Dark Shadows Episode 1196 1/25/71

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Angelique prepares to stab a voodoo doll with another pin when Gerard comes into the room. He realizes that she is in fact Miranda. He tells her that she has used her powers for the last time. He tells her that she's clever for recognizing him as Judah. He brings how he was beheaded because of her. He grabs her and she refuses to look into his eyes. He forces her to look him in the eyes, and tells her that he taught her powers when she was a young girl. She says that she has learned more since then. He threatens to make her human again. He takes away the powers he bestowed upon her. He lets go of her, he gives her back the voodoo doll, and his handkerchief. She wraps it around the dolls neck and tries to strangle it. It doesn't work. He grabs her and leads her out of the room.

Barnabas returns to the East Wing where she sees someone Melanie speaking to her father, Justin Collins. She reminds him that she was adopted. He tells her that she saved his life. Catherine comes into the room and greets Justin. She asks if he's feeling better, and he doesn't respond. She shows her wedding invitation to Melanie, who asks if she's inviting Bramwell to the wedding. Melanie explains that he's coming back. Catherine says that if Morgan wants it, Bramwell will be invited. Melanie shows Justin the invitation and he freaks out. Melanie sends Catherine to get his medication. Justin tells Melanie that Catherine must not marry Morgan. He says no strangers in the house... he mentions 'the room'... and says no one must know. Melanie tells him they will not have the lottery again. He tells her to close the door so they can talk. She does.

On the other side of the closed door, Barnabas wonders what room he was talking about. 

Gerard assures Dawson that Miranda is harmless. He doesn't want to keep her there. Gerard tells him that Quentin will soon be dead, and people will think that Judah Zachery is gone. He promises to return to Miranda to give her his full attention once Quentin is dead. Dawson asks for permission to kill her if she tries to escape. Gerard encourages him to try to keep her alive. Gerard tells her that he'll see her after the execution, and leaves. Dawson tells her not to try to escape.

Leticia visits Desmond in his cell. He asks her to promise to give a letter to Flora that changes his will so that Leticia will get his inheritance. She tells him Flora has gone to get the governor. He says they found a law allowing them to execute a warlock's follower without a trial. He tells her that had they made it to Boston, he would have married her. She asks him to marry her in his cell. He tells her that it would be too dangerous. They might say she was part of their coven and arrest her. He refuses. She asks him to say the words so they'll know in their hearts. She says her vows aloud, and he does the same. They kiss. 

Barnabas visits Quentin in his cell. Quentin says he deserves to die for allowing Gerard to fool him. Barnabas assures Quentin that he will rescue Daphne, and run Gerard out of Collinwood. He says that Quentin will be avenged. Quentin says that he's more concerned about Desmond. And then he expresses concern for Tad. He asks Barnabas to try and convince him that he's not guilty, and that he was not afraid to die. 

Dawson tells Miranda that she should have tried to fight Judah Zachery. She tells Dawson that she never used her powers to get a man, and that she could have gotten him. She goes to kiss him. He tells her that he almost believed her for a minute, but he knows how desperately she wants to escape. He says he's more afraid than he is attracted to her. He says there's nothing she could do to help Quentin or Desmond anyway. She asks why he won't let her go then. He tells her that she won't turn Judah against him, but when he turns away, she clocks him with a candlestick. Miranda realizes that he's dead.

Gerard counts down the minutes to Quentin's execution. Leticia comes in and calls him Judah, saying he killed Gerard. She pulls a knife and he disarms her. As he leaves, he tells her that she is no longer welcome in the house. 

Desmond and Quentin share a last moment together. Quentin tells him that what he minds the most is that Desmond got caught up in everything. The guards come for them, and Quentin leaves first.

Leticia tells Barnabas that she tried to kill Gerard, but nothing can save them now. He asks her where Valerie is.

The executioner practices on a log, slicing it in half. The guards bring Quentin out, and Gerard, who is there as a witness, tells Quentin that he wouldn't miss this for the world. Desmond watches as they lead Quentin to the executioner. 

They start to blindfold him and he refuses it. He says, "When I was born, I saw the light of day. And when I die, I want to see the dark of night." He gets into position beneath the executioner. 

Our thoughts:  

John: I love how people just decide to tune into parallel time as if it were a separate soap opera that they could pick up and follow on demand... I have to admit that I was surprised at this late date to see another new face. I was sure that Justin Collins would have been portrayed by Louis Edmonds.

 

Christine: Honestly, I'd love to see one of the characters standing at the door to parallel time with a bag of popcorn just once! The fact that Louis Edmonds is not playing the role of Justin Collins, in addition to the copious amount of pasty makeup he's wearing, might indicate that he has a short expiration date. 

                                                                                                                           

John: And just like that, Mirangelique is stripped of her powers? It's amazing how characters are so suddenly gifted with previously unused powers where the story calls for it!

 
Christine: It looks like he gave her a Barbie knockoff to test that her powers were gone. Perhaps that's why the spell didn't work!

John: You'd think they could have at least had the executioner raise the axe before the episode faded to black...

 

Christine: If you look closely while Quentin's head is on the chopping block, you'll see the pole swing back as it had been raised, though I suppose you were expecting the cliche blade in the air. It is still a chilling moment. Do you think heads will roll tomorrow, or will something completely ludicrous happen to save the day?

Dark Shadows Episode 1194 1/21/71

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Daphne and Quentin express their love for one another, and he asks her to marry him. She agrees. They kiss, and do not notice Gerard outside the window, eavesdropping on them.

At Rose Cottage, Daphne and Leticia discuss their plans to leave Collinwood. She tells her that she has to go to Collinwood to get cash out of their safe. Flora comes in and tells Leticia that she knows she knows where Desmond is. She asks if something new has developed. Leticia tells her that the four of them are leaving in the dead of night. Flora is pleased he's taking her with him. She says she wants to say goodbye to him, and asks where he is. Daphne says that she can't tell Gerard where he is.

Dawson asks Gerard why he hasn't used his powers to find Quentin. Gerard assures him that Quentin and Desmond will be back in jail in the morning. Dawson asks what he's waiting for. Gerard says that he has not suffered enough. He says that he has a plan involving someone else. Daphne returns to Collinwood and Gerard tells her that they were just talking about her. She apologizes for interrupting them. Gerard tells her that Dawson wanted to see her. Gerard says that he'll vouch for Daphne not knowing where Quentin is. She excuses herself, and Gerard stops her, asking her to play a game. She says she's not in the mood. He says he'd like to talk to her later, and she shakes her head and goes upstairs. He and Dawson retire to the drawing room, and Gerard explains that he needs his help with some paperwork.

Leticia asks Daphne if she found the money. She says she hasn't yet. She says Gerard and Dawson were there but left, and Leticia sends her back upstairs in search of the money. Gerard returns to Collinwood and finds Leticia in the drawing room. He asks if she remembers when he first brought her to Collinwood. She says that he's changed her. He offers her a drink, and suggests that they drink to a wedding. He reiterates that there will be a wedding tonight at Collinwood. She asks who he's marrying. He says he didn't say he was. He asks her if Daphne will be seeing Quentin tonight. She says if Quentin has an ounce of sense, he's 1000 miles away by now. He tells her that she's lost her sense of humor. She says she's got to find Daphne to invite he to dinner with Flora tomorrow night. 

In the East Wing, Daphne hears music beyond the door into parallel time. She opens it and sees who she think is Flora. The woman calls Melanie and asks her if she feels alright. She asks her if she was going to the West Wing, and Melanie says she wasn't. She says she never goes to the West Wing. She tells Melanie that the servants found her father in the corridor outside the room in the West Wing last night. Melanie says if he goes there one more time, he'll die. Melanie says they can't stand to have that lottery again. She says they should all leave the house. Her mother says that a generation ago, William Collins discovered that leaving didn't help. She says it happens to them wherever they go. She tells Melanie that her father wants to see her. 

Quentin tells Flora that they'll be on their way in a few hours. She tells him that Desmond is not well enough to travel. He assures her that he'll take care of Desmond. 

Gerard watches Daphne, who sits in the drawing room. He takes out his devil's sigil, and says that Daphne will have her last dream, in which she learns that they must become man and wife. Daphne falls asleep and dreams. In it, Gerard asks her why she's leaving him. She says she can't remember anything when she's with him, and they kiss. He tells her to remember that he adores her, and she loves him. She says she knows. He asks her to promise to never leave him, and she agrees. He says that when she wakes, her dream will come true, and they will share their lives together. Gerard wakes her, telling her that she had a bad dream. She kisses him. He tells her they will get married, and says he will call for the minister.

Leticia comes downstairs and finds Daphne in the foyer. She says they've got to go, and Daphne says she changed her mind and doesn't want to go anymore. Leticia asks why, and she tells her that she's going to marry Gerard.

Quentin can't believe Daphne is going to marry Gerard. He leaves as Leticia warns him not to go to Collinwood, saying that it's a trap. 

Daphne and Gerard exchange vows, and are pronounced man and wife. Quentin enters and says, "No!"

Our thoughts:  

John: Wasn't Daphne just giving a lecture on how parallel time works? Today she seems mystified by the strangers she can't speak to in the room she can't enter.

 

Christine: I was wondering how she couldn't hear Gerard telling her to sleep and dream outside the drawing room. 

 

John: Ah, The Lottery. I guess we now know what inspired the storyline for this final trip into parallel time.

 
Christine: There weren't many gothic stories left to mine, were there?

John: Once again, Quentin arrives just after the wedding ceremony was performed. He really needs to work on his timing!

 

Christine: I swear that has got to take the record for fastest soap opera wedding. It wasn't possible for Quentin to arrive on time without the ability to materialize like vampire Barnabas. Speaking of...where do you suppose he's been hiding out all this time while Quentin and Desmond have been trying to escape?

 

John: Blink and you'll miss the crew member who poked his head out of the drawing room to see if Gerard was standing there!

 

Christine: I must have blinked. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1185 1/8/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Carrie arrives at Grimes's house and finds him on the floor. Jeremy returns and when he sees Carrie, tells her she can't stay. She tells him that his father is dead on the floor just a few feet away. Jeremy is upset, realizing that his father is really dead. He asks her how it happened. Carrie says he was moaning when she arrived. Jeremy asks if he said anything before he died. She says that he did.

Gerard tells Dawson that he should be getting the coroner's report on Grimes soon. Dawson asks who found the body, and Gerard says it was Carrie. Dawson says that Grimes testimony would have been useless, but with his death, it would appear that he will win the case for them.

Barnabas tells Quentin that Mordecai Grimes is dead. Quentin asks how it happened. Barnabas says they don't know yet. He says Carrie Stokes found him. He says it will be a field day for Dawson, as he's sure he will attribute his death to witchcraft. Quentin asks how he can prove it. Barnabas says that he doesn't know. 

The court comes to order, and Dawson solemnly notes that his next witness turned up dead last night. He says he can prove without a shadow of a doubt that the death is the result of witchcraft at the hands of Quentin. He calls Carrie Stokes to the stand. She is sworn in. Dawson asks her when she last saw Mordecai Grimes. She says she saw him at his house last night. She found him on the floor in his house. She thought he had fallen, and when she saw the look in his eyes, she knew he was dying. Dawson asks if he said anything to her. She says he did, and when he asks what he said before dying, she refuses. Dawson compels her to tell them. She says that his last words were, "Quentin Collins." She adds that Quentin didn't kill him, and when Dawson objects, it is sustained. Barnabas has no questions for her. Dawson provides the coroner's report saying the cause of death is unknown, and clearly an act of sorcery. 

He then calls Jeremy Grimes to the stand. Dawson asks him about the letter he's holding. Jeremy explains that it was a letter his father wrote and asked him to deliver to Dawson right before he died. Dawson reads the letter explaining how he had evidence proving Quentin's guilt. Barnabas asks Jeremy if the letter was sealed when it was given to him. He says that it was. He asks if his father told him of the contents of the letter. Jeremy says he did not. Barnabas points out that only Jeremy's father and Dawson were the only two men to know the contents of the letter were his father and Dawson, and now one of those men is dead. He points out how conveniently the course of the trial has been altered in the last 24 hours. The last remark is stricken from the record, and Jeremy is dismissed. Dawson rests his case, and Barnabas is asked to present the case. Barnabas calls Quentin to the stand.

Quentin discusses his arguments with Grimes. Barnabas asks if he had anything to do with his death, and Quentin has denied it. Barnabas asks if Quentin has ever practiced the Black Arts, and he says he wouldn't even know how. Dawson cross-examines him. He asks if Desmond sought out the head of Judah Zachery on his request. He admits that he did. Dawson asks why, and Quentin says it was merely curiosity. Dawson asks if he longed for the powers of Judah Zachery. Quentin says he did not, and Dawson accuses him of using those powers to kill off the list of victims. Quentin says he's sick of Dawson's lies and insinuations, and when he gets through with the trial, he'll deal with him. 

The judge threatens Quentin with contempt. Dawson says the defendant has given an adequate demonstration of what he was trying to prove. Quentin steps down, and the defense rests. Dawson gives his closing remarks. He says facts support that he is guilty as charged, listing off the victims he was found with. He mentions Quentin's staircase through time, and his admission of owning the head of Judah Zachery. Barnabas points out that what Dawson claims as fact is hearsay. No one alive can say that he killed any of the victims. He points out that given that fact, the tribunal cannot come back with any verdict but not guilty.

Carries comes to see Jeremy. He tells her that Quentin is guilty. He says he's a warlock, She tells Jeremy that he sounds like his father. He says he hopes they execute Quentin. Carrie runs out on him.

The court comes to order, and the judges announce that they have arrived at a verdict.

Our thoughts: 

John: Grimes' pupils were like half moons? What the hell does that even mean? And how exactly did Dawson know what Grimes told Carrie? Because a good lawyer would never ask a question to which he didn't know the answer. I'd almost be willing to buy it if Gerard had planned for Carrie to be there, and used his powers to make Grimes tell her Quentin was responsible.

 

Christine: It means his pupils looked like this, I guess. 🌗 Eww, that must have been pretty creepy to see. I'm guessing that Jeremy told Dawson about Carrie hearing his dying dad utter Quentin's name. 

 

John: Again, Dawson is in fine form in the courtroom today. I think his best move was getting Quentin to fly off the handle, and go so far as to threaten him in front of the tribunal. While I'd like to see Quentin get back at Dawson, it probably wasn't the smartest thing to say from the witness stand.

 

Christine: You can't blame Quentin. It's up to the lawyer to see that he keeps his yap shut and doesn't walk into traps like that. 

John: I sure hope this is the end of the road for Carrie and Jeremy's relationship. The two young lovers were really beginning to get on my nerves.

 

Christine: That's because you're not a teenager with raging hormones. The conflict between them will only fuel their intense feelings for one another, so I recommend that you take up meditation or have a cocktail before episodes from now on. What's your guess on the verdict? I'm expecting a date will be set with the executioner on Monday. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1181 1/4/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Dawson moves that the court make an immediate decision. The tribunal says they are ready to render a decision. They are interrupted by a woman dressed in black. She claims to be Joanna Mills. Dawson says it's a hoax, and Barnabas asks Quentin if she's Joanna. He says that she is. Dawson says the woman cannot be Joanna Mills, because he entered her death certificate into the record. The court asks Dawson if he thinks the woman is dead. Dawson admits she's alive, and Barnabas urges the court to allow her to testify. Dawson loses his composure, accusing the defense of trying to trick the court. Barnabas says that Dawson gave the best reason why she should testify. He says Dawson entered a sketch into the record, and that can be used to determine her identity. The course says they will also check a handwriting sample before deciding. 

Gerard drinks, and tells Samantha he wishes they could see the end of Quentin's trial in person. She says she can't get over what happened last night, sure that the ghost of Joanna has returned to haunt them. He holds her and tells her that everything will be alright. He says Trask will put the nail in Quentin's coffin, introducing the letter into the record. Samantha says he wasn't supposed to do that. She says it might already be all over for Quentin. 

Barnabas says that they will let Joanna take the stand, and it will ruin Dawson's case. Joanna comes into the jail to speak to Quentin. Barnabas leaves them. She asks if he's glad to see her. He says he's in shock, since he thought she was dead. He asks her to explain how she wrote and sent the notes. She says she wrote notes in the sanitarium, but never sent them so she doesn't know how he could have received them. She says she'll do whatever she can to help clear him. He tells her that Daphne is at Collinwood. She thought Quentin had killed her, and she came to avenge her death. She says she wants to see her, and he tells her that he and she should have a long talk first. Barnabas returns and says the judges are ready.

The judge says they will hear Joanna Mills testimony. She's sworn in, and Dawson objects. He points out that if it is Joanna Mills, she escaped from a mental institution. The judge asks if it's true she escaped from an asylum. She says she didn't escape, she just left. She explains that she was there because she loved a man who could never be hers. They asked about her body washing ashore, and she says she knows nothing of it. Dawson says he has no questions for Joanna. Barnabas asks her about her emotional disturbance, asking her to identify the man responsible. She says she was and is in love with Quentin Collins. He mentions the letter found in the tree, and she says that she wrote it. She says that on her way to Collinwood, she found Quentin's note in the tree, and decided to respond to it. Barnabas thanks her for her testimony, and dismisses her. He tells the court that there's nothing supernatural about the letter, and no spirit left it at the oak tree. He asks that Trask's testimony be stricken from the record. The tribunal agrees that Joanna's testimony invalidates Trask's own, which will be stricken from the record. The judge also mentions her testimony raises serious questions regarding events and evidence in the trial. Barnabas tells Dawson that someone is trying to incriminate Quentin. Dawson requests a recess, and one is granted.

Gerard can't believe what Dawson told him. Dawson says they need a stronger weapon, and says they must use the head of Judah Zachery. Gerard says he'll have an answer that night. 

Joanna arrives at Collinwood, frightening Samantha. She asks to see her sister Daphne. Joanna says that Samantha and she know of one another, even though they've never met, Samantha sends her upstairs to see Daphne. Gerard comes in to see Joanna ascending the stairs. Samantha tells him that Joanna is dead, and when he tells her they can see that she's alive, she reiterates that she knows she's dead because she killed her.

Our thoughts: 

John: I wonder how long before the good news of Joanna's arrival turns into bad news for Quentin. Unless he can figure out a way to marry both Daphne and Joanna, I sense there's a storm coming... Of course, perhaps that will explain Daphne's ghost-connection to Gerard in 1970.

 

Christine: Too bad there never was a spin-off courtroom drama with Barnabas Collins. Straight out of being chained behind a wall for days and he's right on top of his lawyerly game!

 

John: Dawson jumps in to comment in the middle of Barnabas' questioning, and for the first time loses all composure in the courtroom. I do hope the head of Judah Zachery will soon take the stand to testify!

 

Christine: That would be awesome if the Head in the Box took the stand! Dawson is just as entertaining when he's flustered. He is the Hamilton Burger to Barnabas' Perry Mason. 

John: Well, well, well. Samantha is quite the killer, it seems. I wonder who else she's managed to do away with. Have any of the Collinwood help gone missing? Just think — if he plays his cards right, Gabriel might even be able to convince folks that Samantha was responsible for Daniel's death!

 

Christine: It's a wonder she didn't kill Gerard after he kicked her to the curb. So, is Joanna a ghost, did Samantha kill someone else by mistake, or did she just botch Joanna's murder?

Dark Shadows Episode 1179/1180 12/31/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

The judge asks Quentin if he would like to cross-examine Trask. Quentin says it would be best handled by his council. He clarifies that he has found a man to handle his case, and he requests a recess while they await his arrival. Dawson objects. Quentin suggests that he deserves representation. Before any more can be argued, Barnabas walks in and says that they need not wait any longer. Trask is shocked. Quentin presents Barnabas as his attorney. Dawson objects. Barnabas says any citizen may volunteer their services in this sort of proceeding, and he volunteers his. Barnabas requests a transcript of Trask's testimony. Trask says he cannot continue his testimony, saying he has a severe pain in his chest, and asks to be dismissed. 

Barnabas asks for a postponement, and the judge agrees to postpone the trial until the next morning. Dawson says that may not be enough time, and the judge says if Trask's condition becomes more serious, they can discuss it tomorrow.

In his cell, Quentin says he got Valerie's note, but he doesn't understand where he was. Barnabas says Trask had imprisoned him, and Valerie and Julia found him and freed him. He describes being bricked into an alcove and left to die. Quentin asks why he didn't tell the judge. Barnabas says that for the moment, he doesn't intend to turn him over to the authorities. He asks Quentin to trust him. They review Trask's testimony together. 

Trask paces around his chapel when Barnabas comes to see him. He asks if Trask is wondering how he got out. Trask says he used Quentin's sorcery, and that he should be dead. Barnabas says that maybe he is dead, and now he's back to haunt him forever. Barnabas says that he has every intention of doing something to him in revenge for what he did — but not now. He tells him that he'll see him in court in the morning.

Dawson is pacing in the courtroom when Trask arrives. He asks him what's wrong. Trask says he won't appear on the stand. He refuses to be cross-examined. Dawson says his entire testimony will be tossed out. He asks Trask what he's frightened of. He says he will face Barnabas whether he likes it or not.

Barnabas comes to see Flora. She says they were so worried. She tells him they arrested Desmond for witchcraft. Barnabas says he plans to help Desmond as well as Quentin. He says when he proves Quentin's innocence, it will provide Desmond's as well. Barnabas asks her if Desmond told her he brought the severed head for Quentin. She says he did. Barnabas asks if it disappeared before Quentin got it. She says that as far as she knows, yes. He asks her who else saw the head. Flora says Leticia testified that she did. Barnabas points out that Gerard could have seen it, too. He says he suspects he's involved. He asks how Gerard and Trask became friends. She says they became friends the night they were discussing Trask's father's disappearance. Barnabas asks him to tell her everything about that night in as much detail as possible. 

The court is called to order. Trask is called to the stand for cross-examination. Barnabas asks if active participation in the occult tantamount to witchcraft. He agrees. Barnabas says he has to include himself. The judge asks for clarification. Barnabas asks Trask to tell the court if he participated in a seance to communicate with his dead father. Trask is silent. Trask says he's trying to brand him as a witch. The judge directs him to answer the question. Trask admits that he did. Barnabas asks if he was successful. Trask says they heard his father's voice warning them of evil. Barnabas asks if his participation means he's a witch. Trask says it does not. Barnabas agrees. And says the same is true of Quentin. The court agrees to remove references to seances and witchcraft from the record. 

Dawson says the prosecution has not claimed that a seance constitutes an act of witchcraft. He says a means other than a seance to contact the dead does constitute witchcraft. Dawson asks if Trask knows of other examples of Quentin's powers over the dead. Trask says he witnessed such an incident. Quentin wrote a letter to a dead woman, Joanna Mills. He says he saw the spirit appear and leave a written response. He says he took the letter the spirit left behind. Dawson produces the letter. He admits a self-portrait of Joanna created when she was in an asylum, and points out that the signature matches the letter. He then submits Joanna's death certificate. Barnabas objects. Dawson says Trask saw the spirit deliver the letter, and therefore he moves that the court make a decision. Barnabas says the defense hasn't even presented their case. The tribunal says they are ready to render a decision. They are interrupted by a woman dressed in black. She claims to be Joanna Mills.

Our thoughts: 

John: So much for Barnabas' arrival turning the tables! It looked like Trask was ready to break, but Dawson convinced him to take the stand, and before you know it, he's got the judges ready to render a judgment before the defense can even present their case!

 

Christine: I'm disappointed that we didn't get to see his amazing rescue by Angelique and Julia, and find out how he was revived so quickly after being near death.

 

John: Meanwhile, Barnabas plays his little game with Trask outside of the courtroom, but keeps his own imprisonment a secret so he can torture him? That may be great for Barnabas, but it's not doing any favors for Quentin!

 
Christine: Do you think he'll find a place for Lamar next to his dear old dad in his basement? It looks like the show's resident artist has been put to work again, providing a sketch of Joanna so the judges would have confirmation of her identity before she appeared. 

John: Well that's a horse of a different color. Do we think this Joanna is really alive? Or a dead woman appearing to testify on Quentin's behalf?

 

Christine: Of course it's Joanna! It's the oldest soap opera trope in the book! And of course we have the typical shocked faced zooms to bring a delightful end to our last full year on Dark Shadows. Happy New Year, everyone!

Dark Shadows Episode 1178 12/30/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Downstairs in the basement of Trask's Memorial Chapel, Trask calls to Barnabas. When he doesn't answer, Trask wonders if he's already dead. Barnabas confirms he's not dead yet. Trask tells him that he could go on living if he was a vampire. Barnabas tells him to go away and let him die in peace. 

Gerard visits Quentin, who says Desmond is no more guilty than he is. Gerard says he should try and postpone the trial to get a new attorney. Quentin asks if there's any news about Barnabas, and Gerard just says that he's vanished. 

Dawson reviews legal documents when Gerard comes to see him. Dawson says they need positive proof that Quentin is Zachery, and he says Gerard has it. He says they just need the head from Quentin's laboratory, and they're done. Gerard suggests that there must be another way. Gerard asks what he thinks they will do with the head when the trial is over. Dawson realizes that it would be destroyed. Trask comes in, and says if he were allowed to take the stand, the trial would soon be over. Dawson tells him that he can testify in the morning. Dawson excuses himself, and Gerard points out Trask isn't usually so cheerful. Trask tells him that Barnabas is dead. Gerard asks if he's sure, and how he knows. Trask says he can't say more. Gerard pushes him, but Trask tells him that his lips are sealed. 

Gerard asks for a postponement until legal representation can be found. Dawson objects, saying that extra time to practice witchcraft. The judge offers him three hours to find representation. Or they will appoints Silas Graham. Quentin says the man is incompetent, and he'd be better served to represent himself. The judge tells him that he has until 1pm. 

Gerard tells Quentin that three hours isn't enough time. He says he tried to find the right man for the case, but he couldn't find anyone. Quentin says if no one is willing to take his case, they must think he's guilty. Gerard tells him that he's not totally defenseless. He suggests that he defend himself. Quentin reminds him that he knows nothing of the law. 

Gerard tells Dawson that Quentin is all his. He says Quentin will be quite ineffectual in court, so it's time for Dawson to go in for the kill. 

The trial resumes at 1pm. Dawson asks Quentin will be representing him. Quentin says that much to his regret, he will have to speak for himself. Dawson says it's impossible that Quentin was unable to find anyone to represent him. He says the fact that only his cousin, who awaits his own trial for witchcraft, was willing to defend him makes a strong statement about the case against him. Quentin suggests that Dawson's statements should be stricken from the record, and his objection is sustained. They ask Quentin if he might find representation in the near future. Quentin says he's not at liberty to say. 

Dawson calls Trask to testify. After being sworn in, Dawson asks about Lorna Bell. Trask mentions how he last saw her alive, she mentioned planning to meet Quentin. He says when he next saw her, later that night, she was dead, and had the Devil's mark on her forehead. The same mark was on Quentin's ring. And also on Randall Drew's body. He says he found Quentin over Randall's dead body. He adds that Quentin's deceased father had a vision in which he saw Quentin murder Lorna. Quentin objects, but it is overruled. Trask says it was on Quentin's stairway into time. Dawson asks if Quentin has supernatural powers over time. Trask says he does not know. Dawson points out that the stairway is where Daniel saw the vision. 

Dawson asks about what happened on the Grimes property. Trask says his cattle were stricken by a spell cast by Quentin. Quentin objects. Trasks says Quentin threatened Grimes. Quentin says he didn't threaten Grimes, but he will threaten Trask. Dawson asks how Trask knows of the threat. Trask says Grimes told him. Quentin objects. Trask says he didn't hear the threat, but Grimes wouldn't lie to him. The judge says that Grimes can testify for himself, and Dawson assures the court that he will. The judge asks Quentin if he would like to cross-examine Trask. Quentin says it would be best handled by his council. He clarifies that he has found a man to handle his case, and he requests a recess while they await his arrival. Dawson objects. Quentin suggests that he deserved representation. Before any more can be argued, Barnabas walks in and says that they need not wait any longer.

Our thoughts: 

John: Where was Roxanne's ghost when Trask came to visit Barnabas? Do you supposed Julia and Angelique have been hanging out by Trask's chapel all day?

 

Christine: Julia and Angelique seemed determined to wait for a sign from Roxanne yesterday. Perhaps she finally found them, or they heard Trask taunting Barnabas, and broke down the wall when he left. 

 

John: How was Quentin supposed to find alternative representation in three hours — from within the jail cell? You'd be hard pressed to do that in 2020 with a smartphone at your disposal, and he's supposed to figure it out in 1840?

 
Christine: I love how the judge advised him not to make the decision to represent himself in haste and then followed up by saying he had until 1 o'clock. I hope we'll find out how Quentin knew that Barnabas was on the way to help him. 

John: Tomorrow should certainly be interesting! Considering how Barnabas was looking behind the brick wall just a few hours ago, I'd almost think that Angelique would have had to restore his vampire curse for him to suddenly appear so spry and chipper!

 

Christine: Yes, indeed! Let's hope for an exciting episode to conclude our last full year of the show!