287 - (Alexandra Moltke) - A storm has broken suddenly over Collinwood, and sanctuary has been sought and found in the old house beyond the woods-but a deep, safer sanctuary has also been found, the sanctuary of the past, far and safe from present threats, where even the landscape of dreams is free of thunder and storm-and the serenity the present can never know pervades the gentle air-or so it seems.

Vicki comes downstairs at the Old House and tells Willie she had a wonderful night. He asks her if anything might have "happened," and she's surprised at his concern for her welfare. Was anyone in the room with you? asks Willie,making Vicki suspicious that Willie had reverted to his old, perverted ways. Willie insists he would never hurt her.

Collinwood drawing room - Liz expresses her concerns to Julia about all the terrible things that have been happening in recent days. Julia mentions Maggie Evans, and Liz explains that Vicki never came home last night, and she's worried about her. Vicki enters at that moment-I'm all right, she assures them. Hearing that Vicki stayed at the Old House, Liz says, "If I'd know you were with Barnabas, I wouldn't have worried at all!" Julia doesn't seem to agree with Liz' comment, however. Although Julia and Vicki both encourage it,Liz refuses to relent on cooperating with Julia's research on the family-they've had enough gossip about them! Liz leaves. Julia asks Vicki to try to convince Liz to go along with this project-my work is extremely important, insists Julia. Later, Vicki speaks to Liz who, hearing Vicki go on and on about the romance of the past and how wonderful it was to sleep in Josette's room, Liz agrees, hoping that an objective look at the family's history will end Vicki's romantic notions.Your dreams might disappear, Liz warns Vicki.

Julia appears at the Old House and tells Willie that she's going to wait until Barnabas "gets back". How did you manage to make the restoration of this house so accurate? Julia asks him. He first says there were no drawings to work from, then, realizing there would have had to be, contradicts himself and says there were. No need to lie, Julia assures him. She sits to await Barnabas while Willie nervously paces. Why do you work for Mr. Collins if he's so "difficult," as you say? she queries. Before Willie can answer this leading question, Barnabas enters and sends Willie out of the room. Barnabas refuses to cooperate with Julia's research project and won't give her any explanation as to why.I might know something you don't, she slyly suggests. I doubt it, says Barnabas. I hope we'll meet again very soon, she says. Barnabas gazes after her with menace, not liking this woman at all.

NOTES: Imagine what Barnabas must have thought of Julia at first meeting-this overbearing woman, totally unlike what he's used to, so brash and demanding, asking all kinds of questions? You know that if these two are ever going to end up on a similar wavelength, there are going to have to be some changes in both-and those of us who have seen the series delight in those changes! It takes time, but it's well worth the wait.

Vicki, loving her stint in Josette's bed, oversleeps the next morning and tells Willie she had a wonderful night--slept well, felt safe--but has no time for breakfast--she's got to get back to Collinwood! She returns to find Liz talking to Julia. Vicki is sorry she worried Mrs. Stoddard, who feared Vicki had been accosted by the village madman, like Maggie Evans, but Vicki reminds her she was with BARNABAS, and couldn't have been safer! HA! Liz, too, is glad to hear Vicki was safe at the Old House, and Julia listens intently to this exchange.

At first, Liz won't even consider allowing Julia (who appeals to Vicki to change her mind, citing it's importance not just to Julia, but to someone else. . .) to write the Collins family history, but Vicki's romantic obsession with the past--and Josette in particular--changes her mind. She feels that if Vicki sees the past revealed in an unromantic, objective way, she'll be less obsessed, although disappointed, too. So, Liz decides to allow Julia to go ahead with her project. Barnabas, on the other hand, is far less enthused. When he comes in to find a nervous Willie, who fumbles and lies to Julia about how Barnabas went about refurbishing the Old House, talking to the domineering redhead, he dismisses Willie, gives Julia's hand a businesslike shake, and proceeds to tell her he won't cooperate with her on the Collins family history. They thrust and parry as she implies she KNOWS something he might not, and he tells her that's impossible, and you can see Julia is baiting him and he is refusing to be baited--for now. These two people, destined to be enemies, friends and more to each other, meet here for the first time and already sparks are flying in a most fascinating exchange.


288 - (Alexandra Moltke) - The great estate of Collinwood rests on cliffs high above the sea, and on a quiet afternoon such as this, a familiar sound is the pounding of the surf-waves crashing against sand, only to return to the sea from which they came. There is a sense of timelessness here, for the sea is eternal as human lives are not. But there are moments when a sense of timelessness can pervade the human mind, moments when the past seems to intermingle with the present. There is one who knows such a moment, not realizing that it represents an imminent threat-the approach of a violent and terrifying danger.

David enters the drawing room to find Vicki staring out the window, listening to the music box. When she tells him she was daydreaming,he says he had an odd, frightened feeling she was someone else-someone strange. Julia joins them. She's moving into the house temporarily (LOL!), and requests that Vicki find some family histories for her. When Vicki goes to the library to find them, David shows Julia the family photos, including portraits of Sarah, Joshua, Naomi and Barnabas. David, who's never seen Sarah's picture before, mentions that she looks just like the kid he's been playing with outside the Old House. I wonder if she's a ghost? Muses David, but Vicki overhears when she returns to the room and warns him not to start telling any of THOSE kind of stories. He heads outside to play. Vicki looks at the same page in the book and notes the resemblance to Sam's sketch of the child who visited him.Julia is also intrigued by all this information. I recently saw a sketch of the Old House drawing room, says Julia, where there were huge gilt mirrors. I've never seen any mirrors at the Old House at all, says Vicki, except for the dressing table in Josette's room.

Blue Whale - Hearing that his girlfriend spend the night at the Old House-and heard a ghostly voice singing--Burke becomes upset and orders her not to go there again. I feel safe at the Old House, Vicki retorts,and I won't stop going there! Burke is not pleased.

Old House, entrance - Barnabas steps outside to greet Julia, who has brought the family album with her. She talks him into letting her come in. You can stay only for a few minutes, he cautions. Julia opens the album and comments on Barnabas' strong resemblance to the ancestor for whom he is named. Barnabas barely disguises his hostility toward her. She then shows him Sarah's portrait, and when he turns away to look at it, Julia opens her compactand observes that Barnabas has no reflection in its mirror. Barnabas spots the mirror and is immediately on guard; he sends her out of the house, an expression of fear on his face.

In the foyer at Collinwood, Julia tells Vicki that her visit with Barnabas was very successful. "In fact," she adds, looking triumphantly at Barnabas' portrait, "I think I've learned everything-everything I needed to know."

NOTES: WHAT does she know? She added up all the clues and came up with vampire, so all she needed to find out was WHO-and now she has! What is she planning to do with this information?

Julia continued with her probe of Collins family history to home in on her vampire--er, her man.

David catches Vicki in a Josette pose and finds it both interesting and scary. He shows Julia the Collins family picture album (where he says he was named after David Collins??), and is surprised to see the photo of a hitherto-unknown ancestor, a child named Sarah, bears a strong resemblance to his pal, Sarah, who always hangs around the Old House! You can almost see the cogs turning in Julia's head as she digests this info.

Then, Julia shares the photo of Sarah with Vicki, who says it looks just like the sketch the police brought around when Maggie Evans was kidnapped by a madman. Cogs are rolling at breakneck speed! Julia questions Vicki about the authenticity of Barnabas' restoration of the Old House--weren't there a whole lot of mirrors originally? Yes, there were, says Vicki, but come to think of it, there are no mirrors in Barnabas' house now, except the one on Josette's vanity. Julia plans to take the book to Barnabas and show it to him, and predicts a fascinating outcome.

Over drinks at the Blue Whale, Burke is mighty unhappy to hear his girlfriend spent the night in Josette's room during the storm. He wants her to stay away from the Old House, damn it, but thank God, Vicki shows some cojones and tells him she feels safe and secure in that room, she feels she belongs there, Barnabas is a perfect gentleman and she isn't listening to him! Good for you, Vicki, even if he really is right about your being safer in the storm!

Julia shows up on Barnabas' doorstep, the book clasped in her arms. He's annoyed at her persistence and really doesn't want to help her, but he reluctantly invites her in and stands, body language unyielding, while she sits in a chair, talking about the book he's looking at. He looks a lot like Sarah, she points, out, and there's Joshua and Naomi.

Meanwhile, she pulls a compact out of her purse, and while his back is turned, looks twice--and Barnabas has no reflection in her mirror! He catches her with mirror in hand and angrily/nervously demands to know what she's doing. Hey, even historians have a certain amount of vanity; she was checking her makeup, she explains. He curtly dismisses her; he has no interest in this album she brought. She thanks him and leaves, but it's clear he isn't at all happy with her, and his gazes after her threateningly.

Back at Collinwood, Julia happily tells Vicki her visit with Barnabas was very successful--she's learned everything she needed to know...

And now what is she going to do with it?

Love, Robin

283 - Alexandra Moltke - Hidden deep in the cliffs of Collinwood, in the majestic rocks that separate the earth from the sea, there is a tiny cove, caused by a long-ago sea. No one at Collinwood has seen it, and no one will ever see it, for the earth knows how to hide its secrets well. Many times, men, too, must hide secrets, even rage desperate battles in secret. If keeping that secret can mean the difference between death and survival. Unknown to the residents of Collinwood, such a battle is being waged, far from its walls, and the cause of that battle, the object of the desperate secrecy, is a girl, long supposed dead but actually living, and still in great danger.

Dave Woodard is worried that he hasn't heard from Julia at all, and she hasn't returned any of his phone calls. Nothing new has developed, she crisply tells him, and I'm not keeping anything from you. I sometimes feel you're avoiding me, complains Dave, and that you're keeping anything you've learned about Maggie from me.Julia takes offense at his remarks, but Woodard feels she's far too possessive and secretive about Maggie; Sam and Joe are anxious to know what's going on. I'll give up the case if they're not satisfied, offers Julia, annoyed. No! says Dave, alarmed at the thought of losing her, offering apologies, I have every confidence in you. (Notice how she turns the tables on him here, very cleverly.) Julia accepts his apology and tells him that Maggie remembers being in a cemetery. Woodard thinks taking Maggie to Eagle Hill is a terrible idea, but Julia assures him she has no plans to do that. As soon as Dave leaves her office, Julia orders Maggie brought to her--for a visit to the cemetery.

When Burke comes to Collinwood to pick up Vicki, she's in the drawing room, listening to the music box. He invites her for a ride to Bangor and dinner (pretending to sell magazines, as I recall). I'd love to, says Vicki, but first I want to place flowers on a friend's grave. He assumes she's referring to Maggie, but Vicki tells him it's Josette.Burke isn't pleased with the idea. She invites him in and shows him her gift from Barnabas. Collinwood is getting to you, says Burke, and your extreme interest in the past isn't healthy. Josette has done good things for me, protests Vicki, and I'm going to the cemetery with or without you. Burke gives in and agrees to join her.

Julia brings Maggie to the cemetery and urges her to look around. They look at Josette's tombstone, but it doesn't jog Maggie's memory. Hearing voices, they quickly walk away. Vicki and Burke, searching for Josette's grave, see two women in the distance, but can't identify who they are. When they do find Josette's marker, Burke calls it pitiful, and Vicki explains that this grave was Jeremiah's way of punishing Josette for deserting him by committing suicide (this is NOT how the story unfolds at all!) In Burke's opinion, Jeremiah's action was petty. Vicki places the flowers on the grave and she and Burke start to leave.

Julia and Maggie are about to exit the cemetery when Maggie hears Vicki and Burke's voices in the distance.Stunned, Vicki spies a woman she is sure is Maggie Evans, but Burke assures her it's her imagination--she's under a strain, after all. They leave.

Julia and Maggie hide nearby the Collins tomb, and it jars Maggie's memory. Inside the mausoleum, Julia notes the occupants of the coffins and realizes Maggie has been in this place before--do you know the name Collins? She asks her. No, says Maggie nervously. Noticing the name Sarah Collins on one of the plaques--the same name as the little girl Maggie befriended--Julia asks Maggie questions about her.Maggie goes into a panic and wants desperately to leave. He'll kill me! She cries.

NOTES: Gang, Julia is not behaving ethically here, IMHO. She and Dave have a huge argument about her secretiveness and her unwillingness to provide information to him, Sam or Joe. She's been avoiding his calls and behaving possessive about Maggie, all of which are frightening him. She asks if he's accusing her of malpractice, being very quick to jump on the defensive. Somehow, she ends up getting Dave to apologize to her, but I don't see her apologizing to him! When she tells him she wants to bring Maggie to the cemetery, he objects strongly--the risk to Maggie is, in more ways than one, too great! He extracts a promise from her that she won't bring Maggie to Eagle Hill or do anything drastic without consulting him, but no sooner does he depart then she has Maggie brought into her office for a little field trip.

Vicki is listening intently to her music box when Burke stops by. He, too, gets pissed when she says she wants to put flowers on Josette's grave (she's getting too wrapped up in this long-dead woman, he insists), and he isn't too happy that Barnabas gave her such a nice gift that she so clearly loves, either (which he proves by slamming it shut after she says it makes her feel close to Josette)! Why Vicki even once thought Josette could be her ancestor--but that would make her a Collins, points out Burke, aghast. When Vicki makes it clear she's going to give Josette flowers for her birthday with or without him, Burke relents and goes to Eagle Hill with her.

Julia, blatantly ignoring Woodard's orders and Maggie's own terror and safety, brings her to Eagle Hill just as Burke and Vicki are approaching. Maggie is upset and shaky, but Julia barrages her with questions, insisting she look around and try to remember something. Maggie kneels in front of Josette's headstone, but they hear voices and Julia urges her to get away before they're spotted.

Vicki places the bouquet of flowers on Josette's grave and Burke disparages such a poor burial for one of the mighty Collins. That was Jeremiah's doing, explains Vicki, he had Josette buried in this barren place because she committed suicide. Burke comments what petty revenge that is, but all Vicki can talk of is the loneliness and desolation poor Josette must have suffered.

As Julia and Maggie are leaving the cemetery, the latter turns around and Vicki gets a good look at her face. Shocked, she tells Burke she saw Maggie Evans! No, Burke says, not Maggie, someone who looked like her--and it's apparent her imagination has gone haywire again, like with that little girl she didn't really see at Barnabas' party (that Burke is so sensitive to her feelings, isn't he? NOT!) Vicki is shaken that her imagination is playing such terrible tricks on her, and Burke leads her away to more earthly pleasures.

In the meantime, Julia leads Maggie towards the Collins mausoleum, which frightens the young woman even more. Julia interrogates her with more questions, then leads the protesting girl into the mausoleum and asks if the name "Collins" means anything to her. "Sarah?" Maggie cowers in fear, then screams, "He'll kill me! I'll die!" Julia demands to know who she is talking about, but Maggie can hardly speak, she is so filled with fear. Julia soothes her and leads her from the tomb. The camera pans to the wall with the plaques, moving slowly from left to right.

Julia may not be guilty of malpractice, but I still say she was wrong doing what she did today. She shouldn't have lied to Dave, and her taking Maggie to the cemetery against his wishes (and they were spotted by someone who knew Maggie) were well-founded.


284 - (Alexandra Moltke) - Under the sun over Collinwood, the days seem trapped beneath the throbbing, unrelenting eye. No storm is promised, and the air itself is as still as the breathing of the dead. And yet one leaf will stir, one bough will lightly bend, and one knows that the stillness will sometime end--perhaps with a gentle rain, perhaps with a thundering storm.

In Woodard's office, Julia puts Maggie under hypnosis, questioning her about Sarah. Julia reminds her of what happened at the cemetery; when she speaks the name "Collins," Maggie is terrified. Dave, learning that Julia took Maggie to the cemetery against his orders, is furious. Julia calms him down and asks him to introduce her to the Collins family as an amateur genealogist.Though Dave feels the family will cooperate if told the truth, Julia insists they operate under secrecy. Do you suspect one of the Collinses? queries Dave. Julia doesn't give him an answer. Anxious to find out what really happened, Dave agrees to her terms. This case has some "unearthly" aspects, admits Julia.

In the drawing room at Collinwood, Vicki talks to Julia, not masking her love for Collins family history. Vicki advises Julia to check with Barnabas, the true expert of the family history. David enters, expressing annoyance because he couldn't find Sarah to play with him.Julia, intrigued, asks David about Sarah. David tells her he doesn't know his little friend's last name. After David leaves, Julia can't help but notice Vicki's fascination with the past as she speaks fondly of Barnabas. Vicki admits she is preoccupied with the past. Julia, eager to learn more, asks if they can go see Barnabas this afternoon.

Vicki and Julia enter Josette's room, even though Willie has urged them not to do so. Julia, impressed with the room, wants to check out the rest of the house, but Vicki suggests she have Barnabas do that. It was all right for Vicki to show Julia this room, given her strong feelings about Josette. As the sun sets, Julia feels an icy chill go through her. Vicki lights a candle, which is immediately extinguished. I hope you'll return here to look around further, says Vicki."I can't tell you how much I look forward to it," says Julia, her voice implying many things. They leave.

Julia goes to Dave's office and tells him her visit to Collinwood was a success, but doesn't tell him any of her suspicions. She asks him to bring Maggie to her for a private session, and when he leaves, she begins a little word play game with Maggie, trying to learn the name of her doll. Elizabeth? Sarah? Carolyn? Suggests Julia, but Maggie doesn't respond to any of those names. Barnabas Collins? Asks Julia. "No!" screams Maggie--"not that name!" Maggie hugs the doll to her fiercely and begins singing "London Bridge."The wrong name for the doll, murmurs Julia aloud, but the right name for something else.

NOTES: Everything Julia did in this episode seemed directed towards gathering clues to fulfill her own personal agenda--and how determinedly she worked her way into the Collins domain under false pretenses, running roughshod over the disgruntled Dave Woodard! She grills Maggie about the name Collins, upsetting her. She refuses to tell Dave much of anything except that whatever is going on strains the boundaries of what is known on earth.

Julia goes to Collinwood and finds the perfect person to talk to--the guileless, Collins-addicted Vicki. Julia listens intently to everything Vicki, and later David, tells her--about Sarah, who seems to have no last name, the costume party, the Old House restoration (sans telephone, that eccentric, kind, gentle fellow, Barnabas Collins, who nevertheless values privacy). Vicki thinks Julia and Barnabas will get along great, to which Julia replies, almost to herself, "I hope so."

Vicki takes Julia down to the Old House, where the doctor examines Josette's portrait (which should, to her eyes, look just like Maggie), the dress, sees the room by candlelight, and twice feels a chill racing through her. "I'm afraid of nothing," Julia assures Vicki, and says she's looking forward to meeting Barnabas Collins (ah, if she only knew)!

Still, Julia reveals nothing to Dave after her visit to Collinwood, even after he reminds her that if she has any suspects in Maggie's case, she has to turn them over to the authorities. Hell, no, thinks Julia, she's got other ideas in mind for this "suspect." Just to cement her beliefs, Julia again quizzes Maggie in Dave's office, turning it into a game--she takes the doll from Maggie, holds her up, and asks her what the doll's name is: Elizabeth. . .Sarah. . .Carolyn. . .Barnabas? Hearing that last name makes Maggie bury her face in her hands and sob, "NO! DON'T HURT ME!" Julia assures the crying young woman that Barnabas is the wrong name for the doll, but adds to herself, "But the right name for. . .something else. . ."

AH HA!!!! I think she's got it!

Love, Robin

279 - A dark mantle of deception hangs heavily over Collinwood. There are those who are about to play a game that death has devised, a game that death cannot lose. They don the garments that will transform them into other people, from another time, garments that will help forward a diabolical scheme.

Carolyn's room - Carolyn looks over her costume. Vicki enters her room wearing HER costume, and Carolyn tells her she looks just like Josette. Vicki feels odd, as if she's worn the dress before, and Carolyn confesses to getting a chill when she tried on Millicent's dress. Everything will be all right, says Vicki, and this will bring the family closer. I respect the past, says Carolyn, but have no desire to live in it. This is just a harmless masquerade, says Vicki, something to lift us from the depression we've all been in.Carolyn decides to agree with Vicki; she's also pleased her mother is going. Vicki is entranced by the idea that for one night, she'll be a member of the Collins family. Victoria Collins, she says dreamily. . .no, Josette Collins.

Old House drawing room - The house must be immaculate for the party, Barnabas instructs Willie (and is this the "tonight must nothing go wrong" blooper?) He's glad to hear Willie delivered the costumes to Collinwood, and remarks that tonight will be the most important night of his life.

Burke comes to Collinwood, where Carolyn thanks him for all his help, and assures him her mother is doing well. Carolyn leaves.

Drawing room - Burke invites Vicki out to dinner tomorrow night, but she can't go--she's got Barnabas' costume party! Hearing that Vicki's going as Josette disturbs Burke, especially since Josette spoke through Vicki at Dr. Guthrie's seance.Vicki tells him she's going to ask Barnabas to invite Burke, too, and convinces the reluctant Devlin to drive her to the Old House to make her request.

Old House - Burke waits in the car while Vicki goes in. She compliments Willie on the wonderful job he's done with the restoration--you should be proud, she tells him. He thanks her very much for saying that, his voice sincere and sad. "There's a lot of things we deserve and never get, he remarks, and there's a lot of things we get and don't deserve." Barnabas, standing in the foyer, tells Willie that's an interesting philosophy--"But I'm dedicated to seeing that people get what I think they deserve." (serious shivers.) Barnabas suggests Willie take a rest from his work, and the servant-philosopher leaves the room. Upon first hearing the request, Barnabas isn't pleased at the though of inviting Burke to his party,but after thinking it over, agrees. Burke must play a very important role, says Barnabas--Jeremiah Collins. After Vicki leaves, Barnabas tells Willie that tomorrow night he might finally have the chance to do to Jeremiah what he always wanted to do.(another shiver, foreboding big time.)


280 - (Alexandra Moltke) The night winds murmurs through the ancient trees surrounding Collinwood, sounding like hushed voices speaking in whispers, whispering from a void that transcends time. On this night, the voices may be heard most clearly from the forest, surrounding a gloomy, forbidding old house. For there is one in this house that would transcend time this night, who would cause the past to merge with the present--who would cause the land of the living to merge with the land of the dead.

Ghosts and a sĮթance--does it get any more fun than this? I have to say that, even in black and white, the men looked very handsome and the women absolutely stunning in their costumes and curly 19th century "do's". Even Willie, in his nice vest, seemed especially festive.

Barnabas, dressed in his own Barnabas clothes, pre-party, tells Willie how much he LOATHED Jeremiah, and how appropriate it is that Burke Devlin, his rival in the present, will be coming as Jeremiah, his rival from the past.To emphasize his words, Barnabas rips Jeremiah's hated photo from what is probably a priceless family album and crumples it viciously.

Everyone troops into the drawing room in their costume finery, exclaiming over how wonderful each family member looks.Vicki is still thrilled about the party, but Carolyn and Liz have last-minute misgivings. Roger promises Carolyn not to start anything with Burke if he meets him halfway. The others leave Vicki alone to await Burke and head for the Old House, where Barnabas begs Josette's portrait to please accept him this time; he's waited so long. Vicki, staring out the window looking for Burke, almost seems to be responding to Barnabas' plea.

Willie comes up to tell Barn everyone is there--except Burke and Vicki. Barnabas, who was playing Josette's music box, slams it closed, not pleased with this news. Remember, Willie reminds Barn, Burke won't let Vicki come to you so easily, but Barn is confident this will happen. He refuses to tell Willie if he's planning to offer the music box to Vicki, then heads downstairs to greet his guests. Willie picks up the music box, gazes at it, then at Josette's portrait, anguish clearly on his face.

Carolyn, Roger and Liz are admiring the work that Barnabas has done so far. He offers them claret cup, then nearly slips and says Liz looks just like his mother, then almost slips again and refers to Roger as his father. Barnabas goes ballistic when he's reminded that Josette and Jeremiah were married, and when Carolyn has the nerve to say they were very much in love, he rudely corrects her misconception and says, "That's not true!" He apologizes for his anger; it's just that he hates hearing false versions of family stories.

Burke and Vicki arrive. Barnabas admires his lovely Josette clone,but when Burke puts out his hand in greeting, he glares and only reluctantly accepts a handshake from him. Barnabas drinks to the past, and everyone raises a glass. The chapel bell rings 11 PM, Liz feels a phantom hand touch her shoulder, the candles flicker and Roger suggests the presence of a ghost--and says, "Let's have a sĮթance!" Barnabas protests, Roger persists, even accusing Barn of being afraid. Liz advises Barnabas to go along, because Roger will not let up. When the six of them are seated at the table, Roger gets things started with the unbroken circle of hands, then calls out to the spirit. At first, nothing happens, and the nervous Barnabas tries again to convince them to abandon this parlor game.They're about to do just that when the candles are all blown out, the door blows open and Vicki starts to moan! A spirit has contacted them!

Love, Robin

275 - (Nancy Barrett, the first episode that doesn't begin with "My name is Victoria Winters," spoken by Alexandra Moltke.) A yellow haze obscures the morning sun, and the meadows and forests and beaches surrounding Collinwood appear black and desolate in the hazy curious half light. It is as if day and night have intermingled, two worlds have become one. Inside the great house, there is a woman who is hovering between two worlds, the waking world and the world of dreams, for though she has been purged of fears and guilts that have haunted her for years, she has come to know an even greater desperation.

A restless, disturbed Liz lies in her bed. She's worried about Carolyn, wondering where she is, and wants her to know the truth about Paul.

Carolyn walks along the seashore, pondering everything that has happened. She returns to the front door of Collinwood and hesitates before going inside. Carolyn goes upstairs to her mother and apologizes for running out the way she did--she realizes her mother did what had to be done in regards to Paul,and she will stand by her no matter what--they can get the best lawyer. . . Liz interrupts, explaining that Jason lied--she never killed Paul, as she believed all these years! Liz, groggy from the medication the doctor gave her, falls asleep, and Carolyn returns to her mother's room later to talk to her. They agree to work on their communications skills, and Carolyn cites her own intolerance of Jason. I don't want revenge, says Liz, I just want Jason out of town.Bitterly, Carolyn replies, "I hope he's gone to the ends of the earth."

Old House, drawing room - Willie catches Jason snooping around the tries to warn him away, desperation filling his voice at Jason's stubbornness. They get into a physical fight, which Jason wins, and he demands to know where the jewels are. They're down in the basement, admits Willie, but strongly advises his former friend not to go down there. "Barnabas, he isn't alive," says Willie, "he can walk at night, but he's dead--if you go down there, he'll kill you--or worse."Jason, however, pooh-poohs Willie's warnings and insists they go down to the basement. Once downstairs, Jason homes in on Barnabas' coffin and demands to know what's inside. Scared, Willie tells him the jewels are in a drawer in a table close by, and he goes to collect some pieces. Jason insists on having more, but Willie says the remainder are walled up. Jason is convinced the rest are in the coffin. Willie makes an effort to stop him, but Jason tells him, "I'm gonna open this coffin, Willie, and you're not gonna stop me.When Jason lifts the lid, however, his expression of glee turns to one of terror as Barnabas' hand reaches out and clutches his throat.

NOTES: Lovely, touching scenes between Nancy Barrett and Joan Bennett highlighted this episode. This is the first time someone other than Alexandra Moltke spoke the intro, and Nancy Barrett did a fine job.

Carolyn finally returns after a night-long walk, and we get a great scene of her in a remote walking along the shore. She's made up her mind, she tells her sedative-confused mother. She knows Liz would never deliberately hurt anyone. They'll get the best lawyer and. . .but Liz explains to Carolyn that she DIDN'T kill Paul, it was all a scheme concocted by Jason and her ex-husband. To know that Carolyn had come to terms with her mother murdering her father shows that the girl who was about to marry Buzz really does have sensitivity and intelligence.

Carolyn wishes her mother had confided in her before about this, and asks Liz to always feel free to talk to her. "It's all over," proclaims Carolyn, although she is miffed that Jason's going free.

Well... Jason nearly breaks Willie's arm at the Old House, and forces him to tell him where the rest of the jewels are. Down in the basement, Jason is exultant--the jewels must be in that coffin! Willie has to be thinking to himself what an irony it is that Jason thinks such a thing, considering it's what drew him to open that very coffin himself. Willie still cares enough about Jason to try frantically to argue him out of opening the coffin, even going so far as to tell Jason that Barnabas is the living dead. Jason doesn't believe such a fantastic story for a moment, and the last time we see Mr. McGuire, he's opening Barnabas' casket--and a hand shoots from the coffin and grabs him around the throat!

R.I.P., Jason. You sure were fun to have around!


276 - (KLS) Collinwood is a legend for those who know it. The great house represents a heritage of fabulous wealth. There have been many men driven by avarice who have wished to plunder its walls. Such a man has attempted to seize a large part of the Collins fortune, but through his own avarice has failed. Now, in another house on the great estate, he has engaged a last desperate plot to satisfy his greed--and, in so doing, he is courting his own destruction.

Basement, Old House - Willie stands stunned by Jason's death. Barnabas chides him angrily for allowing McGuire into the basement, promising him a fate worse than death should it happen again.Barnabas decrees that Jason's body will be buried in the secret room in the mausoleum Willie doesn't want to touch his friend's dead body and expresses sorrow over Jason's death. Barnabas nastily points out his servant's streak of sentimentality. "You wouldn't understand," says Willie. I know what it means to lose a friend, Barnabas assures him--long before I met Josette, I lost a friend when she was very young. They carry the body upstairs. Sarah appears, tossing her ball up and down. She picks up Jason's cap, which had fallen off, and places it on top of Barnabas' coffin.

Windcliff - Dave Woodard tells Julia he's concerned about Maggie's safety and wants to show her the drawing Sam made of the little girl--and he's proceeding with or without Julia's permission! When Nurse Jackson escorts Maggie into the room, she doesn't recognize Dr. Woodard. He shows her the drawing, and she examines it carefully.She remembers Sarah, and even says her name aloud, startling both doctors. Maggie remembers being in a locked room with Sarah, but soon, the memories overwhelm her, and she goes into hysterics. "You've asked her enough!" insists Julia, and has the nurse take Maggie out, ordering sedation. Julia is angry with Dave for impeding the progress she's made with Maggie--again. Woodard believes they have made progress--Maggie knows the little girl, and thus they have established a connection. Dave feels Sarah is the key to everything in this case.

Barnabas and Willie carry Jason's body to the secret room in the mausoleum. Willie does the actual labor of digging and burying the body as Barnabas watches. Willie is really upset as they prepare to leave, but Barnabas gives the eulogy: "Goodbye, McGuire. You might have lived, but your greed destroyed you." They leave the room. Outside, Willie closes the panel. Barnabas laments the fact that they must leave a man of Jason's ilk buried in the tomb with his family. Willie looks over the plaques above the coffins: Joshua, Barnabas' father, who thought it a mercy to chain up his son destroy him, but, says Barnabas bitterly, what my father did was no act of mercy.Next is Naomi Collins, Barnabas' mother, and last, Sarah Collins, Barnabas' beloved sister, who died at the age of nine. Sarah was very dear to me, says Barnabas sadly, and Willie, surprised, comments that Barnabas seems almost human now. Was Sarah the friend you mentioned earlier? Queries Willie. Perhaps, says Barnabas coldly, and they leave. Sarah appears.NOTES: Dennis Patrick was little more than dead weight in this ep, and I wondered if he was actually wrapped up in that tarp Barn and Willie were carrying.

After Barnabas murdered Jason, Willie became, according to the vampire, "appallingly sentimental"--he couldn't bring himself to touch the man who was once his friend. Barnabas, whom Willie almost referred to as "almost human," said he, too, had once lost someone dear to him, a young, sweet innocent friend. Anyway, they decided to "bury him in the Collins tomb, in the secret room," a place Jason was always curious about--and now will lie for all eternity. As they carried Jason upstairs, little Sarah watched them, then took Jason's fallen cap and placed it on her brother's coffin, almost as if saying farewell to him.

Julia and Dave argued about whether or not to show Maggie the picture Sam drew of Sarah, and Dave finally insisted. When Maggie looked at the photo, she didn't recognize the subject at first, but then memories seemed to be seeping into her mind and not only did she identify the child pictured as Sarah, she also grew extremely agitated and hysterical. "Sarah!" she cried. "Escape! Room, the room! Take the key and lock her up, lock her up!" Julia was furious at Dave for dredging up these memories in Maggie, but Dave seems to feel it's necessary that Maggie remember, so she can be safe from the maniac who kidnapped her.

I wonder--is Julia already protecting her unknown vampire?

After Barnabas and Willie bury Jason in the secret room of the tomb, Barnabas performs the eulogy: "Farewell, Jason McGuire. Your greed destroyed you." Then Barnabas gazes at the plaques on the wall, ruminating over defiling his family's tomb with the likes of McGuire--his father, Joshua, who wasn't merciful even though he thought he was; his gentle, quiet mother; his sweet sister, who died with the doll he had mended the day before clasped in her arms. Willie comments that it's strange to think of Barnabas caring for someone, a remark to which the vampire takes offense.

After they leave, Sarah, holding and rocking her doll, sits on her casket as "London Bridge" plays mournfully in the background--a very stirring scene.

Love, Robin

271 - Like a flash of lightning in a sudden summer storm, the truth is about to strike with its fiery force, into the confines of Collinwood, shattering the uneasy calm that precedes it, and sending its thunders to shake the foundations of the ancient house. And only time will tell whether this frightful glare has come to illuminate--or to destroy.

Everyone was absolutely stunned at Liz' revelation.

Jason protests to those assembled that Liz is sick, insane, hysterical. Carolyn, in disbelief, can't believe what her mother had said (although Miss Stoddard herself was ready to commit murder, and Liz saved his miserable life with her confession). Vicki urges Liz to tell the entire story, but Roger wants to call in Frank Garner before his sister utters another word. Paul insists Liz needs a doctor, not a lawyer, she's ill! Liz insists on telling the whole story, particularly to her daughter. Judge Crathorne wisely departs, since he might well be sitting in on this criminal case and asks Liz to let him know if there's anything he can do to help. Carolyn, devastated, confesses that she was going to kill Jason.The latter says he hasn't done anything wrong, and refuses to stick around and listen to what he calls "absurdities." Burke retrieves Carolyn's fallen gun and points it at Jason, forcing him to stick around. Liz reveals to everyone that Vicki knew her secret, pissing off Roger, who believes Vicki had no right to keep it to herself. I swore Vicki to secrecy, says Liz--I'd have denied it.

Liz describes the stormy night in 1949, 18 years ago, when Paul Stoddard was leaving her--and taking a big chunk of Carolyn's inheritance with him, and Jason has prepared papers that falsely showed it all was rightfully Paul's. Stoddard was mocking Liz with his laughter, and said he damn well would take the money and run, and that his pal, Jason McGuire, would fence/liquidate the items he'd stolen from Collinwood's safe. Cruel, dastardly Paul (how could she have loved such a man?) told Liz he WAS going, and that she looked ridiculous brandishing the poker at him,she said he wasn't, and to prove it, she conked him over the head with a fireplace iron, knocking him to the ground unconscious, blood pouring from his head. Liz was so horrified, she just stood there, begging the empty room for help. Jason showed up, checked on Paul (with Liz cowering out in the foyer), and declared him dead--no need for her to go in there, there's nothing for her to see--and no need to call the police, as she asked him to do.He assured her that, for Carolyn's sake (the bastard), he would bury the body in a trunk in the basement, and she would have to stand guard from then on to make sure no one found out (explaining her 18 year self-imprisonment; as the keeper of the key to the crime, she had to stick around and protect it). He poured ink on the bloodstains in the rug to hide them. He presented poor Liz with the key, and she took it into her hand and knew she would forever be a prisoner at Collinwood. Jason reminds her that she must remember that HE helped her, that's the important thing.

This sad scene was truly monstrous for those who already know what we'll learn tomorrow.

NOTES: Wonderful ep, wasn't it, despite there being no Barnabas. Why wasn't he invited to the wedding? He is family, and it was an evening wedding.


272 - A desperate secret long held has finally been revealed at Collinwood, and the truth, cutting back across time, has seared the heart and stunned the mind, opening ancient wounds that seem beyond the cure of time and truth. And before she can be free, one woman is forced to live again the fatal moments that cursed her life and closed her heart around the festering secret.

Jason steadfastly maintains his innocence, insisting no one will find anything in the basement. Liz wants to call in Sheriff Patterson, but Roger is against it. I want to be free even if I have to go to prison, says Liz. Liz phones Patterson--there's been a murder, she says, come over right away. Jason knocks the gun from Burke's hand and rushes out the door. Burke and Roger grabs guns and give chase.

Jason tries to hide in the woods.Roger, searching beside Burke, claims he's going to shoot Jason on sight. Burke, recalling other incidents with Roger and guns, quips, "If you decide to start shooting, just be sure it isn't me." Jason has, however, eluded them.

Drawing room - Carolyn can't bring herself to look at her mother--she has waited all these years for her father to come home, not knowing he was dead; she'd stood by his grave and didn't know it, and he was locked away in that room!Not alone, says Liz forlornly--I can't tell you how many times I went down there, horrified--I knew my tears were useless. That sobbing I heard, recalls Vicki. Yes, that was me, admits Liz--foolish, worthless tears. After waiting so many years for her father to come back, wails Carolyn, there's no longer anything to wait for! When she is able to bring herself to look upon her mother, Carolyn screams and runs from the room.

Patterson, having been told the story, insists that they will have to dig up the body. Burke comes in and tells them the police have Jason cornered in the woods. Liz takes the key from around her neck and gives it to the sheriff.

Basement - Burke and the sheriff, holding flashlight, go down into the locked room, where Patterson turns on the overhead light. Burke assures the sheriff he'll help him dig, commenting, "I was always sure I wanted Liz destroyed in some way--now I know it isn't what I wanted at all."Patterson says he isn't even sure the body is there.

Back in the drawing room, Liz tells Vicki she feels a trembling, as if the house were being shaken to its very foundation.Bring Carolyn to me, begs Liz, but Vicki has already searched everywhere, but can't find her.

Down in the basement, Burke and the sheriff have just about given up when Burke's shovel strikes something solid--the trunk!

NOTES: One always got the impression that Burke wanted to destroy Liz himself, but now he has no interest in it. Funny how quickly a man can change, LOL.

Liz is now ready to face whatever she must, and she waits upstairs, feeling the psychic vibrations of the two men below her, digging up the husband she murdered--or did she? Jason is vehement--it didn't happen that way, but he escaped before he could explain. Now that the cops have him cornered, what will he say? Has he been duping Liz all this time, letting her live in ignorance as a prisoner all these years, keeping that dratted key around her neck?

Carolyn has every right to be upset--her mother allowed her to wait for her father to come home, keeping this huge secret from her for all these years. Will she ever be able to forgive Liz for this deception, for this murder?

What's Paul going to look like after all these years in that trunk?

Love, Robin

267 - There is a cliff near Collinwood that by legend was created for those who have lost all hope, because their existence has become intolerable. It is a place of a dividing line between life and death. There is one who has come to this place, seeking an escape from problems that have become insurmountable.

The scene between Barnabas and Liz in episode two, which begins with us wondering if he's going to push her over or hold her back, was really lovely. First of all, Barnabas looked very handsome. Secondly, their conversation about death and life and refuge from pain and whether death is non-existence or something else, was thought-provoking, revealing a lot about both of them.Peace or torment? Death or life? Barnabas suffers in torment even though he is undead; Liz is suffering very human tortures of guilt, despair and misery. For a man who claims he doesn't get involved, Barn sure did get involved in dealing with Jason and trying to help Cousin Liz. His pointing out that a woman who is soon to be married shouldn't be entertaining such melancholy thoughts. Of course, we know she made up her mind to take the plunge off the hill, but he was so sweet, trying to help her in his own way.

We realize know Liz must be beyond help when she ignores David, who she probably loves second only to Carolyn.

Adorable scene between David and Barn, too. He wants David to tell his little friend not to play at the Old House,but as David points out, he isn't ALLOWED there, so he can't very well help with that, can he? David says the little girl is very uncool, singing "London Bridge" and all, and Barnabas raises an eyebrow over that!

Did Barnabas put the make on Vicki or what? He flattered her so much, she was actually blushing! Calling her wise and mature, complimenting her so blatantly, why didn't he just sink in the fangs and be done with it?It was fun to watch him swarming over her, verbally, that is, and of course, he felt so comfortable with her, he was able to tell her about his concern for Liz--that it appears to him as if she's contemplating suicide. Barnabas is not at all pleased that Vicki is dating Burke, especially after she tells him she'd like to spend more time with Barnabas.

I enjoyed the opening scene with Vicki and Burke at the Blue Whale, too, with him complaining over his lost dime while she reminded him how well it actually worked. Poor Vicki had to be on emotional overload after listening to Mrs. J and Barnabas tell her of their concern for Liz, so she danced, still in her coat, held closely in Burke's strong arms, had a drink, held his hand. confessed she felt like crying, and told him everything.Telling him broke the romantic mood (and they do look nice together), and she felt compelled to return to Collinwood to check on Liz. She loves the Collins family, and she wants to work as David's tutor rather than accept a vice presidency at Burke's company. You got the definite impression that Mr. Devlin would like nothing better than to have Miss Winters working under him. : )

When Vicki does return home, Liz walks right past her and David, ignoring them. David shows Vicki the Collins family bible Aunt Elizabeth was looking at, and points out she was gazing at the page with her own date of birth on it.

Could the matriarch of Collinwood REALLY be thinking of taking a leap to become the fourth widow?


268 - Near the ancient walls of Collinwood, there are cliffs that project upward for hundreds of feet from the turbulent sea below. Some say the cliffs are haunted by three women who have died here--and yet, according to the legend, their spirits remain, lingering, to beckon another to her death. One desperate3 woman has become obsessed by this legend, for she is beginning to believe that she is destined to fulfill it--destined to die on the rocks below the cliff--summoned there by voices beyond the grave.

Liz goes over the family bible, turning to the page containing her name. At the open window, she once again hears the widows calling to her. She looks fearful. When Vicki comes in and asks to take David to Bangor for the day, Liz asks her to put it off. Roger comes in. Liz asks Vicki to take the day off so SHE can be with David. Vicki agrees and leaves. Roger tells Liz he heard from Richard Garner that Liz was checking her will. This puts Liz in an awkward position, and she reminds her brother that David and Carolyn are her legal heirs, and she doesn't plan to add Jason to her will. Roger tries to convince Liz to call off the wedding, without success. Spotting the bible, he reminds her that events are to be marked in there after they occur.He leaves. Liz touches the bible.

David comes into Liz' room, and she tells him she wants to spend time with him today. He says he'll take her to a special place, and she emphasizes that she wants him to know how important he is to her. In a sad voice, she discusses what he'll be like when he grows up.She tries hard to be cheerful, keeping her tears at bay. Get ready for our walk, she suggests. Before he leaves, Liz embraces him, and when he's gone, seems ready to cry.

Drawing room - Liz waits for Carolyn, who defiantly comes in and says she's been out with Buzz. While Carolyn thumbs through a magazine, Liz explains to her that she's her mother's whole life, and she has never stopped loving Carolyn. Carolyn would like to believe her, but knows Jason is the cause of their problems, and can't comprehend why Liz is marrying him.Carolyn notices how strangely her mother is behaving. As Liz turns to leave, she gives a long last look at her daughter. After she goes, Carolyn is depressed.

Liz goes to her room, takes the family bible, opens it to the page with her name and fills in her date of death--today's date.

When Vicki joins Carolyn in the drawing room, Carolyn tells her Liz just went to bed. She's concerned about her mother, who isn't acting like herself--she got the impression that Liz was saying goodbye. Vicki goes to bed; Carolyn turns off the lights.

Vicki knocks at Liz' door. The room is empty, the windows open. Vicki spots the family bible open, Liz' date of death written on it.

On Widows' Hill, Liz gazes down at the roiling sea as the widows call her to join them...

NOTES: Joan Bennett did a wonderful job making me feel sobby as Liz, in touching scenes, bid farewell to her daughter and nephew, although she kind of left out Roger. Did you see how pissed off David was, at first, when he learned he wouldn't be going to Bangor, but his sensitivity to his Aunt Liz' feelings won out, and even when she told him to go to Bangor if he really wanted, he decided to take her for a walk to his secret cove instead. Nice acting on both parts, and that hug they shared put a lump in my throat.

Even Carolyn, as flippant and defiant as ever, sensed her mother's strange mood when Liz was asking her to remember their good times in the past, rather than their bad ones in the present. "Don't doubt my love," she begged, and you could see Carolyn becoming concerned and thinking about someone besides herself for the first time in a long while.

Now, this bugged me--when Carolyn told Vicki about her conversation with Liz, Vicki acted clueless, but she'd had previous discussions with both Barnabas and Mrs. Johnson that blared: MRS. STODDARD IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SUICIDE!!!! Was Vicki just pretending when she told Carolyn not to be worried? Apparently, however, she was concerned enough herself to check Liz' bedroom, find her gone, then (thank God) see the entry of her own death Liz had marked in the bible, then go tearing after her.

Love, Robin

263 - A moment ago, a gull circled the sky over Collinwood, scanning the sea below for food, on which its survival depends. Its eye, briefly caught a flash of silver in the morning sunlight, it swooped to the sea, only to be caught up by a tidal wave and carried to a watery grave. There is a moment before disaster strikes, a quiet moment, but there is terror in silence, and a rush of destruction to follow in its wake. For one girl, this is such a moment, and her heart is numb with fear.

Carolyn reads the newspaper in the drawing room as Vicki comes in-another girl has been attacked last night. No one is safe, insists Carolyn, terrified, adding that she feels she is to be the next victim. Vicki plans to go to see Sam, and Carolyn wants to see Joe.Carolyn is grateful she and Vicki are no longer fighting. When Vicki tells her that she is going to be Liz' witness for her wedding, however, Carolyn is upset-she resents seeing Vicki treated as a member of the family, and storms out angrily.

Sam, on the phone with Dave Woodard, hears that there has been no improvement in Maggie's condition, and they must maintain their deception. Sam hangs up at the sound of a knock; Vicki is at his door, offering help. Sam is distracted, ill at ease, especially after Vicki offers to help get rid of Maggie's things-sad reminders.Sam, desperate to tell her the truth, instead tells Vicki he's keeping everything as is, and thanks her for offering. She leaves the cottage.

On the Collinsport wharf, a seagull perches on a tall pole in the water. Joe sits on the dock nearby, eating his lunch. Carolyn joins him, reminding him they used to meet there.She has a hard time bringing up Maggie, but Joe doesn't wish to discuss her. He mentions Carolyn's upcoming nuptials, but she insists, defiantly, that she will marry Buzz. She tells Joe she's sorry for her cruelty and selfishness toward Joe when they were going out. He doesn't want to talk about that, either. Carolyn wishes she could be as brave as Joe, wishes she could help him, and confesses that she is indeed trying to hurt her mother. They say goodbye, sadly, and she leaves.

Back in Collinwood's drawing room, Carolyn and Vicki compare visits. Carolyn, impressed by Joe's bravery, admits that she wants to hurt others, and that she's confused. She apologizes to Vicki. Spotting the violets Jason gave Liz, Carolyn's mood turns dark again, and she heads out to meet Buzz.

At the Evans cottage, Sam reports to Joe that Maggie made it to Windcliff without incident and has had her first session with Dr. Hoffman. They MUST keep up the charade that Maggie is dead, for her sake. Sam says he very nearly told Vicki the truth earlier, and Joe says he felt like a fraud when he spoke to Carolyn. They can't trust anyone, however, and they know it.Furious, Sam hopes that they will find the maniac who did this to his daughter.

NOTES: Carolyn did show her upsetment at Maggie's death, and her sensitive side came through when she was trying to comfort Joe. I really felt badly for Joe and Sam, both of whom feel they must cover up Maggie's being alive. How jubilant Sam and Joe must be that she is alive, and how much they must want to shout it to the world! All Joe could do was ask that Carolyn refrain from discussing Maggie, but you could see it trembling on Sam's lips to tell Vicki the truth! I felt badly for Vicki, too-her world is sort of coming down around her ears, and she knows the truth about why Liz is marrying Jason. She probably wished she could have screamed it out to Carolyn when they were arguing. She came almost as close to a revelation as Sam did.

Loved the dock set where Carolyn and Joe were speaking. How sad for the two of them to dredge up their unhappy past and discuss their unhappy present. As far as Carolyn knows, Joe lost the woman he was going to marry; she's discussing marrying Buzz, but not with much conviction. Until Joe told her the whole town is talking about it, Carolyn seemed ready to change her mind about marrying Buzz.

I was upset when Carolyn and Vicki fought, and pleased when they made up--except Carolyn herself says she can't help lashing out at other people, and she keeps lashing out at those who love her most. The sight of the violets set her off; learning Vicki was to be her mother's attendant flared her anger. Carolyn should have a stint of her own at Windcliff, IMHO! Poor little rich girl!


264 - A tangled web of deception is being spun at Collinwood. Lips have been sealed, because the truth will imperil others. But there is one who has brought his devious plan to the point of fruition. And he is determined not to allow anything to happen that might prevent him from achieving his goal.

Jason pours himself a drink in the drawing room. Roger comes out and informs him, as only he can, that he intends to stop the marriage. Jason intends to take over the estate, but Roger assures him that papers are being drawn up to prevent such a catastrophe. Roger, furious, leaves. Jason laughs, sits down and relaxes, secure in his future.

Old House drawing room - Willie tells Barnabas he's removed all traces of Maggie's existence there. Both are surprised at her death, and Willie defiantly expresses his feelings of guilt in his role in what happened to her.Don't forget how vulnerable YOU are, Barnabas tells him. He thinks he spots a child outside and sends Willie to check. "I'll try not to think who your next victim may be," says Willie, his parting shot before leaving the house.

Roger comes to the Old House to speak to Barnabas, who serves him Amontillado. He notices how upset Roger seems, and they drink to better times. Distressed over the marriage of Liz to Jason, Roger enlists Barnabas' help, playing the "family tradition" card. Roger explains that he believes Jason has some hold over Liz,and is concerned because he is sure Jason's after the family money. Barnabas' concern is for the family property (suppose Jason kicks him out of the Old House?), and he offers to speak to Jason right away.

Outside, Willie runs into Sarah, who's looking for someone to play with. You should be home, says Willie, but she tells him she's looking for her family.She mentions that she's met David, and Willie warns her not to play around here-it's not safe. He asks where she lives; she points to the Old House. He asks her to follow him out of the woods, but when he turns away for a second, she disappears. He calls to her and looks around for her.

Roger and Barnabas return to Collinwood; Roger heads upstairs and Barnabas goes into the drawing room, where Jason has made himself quite at home. They spar for a few moments, back and forth, and Barnabas expresses hope that the estate doesn't fall into the hands of an "unscrupulous person."If you have specific accusations to make, call the sheriff, advises Jason. Jason, however, has begun to wonder, too, and about Barnabas-why would he hire a man like Willie? Where does Barnabas get HIS money, and by the way, where do you go in the daytime, Mr. Collins?

Back in the Old House drawing room, Willie takes out a candle and candlestick. Barnabas comes in and tells him that Jason is asking too many questions. He's bluffing, Willie assures him, but Barnabas insists that Jason "may have to be taken care of." When Willie describes to him seeing the little girl outside and how she suddenly disappeared, and that she pointed to this house when he asked her where she lived, Barnabas is visibly disturbed.

NOTES: Roger and Jason, verbally at each other's throats! Such a pleasure to watch these two fine actors. Jason looked every inch the lord of the manor in his silky robe, and you could tell his ease as a member of the family really rubbed Roger the wrong way. Roger says he's getting papers drawn up to ensure Collinwood stays with the Collinses (McGuirewood?) Who will win this bout, folks?

Sad Willie worked on Barnabas' guilt button a bit. It struck me odd when Willie indicated that he hates himself for what happened to Maggie, and Barnabas wanted to know if Willie hates HIM, too. "You know how I feel," says Willie quietly, and Barn warns him not to go there. You sense both of them feel guilty, but Barnabas would never admit it, because it would show weakness to his servant, something he doesn't want to do.

Roger appeals to Barnabas to help out with the Jason situation, and although Barnabas maintains it's none of his business, he doesn't waste any time jumping right in to help, does he? Sarah won't appear to everyone, but she does appear to Willie. Why, one wonders? She seems so sad and lost, perpetually searching for her "lost" parents and new friends. Willie was a riot as she kept insisting she lives at the Old House, but when he tried to lead her to her real home, she disappeared, as she always does. Did you see Barnabas' face when Willie told him about the mysterious little girl who insisted the OH was her home? I bet he knew exactly who she was!

The squaring off between Jason and Barnabas in Collinwood's drawing room is one of my very favorite scenes. I've posted the dialogue on the Sci Fi board in the past. Jason, in a sense pursued by Barnabas, wanting to know his true intentions, neatly turns the tables: What does Barn want with an unsavory man like Willie? What does he DO, anyway? Where does he go in the daytime, every single day? Which of them is the more righteous dude? You sense that Jason bested Barnabas here, but little does the blackguard Mr. McGuire know of his opponent. If Jason is a shade of gray in terms of being evil, let's face it, comparing their crimes, Barnabas is blacker than black!

Love, Robin

Episode #259 - Collinwood for 18 years has held one woman captive. But the true prisoner has been the lonely secret locked within her heart. Terror is the reason that must be paid, and freedom is more terrifying than captivity. But the stones of Collinwood are not impregnable to the thrusts of love--and the time will come when even the embattled heart must yield its long held secret to freedom and to light.

Upon learning from Vicki that Roger isn't in, a highly upset Liz tells Vicki the sheriff reported that Carolyn got arrested for DWI--and nearly killed a woman! Vicki is horrified. The woman Carolyn struck dragged her out of the wrecked car before it exploded in flames. Carolyn, unhurt, was actually rude to the woman who saved her life. Liz, frantic, explains to Vicki that she sheriff will only release Carolyn to a member of the family. When Vicki suggests Liz go herself, the older woman reminds her that she hasn't left Collinwood in 18 years. Prove you love your daughter, urges Vicki--that locked basement room holds no memories, so there is no reason for Liz to remain in the house. Liz keeps repeating that she can't do it, and Vicki gives up trying. Liz starts to leave word for Roger to call when he comes in, then drops the phone back in the cradle. Vicki assures Liz that she will drive her to the sheriff's office to pick up Carolyn, but Liz is still unsure. Vicki fetches Liz' coat and opens the front door. Slowly, Liz walks from the drawing room to the front door and Vicki drops her coat over her shoulders. For the first time in 18 years, Liz leaves the estate, Vicki at her side.

Carolyn slams down a coffee cup and defiantly paces the sheriff's office. Patterson works at his desk. Carolyn's wrist and arm are bandaged (the actress actually was injured, and they worked this into the script). Lock me up! She orders Patterson, who totally disapproves of the bitchy Carolyn,and informs her that her mother was "plenty worried" when he spoke to her on the phone. I'll rest in an empty cell, insists Carolyn, and leaves with Patterson. Liz hesitantly enters Patterson's office. He's astonished to see her, and immediately leaves to bring Carolyn in. Liz waits nervously, staring out the grillwork windows in the sheriff's office.Carolyn enters and is shocked to see her mother. Liz tells her how worried she's been, but Carolyn's response is to ask her why SHE came to get her. I care for you, says Liz. You've forgotten all about my father! accuses Carolyn, and now you can leave Collinwood any time you want to--neither my father nor I mean anything to you! Liz pleads with her daughter--I love you! she protests. All Carolyn wants is to be left alone. I want to go back to my cell! She yells to Patterson, who comes out and orders her to go home with her mother. My mother only pretended to be worried about me, insists Carolyn, but finally, mother and daughter leave together.

Back at Collinwood, Jason tells Liz she can't help Carolyn until the girl calms down. Liz feels compelled to scream out the truth,but Jason advises her to give up on Carolyn--let her go. (I hate this man!) No matter how much they hurt each other, I cannot stop loving Carolyn, Liz says.

Overhearing Liz crying in her room, Vicki knocks at her door and insists on being let in. Carolyn is still trying to punish you, Vicki explains--and Liz is also punishing herself, adds Vicki wisely. Carolyn has been trying to stop me from marrying Jason, agrees Liz. Suddenly realizing that Jason does have a hold over Liz, Vicki gently suggests that it can't possibly be as bad as giving in to Jason's demands. "It's worse," confesses Liz,"I killed Paul Stoddard, Carolyn's father."

NOTES: The prevailing keyword was heartbreak. Learning that Carolyn stupidly got herself arrested for DWI was horrifying to Liz, and although she surely would have sent Roger to clean this up if he were available, he wasn't, so she was forced to take care of it herself. Leaving Collinwood for the first time of her own volition had to be the toughest thing she's ever done. Sheriff Patterson was stunned to see her, as was Carolyn at first. I wanted to slap Carolyn for the horrific way she treated her mother, twisting Liz' altruism and love into something untrue and ugly. Vicki was so sure Carolyn would read Liz showing up at the jail as a showing that she cared for her, but Carolyn, instead, decided hell, no, Liz only stayed at Collinwood all those years because she was waiting for Paul Stoddard to come home, and now she's remarrying, so her reason for staying is no longer viable! Frankly, I wish Sheriff Patterson had given Carolyn a sound spanking. She was acting like such a spoiled brat!

Jason, of course, had to make sure that Liz was still willing to marry him, and suggested that she cut her daughter loose and stop loving her. Liz craftily pointed out that if she did as Jason suggested, she would have no reason to marry him--she's only giving in to his blackmail to protect her beloved daughter, whether the bitch deserves it or not (my words, folks). Jason is kind of caught between a rock and a hard place--he wants Liz to marry him, but Carolyn has tossed a huge monkey wrench into his plans by making his fiancee miserable--and Liz loves her daughter and hates Jason, so he knows if forced to choose, Liz will not pick him.

Driven to the breaking point, Liz finally sobs out to her trusted confidant, Vicki, that she killed Paul Stoddard--her husband, Carolyn's father. SHE is the murderer! They didn't show Vicki's reaction, just poor Liz all crumpled up against her bedpost. You felt glad that Liz finally told someone the truth, or at least I know I did. Now what is going to happen? Will telling Vicki gives Liz the courage to tell Carolyn, too, freeing her of Jason McGuire forever?


Episode #260 - A brilliant afternoon sun brightens the walls of Collinwood, and all is silent except for the cries of the gulls that circle overhead, and the buzz of the bees in the meadow. But not far from the great house, there is one who cannot know the sunlight, only the darkness of the prison cell in which she is to die. There is one who would save her, but he is haunted by fear, fear that her salvation would mean his own death.

Old House basement cell - Maggie lies on the cot, holding Sarah's doll in her arms. Upstairs in the drawing room, Willie gazes out the front window, terrified--he knows Maggie only has a short time to live. He gazes at Barnabas' portrait, thinking to himself that HE should die, but he imagines what might happen if he attempted to kill Barnabas and fail, and his terror gets the best of him. He cries in frustration.

When Willie enters her cell bearing food, Maggie has no interest, and only remarks that she found the doll. Willie urges her to at least drink the milk, but as she brings it to her lips, he takes it away from her, telling her it's poisoned. You're going to die soon, says Willie sadly, and I wanted to spare you a horrible death. Maggie again begs him to help her escape, but he tells her he can't do that. He leaves.She is in despair.

Sarah appears in Maggie's cell, playing "London Bridge" on a flute. Don't cry, says Sarah--I'll let you keep my doll. Realizing Sarah is real, Maggie begs her to go to Sam Evans, her father, and tell him she's here. Sarah assures Maggie she doesn't want her to die. Tell me how to get out of this cell, pleads Maggie, and Sarah tells her a riddle that will show her how-one, two, away they flew, three four, near the door, five, six, count the bricks, seven, eight, the clue is great (grate), nine, ten, home again. This makes no sense to Maggie, but Sarah refuses to repeat it and disappears. Maggie calls to her, but receives no response.

Sarah goes to Sam's cottage and asks him to paint her picture. He offers to draw a sketch instead. The little girl sits on a stool; Sam begins to sketch her. My name is Sarah, she tells him, and I went away for a long time. Sam remarks about her unusual dress, and speaks of his daughter, Maggie, who is gone--he misses her.Sarah strongly hints that Sam should look on the beach below Widows' Hill--tonight. He turns to finish the picture, and when he looks up again, she's gone. He is perplexed.

Sunset, Old House basement - Barnabas lies in his open coffin. In her basement cell, Maggie seeks to remember and solve Sarah's riddle. Remembering, "The clue is great," she goes to the door and feels around it, but it still makes no sense. Barnabas opens his eyes. Cell: Maggie looks around and notices a grate above the wall of the cell. She touches the bricks beneath it, trying to figure out if there is something behind the bricks. Barnabas rises and surveys the room. Cell: Maggie traces her fingers along the wall. Barnabas walks along a passage. Cell: Maggie hears footsteps in the distance and presses on the wall. Corridor: Barnabas descends steps, then goes through another passage. Cell: Maggie presses on the wall and finds a loose brick, but can't move it. A door slams. Barnabas turns a corner, walking slowly, purposefully along. Cell: Maggie pushes and the wall swings back; she crawls through the opening she sees. Barnabas appears outside the cell door, unlocks it and enters. Spotting the open wall, he calls to Maggie. Maggie walks along a dark labyrinth, hears Barnabas' voice and hurries around a corner, clutching Sarah's doll. Barnabas enters the opening in the wall. Maggie and Barnabas continue to move through the passageways under the Old House.Maggie approaches two doors and has the option of opening either. Barnabas, in close pursuit, calls in a threatening voice, "Maggie Evans, I can hear you! I know you are very close! You won't escape! You can NEVER escape!"

NOTES: The suspense in that last sequence is outrageous, pulse-pounding, and I already know what's to happen! Incredibly done, both in writing and directing.

In his own sweet, odd way, Willie tried to save Maggie from worse death by poisoning her milk. It's a strange way to say "I love you," but that's what he was saying. It was the only thing he could do, since he couldn't bring himself to kill Barnabas. Bravo, Willie, you lovely guy.

Sarah single-handedly engineered Maggie's rescue by first telling Maggie the riddle that would allow her to be freed, and then by going to Sam and telling him he should try checking the beach again. She appeared and disappeared into the two Evans' lives just long enough to bring them back together. I still can remember and recite that riddle, all these years later!

Love, Robin