Dark Shadows Episode 940 1/30/70

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Jeb asks Barnabas what brought his change about. Barnabas says their goal depends on it. Jeb says he knew he'd come around; he just didn't expect it would be so soon. Barnabas suggests that they seal the deal with a drink. He goes into the back room where there's a bottle of sherry and two glasses. He pours them and adds a liquid to one of them.

He takes the two glasses back to Jeb and offers a toast to their success. Jeb pauses, and says he wants to propose the toast. He toasts Carolyn, and their future together, and asks Barnabas to do the same. Barnabas smiles as he watches Jeb down his drink. Jeb enjoys it, and asks for another. Barnabas refuses. Jeb asks why. He asks if Barnabas put something in his drink. He accuses Barnabas of coming to kill him. Barnabas says he can't always suspect the motives of others. Jeb asks to review their plan. He tells him to pick up Carolyn at 8pm, and bring her to the antique store to prepare for the wedding. Barnabas asks him if he can leave, and Jeb tells him that he'll see him at 8pm.

Quentin tells Julia her story is hard to believe. He asks if she really thinks all the children are the same, and she says Jeb Hawkes is not human. She tells Quentin of the Leviathan box. She says it contained an inhuman essence capable of taking human form. Quentin asks what they want. Julia says they're evil, and existed before the time of man. She says the plan is for Jeb to marry Carolyn Stoddard. Quentin says there must be some way of stopping him.

Barnabas returns and tells Julia that he gave Jeb enough poison to kill a dozen men, but it didn't matter. He says he has to pick up Carolyn at 8pm. He says they don't have enough time to get her out of Collinsport. Quentin asks where they can take her. Barnabas asks Julia where Angelique is. She says she promised not to reveal that to any of the Collins' family members.

Angelique is on the phone with her husband, explaining that she misses him and loves him. She gets off the phone when the doorbell rings. She's surprised to find Barnabas at the door. She asks what he's doing there. He says he forced Julia to break her promise to Angelique. She asks him to leave her alone, saying that her life has changed and she's happy. He says he needs her help, and her powers. She says she's forsaken her powers, and if she uses them she'll lose her husband. He asks if she can hide Carolyn for a few days or a week. He says he will never ask her another favor. She asks why Carolyn's life is in danger. He asks if she's heard of the Leviathans, and her look indicates that she has. She asks him to explain.

Carolyn is playing the piano when there's a knock at the door. It's Quentin. He tells her that he got his memory back, and wanted to thank her. He explains that his name isn't Grant. They retire to the drawing room, and he tells her that it happens that they are distantly related. He says he is the grandson of a man who used to live in the house, Quentin Collins. She asks why he introduced himself as Grant Douglas before the accident, and he tells her that he's a writer, and he works under many pseudonyms. She tells him that it's a pleasure to meet him. He says he stressed that they're distantly related for a reason. He asks if she's available tonight, and she says she's not. He asks her about tomorrow, and she says she's open.

Jeb bursts in and says he let himself in. Carolyn introduces the two men. Quentin says he has a feeling that they met before. Jeb tells Carolyn he came by to confirm their date, and asks her to meet him at the old house at 8pm. Quentin tells her that he doesn't think it's safe, with her father's killer still out. Jeb tells Carolyn that he'll see her at 8pm, and saunters out.

Barnabas explains that he's no longer under the Leviathan's control, and he must now fight them or see everyone at Collinwood destroyed. She says that if she says no, he can ruin her relationship with her husband. He tells her that if she says no, he will leave her in peace. She agrees to let Carolyn stay for a week until her husband returns. Barnabas is grateful. She tells him to remember that she still has all of her powers, and if her happiness is ruined as a result of doing him this favor, she will never forgive him.

Barnabas, Julia and Quentin review their plan. Julia is going to ask Carolyn to go on a drive with her, promising to have her back before 8pm. Then her car will break down. Quentin asks why he can't just go to the antique shop and take care of Jeb himself. Barnabas sends Julia on her way, and tells Quentin that they must proceed with care. Dealing with Jeb at the antique shop would be suicidal. He says that Jeb is not human, but he has to go by certain physiological rules. He can change between his natural self to Jeb anywhere, but he must be in his room to change from Jeb back to his true form. 

Julia searches Collinwood for Carolyn. Barnabas and Quentin arrive and Julia tells them she's not there. A call comes in for Barnabas. It's Jeb, asking why Barnabas isn't at the old house. Jeb tells him that he's made other plans with Carolyn.

Barnabas reminds him that he can't proceed without his help. Jeb says that's what the book says, and he has decided he doesn't need that. Carolyn comes in to the antique shop, and Jeb tells Barnabas that she's there before hanging up.

Carolyn asks why Jeb is looking at her strangely. He says he doesn't want her to be uncomfortable. She asks if they're going out, and he says it's a surprise, but they're just waiting for Megan and Philip to return. He tells her that he's going to be very happy with her. He picks up an antique and drops it, breaking it. She says he shouldn't have done it. He hands her an antique and tells her to break it. She says she wishes she could begin to understand him. He tells her to let it drop and she does. It falls to the floor and breaks. Jeb pours them each a drink to celebrate her liberation. She says she doesn't understand, and he says she will soon. She reluctantly drinks from the glass.

She goes to the window and says there's no sign of Megan and Philip. She says she's anxious to leave, and then she stumbles. She says everything is blurry, and then passes out in his arms. He says that it's the beginning of her new life and takes her upstairs.

Our thoughts

John: So does Barnabas know what he's dealing with or not? If poisoning won't kill Jeb, what makes him think that they'll come up with any way to do away with him. Of course today we find out that the unseen creature can turn into Jeb anywhere, but he can only turn back into his normal unseen creature self when he's plugged into his charging station in the antique shop. I'm not only interested in finding out how Barnabas found this out (was it in the Leviathan Dianetics?). And more importantly, I'd be curious to know if the writers have broken this rule up to this point in the show... because it sure seems like changing between human and unseen form hasn't been so restrictive in the past.

Christine: I'm not sure it's worth the time to invest any thought in whether or not they've held to that rule or not, though I suppose we can imagine Jeb/Michael/Alex sprinting back to his room to transform himself, before respiring heavily around town. I do think it was unwise of Barnabas to dismiss Quentin's idea of preventing him from returning to his room to become the ugly breathing monster.

John: So Angelique remains a happy housewife, but once again, the writers appear to be playing fast and loose, now saying in no uncertain terms that she still has all of her powers, and she's ready to use them if Barnabas ruins her new storybook marriage. I guess we can start that countdown clock today.

Christine: I love how Barnabas asks her to do him a favor just this once and says he won't ask for one again, when he's asked her for quite a few favors in the past, some of which did not end well. I wonder if Barnabas still holds a torch for the woman who made him a man in Martinique, since he continues to find excuses to run back to her to appeal for help.

John: So Quentin is referring to Paul's killer still being out there... so much for the heart attack theory. I guess the only thing more surprising than another distant Collins relative showing up in Collinsport is that he has not yet been invited to move in to the main house yet. I have a hunch that will be resolved before we would even have a chance to start a countdown clock.

Christine: So Carolyn thought it was a super idea to make a date with a wild eyed grabby guy who insisted they would be married on that date, and it didn't raise any red flags for her when he whipped out a bottle of champagne at the shop when they were supposed to be going out. Will her Great Uncle Quentin arrive in time to save her from becoming a heavy breather?

Dark Shadows Episode 939 1/29/70

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

At Sheriff Davenport's grave, the earth trembles and a hand breaks free, clutching at the sky. The undead Sheriff rises from his grave.

Carolyn is in the drawing room when Maggie comes in. Carolyn says she doesn't want to talk about her father. She then goes on to talk about her father. Maggie asks if she knows what troubled her father, and Carolyn says she doesn't. Carolyn says she will find out who's responsible for his death. Carolyn tells Maggie she plans to go back to work at the antique shop. Maggie reminds her that her father was there the night he died. Carolyn says he was also at Collinwood and Professor Stokes' place the night he died. She says Megan and Philip are wonderful people, and had nothing to do with her father's death. Maggie leaves her to her thoughts.

Sheriff Davenport's corpse arrives at Collinwood and wanders through the terrace. He sees the light in the window, and when he hears a door open, he moves into the shadows. Carolyn comes out and hears a rustling. She asks who it is, but can't see him. Jeb calls to her saying hello, and apologizes for frightening her. He says he was drawn to see her. Carolyn says she's flattered, but adds that it's very late. She says considering the death in her family, his coming is in bad taste. He asks if she wants him to leave, and she engages him in conversation.

He suggests that fate brought them together, and she denies it. He tells her that she'll see tomorrow, when they get married. She asks if they're going to get married just like that. He tells her there will be a special ceremony. She's offended that he has decided that she's going to marry him, and says she's appalled. He says it's not a frivolous decision. He says she needs a whole new existence, and he can give it to her.

She asks him if she should feel lucky. She tells him goodnight and he grabs her. He says it's written that they're going to be together. She calls him crazy and threatens to scream. He lets her go, and she goes back inside. Jeb leaves and the zombie Sheriff steps back into the garden.

Maggie is heading upstairs when Carolyn comes in, upset. She runs upstairs. Barnabas enters and Maggie asks him if he saw Carolyn or anyone else on the terrace. She says Carolyn just came in, upset. He offers to go upstairs to talk to her, and Maggie suggests they leave her alone. She mentions that she discouraged Carolyn from returning to the antique shop. She asks Barnabas why he doesn't want her to return, and he says he can't tell her, but he's glad he has her to count on.

Maggie takes his hand and says she's glad he came back to Collinwood. He says he's glad to be back with friends—especially her.

Jeb returns to the antique shop. He opens the door and invites the zombie Sheriff inside. Inside, Jeb tells him to look at him, and asks him if he knows who he is. Davenport says yes. Jeb tells him he's the first that he brought back from death to serve him. He says that if he fails to do ask he asks, he'll send him back to the grave forever.

Carolyn receives flowers and a note from Jeb, apologizing, and asking her to meet him tomorrow. The note is signed "Love, Jeb." She puts them in a vase as Barnabas arrives.

She tells him that she's feeling better. He points out that she has an admirer. Carolyn tells him that the man is strange and impetuous. She says she keeps meeting him accidentally. Barnabas points out that he's the one who upset her, saying he saw Maggie last night after Carolyn went upstairs. Carolyn tells him not to worry about it. She goes to put water in the vase, and he reads the note. He realizes that his only recourse is killing Jeb.

Jeb is on the phone with Philip, telling him that he doesn't need them to watch over him any more. He hangs up the phone and Barnabas enters. He says that he realizes he cannot dissuade him, and suggests that they arrive at an understanding. He offers to obey and abide by Jeb's decisions. Jeb asks what brought this change about. Barnabas says their goal depends on it. Jeb says he knew he'd come around; he just didn't expect it would be so soon. Barnabas suggests that they seal the deal with a drink.

He goes into the back room where there's a bottle of sherry and two glasses. He pours them and adds a liquid to one of them. He takes the two glasses back to Jeb and offers a toast to their success. Jeb pauses, and says he wants to propose the toast. He toasts Carolyn, and their future together, and asks Barnabas to do the same. Barnabas does, and watches Jeb down his drink.

Our thoughts


John: Hadn't everyone told Carolyn that her father died of a heart attack? I can understand her suspecting foul play, but it almost seems like she was told he was murdered.

Christine: She said she would find out who was responsible for his death, so she may be thinking that someone caused him to have a heart attack, rather than be deliberately murdered.

John: I have to say, considering her history with bad boys, I was surprised that Carolyn showed a bit more backbone when dealing with Jeb. Of course less than 24 hours later, she's graciously accepting flowers from him...

Christine: Jeb should probably consult the Leviathan book to see if there's any information on how to effectively woo his proposed bride. He uses the same immature and ineffective tactics that Adam did.

John: I'm sorry, if I was dead and reanimated against my will, I would think being sent back to the grave forever would be a reward and not a punishment. I do like the fresh from the grave look of Sheriff Davenport, and do hope we'll see a few more members of Jeb's 'Army of the Dead' before he's done away with once and for all (Because we all know that he's not going out by way of a little poison in his drink!).

Christine: I also thought that was a pretty pointless threat. I wonder what kind of service he expects from zombie Sheriff Davenport. Will he be fixing his meals, washing his clothes, delivering flowers and love notes to Carolyn after he abuses her, or will he be wanting him to kill, kill, kill?

Dark Shadows Episode 938 1/28/70

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Julia tells Barnabas that she has to talk to him. He tries to avoid her, but she tells him she opened Michael's grave and found an empty coffin. She asks if that means anything to him, and he says it means nothing. She says she pronounced him dead two weeks ago, but it was clearly faked. She says she doesn't know how, but she knows why, and demands that he tell her everything. He agrees to tell her the whole story, and asks her to come with him to the old house.

Barnabas starts with the fire at Tate's studio. He says he went looking for Quentin's portrait, and found Petofi's glasses, and thought he might be dead. Tate showed up and blamed him for destroying his studio. He tells Barnabas to leave or he will kill him. Barnabas says he's there to find out if Petofi died in the fire. Barnabas asks if he thinks the fire also consumed Blackwood. Tate says he doesn't know, and he says he doesn't care. Barnabas asks him about the portrait of Quentin, and asks if it was there. Tate tells him that he did steal the portrait of Quentin, and now it won't do him any good because it was there. Barnabas realizes that the curse will return to Quentin.

Barnabas tells Julia that Tate agreed to paint another portrait of Quentin that night, but he lied. Julia says that she was with Tate when he died a few nights ago, a victim of Chris Jennings as the werewolf. She adds that Quentin's portrait hadn't burned in the fire. She has it. She tells him she got it from Angelique. She adds that Angelique is happily married and has given up her powers. Barnabas continues his tale, saying Kitty went to the old house to plead with the portrait of Josette to release her from its spell. He found her, and they agreed to marry that night.

In the old house Kitty thinks about how long she has known Barnabas, and wonders what's taking him so long. She decides that she must find something more suitable to wear, and she finds one of Josette's dresses. She realizes that the dress will make her Josette forever, and she casts it aside.

Barnabas hears Josette calling for him, and rushes back to the old house.

Kitty is wearing the wedding dress, and is slowly pulled into the portrait of Josette. Barnabas reaches for her as she was almost gone. He tells Julia that the power of the portrait was too great. He grabbed on to her, and followed her to wherever fate would lead them. He then realized he was being taken back to an earlier time, when Josette was to die on Widow's Hill. He says he got to the hill in time and saved her. They arranged to leave that night.

Barnabas found himself lost in the woods, where he stumbles across an altar that hadn't been there previously.

He tells Julia that is when he met Oberon of the Leviathans. He says a second figure closed in on him and subdued him. He awoke later, and Oberon explained to him what had happened.

Barnabas wakes, and Oberon says that since he has mastered travel through time, he will allow the Leviathans to live again. He says they are almost extinct, but there will be a resurgence when a new leader marries a human and brings forth a new breed. He tells Barnabas that he will not see Josette again until he helps them. He must take their seed to the future and nurture it. He says that if Barnabas disobeys, Josette will die, he will never see her again, and he will be forced to live as a creature of the night.

Oberon tells him that Josette is safe as long as he serves them. He gives Barnabas the Leviathan box, and tells him he will follow the rules of the great book. He will guide and teach the child, and preside over the wedding ceremony. He says he must never question or doubt him. Barnabas agrees. Oberon reminds him that there is a terrible penalty for disobedience, and while he will forget what that is, he will regret the day they remind him.

Barnabas tells Julia that they then treated him as there leader. Julia asks about the box he brought back, that sounded like someone was breathing. Barnabas says it took form when the Todd's opened the box. Julia realizes the baby in the antique shop originated in the Leviathan box, and the different names were only to explain the rapid growth. She realizes it's upstairs in the antique shop. Julia asked about its form—the form that killed Paul Stoddard and the Sheriff. Barnabas says it's hideous. He says it's currently in the form of Jeb, and it has resisted his control.

Julia asks if they could have lied to him about Josette. He says yes, but he defied them once before, when they wanted him to kill Julia. They made him a vampire for one night. She mentions that she's still alive, and he says he found that killing is forbidden in their book. He says they can control people through dreams, but they weren't able to control Julia, but they do have David, Amy and Elizabeth. Barnabas says Carolyn is in danger, as the Leviathans granted Paul wealth and power 20 years ago in exchange for his most valuable possession–Carolyn. To recreate the Leviathan race, there is to be a ceremonial marriage between Jeb and Carolyn. Carolyn would be transformed into a creature like Jeb. Julia says they can't let it happen, but Barnabas says he doesn't know how to stop it. He says Jeb has plans to destroy her and Maggie and Amy. Barnabas says that Jeb can create an army of the dead.

At Sheriff Davenport's grave, the earth trembles and a hand breaks free, clutching at the sky.

Our thoughts

John: Holy exposition, Batman! How long have we waited for all the info Barnabas lays out for Julia in one sitting! Nice to finally have some loose ends tied up. Was I asleep at the wheel when they announced Barnabas was only a part-time vampire? We almost need a vampire tracking symbol to keep tabs on whether he's human or the undead.

Christine: It might have been nice if Oberon had explained the Leviathan plan a little more clearly back in Episode 886, which could have saved us all a lot of confusion. Barnabas is not a part time vampire, but if you refer to Episode 915, you'll remember that Adlar the Leviathan showed up in a dream after Barnabas refused to kill Julia, to remind him what it was like to be a vampire, informing him that it would become permanent if he continued to disobey.

John: Interesting that they left the possible return of Petofi up in the air... Do you think the Leviathans actually have Josette stashed away somewhere? Not that I see any potential for a happy ending there.

Christine: We saw Josette collapse and appear to die after taking poison in Episode 886. There is a possibility the Leviathans resurrected her and took her to an underground lair, though I don't see why they would bother when they could just tell Barnabas they had her, and that, in addition to the vampire threat, was enough to keep him in check.

John: Zombie action! Does the return of Sheriff Davenport also signal a possible return of Paul Stoddard! Let's hope so!

Christine: It was about time we got around to the zombie genre! You may be interested to know that the zombie hand is credited to George DiCenzo, who you may remember from Back to the Future, as well as numerous TV appearances. This is where he got his start. Incidentally, I had to laugh at Sheriff Davenport's gravestone. Did nobody know the poor guy's first name, or did his name inspire his occupation?

Dark Shadows Episode 937 1/27/70

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Barnabas tells Jeb that he thought the matter was settled. Jeb says that Carolyn is destined to go up the stairs and join him in his room. Barnabas is surprised to hear that she too would have his ability to change form. Jeb says in time they all will. He tells Jeb that he cannot have Carolyn, and Jeb tells him that he will, and that he will marry her on Friday.

David is in a wheelchair with a cast on his leg. He asks Maggie to sign it. She asks how he hurt his leg, and he tells her about an accident when riding his bike. He says a blonde man jumped out of the bushes and he fell and broke his leg. Julia asks if he was going to the antique shop, and he wheels out of the room.

Barnabas tells Jeb that he will not marry Carolyn on Friday. Jeb says he hated getting orders from Barnabas as a child, and now he will do what he wants. Barnabas says the book states that her father must give her away. Jeb says that Barnabas can. Barnabas reminds him that Carolyn must want him, and cannot be forced to marry him.

Jeb tells him that he will make arrangements for them to stay in Collinwood after the wedding. Jeb says Roger will then become one of them. He says that Julia is an enemy, and Barnabas must come up with a suitable fate for her. Jeb says Maggie Evans is also a threat to him. Jeb points out that Amy is one of them without his permission, and she will have to go. As will Mrs. Johnson. Jeb brings up Josette, and Barnabas' curse. He then asks if Barnabas knows what he needs to do, and he reluctantly agrees.

David shows up at the antique shop and is surprised to see Jeb with Barnabas. He recognizes Jeb as the man who jumped out at him.

Maggie can't find David anywhere. She asks Julia if she saw him when David rolls in. Julia hands him crutches and he goes upstairs. Maggie says he's not normal and Julia is puzzled by that.

David finds Jeb in his room. He tells David hat he knows why he had to do what he did, and David tells him that he does. David realizes that Jeb was Michael, and Alexander before that. Jeb reminds him of the radio he gave him when he was Michael. Jeb offers David his watch. When he takes it off, it reveals a birthmark underneath.

Maggie walks in on them and realizes he's the man who caused David's accident. He says he felt responsible and came to see David. Maggie tells him that he can leave now, and he calls her by her name. He says he's heard of all of them.

Coming downstairs, Maggie tells Jeb that he should have helped David when he caused the accident. They come into the drawing room and Jeb apologizes to Julia for his rudeness earlier. He shakes her hand, and she notices his birthmark. He leaves, and Maggie tells Julia that he reminds her of Michael. She doesn't know what he was doing in David's room, and Julia tells her she must find out. She goes upstairs and Julia phones Quentin.

Maggie asks David about Jeb, and he says he apologized, and gave him a watch. Maggie says there's more to that story than he's telling her.

Quentin arrives at Collinwood, and Julia asks him to go with her.

Maggie doesn't understand why he's treating Jeb like a hero since he caused his accident.

Julia tells Quentin that she saw the birthmark on Jeb's wrist, so they must exhume Michael's body. Quentin starts to dig.

Barnabas tells Maggie that he brought David home after finding him at the antique store. Maggie asks him who Jeb is, and he says he can't answer her question. He tells Maggie that he's concerned about Carolyn. He says he doesn't think the antique shop is a good place for Carolyn, particularly now that Jeb is in town. He asks Maggie to discourage her from going there. She tells him she'll try.

With the coffin out of the grave, Quentin opens it.

Barnabas tells Maggie she's wise for not trusting Jeb. She goes upstairs, and Julia returns. She says she has to talk to him. He tries to avoid her, but she tells him she opened Michael's grave and found an empty coffin. She says she pronounced him dead two weeks ago, but it was clearly faked. She says she doesn't know how, but she knows why, and demands that he tell her everything. He agrees to tell her the whole story.

Our thoughts

John: Credit the writers for working in the real broken leg on David into the storyline! And it was a nice touch to make it the fault of Collinwood's latest resident, Sleazy Jeb.

Christine: I can't believe Dr. Hoffman would recommend that David go up the stairs on crutches, and that she wouldn't insist they set up a place downstairs for him to stay while he recuperates. He'll be in a body cast the next time we see him. Then how is he going to wear that hip watch Jeb gave him?

John: David gets around in the wheelchair a little too easily for someone seemingly in one for the first time. And how exactly did he navigate all the way into town and to the antique shop in said wheelchair?

Christine: I seem to remember Roger driving down a steep, winding hill away from Collinwood the night of his accident in Episode 15, which makes me chuckle to think of David going bumpity bump down same road in his wheelchair. It was pretty silly to suggest he could do that, but I suppose if he can get up the stairs on crutches, he can whiz down a steep hill in his wheelchair.

John: Good thing Julia was able to call on Quentin for an expedient exhumation of Michael's grave. Do you think he just dead-lifted (pun intended) the casket out of the freshly dug grave? Once again, the speed at which local residents can dig up graves in Collinwood is certainly impressive!

Christine: It always amazes! They come out nearly as fast as they go in. Clearly Jebez wanted Julia to see his birthmark. Was it to engage her as an adversary, or will it be a loyalty test for Barnabas? I hope that Julia gets to hear the whole story tomorrow. Barnabas should realize that she needs to be informed to protect herself, and then they can team up to fight Leviathans together.