Adam chokes Vicki into unconsciousness--and then is horrified at this, his first violent act. He wipes his hands on the green sweater as if he could remove his guilt that way.
As he sits by Vicki's side, awash in guilt and fear, Barnabas blames himself and wonders if the curse is still in force after 200 years. Carolyn refuses to believe that Adam was the attacker.
Carolyn doesn’t believe Adam attacked Vicki--what would his motive be?--so she is calling the police when Nicholas, his usual dapper self even at this hour, materializes beside her. He dissuades her from talking to the police by taking the receiver and hanging it up. How dare you! she rages and tells him that Adam has just attacked Vicki. Nicholas points out that she has no proof except for Barnabas's say-so. Carolyn goes back upstairs and demands to know why Barnabas thinks he (A.) was. Barnabas pleads exhaustion and worry and promises to answer her questions later. Yes, later, Carolyn replies with all of Elizabeth's own imperiousnessness.
Nicholas heads for the West Wing and scolds Adam for almost ruining the experiment. Nicholas is taken aback when Adam tells him that Maggie is to provide the life force. With a flash of perception, Adam suggests that Nicholas is in love with Maggie. (Adam is just as much of a romantic as Barnabas!) Nicholas denies it, saying, LOVE is a word I do not use. When Carolyn comes to see Adam, he denies attacking Vicki--his second lie to his little blond goddess. Nicholas assures him it wasn't a lie and coaches him in what to say to Barnabas.
Great job by RR in the last scene: When Barnabas gets home, Adam is waiting for him, calmly sitting by the fire and playing solitaire. Barnabas refuses to sit and listen at first, but with great dignity Adam says, When I first knew you, I never thought I could be the gentleman that you are. You are a very imposing man, Barnabas, and I still find it difficult not to be frightened by your manner. Barnabas finally sits and listens in astonishment when Adam continues in the same calm and dignified manner, I have decided to believe you. I have chosen the woman who will give her life force to my mate, and she is not a stranger. When Barnabas asks who it will be, Adam replies calmly, She is the only woman I will ever love--Carolyn Stoddard....
