A major annoying "What?" was when in 1970 Julia discovers through her search of Quentin's portrait, that Angelique has returned and is now married to Sky. Angelique informs Julia that she doesn't want to be involved in any of the Collins' problems, that she's found a happy life with her husband and doesn't want that ruined. She pleads with Julia to allow her to live a happy life without her past deeds being revealed, and Julia agrees.
Firstly, this annoys me because if Julia is so devoted to Barnabas, and knowing all the terrible things Angelique subjected him to, highest on the list, the death of many of his family members, she would have at least cut Angelique with a few sharp remarks, then demanded why she shouldn't run and tell barnabas of Angelique's return. Instead, she placidly goes along with Angelique's requests, accept for involving her with smuggling Quentin's painting in order to uncover it from the landscape.
Barnabas does eventually learn of Angelique's existence and marriage, and he goes to her home to ask for her help.
Barnabas should realize by now that Angelique isn't to be trusted, why would he want her help with anything? It seems like he'd want to stay as far away from her as possible. Angelique tells him she doesn't want to help him in any way, that her life with Sky is very important and she doesn't want it ruined by any Collins' antics.
Barnabas, in an understanding tone says he understands her feelings completely and doesn't want to destroy her happiness with her husband.
But why was Barnabas so understanding of her, willing to keep her past deeds quiet, willing to allow her happiness when she so blatantly obliterated his life in 1795? Shouldn't he have reminded her of her selfish motives in the past, using his own knowledge to his advantage to get her to do what he wanted? He was just so docile about the entire thing, as though nothing harsh had ever been between them!
You make valid points, but as has been mentioned, Angelique had helped Barnabas and Julia in 1897 with [spoiler]Barnabas' cure[/spoiler]and [spoiler]Ang had continued the treatments after Julia had returned to the present.[/spoiler]Julia and Ang had shared what could be considered some friendly scenes in 1897 and, despite her complaints, Ang had ultimately helped Barn out with several predicaments. Julia was no doubt still grateful for the help. And when it comes to Barn, his relationship with Ang was nothing if not classic love/hate - one minute they're despising each other, the next they're coconspirators/allies (which is but one of the reasons why I don't think the way things evolve and work out between Ang and Barn in 1840/41 is quite so out of left field as some other fans do).
Yet another moment: After returning from 1995, Barnabas and Julia inform Quentin of his possible future fate, explaining of his madness in the face of family tragedy, and that he will become very attached to the ghost of a woman named Daphne. Fully aware of what is to come, Daphne appears to Quentin, and instead of sending her away, or at the very least protesting her presence with him, he welcomes her, simply because she's a beautiful woman. If knowledge is power, then he didn't use what he knew to avoid a fate he knew was to come. He continues to be involved with Daphne, all the while knowing the dangers, but obviously he doesn't care about his sanity or the children if he is willing to set this all aside for the sake of beauty.
Well, one thing that Quentin and Barnabas definitely share in common is that that they rarely think with the head on their shoulders.
Is that stupid behavior that can all too often get a man in trouble? Yes. But not to be sexist, maybe it takes another male to fully understand though not necessarily forgive and/or condone exactly how that works because at one time or another we've all been there, done that.