Monday, May 21, 2018

Dark Shadows Episode 496 - 5/20/68

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Roger comes downstairs when Cassandra and Julia return from Professor Stoke's place. Roger tells them that David is upstairs, having almost been abducted if he hadn't shot the assailant in the shoulder. He calls the police to report the shooting. He explains that he shot a man in the woods who was trying to abduct his son. Roger describes him as enormous, and Julia recognizes it as Adam from the description. She excuses herself to go to the old house as Roger yells into the phone that the man may still be on the estate.


He hangs up, and tells Cassandra that he has warned David about playing in the woods. He tells her that it was thanks to Liz that they went looking for David, as she encountered the man in the woods. He then goes on to say that Barnabas saved David by treating the stranger kindly. He says that after the man set David down, he growled at them and he shot him. He then adds that Liz said he spoke Barnabas' name. Cassandra is interested in understanding how the man would know Barnabas. Roger says there's no explanation for it. He then says it almost seemed as if the man were dead. Cassandra says they must ask Barnabas about this strange creature, and Roger says he intends to do just that.


Julia finds Barnabas outside of the old house, and asks him what happened. Barnabas says Adam is on the loose. Julia tells him that Roger has called the police, and he says they can't let the police find him. Barnabas tells her that Adam spoke to him, so he left to find her in Collinwood. She says that Adam must have gotten upset when he left him. She asks if he has searched the house, and Barnabas says they've only checked the woods, and Willie is still searching. She suggests they check downstairs, as a child might return home if frightened.


In the cellar, they find Adam in his cell. He's in pain. They enter, and Barnabas admits that Julia was right. He gets up, afraid, and they close the door on him. She asks if Barnabas was with Adam when Roger shot him. Barnabas says Adam knows he wouldn't hurt him, and Julia explains that he must be confused. They come back in, and Barnabas tells Adam they need to help him with his wound. They remove his coat, and Julia begins to cut the sleeve of his shirt, exposing the wound. She tells Barnabas that Roger is either a dreadful shot, or Adam is very lucky. While she works on him, Barnabas goes to leave. Adam is upset when he starts to leave. He explains he needs to go to Collinwood, but that he will be back soon. Julia says it's amazing how Adam can sense what he's saying even though he can't understand the words.



Barnabas returns to Collinwood to see Roger. Cassandra lets him in, and directs him to the drawing room. He says the man appears to have disappeared into the woods, and that perhaps the police will have better luck finding him. Roger explains they have not. He asks Barnabas if he had seen the man before, since his name was the only thing he could say. Barnabas agrees that it's odd, but can't explain it. Roger then says the way he reacted to Barnabas implied that he knew him. Barnabas explains that he used an approach that he thought would help save David. Barnabas says they will have to wait until he is apprehended to find out how the man knew his name, and bids them both goodnight. Cassandra appears particularly interested in this turn of events.


Julia finishes bandaging Adam. He takes her hand and they shake. He holds her hand and Julia cringes and tells Adam he's hurting her. He gets a sad look and strokes the top of her hand. He then goes to the door, points and the recorder, and says, "music!" Julia says she taught him the word and is pleased that he remembered it.


She brings in the recorder and starts it. After she leaves, Lang's voice comes back on. Adam listens to Lang's words. The music resumes and Adam enjoys it once more.



Our thoughts

John: Since they know Adam can break his chains, and break through the cell door, what's the point of even locking him up? I think they need to come up with a better long-term solution or they'll be constantly chasing their baby boy around the grounds.

Christine: Now that Barnabas has lied about him to Roger, how will he ever introduce cousin Adam around at Collinwood? Do they expect to keep him hidden forever?

John: Just how many times can Julia play the recording and walk out right before Lang's message plays back? I guess they'll have to wait until Adam can recite the monologue to Barnabas and Julia verbatim.

Christine: Roger got himself a stunning new smoking jacket while Cassandra is lounging once again in her favorite neon butterfly caftan. She seems to have learned the way to Roger's heart is through the brandy bottle.



John: I'm dying to get back to the dream curse! Poor Mrs. Johnson must be suffering horribly. It's time to pass it on to David!

Christine: She was probably upstairs telling it to David while everyone was running around trying to find Adam. Let's hope he's in dreamland tomorrow. What will be behind David's door? A coffin, perhaps?

Episode 326


Dark Shadows Before I Die Round Robin Nightmare tracker:
  1. Wide-eyed skull
  2. Guillotine
  3. Lang's Headless creation
  4. Skeletal bride 
  5. Educational Bat-footage

1 comment:

Paul Haney said...

The more I think about it, this whole "dream curse" thing is a really convoluted way to get to Barnabas. What if Mrs. Johnson were to die before she could tell David? Does that mean the whole thing is off. That said, I'm also eagerly awaiting the next dream, especially interested in who will lead David to the Dark Shadows version of the "Let's Make A Deal" doors.