Interesting point, ProfStokes, about 1960s Laura being more powerful because she had no dependence on another supernatural force for her power. As we've seen here, THIS Laura would have failed multiple times if she'd not had Ra's intercession. I saw that storyline a few months ago, for what was only the 2nd time. I really liked it more than I remembered. That Laura didn't bug me (no scarab jokes intended) near so much as this one does. The storyline held together well, and was a supernatural creature but not one we'd seen over and over.
I also like the idea that there might be multiple types of phoenix. Might explain some of these paradoxes that we keep hitting ourselves on the head trying to resolve.
On to the comments on the episode:
Opening is not a redo of the day before’s finale, but flows nicely from it. Nice lead in to the fade out with Quentin’s line: Someone is planning to kill me and I think you know who it is.
![[eek]](http://www.dsboards.com/SMF/Smileys/classic/eek.gif "Eek")
![[signerror]](http://www.dsboards.com/SMF/Smileys/classic/signerror.gif "Error")
Quentin is back to his cynical suspicious self. Silver bullet means someone knows about him and that’s a short list of suspects. Barnabas has suddenly offered his help just before the bullet is found, which rings all of Quentin’s alarm bells.
Nothing like blind terror to drive out common sense. “I must find whoever was planning to use this – and kill him first.” Managed to forget how well that strategy DIDN’T work last time, didn’t he?
![[twak]](http://www.dsboards.com/SMF/Smileys/classic/twak.gif "Twack")
![[violent1]](http://www.dsboards.com/SMF/Smileys/classic/violent1.gif "Violent #1")
His paranoia is starting to gallop – he’s even suspicious of Beth and demands to know where she’s been and what she’s been doing. SERVANT ALERT – Beth actually refers to another servant. Or ex servant as the case may be. Bout time someone referred to the invisible staff. Of course we know it’s an excuse, and she’s probably been to Mrs. Fillmore, but she’s smart enough to stick to a story that sounds plausible. Needless to say once again a private conversation is held in the middle of the vestibule, and once again Judith comes out on the landing and hears all. She’s not too shabby about picking up on things, and she freaks him out staring at him. Apparently Quentin’s not the only one in the family with a big bump of curiosity. She’s getting a bit close from what she says to Barnabas about knowing how Quentin behaves when he’s in some sort of trouble.
Judith and Jamison both admire Barnabas so. And not so long ago Jamison hated his guts because he was against Uncle Quentin, and then because Barn was against his mother. It’s Barney Sue, round two.
![[vampire]](http://www.dsboards.com/SMF/Smileys/classic/vampire.gif "Vampire")
![[vryevl]](http://www.dsboards.com/SMF/Smileys/classic/vryevl.gif "Very Evil")
No sooner does Barnabas leave than Dirk comes in through the French windows. The bite marks are faded, and he’s been away three days. (Hmm, that’s all it’s been since Laura incinerated? Jamison sure bounced back fast.) Dirk is definitely a few sandwiches short of a picnic. Wonder if Laura did that all by herself or whether it was the combo effect. FINALLY Judith stands up to someone who tries to tell her what to do and fires (ironic pun there) Dirk. Can’t these guys figure out another way to menace people that ISN’T strangling? It’s the first thing every one of them goes for.
Dirk in the cottage talking to the fire. The fire doesn’t talk back, but Quentin does. Good thing Beth came in when she did, it looked like Quentin was losing, even as wussy as that fight looked. Just what he needed in the mood he was in. The paranoia is now galloping fast enough to win the Kentucky Derby. Now he’s managed to convince himself that Dirk is faking being mad, and Beth has been faking loving him all along – and is now trying to kill him. Oops, seems it’s Beth’s story about Alice Austin’s mother that set him off. He knew it was a lie, so it fed right into his feeling that Beth is playing him. Bad timing on the slap, you heard it first, and the actors didn’t get the choreography right. Kind of a contradictory reaction he has after he hits her “now you’ve got another reason to want to kill me”. Almost like he’s trying to drive her away, make her make his accusations true because he can’t believe in her loyalty or trust – or her belief in him.
Guess he never read Dracula – he has no clue about the marks on her neck. Can’t tell what he thinks, or whether he accepts the story. All we see is that he doesn’t say anything to indicate he doesn’t believe her explanation.
TC did a great job in the next scene. Beth isn’t naturally mistrusting or deceitful, and the strain of the whole tangle of lies on top of lies and keeping all the lies straight has her nearly hysterical. (Quentin's mistrust isn't helping either, I'm sure.) Unfortunately, she predicts exactly how it will turn out, with the web of lies collapsing and Barnabas’ hypnosis will do nothing to prevent that.
Now we have Beth playing watchdog, and Dirk barging in. Silly Beth, letting Dirk get the gun. Aren’t the vampire’s minions supposed to do anything to protect the vamp? Wouldn’t that mean she’d have just blown Dirk away the minute he menaced Barn. And what about Dirk? Best I remember he’s the only one Barn ever bit to have ever resisted his will and succeeded – even to the point of trying to destroy him. Nice cliffhanger with the shots and the slumped over Barn. People must have been FREAKING when this showed the first time.
Jeannie
