This is a backstory episode. We get a good deal of past history from Malloy and Maggie.

Maggie & Malloy: Bill confronts Maggie about Sam's secrets and at first I thought Maggie was pretending not be be as concerned as we know she is but then she starts talking about it as if it's just conversation or at least not with the desperation she usually does. I guess that's because she not speaking directly to her father? Bad directing or bad writing or maybe I'm just nitpicking. Neither Bill nor Maggie nor we learn much here. Good conversation between them though.

Maggie and Vicki: Cute minute of girl talk before it all turns grim. Maggie gets nothing out of Vicki. Vicki gets a soda out of her. Maggie remembers the good old days and when they changed. I think Sam selling paintings around the time of the accident that sent Burke to prison has been mentioned before. Just not sure if it was put so obviously.

Malloy and Joe: Malloy gets somewhat philosophical about his past comparing it to Joe's current issues with Carolyn. I think we are meant to assume that Bill is carrying a torch for Liz.

Malloy and Sam: At The Blue Whale Sam pretty much reconfirms what he blabbed last night. Bill just needs to learn the particulars of what Sam did/knows. Do we even know? I don't remember hearing it yet.

Vicki and Joe: Poor Joe. Need I say more? At this point I think he is a fool for holding on to that dream.

More nitpicking: Did Vicki take that long walk all the way into town for gossip and a soda? It appears that way, but I guess she could have done what she came to town to do before returning to Collinwood. Hopefully she was smart enough to take a cab back.
Things are coming a bit more into focus for those taking notes regarding the Bill, Burke, Roger and Laura quadrangle.
Anyone think there should be doubt about Malloy's lost love being Liz? I don't remember if it's confirmed. I can see the scene in my mind but it may be DSFMS. I also have to wonder if the character would be thinking she should have married Bill instead of Paul and that is why she is pushing Carolyn toward Joe? You know - saving her daughter from making the same mistake she did.
Does anyone think Liz, should have a phone in her room? Ever notice that everyone comes from the kitchen to answer the phone in the foyer when there is a phone in the kitchen? Maybe there is much more than a kitchen past that foyer door under the landing.
I noticed a paneled wall on the other side of the the diner door as Vicki exit's (and Sam enters). I could swear that that door always showed the outdoors behind it. Come to think of it, wasn't there a window to the left of the door? It's not there anymore!
Alternate version of the closing theme I believe.

unscrewed the tops on all the salt and pepper shakers!!"

R.I.P.

Roger's stitches look much more authentic now. And I'm back to totally disliking Bill Malloy.

Nice sketch of Burke.

Poor Carolyn, foiled at every turn. Did you notice Suzy listening in? The Carolyn and Burke thing is getting back to being tiresome. No surprise, Carolyn driving a convertible though I might have expected something a bit more sporty - well, maybe for her 18th birthday. Burke really got Roger's goat. I think it's Roger who should move to California.

Sam talked way too much. They should have hired Robert H. Harris to replace Mark Allen.

Thanks! I love the pre-Barns.

There's no denying Thayer's acting ability. What a presence, what a force. Vicki and Matthew in the basement - what a great scene thanks to Thayer. I loved everything about it dialogue wise. And any basement scene is always so atmospheric. I love that set and pretty much any scene shot therein.

Burke & Carolyn - What is there to say? At least Carolyn is approaching her conquest a bit more maturely (but still naively), making it less awkward to watch. Whatever the case, Carolyn seems very sure of herself. Good dialogue and acting. I guess now that Burke isn't an attempted murderer Carolyn feels he is fair game. I don't know if she should be considering Vicki. I think Vicki played down the romantic angle when she talked to Carolyn about her dinner with Burke but I thought that Burke made it obvious that he was interested in Vicki when Carolyn questioned him about it. All is fair in love and war.

Liz & Matthew & Vicki - Matthew comes off looking much better than Liz. Good gravy, Thayer elevates every scene he's in. Liz's explanation to Vicki makes the most sense if you don't believe in spooks. I'm thinking of all the folks who've had and or led horrible existences in Collinwood. So many could be the ghost behind the crying. I did think that Liz's concern over what Roger might have said about the crying was odd. As if it were another secret she did not want discovered. I wonder if Vicki is going to let it go after giving up the chance Liz gave her to go into the store room? And I thought it odd that Liz would seem so overly relieved that Vicki turned her down. Perhaps Liz locked the door without ever having gone in. So even she wouldn't know what condition to expect the room to be in.

Burke & Matthew - Not sure of the purpose of this scene. To establish Matthew as a killer? Thayer's Matthew certainly seems more so than George's.

Not a bad episode by any means. It certainly gives a first time viewer a lot to think about. With so many mentions of ghosts lately, I have a feeling the Old House debut must be right around the corner. With the dawn of a new day I am happy to have Liz's old 'do back! Hating Vicki's clothes lately.

Nice writeup, AD.

Liz is asking an awful lot of Vicki, in fact, she's asking a lot of everyone. She certainly has a lot of faith in fate. I'm glad she confronted David with the truth about his almost killing his father and his threats to Vicki.

Roger is a trip but because this is a soap I can totally relate to (and enjoy) his sarcasm. But in real life it would be totally unacceptable the way he talks to (and about) his son. Louie went all out in his scene with Bennett ranting and raving. I guess Roger has a lot to be upset about especially after talking to Sam. Surely he must feel the noose tightening. In any other soap (especially today) someone would have overheard Roger and Sam in the diner - really stupid move on Roger's part.

David Ford is still reading Mark Allen's lines and the delivery sounds preposterous coming out of his mouth. I can't remember if we know what Sam's sin against Burke is.