Dark Shadows Episode 412 - 1/23/68

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The Countess is reading in the drawing room when she sees Josette leaving. She says she's going to see Miss Winters. She begged her to save Barnabas and she refused, so she will not rest until she's hanged as a witch.

Vicki is brought before Josette. She is surprised Josette had not left Collinsport. She says she could not leave someone she loved. Vicki asks if he's better, and Josette asks why she would pretend to believe he was not dead. Vicki says that the history says he moved to England, and Josette accuses her of making that up. Josette tells Vicki that before he died, he said he knew the identity of the witch. She asks if he said it was her, and Josette says she knew Vicki was the witch based on her book. Vicki says if she could have saved him, she would have. Josette says she's going to introduce the book as evidence in her trial, to ensure she is punished. Vicki reminders her that it's not safe for her to stay in Collinwood. Josette says her life is meaningless without Barnabas, but she won't die before she sees Vicki hanged as a witch.

Vicki asks Peter Bradford if he's still willing to defend her, and he says yes, he believes she's innocent. Vicki says she won't have a chance if the book is introduced as evidence. Peter says he thinks he can discredit Trask as a fraud. Vicki says her only chance of being proved innocent is to get the book from Josette tonight. She says he needs to let her go to Collinwood. He says that he can't let her go. Two women have been attacked. He asks if he can get the book for her. She says she knows where it is, and he says he'll let her go, but not alone.

There's a knock on the door at Collinwood. The Countess lets in Reverend Trask. He says he came from an urgent meeting of the village elders regarding the attacks on two women. He says others thought it was an animal, but he says the witch in their jail is responsible for the attacks. He says the sooner the witch is disposed of, the sooner these attacks will stop. The Countess says that Josette wants to testify at Vicki's trial, and she has evidence proving her guilt.

Vicki searches Josette's room for the book.

Trask asks Josette where she found the book. She says Vicki told her where to find it. She says Vicki seemed concerned about Barnabas. She says that she told her she was in danger, but that Barnabas would be fine. Trask asks if the book is written in Vicki's hand, and Josette confirms it was printed. He asks to see it, and the Countess goes upstairs to get it.

Vicki finds the book when the Countess walks in on her.

The Countess steps out into the hall and calls for Trask. They come upstairs and she tells Trask the witch is in the room, and she has the book. He goes into the room while they wait in the hall. Trask checks the room and tells them there's no one there. Josette goes to get the book and finds that it's gone.

Peter and Vicki return to the jail with the book. He asks how she got out if not through the door or window. She explains that she knows the house inside and out, and was able to use a secret passage. She explains she can't bring the book to her cell, and asks Peter to take it. He says he'll put it where it can't be found, and locks her in her cell. Outside the jail, Trask calls for him to let him in. He places the book in his desk.

He opens the door, and Trask asks what took him so long. He says he must have fallen asleep, and Trask tells him that while he was sleeping, the witch escaped. Josette says she stole a book, and the Countess confirms that she saw her. Peter says that Vicki has been in her cell all evening. Trask tells him he knows nothing about the powers of witchcraft, and demands to see Vicki in her cell. He opens the door, allowing Trask in.

He invites the women to sit down. He asks Josette if the book she claims is missing is the book she referred to earlier. Trask returns and says that she's in her cell and sleeping. He says he's sure the book is safely hidden away somewhere, but they no longer need it. He asks if Peter would swear Vicki has been in her cell all evening, and he says he would. He says that they will all testify that they all saw her in Collinwood, and only an act of witchcraft would allow her to be in two places at once. He's sure they have the evidence to convict her.

Our thoughts

John: Why does Vicki think she knows where the book is? Clearly it's wherever Josette or the Countess put it.

Christine: I was thinking the same thing. She was pretty lucky to find it.

John: Good thing Joshua had secret passages built into his new house! If those had been add-ons made later, Vicki would have been screwed!

Christine: I am really beginning to wonder about Joshua. He had secret passages, secret rooms, and dungeons installed in the house and mausoleum. It's all rather bizarre. What was he really up to?

John: Why didn't Peter call Trask's bluff and say that he just admitted that he'd lie under oath about seeing Vicki in Collinwood? Hopefully his lack of legal expertise won't be the end of Vicki.

Christine: Since he was willing to risk his career by letting her out of her cell to go steal a book, chances are he'll help her escape before she goes to the gallows. It sure is odd the way Peter Bradford lurks in the background of scenes. He's got a weird vibe that makes me feel like he could be a stalker or a serial killer.