Joshua & Ange -- You are right DarkLady, the acting is superb. I am watching as I type. (With all this drama, I still managed a giggle at Joshua's mini jacket, as it reminds me of something my niece wears and I tease her about.) The atmosphere or mood during the pre-title opening is marvelous. The lighting and audio are perfect as are the portrayals. Edmonds' Joshua is certainly holding back from lashing out at Ange for all her 'display of emotion' as the character put it. I can imagine the near rage he must be feeling toward her. That he is able to tolerate her at all is amazing under the circumstances. And we have to sit here and listen to her sick maligned grief. I was definitely relating to Joshua.

Josette & Natalie -- The writing so far is splendid. Grayson's voiceover while reading the Collins family history is quite well done. (BTW, Grayson looks great in this scene.) I love this scene. I like the calm demeanor KLS uses here. It reminds me of the scene with her and A. George outside the Old House doors where they plan their elopement. She uses that same calm approach here and I love it. I find it very appropriate for the scene - And I really dig how Josette states as a reply to her Aunt's ridicule that she would stay at the Old House forever, waiting for Barnabas to return, knowing that in the 20th century, Josette indeed still 'resided' there. I know that's not technically correct but I was still moved.

Bye bye Barn, bye bye happiness, hello loneliness, Josette is gonna cry. I'm still lovin' this episode. Josette's distress over the removal of Barnabas in his casket from the Old House is so right. I was going to bring up what I figured Joshua must be thinking about Josette at this difficult time. I was thinking he would feel resentment toward her but no sooner then I thought so, he apologizes to her stating he thought she had left the house, and he was sorry that she had to see Barn being carried out. Now, I am thinking that this must be a disposition brought on by Barnabas last words regarding Josette. I can't see Joshua having any other reason to be kind to her. I don't remember if he is aware of her being a victim of witchcraft, therefore being able to forgive her trespasses. He is certainly being gracious toward both Natalie & Josette.

Ben & Joshua -- Just when I thought Joshua was fully redeemed he accuses Ben of coming back to steal Barn's valuables. Oh well.

Ben & Ange -- A holly tree stake? Is that something exclusive the DS universe? (What a waste of a perfectly good tree, lol)

Joshua & Ange -- I wonder if it is at all possible that the money Joshua settles with Ange is part of what Barnabas uses in the 20th century.

Ben & Ange -- Ange is actually packing. I guess she did plan on leaving. At the Old House - edit - to the mausoleum. Nicely done. Love Ben here, "Do you have do what you said?" (OMGoodness, give this man an Emmy! I could have burst into tears.) On another note, I never expected the word befuddled to come out of his mouth, lol. If this were a movie I would expect the audience to clap and cheer at Ben's locking Ange in the secret room with Barn. Too bad she still has the stake and mallet.

Random notes: Loved the storm effects throughout the episode. Ben looks different, cleaned up somehow. It's either his hair or maybe that he has no five o'clock shadow, or maybe I just cleaned my glasses. Despite a slight blip here and there (I only remember one) all the actors turned in excellent performances. This was another superb episode. Geez, two in a row and both written by Sam Hall -- Amazing. Oh, it's not a mini jacket, it's all part of one whole jacket on Joshua.

...she knows about the hole in his mattress and the missing jar of goose grease!!"

LOL, MT.

(I was thinking about this the other day as the premise for a skit.)

Wow, what a great episode. I was totally engrossed. At this point, Natalie's sarcasm towards Vicki seems a bit misplaced. Natalie & Josette browse the family history. The all-wise Natalie rationalizes as she reads so as not to upset Josette. Josette ends up freaked anyway. Natalie trying to convince Josette to ignore the book because it's wrong sounds a bit ridiculous but I guess I'd do the same thing under the same set of circumstances. (Of course the fact that Vicki arrived with the book in-hand in the first place is ludicrous, but I digress.) The one thing that Natalie reads that is a comfort to Josette is that Barn lives and goes to England to live. The whole segment was quite fascinating to watch. I liked it.

Joshua comforts Naomi and they both try to comfort Barnabas. It is all quite touching. Frid's still acting up a storm. Edmonds is off the charts too. Is this the first time Joshua has absolutely no pompousness in his voice? Frid & KLS also tear it up. I love their scene together. Barnabas dies but not before he tells Josette how much he loves her -- I wish it would have been in Josette's arms.

The bat scene in the drawing room with Natalie & Naomi is atrocious but the whole damn foolishness is saved by Joshua's confirmation to Naomi that Barn has died. I teared up.

Josette and Natalie -- Another fantastic scene -- very well done -- very touching.

Joshua & Naomi -- Nicely written. Interesting conversation. Enter Natalie & Josette. Joshua decides to keep Barn's death a secret and to protect that secret will announce to the town that Barn has left Collinsport on a business trip to England. This of course raises the hairs on the back of Natalie's & Josette's necks. Perfect ending to the episode.

I loved this episode.

How ironic is that?

...that Barnabas had anal warts!!"

"Oh come now, Madame duPres, you don't expect me to believe .....!!"

_the Spinster's Ball_