378 - (KLS) - Time has been suspended at Collinwood, while one woman makes an uncertain and frightening journey to the past, back to the year 1795, where she finds a family unknowingly held in the grip of an evil force which no one can fight.

Ben is out in the woods sharpening an axe when Angelique summons him. He tries to ignore her call, thinking how much he'd rather help Barnabas than Angelique, but when her face appears before him, growing bigger, telling him he can't fight her, he knows he can't escape, and runs back to the Old House.

Barnabas is hurt and confused when Jeremiah tells him he's going away, right now.At first, Jeremiah won't say that he's coming back for the wedding, at which he's supposed to be his nephew's best man, but tells him, evasively, he will do nothing to interfere with his and Josette's happiness, giving Barn the impression he will be back in time. Jeremiah tells Ben to get his bags and horse; he'll be taking the stage out of Collinsport.

Angelique isn't happy to hear about Jeremiah's sudden trip, and asks Ben to help her figure out a way to keep him from leaving. He tells her Barnabas already spoke to Jeremiah, trying to convince him not to go, but it didn't work. Ben says Josette must make Barnabas prevent Jeremiah from leaving; it's the only way, and Angelique is pleased that her slave came up with such a great idea--to make Barnabas' fiancee keep her lover in town. Angelique takes the headless doll and kneels before the fire. She tells the doll, "Jeremiah is leaving you, only Barnabas can stop him. Make Barnabas stop Jeremiah or you'll never see your lover again."

Josette immediately runs downstairs to Barnabas, who spots the mark on her hand. She dismisses it as a bruise. Trancelike, she tells him to stop Jeremiah from leaving. She knows why he's going--he hates her and disapproves of her marriage to Barnabas! Barnabas denies this--everyone loves her! Suddenly, the spell seemingly broken, she falls into his arms. He caresses her hair and professes his love--he'll talk to Jeremiah if it means that much to her.Let him go, Josette says, it's for the best. He finds her change of heart rather peculiar and asks if she's all right. She notices the bruise is gone and is thrilled. Jeremiah should go, she says, she loves Barnabas and no one else! They kiss ardently.

Ben carries down Jeremiah's bags, signalling to Angelique that her plan didn't work. A triumphant Ben teases her about it, telling her Barn and Josette went to the stables to go riding together. Should she make their horses turn around? He smirks--he can tell her their names, if it would help. Joshua comes down and overhears Angelique telling Ben off, and demands to know if he said something improper. Angelique says he sure did, getting petty revenge, and pissing Ben off at her. Ben shouts at Joshua that he's rather be in prison than working for Joshua, and the latter orders Angelique to avoid Ben in the future--she's been warned! Angelique realizes that Jeremiah couldn't go if something happened to Joshua. Do something mean to him, chortles Ben, and Angelique promises that whatever she does, it will be a present to him.

Joshua and Jeremiah argue over the latter's impulsive decision to leave. Joshua has plans for him (Millicent), and he's being cruel to Barnabas to leave (which Jeremiah rightly denies); is he leaving because of some slut in the village?The duPres' will take this as a sign of instability in the family; what if Joshua gets sick--who will take care of the business. . .Jeremiah listens impatiently, says he's lost control and must leave on a personal emergency, he's leaving, and that's it!

Angelique works the clay as Ben suggests what she should turn Joshua into--a snake, spider, jackass (oh, he'd work him to death, Ben gloats, and beat him good).

Jeremiah, having proclaimed his decision to leave no matter what, turns around to face Joshua. There is a black and white cat sitting there, but Joshua is gone!Angelique hands the clay cat to Ben, who takes it in his hands and and laughs as Angelique says, "THERE is your master!"


379 - (Alexandra Moltke) - Time has been suspended at Collinwood while one woman makes an uncertain and frightening journey to the past, back to the year 1795, where in this house, a new mystery has started with a cruel and eerie disappearance.

Drawing room - Everyone is talking about Joshua's mysterious disappearance. Vicki tells Natalie that Naomi is very upset about Joshua, but the Countess insists that if SHE had lost a husband like Joshua, she'd order champagne. She insists that Vicki re-enact the circumstances under which the master of the house disappeared, and does a dead-on impression of Joshua's pomposity. Vicki, regarding this as cruel and embarrassing, isn't at all pleased about being asked to participate in this charade, ordered to look out the window as Jeremiah was during the argument, but the Countess feels if they do, the cat Will show up--and it does! The women stare at it, but Natalie warns Vicki not to touch the animal. The cards showed evil, and they were right!

Barnabas, exhausted from searching, comes in. There wasn't a trace of Joshua, he says forlornly. What is he going to tell his mother? Natalie asks Vicki to leave and Barnabas more kindly requests that she check on Naomi. Natalie asks Barn if they usually have a cat in the house, and Barnabas says no, Abigail calls them the devil's pet. Natalie believes Joshua was taken, and witchcraft is involved somehow.She predicts he won't be found in any conventional places like the shipyards, and the cat is the laughter after the joke. Nathan bursts in--they've found footprints on Widow's Hill. Barnabas tells him where to find a pair of Joshua's boots to see if there is a match. As Nathan eavesdrops, Natalie tells Jeremiah that someone, a witch, didn't want Jeremiah to leave, then asks if Barnabas trusts Vicki.

Nathan heads into the study to get the boots, and when Vicki comes in, he tries to make another pass at her. She tells him he lacks taste and reminds him she now has to tell Sarah about her father. Does he really think she has nothing better to do to fly into his arms? He pronounces that a good idea, since she is beautiful, but Vicki is annoyed with him--she can't turn her emotions off and on as he apparently can. He gets quite serious then, and tells her she is going to need all the friends she can get--because Natalie thinks she's a witch! She refuses to believe him, and he says if Barnabas or Jeremiah told her, she would do so.He remembers her weird dress and behavior when she first came, and assures her that her position isn't as secure as she thinks. She won't be blackmailed, says Vicki, and he advises her not to take this lightly--it's very serious.

The Countess sits in the study, having a drink, and Vicki comes in. She mentions Widows' Hill and Vicki says to herself, "Where Josette will die." She asks Natalie if what the cards say about the future can be changed, and Natalie says of course, then invites Vicki to sit down. The Countess has a severe coughing fit that causes tears to come to her eyes. She starts questioning Vicki about herself, and Vicki explains she was born in Boston. She almost reveals her birthdate to be the 20th century, but catches herself. She says she's 22, born March 4, 1774, but she doesn't know the hour for the Countess' offer of a horoscope. Vicki does says she no longer believes we are in charge of what happens to us (I guess the trip to 1795 has changed that view). Natalie notices Vicki's nervousness, which Vicki says is caused by the presence of the supernatural.Vicki denies being clairvoyant, that it's a joke between her and Barnabas, and the Countess accuses Vicki of walking a thin line. Natalie gets nasty--something terrible is going to happen and she can't prevent it unless she knows what it is! Vicki knows she can't outright tell Natalie that Josette is going to marry Jeremiah, so when the Countess leaves the room, she quickly changes the cards in order to clue the other woman in. Nathan and Barnabas come in from searching, the latter exhausted. Natalie offers him a drink, and Vicki assures Barnabas that Joshua will be all right, immediately fanning Natalie's suspicions again. Vicki snuffs out the candles in the living room while Natalie gives Barnabas brandy in the study and takes another for herself. Barnabas tells her he's been considering the possibility of witchcraft, but Natalie has noticed the changed cards and is horrified.Barnabas wants to know what they said, but she refuses to tell him anything except that he and Josette must get married tonight--if he loves her, they must wed within 24 hours, or it's not going to happen!

Love, Robin

374 - (KLS) - Time has been suspended at Collinwood, while one woman makes an uncertain, frightening journey to the past, back to the year 1795. And the secrets, those too terrifying to be written in the family history, are finally being revealed.

Angelique admires Josette's beautiful room, but when Ben says it's to be Barnabas and Josette's bedroom, she says they will never be together there. Angelique wants Barnabas, and she's gonna have him! She uses Josette's cologne, and tells Ben she has worn her clothes and stolen her suitors. She calls Ben a child who goes by everyone else's rules, which is why he's a convict working out his sentence. SHE makes her own rules! She adds a new ingredient to Josette's rosewater cologne, and tells Ben that Josette didn't love any other man until Barnabas came along. Now Josette is in for some surprises--the spell will make her love someone who doesn't want her, but who will go to Barnabas and tell him.

As they head downstairs to the drawing room together, Jeremiah protests Barnabas' leaving bed over doctor's orders, but Barnabas wants to see Josette, and look at a wedding present together. Jeremiah feels Josette should have brought the gift up to Barnabas' room, and makes her promise to get him back there after they open their first wedding gift. After Jeremiah leaves, Josette tells Barnabas that she feels his uncle orders everyone around and makes her feel selfish. Barnabas knows how protective Jeremiah is, but they are very close, and he wants Josette to like him. Josette changes the subject by saying it's Barnabas she cares most about, but when they start to kiss, and he really gets into it, she pulls away, saying they shouldn't be alone together. Nonsense, says Barn, her aunt and father know the two of them kiss. She says he's too modern, and his face darkens as he remembers what happened with Angelique. He agrees with Josette that perhaps he is.

Josette thinks the gift is a silver vase, Barnabas thinks it's a globe, but they both turn out to be wrong--it's a skull wearing a wig! Josette screams and Barnabas races to her side. He vows to find out who brought it, and questions Ben first, who has no idea who left the present. They wonder who could hate them so much to send such a grisly gift. Barnabas asks a delighted Ben to watch over and bodyguard Josette, then tells him he plans to have him working for them after their marriage. Ben is grateful, all set to tell him about Angelique, but the moment he opens his mouth, he's struck mute. He runs off as Barnabas and Josette stare, astounded, at each other.

Ben races up to Josette's room, where Angelique is making the bed. She knows he tried to tell, she says venemously. When he makes threatening moves toward her, she renders him motionless, too,and will only restore voice and movement when he promises to never hurt or betray her. He is forced to promise, clearly hating her.

Jeremiah asks Barnabas to let him handle the gift problem. It might be some disgruntled villager or shipyard employee. Barnabas seems to think it's an inside job, and he calls Angelique into the drawing room to question her. He minces no works and asks her if she sent the cruel gift.She denies it, but he says he doesn't believe her. He doesn't know her, then, she spits out, not if he thinks she would do anything to make him hate her!

Ben assures Barnabas that he's OK, then adds he just had a feeling about a possible someone. There are many who hate the Collins family and don't realize Barnabas is different. Unfortunately, he can't pinpoint any one person. Barnabas reminds him again that he expects Ben to come stay with him and Josette after they are married, and Ben says he hopes it happens (the wedding or the job--probably both). Nothing will stop them from marrying, Barnabas assures him.

Josette lies on her bed, suffering from a headache. She confides in her maid she's looking forward to her family returning to Martinique; that's when she feels her life will truly start. Angelique rubs some of her cologne on her forehead. Josette asks her maid if she's ever been in love, and Angelique says yes, with someone she met in Martinique. Will she marry him? asks Josette. He's not in love with her--yet, Angelique reveals. Josette tells Angelique her headache is fading.

In his room, Jeremiah is downing his toddy. He has a vistor--Josette, and not only is she dressed to seduce, her manner is very flirtatious. I had to see you, she says, wanted to see you--I can't explain it. She throws herself into his arms and says, "I love you."He grabs her and pushes her away from him. "NO! You love Barnabas!" he insists, shaking her.

She runs back to her room, sobbing. Angelique is waiting for her, wanting to know where she went. Her aunt and father will be displeased to hear of this. Josette falls on her bed, begging her not to tell anyone, and asks to be left alone. Smirking, Angelique leaves the room.

NOTES: Angelique does BAD so well! She's using everyone as puppets for a hopeless cause. Manipulating everyone around Barnabas could work, but it will never make him love her, will it?


375 - (Grayson Hall) - A seance has been held in the great house at Collinwood, a seance which has suspended time and space and sent one girl on an uncertain and frightening journey into the past, back to the year 1795. The loves and hatreds that were born then, in this house, will never die.

Jeremiah agonizes over his dilemma--how can he tell Barnabas his fiancee came to him the previous night, professed her love? How can be risk hurting his nephew? Angelique comes in and when he asks if Josette seems disturbed by this different culture, she assures him her mistress is behaving exactly as she does at home. That's even worse, Jeremiah realizes; Josette is a slut wherever she is, and she's fooled Barnabas completely! Jeremiah decides he must tell Barnabas, before the marriage, and heads off to do just that, Angelique grinning after him.

In his room, Barnabas teaches Ben to write, but the poor guy is getting his p's and q's mixed up. Jeremiah interrupts, wanting to speak to Barnabas. His face is very serious, and Barnabas thinks Josette has been in an accident. Barn goes on about how much he loves Josette, how she moves and listens, the respect she shows others. He can't figure out why she chose him. Jeremiah suggests that Barnabas doesn't know Josette as well as he thinks, but Barnabas reminds him that his uncle has taught him people perception well, and has always felt his people-sense is good. He is concerned that Jeremiah doesn't like Josette, and wants them to be friends.Barnabas suggests that, while Josette likes his uncle, she's perhaps jealous of Jeremiah's influence over him. Barnabas believes Josette will do anything to please him, and they love and trust one another. Jeremiah vows no one will come between Barnabas and Josette, and will be happy, if he has anything to say about it.

Ben has eavesdropped on this conversation, and relates it to Angelique, who is pissed off that Jeremiah didn't tell Barnabas what really happened. Well, she's going to have to send a special toddy to Jeremiah this night, and Ben will deliver it. Ben is fearful of taking chances, but she reminds him of how she made him mute and promises that the only thing he has to fear is HER, because she can mete out far worse punishment. Jeremiah will now fall in love with Josette. Angelique tells Ben she felt sorry for her mistress, loving a man who didn't return it--she well knows that feeling.

Josette enters the house, passing by Jeremiah silently. He demands to speak to her, and they go outside. She tells him she couldn't sleep, how embarrassed she is, she never did such a thing before. Jeremiah tells her he was all set to tell Barnabas, but didn't. She loves Barnabas, she tells him, and has no idea why she came to Jeremiah that way. She'd better figure out why, he warns her, and had better not hurt Barnabas. She vows she would kill herself first, and, entering the house, she glances at herself in the mirror with confusion and horror.

Josette comes downstairs later and Natalie tells her that Mrs. Collins was quite upset that she didn't come down for lunch, terrible food nothwithstanding. Barnabas came home for the meal, too. Josette tells her aunt she wasn't feeling well, and asks her to go with Barnabas to the cabinetmaker to choose their furniture. Natalie is perturbed, reminding Josette she'll have to live with that furniture for the rest of her life--she should pick it out herself. Natalie delicately asks if Josette is fearful of marriage--or Barnabas (I guess she was talking about sex). No, Josette assures her, she'd marry Barnabas tonight if she could. Natalie questions her further, and mentions how handsome Jeremiah is. Josette nervously disagrees.Natalie asks her niece to go along with Barnabas to the cabinetmaker, but if she wants her to cover for her, she's going to have to be more forthcoming. . . Barnabas interrupts and teasingly chides Josette for avoiding him. He meant it as a jest, but his fiancee bolts upstairs, leaving him very upset. He wants to follow Josette, but Natalie discourages it; Josette is behaving like all brides, and he should leave her alone. She asks him to take her along to the cabinetmaker instead, and Barnabas, still concerned, asks her to go talk to Josette. She has no idea what to say, Natalie admits. Barnabas frets further to Natalie later when Josette passes on dinner, too. Jeremiah comes in, and the three of them strike up a conversation.

Angelique hands Ben the love potion to put into Jeremiah's toddy.Barnabas refuses a drink and Natalie asks for brandy. Natalie, trying to make Barnabas feel better, tells him Josette said she would marry Barnabas tonight, if she could. Natalie encourages this, but Barnabas points out that they are expecting so many guests, etc.

Ben makes up Jeremiah's toddy, adding Angelique's special ingredient.

Natalie chides Barnabas and his family for being too rigid and conventional. Later, Natalie shoos Barn upstairs to be with Josette and he tells her if there's no other reason for marrying Josette, it's because Natalie is her aunt. (great sucking up, Barn!)

Natalie is playing cards in the drawing room when she sees Josette heading downstairs. She couldn't sleep, and Angelique (!) took care of her headache already (another application of love potion #9?). Her niece wants to take a walk, and although Natalie discourages it, Josette leaves the house, Natalie following. Jeremiah is waiting in the gazebo for Josette. They aren't sure why they've come, but they do know they are there for each other. "I love you," he says. That's what I wanted to hear, she murmurs, and goes into his arms for an embrace and kiss.Appalled, Natalie watches from the bushes.

NOTES: The poop has hit the fan now! Forcing these two together can only have tragic consequences, but perhaps that's what Angelique seeks. I can understand her being jealous of Josette, but why drag poor Jeremiah into it? Because he's there, I guess.

Love, Robin

370 - (KLS) - Time has been suspended at Collinwood. It waits for the completion of an uncertain and frightening journey to the past, back to the year 1795. The young woman who has made this strange journey has already learned that over the years the history of the Collins family has been twisted to conceal certain truths. She will soon learn that the past holds as much evil and terror as the present.

Angelique, having swiped Barnabas' toy soldier, stands in the drawing room. She questions Jeremiah about the toy, which he, amused, identifies as "a member of the Regiment," one of his nephew, Barnabas', favorite toys as a child. He offers to take it back to the playroom, but she asks to hold onto it for a while, and he says OK. She tells herself she's going to use that toy to cause Barnabas severe pain. Vicki greets Angelique, who slips the soldier into her dress pocket. They chat, and Vicki points out they're both servants from foreign places and should be friends. Angelique says she's sure they will be.

Vicki sits down to do some needlepoint. Jeremiah enters in. He's impressed to hear she told Sarah to take a nap and the child did so. He hopes she'll stay with them, he says, and she says she will, having no place else to go.She says she still doesn't remember details about herself, and he assures her that he has more influence with Joshua than Abigail so Vicki shouldn't worry about the latter's accusations. When he tells her he finds her charming and mysterious, she seems uncomfortable. He recalls his resemblance to this man and asks if she loved him. Yes, she loves him still, she says. Is he the reason you might leave us? Jeremiah asks, and Vicki says it's the reason she is staying.

Angelique is in her plain servant's room talking to the soldier and playing with one of Barnabas' handkerchiefs. She's going to use these two items to make Barnabas sorry for that he did to her, she vows. Hearing a knock at the door, she hides the items and answers. It's Barnabas, come to apologize for the incident the night before. He wants them to be friends, something she insists he could have told her anywhere in the house-- the fact that he came to her room puts a different light on things. She hugs him, clings to him. "We can't resist each other," says Angelique--does he remember their nights in Martinique? Oh, yes, he sure does, he says, but. . .the two of them are the only reality, she cries, her lips only inches from his. Giving in to his base passion, Barnabas pulls Angelique into his arms and kisses her hard--then pushes her violently away.NO! We cannot resist each other, Angelique repeats, but he says he will, he has to, he lost control and he's sorry. She grips his lapels and tells him when two people are drawn to each other, as they are. . . . He says any relationship between them would be. . .quite wrong, for he loves Josette. So, Angelique says, her face furious, you didn't mean all those sweet things you said to me in Martinique (presumably in bed)? Yes, but only at the time, he says, flustered. So it was only an experience of the moment? Don't think of it that way, Barnabas says (even though is sounds that way)? She asks him to leave her room, she wants to be alone. Can they be friends? he quietly asks. "I will always be much closer to you than you think," she promises him, and they exchange a long stare before he leaves the room.

Andre duPres, a bluff, blustery man, arrives, decrying Collins hospitality, infuriated because there's no one to greet them. Vicki comes downstairs and of course, immediately notices the Sam Evans resemblance, and, when Andre ushers in his stunning daughter, Josette, Vicki is staring even harder at her.Josette notices and asks Vicki why. Jeremiah greets them cordially, apologizing for the delay, but reminds them the ship was late and they weren't aware exactly when they were arriving. Jeremiah sends Vicki to tend to Sarah, then leads Andre away to his room. Left alone, Josette takes off her bonnet and gazes happily around what will be her home. Angelique runs in and the two young women hug, babbling to each other in French. Barnabas enters, proclaiming it a beautiful language and Josette runs eagerly into his embrace. He welcomes her to her new home as Angelique jealously watches, plotting against them. Hold him close, Angelique thinks, make the most of it, Mademoiselle,because he won't be yours much longer! Barnabas and Josette do some major smooching while Angelique jealously watches. Josette tells Angelique to take her bags upstairs and unpack,and the maidservant leaves, not at all happily. Barnabas and his fiancee exchange romantic patter. It seems more like three years than three months since they last saw each other; he was worried about her ship; I'm so happy to be in your arms, Barnabas. They exchange heartfelt I love you's, then more kisses. Angelique, in her room, puts her cruel plan into motion; she ties the handkerchief around the wooden soldier's neck. There won't be any wedding for Josette, she vows! She applies just a little pressure, and when Barnabas, in mid kiss, feels a choking sensation, he tells Josette his collar is too tight and loosens it. They kiss some more. She wants to see the estate, meet his family, and he promises her the grand tour--after one more kiss.

Angelique's eyes are gloating as she pulls tightly on the handkerchief.Barnabas begins to choke in earnest, terrifying Josette, who helps him into a chair. He grabs his throat--he can't breathe! He begs her to help him, but she has no idea what to do. The room is getting dark! He cries. Barnabas, hand clutching his throat, falls from the chair and collapses on the floor, gasping for breath. Josette, horrified, screams.

NOTES: That Angelique sure does know how to have fun with her ex-lover, doesn't she? What do you think? Is she justified? Was Barnabas a pure cad? Is she overreacting just a tad?


371 - (Alexandra Moltke) - Time at the great house on the Collins estate is held in suspension. Before it can go forward again, they must await the outcome of one person's perilous journey into the past, back to the year 1795. There in the old Collins mansion, a strange, disenchanted and evil young girl has planned the destruction of Barnabas Collins.

There's a great deal of commotion in the Old House drawing room as Jeremiah and Josette minister to the stricken Barnabas, who continues to choke under the spell Angelique has cast. Jeremiah helps Barnabas upstairs to his bedroom, ordering Vicki to stay with Josette, who is beside herself with worry about her fiance. Vicki assures her, with conviction of knowing the future, that Barnabas will be all right, and Josette runs upstairs to be with Barnabas. Jeremiah can't understand what happened so suddenly and leaves to get the doctor, Josette begging him to hurry.

Angelique continues her tight stranglehold on the soldier with Barnabas' handkerchief.

Dr. Thornton tells Jeremiah he can't find anything physically wrong with Barnabas.Sure, he's clearly sick, but without cause, and if it doesn't let up as quickly as it came on, Barnabas could die. He suggests a family member stay by his side, then leaves. Vicki assures Jeremiah, too, that Barnabas will recover, because it didn't--er, it can't--happen that way. Oops, almost gave herself away there! Vicki expresses surprise at Jeremiah's concern and affection for his nephew, which immediately makes him angry. He chides her for her strange, rude impressions,then yells that he and Barnabas are the same age and as close as brothers--don't ever say such a thing again! He calms down and apologizes; he's just feeling so helpless right now.

Josette clings to the suffering Barnabas, crossing herself, praying for him to get well. Angelique comes in and smiles cruelly at this scene, but quickly gets down to the business of pretending to be Josette's faithful handmaiden and friend as they hug and Josette brings her up to speed on Barn's condition, which is really terrible. Angelique observes that he's obviously in pain (and oh, is she enjoying it), sympathizes, and expresses concern that the doctor couldn't help. She offers to pray beside Josette, and the two of them kneel at Barnabas' bedside. Ang suggests the Medal of Saint Pierre, and when Josette goes to get it, and she is left alone with Barnabas, the witch closes the door, gazes with satisfaction at the writhing man, and says, "Poor Barnabas. I know what's wrong." He's a foolish man who will learn from his suffering, she gloats, and feel differently towards her. He looks so pathetic, but it's his own fault! She asks if he has something that she'd like to hear, and when she caresses his throat, he is able to gasp out a few words--but they aren't what she wanted to hear. "Help me," he begs. I can't, she says, even the doctor is at a loss--besides, I'm only a servant, not worthy of you. He tells her he's going to die, upsetting her greatly. Death is so close, he whispers. She rises in tears, realizing she loves him and doesn't want him to die.If that happens, she'll have no one! She won't lose him! Josette returns with her medal and Angelique flees the scene. She runs to her room and tries to loosen the bonds around the soldier's throat--too tight! She searches for a knife but can't find one, and, growing more and more frantic, finally works out the stubborn knot she had tied around the soldier's throat. (This is one instance where we learn that Angelique is neither a very experienced nor deft witch--there will be others.) Barnabas finds himself able to breathe again--the pressure is gone! Josette, thrilled, kisses her medal. Jeremiah comes in and hears the good news, which is what the doctor had suggested might happen. Josette, tearfully grateful, holds his hand against her cheek. Barnabas said that when the pain was most severe is when it stopped--he was a moment from death, he could feel it whispering to him.Angelique tells the soldier she was foolish--she'd have had nothing if Barnabas had died. No, she'll seek revenge by preventing his marriage to Josette, but keep him alive--then he'll turn to her and she will be his! (Isn't there a song with those lyrics?)

NOTES: This is Angelique's first spell in Collinsport, and our first realization that she's a witch with uncertain powers. That she nearly killed Barnabas even after realizing she didn't want him to die after all proves that she's fairly fledgling at this voodoo thing and perhaps needs more schooling. Now that she's realized she wants to keep him alive but prevent his marriage to Josette, what will her next move be?

Vicki notes how close Barnabas and Jeremiah are, and unwisely says something about it to Jeremiah. She's also blathering about knowing that Barnabas will be all right, which is the root cause of problems that will shortly befall her. The original Vicki who came to Collinwood on that train wasn't this foolish. God help her.

Love, Robin

365 - (Alexandra Moltke) - A sudden storm over the great house of Collinwood. The heavens are as full of unrest as the house itself. Perhaps the spirits which disturb the house will finally make themselves known--or perhaps they will only bring new horror, and grief.

Liz paces Collinwood's drawing room as the storm surges outside. She enters the foyer to say greet the newly-returned Roger, who complains about the terrible weather. Liz wants to discuss David. Roger opines that they made a mistake bringing him back from Boston. Julia has corroborated David's claim about seeing Sarah, and Liz says she hasn't questioned Julia for details because she's afraid of what she might hear.

Study - Roger and Liz confront Julia, who will only admit that Sarah is NOT imaginary--she thinks Sarah is a ghost. While Roger expresses doubt, Julia flips through the family album and shows them the picture of Sarah Collins. Liz is willing to accept that it could be the same child, but Roger feels it's a coincidence. Carolyn joins them--David doesn't know what he's talking about, she insists, and she only pretended to see Sarah in order to help her disturbed cousin--and perhaps Julia is trying to help someone NOW? I'm not lying, says Julia, and Carolyn, you know it! I don't know a thing about it, says Carolyn, playing innocent. There's no way to prove anything, points out Roger, but Julia suggests there might be--a seance! Carolyn calls the idea ridiculous, and Roger isn't enamored of the idea, either, but Liz, reminding them they learned something from the last seance, insists that it's a go.We must reach Sarah, says Liz, or we might never find out what's wrong with David.

At the Old House, Barnabas stares out at the storm, then walks around the drawing room, ruminating. Where is Sarah is now? Why did she leave me before I could explain? What can I explain? My life? No. That I still love her? I am still her loving brother, I am not to blame for what has happened to me, I didn't choose this. Or would she rather I was dead--would she forgive me then? Barnabas hears a knock at the door, but before opening it, he asks who it is. Carolyn responds, telling him to let her in. He opens the door partway and tells her he isn't up for company tonight; he has much thinking to do. When she warns him there's going to be a seance at Collinwood, he opens the door fully, allowing her in. The others at Collinwood want to speak to Sarah, Carolyn tells him. Not tonight! Says Barnabas, horrified, remembering what transpired this evening between his sister and him. Julia and Mother are determined to go through with it, says Carolyn, concerned--"Do you want to stop it? Must you stop it?" she asks him.

Study, Collinwood - Barnabas tells Liz he doesn't want this seance conducted. She's surprised he feels this way, considering his passion for the past. I respect my ancestors' privacy, says Barnabas. Liz informs him that Julia saw Sarah. I don't think Miss Hoffman is the most stable of women, says Barnabas. (cold!)Julia wouldn't lie, objects Liz, and the seance might tell us what we have to deal with, and finds Barnabas' objections to this action shocking. He offers an apology--he thought he was being rational. Roger and Julia join them, and Roger invites Barnabas to the seance. He refuses--I'm a cynic, he says. I was, too, at first, admits Roger. He and Liz leave to find candles for the seance. Julia starts to go, too, but Barnabas calls to her, asking slyly, "What if Sarah doesn't appear--and Dr. Woodard does?" Is that why you're not coming to the seance? Counters Julia--Woodard will name you, not me, as his murderer! Are you willing to take that risk? Asks Barnabas pointedly. "I am willing to take any risk," insists Julia determinedly, "I have no choice but to see this through till the end--you have no choice, either, if you would only realize it." She excuses herself and exits the study.

Foyer - Carolyn meets Barnabas on his way out of the study. I couldn't stop the plans for the seance, he says, I must be very cautious--I have a plan for you, and I will sit next to you during the ceremony.

Drawing room - Roger, Vicki, Julia and Carolyn set up the room for the seance. Liz comes in, pleased to announce that Barnabas is going to join them. Julia lights the candles as Barnabas enters the room. Roger expresses pleasure at Barnabas' decision--he felt her was being "rather stuffy" earlier when he declined. (look who's calling who stuffy, LOL, Roger didn't want to participate either, at first!) I don't mind being called stuffy, says Barnabas, but I don't want anyone doubting my concern for David. I want the family album on the table, says Roger--if Sarah does appear, I want to make sure she's really Sarah Collins. Actual physical appearances are rare, Julia tells him, and attitude is very important during a seance--if anyone doesn't believe, it might stop the person they're trying to reach from making contact. "I'll try to suppress my natural levity" comments Barnabas sarcastically. (LOL!) Vicki brings over the family album, opened to Sarah's picture, and places it on the table. Everyone settles into their chairs and they begin. Roger closes the door and switches off the lights. Outside, the storm continues, unabated.

Form an unbroken circle of your hands on the table, instructs Julia, but when Barnabas deliberately fails to do as asked, Julia is forced to chastise him. "I'm sorry," he apologizes, not sincerely, to my ears. Clear your minds and think only of Sarah, orders Julia. Appear to us, Sarah! Bids Roger. Carolyn looks over at Barnabas, who is seated beside her, and Julia glances suspiciously at both of them. We need you, Sarah! Calls Roger--we want you to help us with your friend, David!--make a sign if you hear us! The sound of Sarah's flute playing "London Bridge" fills the room and Vicki begins to moan. Roger keeps calling Sarah--speak to us, if you won't appear! he urges the little ghost. Barnabas gives Carolyn a furtive nod. She pretends to be going into a trance of her own, speaking in a little girl's voice. No, no! she cries--I do not have a friend named David. Vicki interrupts. "She lies!" insists the governess--"David IS my friend--I play with him--I am Sarah Collins". Carolyn tries to intervene, but Liz stops her. "I will never, ever let any of you see me again," declares Sarah, speaking through Vicki--"I came to her (Carolyn), she saw me--she tells lies!" Carolyn rises to her feet, trying to ruin the seance, but Liz orders her to sit back down and be silent. Barnabas gives Carolyn another nod, and she sits back down. The vampire gives Carolyn an evil look. "Why is my new nursemaid late?" wonders Sarah-Vicki--"I drew a picture of how she is to look--she will be that pretty." We want to know about David, says Roger--why do you come to David? Sarah-Vicki begins to reply, but instead says, "Let me go to the gate, please--I hear the carriage there!" Again, Roger begs Sarah to tell them about David. "Barnabas will take me to the gate," says Sarah-Vicki. This frightens Barnabas, who declares these proceedings ridiculous and cruel. "Barnabas?" asks Vicki-Sarah--"when you marry Josette, will you still love me?--will you come and see me at the new house?" Roger presses Sarah to speak of David. She hesitates, then replies, "To tell him--to tell him the story, how it all began. . . no, I won't go to bed until my new nursemaid comes--you said that I could stay up to see her. . .don't take the candle!--I won't go to sleep--don't take the light--don't!"

Vicki screams, and the candles flicker out.Barnabas rushes to turn the lights back on. Everyone stares, stunned--Vicki is gone, and a woman dressed in 19th century attire has taken her place at the table. Barnabas gazes at her, terror-stricken. The woman seems totally out of it; she tells them she came from Boston--"The carriage overturned!" she cries. Confused, she stares at all assembled and demands to know where she is. Noting everyone's shocking dress, she insists she only works in "respectable houses." Sit down, commands Roger--we will ask you the questions. My name is Phyillis Wick, she reveals--I was hired by Mrs. Collins to be the new governess for a nine-year-old girl named Sarah. Everyone looks at her, completely flabbergasted.

Vicki stands in a clearing in the woods in front of the Old House, the Collins family history book clasped in her arms. Something is different about the Old House, she notes--it looks downright new!"It's different!" she says--"Where am I?"

NOTES: For those of you who have seen DARK SHADOWS before, you know exactly where Vicki is, and what is going to happen to her over the next couple of months. Notice here that Sarah speaks of Barnabas marrying Josette, but according to all the stories we've heard until now, Josette was married to Jeremiah, Barnabas' much older uncle. So already there is a gigantic discrepancy, and given how recently we heard a completely different story, we have to wonder exactly when the writers chose to alter history in this manner. This is going to explain how Barnabas came to be a vampire, and introduce us to some fascinating new characters, all played by actors with whom we are familiar. Curtis could have hired an entirely new cast, but why bother when you're already paying these people, and now they can play the Collins family ancestors! It's a stroke of brilliance.

Watch as the kindly Joe Haskell becomes a totally different character in the personage of Lt. Nathan Forbes. The murderous Matthew Morgan becomes Ben Stokes, a completely opposite, totally fascinating character. Meet Angelique, one of DS' most talked about, alluring, enduring and complex villains. Silly Millicent, seemingly heartless Joshua, loving drunk Naomi, sweet Sarah, pious-to-a-fault Abigail, witch-hunter extraordinaire Reverend Trask, Peter Bradford, who will make Vicki pretty much forget Burke, pretty, innocent, doomed Josette, the delightfully forthright Countess duPres, loving father Andre duPres, Jeremiah, Barnabas' loving yet strangely betraying uncle, young Daniel, heir to all the Collins possess, Noah Gifford, a blackguard supreme, Suki, a wronged, blackmailing wife--and anyone else I might have forgotten.

1795 has always been my favorite trip to the past, and I look forward to taking this journey into "a sea of familiar faces" with Vicki yet again.


366 - (Joan Bennett) - Inside the great house at Collinwood, a seance has been held in an effort to establish contact with the supernatural. But at this moment, life for the six members of the seance has suddenly come to a standstill. For one of their members has mysteriously disappeared and been transported back through time and space. Victoria Winters has begun a terrifying journey into the past.

Vicki is quick to notice how brand-new the Old House looks, but she isn't too on the ball about much else in her new surroundings. Then again, how often does one find oneself transported to another time?

Barnabas comes out of the Old House, and Vicki tells him she's glad to see him. He is confused; he's never met HER, he says, and she asks him if he's teasing her--and why is he wearing those old clothes?He notes that her attire is odd, to say the least. He begins to suspect she's ill. Sarah comes out, protesting that she doesn't want a nap. Barnabas kneels, very sweet and affectionate towards her, insisting gently that she must do as he says. Sarah tells him this lady is her governess, but when Barnabas asks Vicki if this is so, she says she doesn't know. Sarah wants to take her new governess to her room, but Barnabas orders his sister to take her nap. Vicki introduces herself to Sarah as "Vicki," then corrects it to "Victoria" when the child finds the name peculiar. "Au revoir!" Sarah says to Vicki--she's learning French for the wedding--she's going to be a flower girl! Vicki is shaken to realize that, to Barnabas, she's a total stranger, and starts mumbling about the seance, which puzzles him further. She mentions his cousins, Roger and Mrs. Stoddard, and those names mean nothing to him, either. He suggests that she lie down. She admits she IS a governess, and Barnabas suggests she get hold of herself. She also reveals that she lives at Collinwood, which startles him, since it's only now under construction. Vicki is further stunned, so Barnabas ushers her into the house to take a rest. She's shocked at the new furniture in the Old House, and after Barnabas takes her upstairs (and was probably staring in shock up her short skirt), Sarah sneaks out and watches them go up the steps.

In her simple room, Barnabas asks Vicki where her luggage is, but all she's got is the Collins family history book--and she doesn't know how it or she got here! Barnabas calls her strange. This must be a nightmare, she says helplessly, shaking her head. He explains the Collinses have been called many things, but not the most nightmarish people in the Province of Maine. PROVINCE? wonders Vicki. He leaves her alone, suggesting she rest. All Vicki can think is that she's having a dream from which she can't awaken.

Vicki isn't alone long. Sarah sneaks in to visit her, asking her not to tell on her for not taking her nap. Although Vicki insists she isn't Sarah's governess, Sarah says she is--she drew a picture of her.She shows Vicki the crude drawing, which could be anyone, although it does have Vicki's long dark hair and one of the bows she always wears in it. Vicki tells Sarah everything has changed except she herself, and it frightens her. Sarah tells her not to be afraid, and when she hears her mother coming, swiftly skedaddles. Vicki quickly leaves her room and runs downstairs. A handsome man in a blue and yellow uniform is in the drawing room, and he looks exactly like Joe Haskell. To his delight, Vicki runs into his arms, calls him Joe and asks him to take her to Collinwood. She accuses him of playing a joke on her and asks why he's dressed that way, and he smirks and remarks she's hardly dressed at all. He identifies himself as Nathan Forbes, Lieutenant in the Navy, tells her she's pretty and begins to make amorous moves on her,backing her into one of the columns, which she rebuffs, eventually slapping him across the face. You're engaged to Maggie Evans, my best friend! she accuses. He only knows a scullery maid named Maggie, says Nathan, and she knew her way to a man's heart, for sure. He guesses that she's Millicent Collins, newly-arrived for the wedding, and when Vicki asks WHAT wedding, Forbes tells her Barnabas Collins is marrying the beautiful, rich Josette duPres. HUH? Josette came there to marry Jeremiah, Vicki muses to herself, so this MUST be a dream. Aloud, she says, agitated, if it's a dream, why can't I wake up? If it's not, what is it--"Why doesn't anyone know me?" Forbes isn't thrilled at being slapped, and regards her coldly.

A woman who looks like Liz Stoddard (and what a magnificent gown she wears!) enters. Vicki wonders aloud if she's going mad, and the kind woman, who introduces herself as Naomi Collins, urges Vicki to sit down. She'll get a doctor for her, she promises, and asks about Vicki's carriage ride from Boston. Since Vicki took such a trip back in 1967, she wisely mentions she and David took a bus there and flew back, which makes Naomi suggest to Nathan, "The child obviously has a fever." She asks Nathan to read aloud one of the wedding invitation he picked up in town for her--"We request the honour of your presence. . .wedding of Barnabas Collins to Josette duPres on December 20, 1795. . ." Hearing the date, Vicki says, "That's impossible! I must be dreaming!" Josette married Jeremiah! Vicki tries to induce herself to awaken from this, and Naomi, probably suspecting the new governess has gone mad, gazes at her, alarmed. Barnabas comes in and tells Forbes and his mother that the carriage carrying the new governess overturned--three people were killed and the governess is missing! That might explain the way Vicki is behaving, suggests Naomi,but then they realize there's a difference in the name--Victoria Winters isn't the name of the woman she hired, it was Phyllis Wick! The three of them stare at her. Naomi turns to Vicki, demanding to know who she is. Miss Winters decides it's time to tune out of this bizarre gig and faints at their feet.

NOTES: The gorgeous costumes in 1795 always made me glad the show was in color. 1967 is so drab by comparison. We meet the handsome, skirt-chasing Nathan, who here seems an OK guy, with an eager eye for the ladies. Vicki can't believe what's happened to her, evidence to the contrary, and she really seems to be dumbing down here. Of course, it's hard to accept such an enormous change, but she catches on so slowly!

Barnabas is a nice guy who loves his sister, looks much younger and is anticipating getting married to Josette. This is at odds with what Vicki knows, of course, but does she have to say everything out loud so they can think she's crazy?

I loved the beginning of 1795 and couldn't wait to get home from school every day to see it. So many wonderful things are going to happen soon!

Love, Robin

361 - (Nancy Barrett) - Storm clouds have gathered in the night sky over Collinwood, and a monumental storm is beginning, a storm so violent that all the elements of nature will rage against one another. For one woman this will be a night she will never forget.

There are only two characters in this episode, the voice of Dr. Woodard (Turgeon), and, at the beginning, a repeat of the previous episode's scene between Julia and Sarah. Otherwise, this is a tour de force of hysteria and voiceovers for Grayson Hall.

After realizing she's been deserted by Sarah, Julia finds herself locked in the Collins mausoleum (although she could have probably crawled underneath that gate, it looks like enough space). Julia grows more and more hysterical as she hears a woman sobbing, then a woman's horrible, cackling laughter. She calls out to Sarah, but no one responds. She lights a cigarette with shaking handsand then is terrified to find blood pouring from behind Sarah's plaque on the wall. She fiercely tries to wipe the blood from her hand. She grabs the gate, sobbing, begging to be let out, and when she falls, crying wildly, on Sarah's coffin, the door opens by itself and she is free. The gate clangs shut after her departure.

Breathless, Julia closes the double doors of Collinwood behind her. She's dismayed to learn that the only one home is Carolyn, who gleefully informs Julia she's on her way out, too. Julia's relieved to see the blood is gone from her hand. Despite their poor relationship lately, Julia begs Carolyn to stick around,but the young woman merely teases her about being afraid of being alone and heads out the door.

9:05 PM - Julia decides to calm her nerves with a game of solitaire in the drawing room, but first she hears a shutter banging in the wind, then feels an icy chill in the air and decides that whatever was in the mausoleum is there with her, now! She hugs herself and paces, resumes the game of solitaire, and tries to calm down. The window blows open and she closes it, then the double front doors. Only the wind, she soothes herself, wishing someone would come home. She warms her hands over the fire, which leaps up as if to burn her (wonder if Laura was in on this, too). Who's doing this? She frets. Sarah? Barnabas? Or, worse of all. . .is Dave haunting her? The piano begins to play "London Bridge" all by itself, and Julia slams the cover shut over the keys. She tells whatever it is to go away, she's not afraid, but then she spots a white-coated figure standing by the window and, terrified, screams and races upstairs to her room. She locks the door, gasping--she's safe! She doesn't hear anything but the storm. "Dave, was that you?" she asks. The lights flicker, then go out (it was awfully light in there for a dark room). She decides to leave the house and get help, but finds she is locked in her room. She bangs on the door, crying for help. She realizes no one is there but her and her intended destroyer. She tries the phone, which is dead, begging it to work. Prays that Roger is on his way home, please, please! She lights a candle and it is blown out; the curtains billow in the wind, yet the window is closed!She sees the figure again--is it Dave? Begging to be left alone, she sinks to the floor, sobbing, clutching the legs of a small table. The phone rings and she instantly answers it--it's Dave's voice. "You're dead!" she cries hysterically. "And soon you will die," his voice coldly warns her. She hangs up, wailing, backs away from the phone, and hears a grinding sound growing louder and louder. Someone is turning the knob!The door appears distorted in her eyes, the sound escalating. Julia tips her head back and screams, loudly and lustily.

NOTES: According to what I learned a few years ago, the budget for DS had gone over, so Dan Curtis decreed that they could only afford to pay 2 actors for this episode. That's why poor Grayson Hall got stuck in a virtual one-woman show. What did you all think of it?

I remember finding this episode VERY creepy the first couple of times I saw it. Julia, all alone in the house, beset by chills, blood spilling from a wall, inexplicable piano playing, the voice of a man she helped murder promising she will die, too, and over the phone! It's everyone's nightmare brought to life, and Grayson Hall did a masterful, if somewhat over the top job in this essentially solo episode.


362 - (Nancy Barrett) - The skies over Collinwood are lit by lightning, and the crash of thunder resounds through the great halls. But Collinwood is deserted, save for one terrified woman. She fears more than the storm, she fears a dead man who, perhaps, has returned from the grave to haunt her.

After hanging up on Dave Woodard, who terrifies her by promising she could die as early as tonight, Julia fearfully faces whoever is trying to get into her room. It's Barnabas, behaving very solicitously--he heard from Carolyn that Julia was alone in the house and wanted to make sure she was all right The lights downstairs are working fine, and he proves Julia's are also working by turning on her lamp. She tells him his plan to drive her crazy isn't working, that she refuses to be frightened. Aw, she saw Dave Woodard's ghost again, didn't she, he inquires.She accuses him of causing what's happening to her, asks him to stop, and he responds, poor Julia, I wish I could help you--trust me, get some sleep. He leaves her room, smiling evilly, and she closes and locks her bedroom door after him.

Barnabas meets Carolyn outside Collinwood and gleefully reports that Julia is terrified and confused. You're being very cruel, Carolyn says, but Barnabas says she deserves such cruelty because she tried to keep him and Vicki apart. By the time he's finished with Julia, he gloats, she'll end up in a home for the incurably insane. First, however, he must get her notebook and destroy the last piece of evidence. Carolyn proudly reports to him that she gave Tony a piece of jewelry to put in his safe and now knows the combination. Now Barnabas can go retrieve the notebook! No, says Cousin B, Carolyn will get the notebook, using her womanly charms on Tony Peterson to get his keys and the notebook. (I don't understand why; is this a test? It would be so much easier for Barn to get it himself.) She asks what will happen if she gets caught, and he strongly advises her not to.

After dinner, Carolyn talks Tony into taking her to his messy apartment, where his ashtrays are filled with cigarette butts and there's no ice in the ice cube trays. He likes the fact that she keeps him guessing, but seems uncertain about her claim to prefer poor guys to rich ones. (Joe is a good example.) When he leaves to pour them some drinks and she steals the keys from his coat pocket and slips them into her pocketbook. When he returns, drinks in hand, she suddenly remembers a pressing personal errand she had to do for Roger and tells him she has to go--but will come back.First he asks to come along, which she refuses, then he gives her an hour to finish her errand and come back to his apartment--otherwise, forget it. She gives him a quick kiss before leaving, and he stands in the doorway sipping his drink, staring after her.

Julia is relieved when Roger comes home. They discuss the perpetually stormy weather around Collinsport for a while, then he starts talking about how unhappy he is with Carolyn's latest boyfriend--that lawyer who is on his case about the cannery incident.Julia is dismayed to hear that Carolyn's new friend is the man she entrusted with her precious notebook. She hustles Roger out of her room; she has to go to bed, she insists. Instead, as soon as Roger leaves, Julia calls Tony and tells him, even if he is expecting company,she's coming to his apartment. He's annoyed at her barging in the way she does, but she tells him she knows he's expecting Carolyn. She goes on to explain that Carolyn is not interested in Tony, she's only using him--she wants Julia's notebook and will do anything to get it. Tony complains about spies and counterspies and wishes he knew what was in that notebook that was so important. Julia feels he shouldn't trust Carolyn and should stop seeing her, which angers the lawyer--his social life is none of her business! Besides, the notebook isn't in his office safe, he took it out and has it at his apartment with intentions of putting it in a safety deposit box the following day. Julia insists on seeing it, but when he goes in his coat pocket to retrieve his keys, they aren't there. Julia is very upset to hear this.

Carolyn uses the stolen key to break into Tony's office, then opens his safe with the combination she so cleverly memorized. The notebook isn't there! Tony must have put it someplace else, she realizes, but she doesn't have time to ponder where--the lights in the office flick on, and Tony is standing there, furious.

Carolyn is busted!

NOTES: Tony deserves better than Carolyn, but right now she's under Barnabas' influence and will use whoever she has to in order to accomplish her master's ends, and Tony is simply a tool.

I was so happy to see Carolyn caught. What is Tony going to do now?

Love, Robin

357 - (Nancy Barrett) - The sounds of thunder shake the great walls of Collinwood and echo across the land. But inside, there is a moment's peace as in the eye of a hurricane. But soon to be broken, for Collinwood is a house with many secrets demanding to be known, and the secrets tie enemies together, as well as tear friends apart. While the ancient clock ticks on, knowing that time has its secrets, too.

Seeking Julia's notebook, Carolyn starts opening the grandfather clock. Julia tries to forestall her by remarking that ever since she learned about Barnabas, she's been wishing she had someone to share the secret with. Dr. Woodard knew, Carolyn reminds her--and he's dead. A knock at the door interrupts the tense scene, and Carolyn answers the door to Tony Peterson, a good-looking man who says he's looking for Roger Collins. Carolyn heads upstairs to find Roger and Julia tells the man to wait in the drawing room. Julia starts to take the notebook from the clock, but Roger comes downstairs and interrupts her efforts. Julia giggles, nervous, almost hysterical.

Drawing room - Tony Peterson tells Roger he's a lawyer, representing a cannery employee who was hurt in an accident.

Julia nervously paces the foyer.

Tony makes it clear to Roger that he doesn't like the Collins family and not only wants to seek decent restitution for his client, he wants to make trouble for the family as well.Carolyn, standing at the top of the stairs, catches Julia removing the notebook from the clock. Tony storms from the drawing room. Outside, a dog howls. Carolyn gazes predatorially at Julia, who, desperate,begs Tony for a ride into town. Carolyn tries to stop them, with no success, and they leave together. The clock strikes the quarter hour, and Roger comes out and tells Carolyn that Tony is an angry young man. He asks his niece to play a game of chess with him, but Carolyn says she must run an errand for Barnabas. Sourly, Roger comments that Barnabas seems able to get everyone to do anything he wants--"I wish I knew his secret," he says. No you don't, Carolyn assures him--"he just needs more help than anyone." Her face shows tremendous concern, and Roger asks if everything is all right. She tells him everything is fine and leaves.

Tony's office - A dog howls in the distance as Julia paces the floor. Tony tells Julia he doesn't like the Collins family and envies them their wealth. I want what they have, he insists. You wouldn't if you knew, says Julia. "If you've never had money," says Tony, "you never know how it will hit the blood.His comment, too close to home, rattles Julia. He notices how scared she is and tries to get her to talk, but she's hesitant. She notices he has a safe, takes out the notebook and reveals to Tony that there's a man who wants this notebook very badly. She refuses to give him details, but does say this man will kill her tonight if she leaves this office with the notebook still on her person. Tony guesses the man is Roger, but Julia tells him that's incorrect. She begins to break down, her fear overcoming her. I can't go to the police, she says, trembling--lock it up in the safe. Tony finally agrees, and she makes him swear that he won't read the contents. She locks the book and keeps the key. (flimsy) You'll hear many lies about me and the contents of that notebook, she warns him--if I die, I want that notebook taken to the police. She then leaves, assuring him she'll take a taxi back to Collinwood. Moments after Julia has gone, Carolyn shows up, and notices that Tony is holding the notebook in his hand. I've come to apologize for my Uncle Roger's behavior, she says silkily, but Tony tells her that scene was his own fault. Carolyn flirts with the lawyer outrageously, working to convince him that Julia is paranoid, thinks people are after her, is unhappy and unlucky in love. (strike three, you're out!)He walks to the safe with the notebook, ready to put it away. He grabs Carolyn and demands to know why she's here.

NOTES: Frankly, I loved Tony Peterson. He was brash, fun and forthright, and I felt he was the best possible boyfriend for Carolyn. Forget the rest, he was the best!

Can you feel Julia's desperation here? She's hunted by both Barnabas and Carolyn, and knows that if she can't hide that notebook overnight, she's doomed. Tony was the only possible ally, so she latched onto him fiercely and begged for his help. It's weird to see Julia, such a normally self-possessed woman, turning to quivering jelly under Barnabas' threats and Carolyn's fervent assistance to her vampire cousin.

What's going to happen to Julia now? Will Carolyn "vamp" the notebook out of his hands, or will he keep his promise to Julia? He seems like a promise-keeper to me, but Carolyn is damned attractive, and who's to say his little head won't be overpowered by the other one?


358 -- (Grayson Hall) - A light still burns in the great house of Collinwood. A light, perhaps, to keep away the fears which destroy the peacefulness of those sleeping there. But all do not sleep. For some, night is as day. For evil keeps no set business hours. And plans devised before dawn can bring horror and death at dusk.

Old House drawing room - Barnabas is not pleased to learn that Julia brought her notebook to Tony Peterson, and advances threateningly on Carolyn when he thinks this young man might know all about him. Carolyn convinces her cousin that the notebook was locked and placed in the safe without being read by Tony. Besides, she told Tony that Julia is crazy. It's nearing dawn, so Barnabas' plan to go to Tony's office to retrieve the notebook must fall completely to Carolyn. He questions her about the young lawyer, whom she describes as violent, rude, and yes, she admits, handsome. That should make the job easier, grins Barnabas.Then a new possibility hits him--make the world think Julia is paranoid and crazy for real! He comes up with what he says the cheaper tabloids (how does he even know about them?) call macabre mementos--the burnt hypodermic needle and empty serum bottle Julia used to help kill Dr. Woodard.

Carolyn and Tony have a drink together at the Blue Whale. He's having a hard time overcoming his first impression of her, his aversion to her rich girl status.He suggests she needs a job, that she shouldn't be tracking down strange guys, etc. He does agree that she's really pretty, but when he invites her to join him for a business trip/ride to Deer Point, followed by dinner, she refuses, and he accuses her of stuffing the toy (him) back in the box. He wonders if she'd "play" with him if Julia weren't his client, but she says she has to go hang with her cousin. Call me after 11 PM, she invites, making it apparent she finds him very attractive.

It's 6 PM. Carolyn greets Julia at the door, warns her Barnabas will get her notebook (and her little dog, too?). Julia coldly dismisses Carolyn, who reminds her cocktails are in half an hour.

In her bedroom, Julia is terrified when she finds the hypo and bottle, along with the metal case they came in, on her desk. She clutches her throat and wonders where these macabre mementos came from. She burned the needle, didn't she? Is it Dave? No, decides Julia, it's a trick to scare her--Barnabas retrieved the needle from the fireplace and had Carolyn leave the items in her room! She pushes them back in the metal box and marches out of her room.Tony calls Carolyn from Deer Point to tell her he won't be calling her at 11--but he would like to see her for dinner the following night. She accepts, but Julia interrupts the call and even grabs the phone from Carolyn and hangs up the receiver. Julia shows the blonde the items she found in her room and accuses her of putting them there. Why do they upset you? Carolyn asks (I don't think she really knows, does she)? Leave me alone, Julia demands, verging in hysteria. It's bad enough that I remember. "Control yourself, Julia!" Carolyn taunts. "You haven't even changed your clothes for dinner. You stay with us, you live by our rules!"

Carolyn goes to the Old House and finds Barnabas engaged in a strange ritual with a tray on the desk. She gleefully reports Julia was too upset to even come down for dinner. He assures Carolyn there will be no rest for Dr. Hoffman the rest of this night, and tells her about an Indian in Barbados he once knew, a man who taught Barnabas the secrets of enormous power. This man spoke to the gods and was jailed and sentenced to death as a warlock ("a male witch, my poor, uneducated child," adds Barnabas). The Indian escaped before they could execute him, but he whispered the secret magic number of the universe (to Barnabas, I guess) before he disappeared. This gives Barnabas the ability to plant a germ in someone's mind, where the disease will spread. Barnabas urges a disbelieving Carolyn to watch and witness the magic. He holds up the tray he was preparing and mutters an incantation in what sounds like gibberish. There's a whooshing sound and, before Carolyn's stunned gaze, Barnabas disappears! Scared, she stares around--where did he go?

Julia tosses in bed, unable to sleep. She hears the same whooshing sound Carolyn did, and sees a dark figure silhouetted in front of her window. She hears Dave Woodard's voice--"Why did you kill me? I thought we were friends, Julia." She denies it, insisting that Barnabas killed him, but the voice continues--he'll never let her forget it!Julia, kneeling, falls face down on the bed, seemingly in a faint. Outside her window, a bat hovers, squeaking in what is probably triumph.

NOTES: That was so good! What magical powers does Barnabas possess? Does Carolyn actually know that Julia and Barnabas murdered Woodard? I don't think so. Barnabas is going after Julia with all guns blazing. Will she succumb?

Will Carolyn fall in love with Tony? He seems the perfect man to tame her, but there's that poor man/rich girl roadblock. Can they overcome it?

How else is Barnabas going to torture Julia?

Love, Robin

353 - (Alexandra Moltke) - A brilliant afternoon sun shines over Collinwood, and the shadows of the night have disappeared-but terror still stalks the great house, for one girl has fallen under the spell of the supernatural, and forces of evil possess her-forces bent on death and destruction.

Carolyn, fingering the scarf covering her throat, contemplates how, although Vicki was once her friend, her only friend now is Cousin Barnabas. Vicki listens to Carolyn, muses Carolyn, and she's going to make sure she comes to Barnabas willingly--and stay with him forever. When Vicki finds Carolyn studying the portrait, she comments on how vague her friend is behaving. When Vicki suggests they see a movie, Carolyn comes up with an alternative--go see Barnabas at the Old House and start working on the West Wing project! Vicki is reluctant; she doesn't want to impose. When Carolyn encourages her, Vicki says perhaps. Julia comes in from a walk to town and back and greets the girls, and Carolyn remarks how fond Julia is of taking long walks. Funny, Vicki says, she dreamed she took a walk with Julia to an old house, but in the dream, Vicki didn't want to go in despite Julia's insistence on it. When Vicki leaves to check David, Carolyn mentions what an odd coincidence, Vicki dreaming about taking a walk--but strangely, she doesn't remember taking a walk for real with Julia.Julia thinks Carolyn is being hostile towards her, but the blonde assures her they're on the same side. "She suspects me," Julia thinks to herself. If Carolyn learns the truth, she'll tell Barnabas, so she'd better watch out--watch and fear.

On the terrace, Carolyn is thrilled that the sun is setting. She hears Barnabas calling her but is forestalled by Joe, who now wants to take her to the mausoleum to check out the secret room. No, Carolyn says, acting like a space alien, it was all in disturbed David's imagination,and she never really saw Sarah, etc., etc. She thanks him and says she's going for a walk; he offers to join her, but she suggests he go inside and see Vicki. He agrees, but you can tell he finds Carolyn's behavior very odd.

Carolyn goes to the Old House and tells Barnabas about her discussion with Joe, but when he insists she make sure Joe never suspects anything, she assures him she'll take care of it. She also tells a distraught Barnabas about Vicki's reluctance to see him, which spurs him to go immediately to Collinwood to see what's up.

At Collinwood, Joe tells Vicki that Carolyn seemed weird, remote--she wanted to get rid of him. Perhaps it's her worry about David, they decide. Barnabas comes to the door and Vicki lets him in, but it's apparent she isn't that happy to see him. Joe leaves for a date with Maggie, and Vicki almost seems prepared to beg him not to leave her alone with Barn. Barnabas offers to finance a private search party for Burke, which draws words of gratitude from Vicki, who turns him down because she believes the authorities are doing everything they can to find him. Barnabas wants her to be happy, anything she wants, all she needs to do is ask. He takes her hand, but Vicki, repelled, pulls it out of his grasp, then instantly apologizes for doing so. He suggests perhaps she'd rather be alone, and while her lips deny it, her eyes say something else: LEAVE!!!! Barnabas turns to look at Vicki as he's leaving, and she won't even turn around to look at him.Later, Carolyn finds Vicki staring out the window. Vicki, ashamed of her actions, tells Carolyn about Barnabas' generous offer, then how she pulled her hand from his. It was cold and clammy, says Vicki, like the hand of a dead man. She unaccountably felt frightened in his presence, and can't understand why. This clearly upsets Carolyn.

Back at the Old House, Barnabas asks Julia why Vicki recoiled from him. Burke? suggests Julia. She's still in love with him. Barnabas can't understand--she was never afraid of him before. Perhaps she senses Barnabas' interest, says Julia, and isn't ready to accept it? Barnabas curtly comments that he's heard enough, he's weary of Julia's company. When Carolyn comes in, he rudely dismisses Julia, who is pissed at being thus dismissed. Carolyn tells Barn that Vicki IS afraid of him, although she doesn't know why. Carolyn, citing the walk with Julia that Vicki doesn't remember, thinks Julia is somehow involved, and Barnabas, his face dark with anger, orders Carolyn to watch Julia.If she's doing anything to undermine his efforts with Vicki, she's signed her own certificate, he vows. Carolyn smiles.

NOTES: Three women-Carolyn, who is under Barnabas' power; Julia, who'd love to be; Vicki, who has been hypnotized and now fears Barnabas in the deepest portion of her brain. Barnabas is all set to kill Julia if he learns she's fiddled with Vicki's head, and we KNOW she has-how long before Barnabas knows, now that he's set Carolyn on Julia's trail? Carolyn is determined to do whatever is necessary for her master, and she thinks it would be great if Barnabas took revenge on Julia for betraying him. Cold vampire, cold victim, where will all this end?


354 - (Alexandra Moltke) - A cluster of pale stars shine over Collinwood, like cold, unblinking eyes in the darkness, watching the earth below. At Collinwood, there is one girl who is trusted implicitly by all of us, but unknown to us, she has fallen prey to the supernatural. She watches and waits, and everything she learns becomes the knowledge of one who, at any moment, is prepared to wreak destruction.

Carolyn, who, according to the intro is trusted implicitly by all, has been bugging Julia by following her everywhere. Julia asks the blonde spy if it's necessary, and Carolyn assures her she's free to go anywhere she wants.Sarcastically, Julia thanks her, and heads up to her room, where hopefully, she'll have some privacy.

Roger and Liz come in the inform Carolyn that David and, reluctantly, Vicki, are going to Boston for a vacation. Roger remarks that he feels sorry for Vicki in the Burke situation; he must be dead. Carolyn is pleased that David is going, which surprises Liz, who thought she'd object. When Roger suggests, and Liz agrees, that Carolyn go to Boston, too, for parties, clothes-buying and all the things she usually adores, she vehemently objects.She can't go--rather, she doesn't want to. She leaves them quickly, and Roger muses to Liz how strangely Carolyn's been behaving--he saw her watching the sunset with a blank, vacant expression on her face that frightened him. They both express hope that Carolyn's all right.

Julia finds Vicki preparing a bouquet of lovely yellow flowers; she's planning to take them over to Barnabas to apologize for yanking her hand out of his grasp the day before. Why did you do that? asks Julia, knowing full well why. Vicki explains she doesn't know--Barnabas has always been there when she needs him. Carolyn pops in and announces that she's going shopping for a loooong time.

Julia closes the doors after Carolyn departs, but the latter sneaks back into the house and listens in. She gets quite an earful, too, as Julia again uses the chandelier crystal to hypnotize Vicki, then leads her out of the house, Carolyn quietly in pursuit. Julia brings Vicki to "Maggie's cell" in the Old House basement, which now contains only the coffin Willie had crafted for Maggie. Julia tells the tranced-out, protesting Vicki that the coffin is intended for HER--Barnabas plans to make her what he is, then make her his bride. Vicki protests that she doesn't WANT to be his bride,and Julia again reinforces the only way she can avoid it--recoil when he touches her, behave frightened of him when he's in her presence--resist his will. Vicki vows to do just that. Carolyn scurries away from her post around the corner just as they exit. Her lips are compressed in a tight line; she knows all now, and can't wait to give the skinny to Barnabas.

Vicki and Julia return to Collinwood, where the latter snaps her fingers, bringing the younger woman out of the trance. When Julia suggests to Vicki that she come with her to the Old House to show Barnabas the crystals and bring the flowers, Vicki hesitates, then says she doesn't have time. She asks Julia to drop off the flowers, and say goodbye to Barnabas for her. Liz comes in and says the arrangements for David and Vicki to take the bus to Boston are all set. Vicki remarks that she's glad to be going, surprising Liz, and bringing a smug smile to Julia's face.

Carolyn goes to the Old House and reports to Barnabas what Julia's been up to with Vicki. He's stunned that "Hoffman," as he calls her, has finally turned against him and done such a foolhardy act. He's further angry to learn this wasn't the first time Julia hypnotized Vicki--she actually showed him Barnabas in his coffin! Now Barn knows why Vicki's been behaving so strangely! He hasn't decided what to do, but damage control is necessary as far as Vicki is concerned. "Are you planning to kill her?" asks Carolyn eagerly, looking overjoyed at the prospect."Perhaps she'll meet a worse fate--much worse," predicts Barnabas.

NOTES: Now Barnabas knows for sure that Julia is working hard to undermine his relationship with the woman he loves-he even knows she showed Barnabas, in his vampire-slumber state, to Vicki! He speaks of Julia meeting a worse fate-what could he possibly have in mind? The mind trembles to contemplate it.

Love, Robin

349 - (Alexandra Moltke) - A single star is visible over Collinwood, seeming like a cold, lonely light that exists in a void unto itself. Few men can know such isolation, but there is one who has, one who has hoped his isolation might be ended, only to have that hope destroyed. And desperation and terror will follow in its wake.

Saw Dick Smith's fantastic makeup work on the ancient Barnabas today. The man definitely has/had a great talent (I don't know if he's still alive).

Julia, panicked, rushes upstairs. Barnabas follows. His face is withered, aged, ugly. The dosage he insisted on was too powerful, Julia claims. Seeing his hideous face mirrored in her eyes, he grabs her throat, then touches his aged face with ancient hands. "Oh, no!" he screams. He accuses Julia of doing this to him, revenge for spurning her feelings. She denies it. It's his own fault. He blames her, too, for not realizing that, if he became human, he could very well become his true age. She screwed up, missed the obvious! He must revert back to being a vampire, he says. No, Julia insists, he'll go on destroying and she'll be partially responsible. Yes, he grimly agrees. He orders her to go to Collinwood, break his date with Vicki and tell her he has to leave town.She sarcastically calls that a "bitter pill to swallow" for him and opens the door to leave, but Vicki is there, and has overheard the last part of what Barnabas said! Quickly, while Julia keeps Vicki at the door, Barnabas arranges one of the high-backed chairs so he can sit in it and speak to Vicki without being seen. He explains to her that he's going away on business and isn't feeling well. He doesn't want her coming too close to him, or she might catch it. She says it doesn't seem like a good idea to go away when he's under the weather, but between Barnabas and Julia, they manage to send Vicki on her way back to Collinwood, looking uncertain. Barnabas miserably buries his face in his hands. He'd have been loathsome to Vicki, he laments, to which Julia curtly replies, "In HER eyes." He's saddened to learn from Julia that he's changed so drastically, even his own relatives wouldn't recognize him. He mocks her for her noble experiments and says he won't forgive her for dashing his hopes. (Hey, if I were Julia, I'd have hightailed it out of Collinsport by now!) Vicki can be yours, Julia says, a vicious light in her eyes. Use her to revert! Why not? Barnabas says he wants Vicki to come to him willingly, as Josette, but Julia cruelly reminds him that might not ever happen. He must be more realistic, get Vicki any way he can! She can be under his power! (You know this is jealousy talking, but why she wants to see Vicki harmed seems beyond nasty to me, especially given that she was so seemingly concerned about her safety in the past.) Barnabas is not happy that Julia is undermining his romantic plans for Vicki with her suggestion and says he just can't use Vicki, but Julia gets in his face, cunning and manipulative. She knows he's very tempted-GO FOR IT!

Carolyn knocks on Vicki's door and tells her she's going to meet Joe at the Blue Whale. Vicki, after saying she is sure Burke is still alive,tells Carolyn about Barnabas' plans to go away and says she's wishes he didn't have to leave--she's going to miss him--he's been such a good, kind, reliable, strong friend.

Meanwhile, Julia continues to urge Barnabas to take Vicki's blood, Vicki's youth! Barn refuses again. Think it over, advises Julia craftily. "You'd be a fool not to get her now, tonight!"

Carolyn and Joe share a table and drinks at the Blue Whale. She tells him of her Sarah sighting, and explains that she believes it possible that he's telling the truth about everything else, too. Joe reminds her that Dave and Burke checked out David's amazing stories, and he believes the kid just has a wild imagination.She coaxes him to come with her to Eagle Hill to seek out the secret room, but Joe refuses. He advises her to forget it, after all, does she really think her cousin is a sinister person? No, Carolyn says, but she doesn't seem so sure anymore...

Carolyn tells Vicki she has some doubts about Cousin Barnabas. Vicki assures Carolyn that Barnabas doesn't deserve her doubts, and looks troubled as Carolyn heads off to bed.

Barnabas ponders Julia's suggestions about Vicki and decides to go for it. He appears as a bat outside Vicki's window, then the aged Barnabas materializes in her bedroom.He stares at the sleeping Vicki, thinking how lovely and innocent she is--he can't do it! Carolyn, hearing a sound, knocks at Vicki's door, then opens it, waking Vicki up. The two young women spot a bat hovering outside Vicki's window, squeaking and flapping. "A giant bat!" gasps Carolyn.

NOTES: Fabulous makeup, and all involved gave great performances. Tomorrow, tune in for one of DARK SHADOWS' most frightening scenes!


350 - (Grayson Hall) - A cold piercing night wind whistles around Collinwood, and its chill somehow seems to penetrate the walls of the great house-for this promises to be a night of danger-one girl may learn a terrifying secret tonight, and that knowledge could cost her her life.

How chilling can you get? Not much more so than the ending of today's second episode! Brrrrr!

David comes downstairs and again offers the toy soldier to Carolyn. She's happy to see him out of his room, a rarity these days, it seems, but assures him she doesn't need it. Over her shoulder, David spots the ancient Barnabas standing outside the window, but when he points him out to Carolyn, he's gone when she turns to look. Liz comes in and David tells her about the man--he was over 100 years old! Carolyn says she didn't see him, and Liz talks gently to David, as though handling an insane person. No one believes him anymore, laments David, and he can't prevent the bad things from happening, either. Liz and Carolyn suggest to David he saw a trick of the light, not a person, and, dejected, he goes back to his room.

Liz brings up sending David away again; it might put an end to these fantasies. Carolyn confesses to her mother that SHE saw and spoke with Sarah; if the little ghost girl is real, why not. . .the other stuff? Liz is upset to think her own daughter is having delusions, too, and asks her if she REALLY thinks Barnabas has a coffin in his basement, etc.Carolyn admits she doesn't know about that, or about a connection between Sarah and Barnabas, but. . . David overhears Liz tell Carolyn she thinks he's mentally disturbed and must be sent away. David clutches the balustrade and hangs his head in defeat.

Barnabas returns to the Old House, where Julia is waiting for him. He went for a walk, he says, taunting her about the "success" of her noble experiment. He has to take someone's blood, he says, so he'll go attack a stranger later. Does he want it that way, Julia asks. There might be someone who'll do it willingly, accept and submit. And who might that be, Barnabas wants to know. Me, Julia offers. Take mine. He is stunned at her offer: "Why, Julia?" Her face shows delight as she murmurs, "That's the first time you've called me that." She says the offer is on the table, and she won't give him a reason.He brings over a candle, tells her to look at his face, then grabs her hand and presses it over his aged flesh. Don't I repel you? he demands. No, she assures him--she knows what he was and will be again. He reminds her that if he does take her blood, she will no longer control her own will, and Julia smiles as though he were telling her she's the most beautiful woman in the world. She wants it--she wants him to take her blood-damn it, just TAKE her! He calls her doctor, and Julia says never to do it again. That's the whole problem, explains Barnabas, he might need her services as a doctor, other needs beyond the experiment, and while he appreciates the offer, he refuses. Is that the real reason he refused, she demands, clearly hurt and sad. She goes downstairs to her lab.

Carolyn is examining the toy soldier when David comes in and asks her if she thinks he's crazy, as Aunt Liz does. She knows he didn't imagine Sarah, Carolyn says, so perhaps all this stuff about Barnabas. . .David becomes alarmed and demands his cousin forget everything he said about Barnabas--he made it all up! Nearly hysterical, he begs her to promise not to go to the Old House. She promises, but after sending him up to bed, she proves she's his relative and heads right to the Old House (leaving the solider/protection on the hallway table). She finds the front door open (WHY?), the upstairs empty, then finds the basement door open, too (with Willie gone, doesn't anyone see to security anymore?)

She finds a coffin and is shocked. WHY is it here? What is it doing here?She finds it empty, another puzzle. The coffin suddenly slams closed--it's Julia, demanding to know why Carolyn is there. Carolyn starts firing questions at her about the coffin, but Julia tries desperately to get Carolyn to leave--before it's too late. Barnabas' voice drifts over them: "It's already too late!" He reveals to the disbelieving Carolyn that he's her Cousin Barnabas, but she can't understand why his face is so old. "I won't be old much longer . . .scream all you want, no one will hear you. . .don't be afraid, my dear," he says, drawing her long, blonde hair away from her throat, "You know I'd never do anything to hurt my own flesh and blood!"His fangs appear and Carolyn screams in terror as Barnabas sinks his fangs into her throat and drinks her youth-giving blood.

NOTES: This scene did give me nightmares all those years ago. It was very scary to me, yet in a perverse way, very erotic, too.

We don't see Julia's reaction, but one can only imagine the horror, jealousy and disbelief on her face as she witnesses the man she loves attacking a victim she knows right before her eyes.

Love, Robin