists. But you could never understand how I felt toward her, Barnabas says. Will answers sarcastically, I will try, Mr. Collins. In my limited way, I will try. Barnabas thinks back over the years with obvious pain: We were to marry, just as we did in this time band of yours. If I could have that life, the few precious years that we had here, if I could only have the memory of life with her without the stain... Did you not make her as you are? Will asks. Barnabas looks away guiltily but says nothing, and Will insists on an answer. I hate myself for admitting that I tried, Barnabas says sadly. I needed her so. Will writes everything down, chortling because he was right. But fate has always been cruel to me, Barnabas maunders on. Fate was against me then, as it was that first night in your time when you found me! But even as he says this, he realizes that Will is distracted with his notes. Silently he walks behind Will and in one swift motion pulls the ribbon that holds Will’s cross and starts to choke him with it. With a gasp of surprise, Will drops his notepad. Barnabas bares his fangs as he rips the ribbon from around Will’s neck and hurls the cross aside. Will backs up against the wall, but Barnabas smiles his fanged smile. No! he shouts, I will no longer bow to fate! As Will watches in horror, Barnabas closes in to strike.....