We get one last, lovely scene with Elizabeth and Vicki--still nice even with faux Vicki no. 1.
A long time ago, when I had lots of free time, I transcribed the Barn-Vicki farewell. It really is lovely:
Barnabas comes into Vicki's room and finds her sitting in a chair and near despair over her plight. But she is always glad to see Barnabas and greets him with a smile. I was going to go to you, to say goodbye, she says as Barnabas listens in surprise. I'm leaving Collinwood, she explains. May I ask why, Barnabas says. I fell in love, married the man I love, then lost him, she says despondently. If I stayed, the memories would be unbearable. I understand, Barnabas says quietly (but with massive understatement). Vicki continues, I have to go away--where, I don't know, but I must go. If Barnabas was unhappy about Vicki’s marriage, he’s stunned at the possibility that he might never see her again. You're making a mistake, deserting the people who love you, he objects. Please don’t think of it that way, Vicki says. I care for you, he says in his gentlest, most persuasive tones. Come away with me. Let me take care of you. I realize it's too soon to ask, but Vicki, I want you to be my wife. [What incredibly bad timing, Barn!] She whirls around to face him. Sensing her astonishment, Barnabas says, Please let me speak. I know you don't feel for me as you feel for Jeff, but I believe you have some feeling for me. Of course I do, Vicki replies. Perhaps hoping to persuade himself, Barnabas continues, There's the possibility that, in time, your feelings might grow, and I might be able to make you happy. I'd do anything in the world to make you happy. Consider going away with me as my wife. You're the kindest, most considerate man I know, Vicki says gently. I feel close to you and always will.
Knowing what’s coming, Barnabas says softly, Please be sure before you say no. I'm honored you asked, she says, and I truly wish I didn't have to say no, but I must. Because you could never learn to love me? he asks (egotistically). No, Vicki replies solemnly. In many ways, I feel something like love for you, and if I hadn't met Jeff.... Jeff is gone, Barnabas reminds her. He isn't, Vicki replies, and while I know he will never return to me, I'll never stop loving him. I always will. My love for him will always exist in me, and so a part of Jeff will always exist, too. Poor Barnabas is so hurt that all he really understands is that Vicki will never marry him. [And what an idiot she is too!] Vicki continues apologetically, I'll never stop loving the man I _did_ marry. I can never have another husband. [So much for Burke Devlin!] I wish I didn't have to hurt you, she winds up. Please don’t apologize, Barnabas says. Apologies are always more painful than anything else. I asked you a question and you answered it. I want to leave it at that. When are you leaving? he asks. I don’t know, Vicki replies, but as soon as possible. It would be best to leave quickly, I feel. Then perhaps this should be our final farewell, Barnabas suggests. It would be easier that way, he opines. Goodbye, Vicki, he says quietly. Goodbye, Barnabas, she says. Barnabas takes a long final look at her face from about four feet away before he slowly leaves the room. (And no, gentle reader, being the gentlemanly courtly type that he is, he doesn’t even ask for a chaste peck on the cheek.) Before he reaches the door, Vicki stops him and says, Wherever I go, whatever happens to me, I'll never forget you. And I’ll never forget you, he promises. He walks out of the room, his face suffused with sorrow.
Vicki is so busy crying that she doesn’t see the blue light reappear--this time with Jeff inside it, wearing the simple eighteenth-century clothes of Peter Bradford. Her love brought him back--but only briefly, he tells her after an ecstatic kiss. She begs him to take her with him.
Downstairs, Roger finds Barnabas sitting miserably in a chair. Roger wishes he could help but has to leave for London. He promises to phone his sister when he arrives--a mark of the family's wealth in those days. Elizabeth waves goodbye, and we hear the cab drives off. She returns to Barnabas, surprised to see him here. I thought you were still upstairs with Vicki, she says. I just passed her room, heard her talking to a man and assumed it was you. Barnabas turns white, then runs out of the room and races up the stairs, Elizabeth close behind him.
You might feel lost in another century, Jeff/Peter warns Vicki. Not if I'm with you, she insists, holding him tightly. The clock is going to strike, he says. With Elizabeth right behind him, Barnabas tries the door--and finds it locked. Vicki! he calls out. Vicki starts with alarm at the sound of his voice. Peter tells Vicki, Take my hand and hold tight. I love you! he vows. I love you! Vicki replies passionately. Just as the clock strikes eight, Barnabas breaks down the door--but he is too late. Husband and wife are already chromakeyed. Barnabas and Elizabeth watch with grief and horror as Peter Bradford/Jeff Clark and Victoria Winters Clark/Bradford (Betsy Durkin in her final appearance on the show) slowly fade into the past forever. Vicki! Barnabas calls forlornly as he takes a step into the empty room.….
