We all have episodes that we remember simply because of the plots. Victoria's arrival at Collinwood, Barnabas being placed under the vampire curse, Quentin's ghost driving everyone out of the house... But what is the best episode of the series? What episode encapsulates the entire spirit of the show in 22 minutes?
I would have to say that I would give the honor to Episode 691 (with the groundwork set in Episode 690). It's one of two episodes written by Ralph Ellis, and it is simply wonderful from start to finish. More than any other writer, this man is able to capture the essence of the show in a single episode.
The episode begins with Maggie Evans searching for the children who have gone missing while playing The Game. The atmosphere and tension in the first part of the episode is reminiscent of the early days on the show, when suspense was king. Except the atmosphere is so much creepier here than it ever was in 1966, and the stakes are much higher. The show is now in full-bloom and has fully embraced its nature as a Gothic serial. Kathryn Leigh Scott leads this episode's cast and turns in a phenomenal performance as Collinwood's unfortunate governess. Her role as the doomed ingenue who uncovers one-too-many secrets is only matched one other time in the show when Victoria Winters is kidnapped by Matthew Morgan. But, in this episode, the viewers are made to fear for the governess in a way they never had to before. That's because she faces the greatest threat from the individuals she is sworn to protect -- the children. David Henesy and Denise Nickerson are extraordinary in this episode. For the proof of that, just listen to their maniacal giggling. They embody innocence corrupted by evil.
The rest of the episode has equally great performances from Clarice Blackburn playing the housekeeper on the verge of hysteria, David Selby embracing the demonic nature of Quentin Collins, and Joan Bennett whose elegant family matriarch has to finally accept the truth she has been denying for so long -- that her family's secrets can no longer be contained within the walls of Collinwood. For so long, the Collins family has simply locked its secrets away. But now the head of the family is finally admitting to herself that she must face the truth. She can no longer live with the lie. We see Elizabeth's character choose to face reality twice before, [spoiler]once with her brother and Burke Devlin and the other with herself and Jason McGuire[/spoiler]. Including this theme, probably one of the key tenants of the series, takes this already amazing episode to new heights.
The theme of demonic possession is also strong here. Ellis writes Quentin as more than a ghost. In these episodes, he is written as a force. Mrs. Johnson and Maggie both describe him as such, trying to put into words the specific nature of his existence. He is evil, pure and simple. Writing the character this way was a bold move for television. It's a shame the other writers didn't maintain this truly dark portrayal.
One of the greatest things about this episode is the use of "silence" and "stillness" as a means to achieve terror. The house going dead silent. The children lying perfectly still. It's chilling. Truly inspired and brilliantly executed.
The episode ends as powerfully and eerily as it began, not with a dramatic musical cue, but with David Collins sitting up in bed, laughing at Elizabeth's efforts to help them. The laughter of Quentin and David can be heard over "Shadows of the Night," which plays the episode out. Elizabeth and Mrs. Johnson stare in disbelief and horror as they realize the darkness of Collinwood has consumed the souls of its most innocent inhabitants.
Now it's your turn. Share the episode you believe to be the best in this thread!
