A common live wide shot of Collinwood and an excellent opening voiceover start this riveting episode.

David creeps out of the east (?) wing with Vicki's letter in hand. He takes six steps before encountering Vicki exiting his room. She pityingly admonishes him. He thinks it's in regard to his stealing her letter (again). Vicki asks him how he could try and hurt his father, David feigns confusion and focuses on the letter until she opens her hand to reveal the bleeder valve. He uses every childish verbal trick in the book to deny any guilt. Vicki intends to show it to his aunt. With fierce and desperate determination he grabs her hand trying to get the valve from her. Struggling to get away from him she runs to her room but David forces his way in. Vicki finally manages to get the valve safely locked away in a drawer. David demands she give it back. She talks him down long enough to get him locked out of her room. David futilely pounds on the door, "Let me in! Let me in!!"

Roger visits Sheriff Carter. He demands to know why Burke hasn't been arrested. Carter puts him on hold while he orders lunch. Carter explains that he doesn't have sufficient evidence to charge and hold Burke.

Back at Collinwood. Vicki, from behind her locked door, reminds David that his father will be home soon. David contemplates his next move.

Carter unpacks his lunch to find mustard on his ham sandwich. This doesn't bode well for Roger - Carter doesn't like mustard on ham. A sarcastic Roger is told to calm down by a mustard maddened Carter. In an effort to sway him into action, Roger threatens the sheriff with his job throwing the weight of the Collins name in his face, hinting that without their backing he may not win re-election. The sheriff isn't impressed and throws all of Roger's threats back in face telling him that he won't manufacture evidence against Burke to suit him. He will follow the law to the letter from barking dogs to murder (my words, not his). Roger asks if Burke's suite has been searched yet. Carter dismisses him claiming that anyone would be a fool or a psychotic to keep the bleeder valve in their possession.

We see David at Vicki's door. He tries the doorknob one more time before exiting the hallway. Vicki opens her door, looks for David, then walks to David's door.

Liz enters the foyer from outdoors. The clock strikes three as Liz removes her shawl. At the sound of heavy and hurried footsteps, she looks up toward the landing to find David bolting from the the hallway and down the steps. Liz grabs him preventing his escape. He pleads to be let go of. Liz insists he tell her what is going on. He proceeds to set up a defense against what he knows is coming - Vicki spilling the beans about finding the bleeder valve in his room. He really pours it on. He claims she hit him, dragged him to her room, and predicts she will blame him for his father's accident. Liz does her best to read between David's lines. Vicki enters the drawing room. Liz states that David has informed her about some trouble between them. Vicki asks if he's stated the cause. Liz says it involves the letter. Vicki asks to speak to her alone. Liz: "David says you tried to hit him. Is that true?" Vicki: "I'd rather discuss that with you in private." On his way out, David  tells Vicki that his aunt won't believe her. He again invokes the letter as the reason Vicki has it out for him. Liz says, "We'll see." She closes the drawing room doors for privacy, strikes a (deliciously) dramatic pose and shoots Vicki a glowering look (worthy of a gif).

Roger paces for time as the sheriff enters with a search warrant in hand. Roger asks how soon the search will start. Carter promises to start as soon as he's done with his stale sandwich and suggests Roger go back to his office and wait to hear back from him if he's needed. Roger states that he hopes the search will be extremely thorough. Carter replies, "Just as if tomorrow was election day." Roger smirks then lingers while the sheriff makes a call to the hotel regarding Burke and takes a call about a stolen dog. Roger wants in on the search of Devlin's room. Cater turns him down on legal grounds. Roger leaves with an insulting parting shot. Fed up, Carter makes a call regarding his NY investigation on Burke. Unhappy with it's progress, he snaps at his coworker, demanding results, then apologizes stating he is under pressure and having a lousy day. He grumbles about the mustard, dumping his sandwich in disgust and heads out the door, search warrant in hand.

In the foyer, David listens in as Vicki explains the details of their confrontation to Liz. She tells of finding her letter missing and going to David's room to search for it. Before she can get to the bleeder valve, Liz interrupts asking if she tried to hurt David. Vicki says that it was David who tried to hurt her. Liz can't believe it. Vicki speaks of David's recent obsession about his father sending him away. Liz asks for the bottom line and Vicki gives it to her in all it's ugliness. She mentions the accident and Liz says with suspicion that he told her she'd try and blame it on him. Liz defends David by exclaiming that both she and Roger know that Burke caused the accident. The phone rings. It's Roger. David picks up the receiver in the foyer to listen in. Roger whines about Carter, Liz defends Carter's integrity and ends the call. Liz tells Vicki that Carter is going to search Burke's suite. If he finds the valve, their discussion should be over. Vicki says he won't find because she has it. She found it in David's dresser drawer. Liz is stunned with disbelief. Vicki sympathizes with her but explains that she found it while looking for her letter. Liz asks why he would have it and Vicki slays her with her reply, "Why did you think Burke Devlin had it?" Vicki reminds her of how easy it would be to remove the valve, "I remember Mr. Collins saying even a child could do it." Liz is wrecked, "Stop it, Miss Winters!" Liz can't handle the truth. Vicki offers to show her the valve. Liz continues to doubt the obvious. Vicki unlocks her drawer and finds the valve missing. Liz doubts Vicki more now than ever.

Has there ever been as awful a young child in daytime soaps before or since David Collins?! Too bad Liz stopped him from jumping out the window a few episodes back.
I got a kick out of Roger and Carter's smart remarks to each other.
I was disappointed with Liz. But I guess it couldn't have gone any other way considering her fondness for David and the fact that Vicki really hasn't been in house long enough to be fully trusted.
Is it the east wing or the west wing at the end of the hallway?

Opening shot  - Collinwood and a live shot of the Collins Port Inn. Another three piece voiceover. It works.

Carolyn enters the diner, sets gift-boxed packages down on a table, then walks to the lobby to call Joe to confirm their lunch date. Dark Shadows must have gotten a raise. Curtis fills the diner with a lunch crowd of three. Constable Carter drops in to ask Maggie if she's seen Burke. She pries and gets nowhere. Carter goes to the hotel lobby hoping Burke will show up. Carolyn returns and orders two medium burgers (last time Carolyn's was rare) and two coffees. Maggie jokingly asks if she's eating for two. Then seriously asks if she's meeting Burke. Carolyn gets slightly defensive. Maggie mentions that Carter is looking for Burke. She starts prying again but momentarily gets nowhere. She follows her back to her table to ask more questions. Carolyn wants to know why Maggie is so interested in Burke and Maggie mentions her father. Carolyn doesn't get the connection. Maggie changes course and mentions that Burke will be sitting for a portrait. Carolyn seizes onto that bit of info with curiosity and concern. Maggie decides to go for it and ask Carolyn if her father's name has ever come up in the row between Roger and Burke. A confused Carolyn asks why it would be. Before the conversation can continue, Joe enters cheerfully greeting both girls. He asks where his lunch is and Maggie takes responsibility for it not being ready - she blames her gabbing. He hurries Maggie off to get their lunch order in. Now seated, Joe asks Carolyn what all the important talk was about? "Burke Devlin and the constable", says she, and Joe looks none to pleased to hear it.

Burke walks into the lobby and is immediately called to by Carter. Burke greets him cordially. He asks to speak with Burke and Burke invites him to lunch in the diner. Carter declines. Burke again invites him to sit while he eats but Carter asks to speak to him in his room. Burke agrees but will first check his mail and then order lunch to bring to his room. It obvious that Burke knows what's coming.


Maggie serves lunch. Joe asks Carolyn when her uncle decided to call the police? "This morning." She takes a bit of her burger trying to change the subject but he continues, asking if she thinks Burke was responsible for the accident. Carolyn asks if they can not talk about it stating that she's sick and tired of the whole thing. "Including Devlin?", he asks. "Especially Devlin.", she replies. Happy to hear it, Joe shares his excitement with Carolyn about the prospect of buying a boat sooner rather than later. He hopes to go in as partners with a workmate on a boat he checked out earlier in the day. Carolyn cautions him about going into business with another but Joe emphatically trusts his friend. He slyly uses the opportunity to bring up marriage. But once again Carolyn shut's him down. Joe takes it a little bit better than usual.

Burke comes in to order lunch. Maggie tells him the constable is looking for him. She pries (again) but Burke quickly shuts her down. After ordering he greets "the kids" but gets the cold shoulder from the them both, especially Joe. Burke asks how long they'll be there. Carolyn says they'll be leaving an a half hour. It's obvious that Burke is formulating a plan. A disgusted Joe tells Carolyn that he sees himself punching Burke in the mouth one day.

Carter talks to Burke in his room. A confident Burke denies any wrongdoing. He calls Carolyn up to his room via Maggie who assures Joe it's a clean deal as Constable Carter will be chaperoning. Joe is not amused. Once there Carolyn clears Burke of any premeditation. Carter has no choice but to drop the questioning for now. He leaves, telling Burke not to leave town for any extended periods. Now alone, Carolyn confronts Burke about his using her against her family. As per usual, Burke denies any and all accusations of wrongdoing. Carolyn leaves asking Burke if he tried to kill Roger, he again says no.

The phone rings. Burke answers. Bronson is in Bangor much to Burke's surprise. Burke has him sit tight and promises to be there in an hour and a half.

Well, things are moving along. Burke's plan to become king of Collinsport is picking up steam. He doesn't seemed too concerned about the attempted murder charge Roger & Liz are trying to pin on him. I guess not being guilty has a lot to do with that.
I'm dying to know what the hat in the hatbox (that Carolyn brought in he diner) looks like! I don't recall Liz  ever wearing a hat. Liz doesn't go anywhere and Carolyn, well, how can you Frug and keep a hat on your head?!
Anyone notice the table-hopping guy in the diner? It was pretty cool and almost shocking seeing a lunch crowd. Maybe Maggie will be able to afford buying the diner after all. I mean she wasn't getting there on Mrs. Johnson's thin dimes, that for sure!
Maggie had absolutely no luck trying to get info out of anybody! I'd accuse her of being a snoop but she had Sam's interests at heart so I am going to give her a pass.
Good old hard working Joe (in his cute fisherman outfit) must really love Carolyn as he earnestly keeps coming back for more. I'll be glad when that's over.
Just when Joe thought all of his troubles might be behind him, who shows up but Burke. I was amused with Joe's blunt comments to Burke. I didn't guess what Burke had in mind for Carolyn upstairs but that was a pretty clever move on his part. It got rid of Carter for the time being anyway.
This was a good episode. I liked the pace and the cute chit chat, and all the serious stuff. 

date your ex cellmate

if her luxuriant Italian ponytail was a fall?!!

James Bond flair!!"

An atypical shot of Collinwood awash in sun opens this episode, with a quick fade to the Evans cottage.

A knock on the cottage door reveals Burke Devlin. He's here to see Sam but gets a coffee-swigging Maggie instead. Maggie wastes no time pumping Burke for information. They teeter from drama to small talk throughout their conversation mostly regarding Maggie's over-obvious concern for her father. The mention of attempted murder regarding Roger's accident totally unnerves Maggie causing her to drop her (real) coffee cup. Eventually their conversation becomes a bit more relaxed. Burke's fond memories and sincerity toward Sam put Maggie (and us) at ease, at least for the moment.
 
Sam shows up and is none too pleased to see Burke sitting there. An off-the-cuff remark from Burke sends Sam into one of his typical overreactive (and annoying) rants (directed at Maggie) that practically reveals everything he's trying to conceal. Kind of reminds me of David's grilling tactics. Burke settles the dust by explaining the reason for his visit - to commission Sam to paint his portrait - a portrait he plans to place over the drawing room fireplace at Collinwood.

Earlier that morning, Sam ran into Roger at the diner. He invited himself to Roger's table much to Roger's overt displeasure. They discussed Roger's accident, the confrontation, and the fallout yet to come. Roger revealed he had hoped to drive Burke out of town with the threat of charges, prosecution and a return trip to prison. He told Sam that he never got the chance as Burke wouldn't cop to the crime. He explained that he then had no choice but to involve the authorities. Sam, upset, questioned Roger's judgement. Roger asked Sam if he had secretly hoped that Burke had a second chance at killing him. After all, he and Sam are the only two people who really know the true circumstances surrounding the accident that sent Burke to prison ten years ago. With one of them dead, the other would have nothing to worry about.

The drawing room phone rings and Carolyn picks up to find Joe (not the press?) on the other end. Her cheeriness lightens up this drama-laden episode. Properly raised Joe inquires first about her uncle's well-being, then tempts her with meeting in town for lunch. I guess last night's drama's been forgotten. Enter Roger. Kitten purrs until the phone rings again and the subject turns to Burke and the police. Kitten is nay, uncle is yea. If he were capable, I'd expect Roger to get a complex. Only Liz seems to be backing him up unconditionally. Roger and Carolyn have it out, both scoring major points, but with Roger "winning" in the end. I'd call it a truce. Neither have changed the other's mind. He convinces her to keep her lunch date with Joe. A smart move on his part. She would definitely f**k things up by interrupting Roger, Vicki and Constable Carter.

At the Evans cottage, Burke sits as Sam sketches. A cheerful Maggie is off to work. Burke offers her a ride. Burke says he'll call when he wants to get started. Sam asks how they'll find the time with Burke leaving Collinsport in a few days as planned. Burke confides that he's changed his plans, leaving Sam with furrowed brow.

Roger was rather cruel (or was it condescending) when he dismissed Carolyn's concerns by telling her to worry about dating boyfriends, not his (adult) problems. I did get a chuckle out of it though. I also enjoyed Roger talking to Sam about how one or the other being dead would be a relief to the other. Loved Edmonds' delivery. Anyone take that as a veiled threat? I didn't. I wonder if Sam did? I particularly enjoyed Louis' work in this episode.
I have to keep reminding myself that Roger has every reason to believe that Burke truly tried to kill him. It's weird knowing Burke is not guilty. I keep thinking about how I'd feel if I didn't know Burke wasn't guilty. I guess that happens in movies, not soap operas.

Will this night never end?

Roger drives Vicki into town at midnight with the top down and neither's hair is worse for the wear. Roger has Vicki wait in the diner while he heads upstairs to confront Burke (past the night clerk, who'll sell info to anyone for five bucks, and believe it that Roger KNOWS this to be true). Vicki, uneasy, tries to persuade Roger to go to the police. She's also smart enough to know that Burke may not be guilty. Her pleas fall on deaf ears. Roger must do things his own way, because, well, you know, Roger is Roger.

Restless Sam shows up at the diner and engages Vicki in small talk in hopes of learning why she and Roger have come to town (so late at night?). I don't believe Vicki is happy to see Sam and who can blame her after their first (and last) encounter on Widows Hill? She shuts him down (Vicki still has plenty of NY in her veins) but he soon concludes that Roger has come to confront Burke. Why he needed to talk to Vicki to figure this out is beyond me, but as Roger is Roger, Sam is Sam.

Roger gains entry to Burke's suite talking and acting like the cat that swallowed the canary. RobinV found it annoying but I found it amusing. I admit it was slightly corny but I enjoyed the scene and Roger's sarcastic dialogue. And Mitch Ryan's Burke is excellent here. I thought he was very convincing. Burke finally asks Roger to get to the point, and he stands, accused of attempted murder. Of course Roger drags Vicki into it to try and get Burke to admit it but we know Burke can't do that. And Vicki pretty much backs up Burke that Roger's evidence is circumstantial. Burke warns Vicki, once again as he did the first night they met, to leave town. It looks like things are about to get ugly around Collinsport. He has heart enough though to warn an innocent.

Five'll get you ten that the night clerk is on the phone with somebody right now. Vicki no doubt will soon be know around Collinsport as, "That tramp from NY". Poor Vicky.

Sam returns home. The phone rings. It's Mr. Wells. He's inquiring about Maggie's well-being since she left the diner early with a headache. Sam blows a fuse because it is too late for phone calls to people in ill health. Maggie lets slip that Wells is calling to report on Sam. Could Mr. Wells be the five dollar night clerk? I can't believe that. Not no way, not know how! After fussing with each other over it, all is forgiven as Sam heads off to bed with a kiss and a loving smile for his caring daughter.

Roger and Vicki, arrive safely back to Collinwood. Vicki tries to talk sense into him once more but he'll have none of it. He tells her not to even think of heeding Burke's warning to leave Collinsport. I wonder if Roger stopped by the police to report this crime? Or if he intends to take care of things his own way?

I wonder if Liz even knows that Vicki is gone as well with Roger. I bet if Mrs. Johnson were around she'd know. Come to think of it. I bet Mrs. Johnson was the first person the five dollar clerk called!
And don't you think that if it's cold enough to wear a trench coat that it is cold enough to put the top up?!
Sam's missing a button.
Burke doesn't seem very hateful with Roger at first. An act?
I guess it's a pretty solid episode if all there is to piss and moan about is trivial and speculative.

Happy birthday!