If you don't want to know the circumstances surrounding Sunday's entry in this slideshow, then don't read any further...
[spoiler]Sunday's quote:
Ep #397 (1796) - Reverend Bland - 'No no, I MUSTN'T. My dear wife will be concerned. She expected me back for the ladies' prayer group.'
From "#0397/0398: Robservations 03/14/02: Mr. & Mrs. Barnabas Collins"
Drawing room - As Naomi and Ben stand in as witnesses, Barnabas and Angelique are married in a simple ceremony, with the groom saying a solemn "I do". He places a ring on her finger, the minister declares them husband and wife, and the reluctant bridegroom plants a chaste kiss on his wife's mouth. The minister offers his best wishes; Naomi kisses Barnabas and tells him to love Angelique, and Barnabas heartily calls Ben to get champagne. Bland takes his leave, saying, "I didn't expect to be this long, as delightful as it was." Barnabas closes the door after him, leaning against it for a moment as though he wishes he could disappear along with the Reverend Bland.
[/spoiler]
And Robservations is back to completely ignoring the quote.
What actually happens in the section leading up to and somewhat beyond the quote is that after Barnabas and Angelique kiss at the close of the wedding ceremony, Rev. Bland congratulates the couple, shakes Barnabas' hand as Barnabas thanks him, and tells Angelique what a beautiful bride she was and offers his best wishes and then shakes her hand. After Naomi advises Barnabas to love Angelique and to be happy and Barnabas thanks her, he then tells Ben that they must have champagne. Ben says he knows where it is and leaves the room to retrieve it. Barnabas then asks Bland if he will stay and have a drink with them, but that's when Bland delivers the quote after which he turns to Naomi to express his hope that Joshua will be happy with the union and that she will pass along his warmest wishes. Barnabas looks miserable as all that takes place. After Naomi thanks Bland for the lovely ceremony, Bland says he's happy that it turned out rather well. Bland then expresses his best wishes to Barnabas, and after thanking him again, Barnabas moves with Bland to retrieve his coat as he says that if Bland will wait a moment, he'll have Ben get his horse. But Bland says that isn't necessary because he tied the horse to the hitching post. And it's then that Bland says that frankly he didn't expect to be so long, as delightful as it was. Barnabas and Bland exchange good nights and Bland leaves.
Rev. Bland is such a hoot in this ep, especially when 1) he has no idea what's going on with Ben while he's reacting to Angelique summoning him to come to save her by speaking to her yet, of course, Bland sees no one, and 2) when Jeremiah's ghost causes a disturbance to occur in the drawing room and Bland feels he shouldn't conduct the wedding because "something is very wrong" in the house but Barnabas insists "there will be a wedding tonight and you will stay, Reverend!"
Also, I have to wonder if the writers intended, as they often do, a dig against the clergy by giving the reverend the name Bland. Though, considering what they do with 1795/96's Trask and 1897's Gregory Trask, that would have been but a mild dig.
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