Dark Shadows Episode 1177 12/29/70

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Julia continues to search Quentin's lab when she hears footsteps. She realizes that someone's coming down the stairs. She sees Professor Stokes, and smiles. He comes downstairs and says he's half as amazed as she was. He says what he read in Flora's journal must be true. Julia asks where he found it. He says it was in the ruins of Collinwood. He read that Barnabas disappeared, and his body was never found. He asks how long Barnabas has been missing, and she says it's been a week. He says they must change the course of history and find him. She asks how he knew about the staircase, and Stokes explains that Barnabas told him about it. He says he was waiting in the playroom for 36 hours when the doorway appeared. She says he hopes he doesn't regret it, and he says it's an adventure. He asks if Gerard is there, and she says he's the master of Collinwood. She explains that Quentin and Desmond have been accused of being warlocks, and they believe Gerard is responsible. She says she'll introduce him as a professor friend from Pennsylvania. She'll say he hasn't met Barnabas, but has corresponded with him, and came due to an old invitation from him. He asks if Gerard suspects her and Barnabas, and she says that he does. 

Gerard calls from outside, demanding that she unlock the door. She does, and he asks if she's alone. She says she was reading aloud. He looks around, and asks if she's sure no one else is there. He pulls back the curtain, revealing the staircase. No one is there. She says she was ensuring there was no more incriminating evidence against Quentin or Desmond. He asks why she locked the door, and she explains that she didn't want to be disturbed. They head upstairs together. 

Gerard asks Julia if she'll see Quentin today. She says she may not have time. She tells Gerard that she just got a letter, and a friend is arriving from Pennsylvania. Professor Stokes. He asks if he's related to Carrie, and she says he is Ben Stokes' nephew. Gerard says he's surprised he didn't come to Ben's funeral. He goes to tell the servants to prepare Ben's room as Angelique comes in. They go into the drawing room, and Julia tells her a friend has arrived from 1970 to help them. He points out that in the future, he introduced Angelique to Collinwood. Julia says that he won't understand how they're married, and make up a story about Angelique traveling through time because she has an obsession about Barnabas. 

Stokes wonders about the obsession about Barnabas. He says he's afraid of doing the wrong thing, or saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. He says seeing Gerard in Quentin's lab made him feel quite vulnerable. She says that when she arrived in 1840, Ben Stokes helped her like she's now helping him. Stokes asks if Daphne came with Gerard, and Julia goes into great detail about Quentin's wife Samantha being in love with Gerard, and their getting married on the day that Quentin and Tad showed up after having been thought lost at sea. She then describes all of the twists and turns in Collinwood soap opera history circa 1840. She says they may have been wrong to blame everything on Gerard. He asks who is to blame, and she says Judah Zachery. She's surprised to see that Stokes recognizes the warlock's name. He reminds her that occult history is his academic specialty. He says he was beheaded, and his severed head had strange powers. Julia says Desmond found it, and it possessed him, then Leticia, then her. She says Quentin is accused of being possessed by it, though she's sure Gerard is. He asks what evidence the state has against Quentin. Julia lists the circumstantial evidence, including the series of dead bodies he was discovered with. Stokes asks what Barnabas' involvement is. Julia says Gerard and Trask are trying to involve him, and Barnabas disappeared when he was going to testify on Quentin's behalf. Julia tells him how to plan his arrival at Collinwood. Stokes asks about Daphne, and Julia says she's in love with Quentin, not Gerard. 

Julia is sleeping in the drawing room when she dreams that she's hearing Roxanne's voice. She gets up and sees her ghost, telling her that Barnabas is dying, and she must follow her. Julia does. Outside of a brick building, Roxanne tells Julia to hurry, and then Angelique wakes her. Julia says she was taking her to Barnabas, and Angelique has ruined it! Angelique says it's a sign, if she said he's alive. She asks if they know the place. Julia says Stokes will be there any moment, and Angelique asks her which is more important. Julia agrees that Barnabas is, and they leave together. 

Stokes arrives at Collinwood, and Gerard lets him in. Gerard introduces himself, and asks if his journey from Baltimore was successful. Stokes corrects him, saying Philadelphia. Gerard says he's surprised he didn't ask for Barnabas. Stokes asks if he's there, saying he looks forward to meeting him. Gerard explains that Barnabas is missing, and there may be foul play involved. He asks Stokes if he can tell him about Julia.

Julia and Angelique arrive in at the location from her dream. She says this is the room Roxanne led her to, and she knows Barnabas is here somewhere. She calls for Roxanne to help. Angelique joins her in calling, and says they will wait. 

Downstairs in the basement of Trask's Memorial Chapel, Roxanne waits outside the brick wall wondering why Julia hasn't come, when he has so little time.

Our thoughts: 

John: Eliot Stokes steps right out of the Disco in Saturday Night Fever into 1840! What impeccable timing to arrive while Julia happens to be in Quentin's lab!

 

Christine: Thank goodness he wasn't wearing the platform shoes and Angels Flight pants I was expecting! I can't help but wonder how he would know Barnabas if, according to what he read in Flora's journal, Barnabas disappeared and was never heard from again. Wouldn't that mean that they never had the chance to meet? 

 

John: Here we go again. At her first opportunity, Julia starts making up stories about Stokes, giving Gerard plenty of ammunition to use against him. And while I loved Julia's ridiculously detailed explanation about everything going on in 1840, it becomes quite clear to viewers how little any of it makes sense. Stokes is dead-on when he describes it as a complicated crossword puzzle.

 
Christine: That was a nice little recap for those just tuning in and wondering what the heck is going on, though it would seem unnecessary. Isn't it just us die-hard fans left watching at this point? 

John: Roxanne is one lazy ghost. She'll come to Julia in a dream, but not bother to step outside to drag her downstairs to where Barnabas is bricked in. Of course, I can't wait to see how a ghost, a witch, and a 1970s doctor are going to break down a brick wall!

 

Christine: Maybe Roxanne has a little bit of an attitude after Angelique poked her doll, resurrecting the vampire curse on her, and then fed Julia to her, though I guess she wouldn't take that out on Barnabas. Perhaps the fog obscured her ghostly vision and kept her from knowing where they were.

Dark Shadows Episode 1176 12/28/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Flora tells Gerard that she's worried about Quentin. Gerard says Desmond is doing enough. She tells him they all should be doing more. He assures her that he's doing everything he can. Flora asks where Barnabas has gone, pointing out he's been missing for three days. Leticia rushes in, crying. Flora asks her what has happened. She tells Flora that Desmond has been arrested for witchcraft. Leticia says it's all her fault. Flora asks why they arrested him. Leticia says they asked her about the head of Judah Zachery. Gerard is shocked to hear that the head was in the house, but realizes that's why Desmond had Zachery's journal. Gerard points out that the head had certain powers, and could possess people. Leticia explains that's what happened to her. She doesn't understand why they arrested Desmond instead of her. Flora asks where the head is. Leticia says that the head was destroyed, but Dawson says it's possessing Quentin. Flora goes to see Desmond. Gerard tells Leticia that if they can prove the head was destroyed, it can't be possessing Quentin.

Leticia visits Desmond. He says he assumes his mother will arrive shortly, now that she knows. Leticia points out that if they can prove the head was destroyed, Gerard says it will end it all. Desmond tells her that Zachery is possessing Gerard, he just can't prove it. She says she's going to talk to Gerard, but Desmond stops her, saying he doesn't want her to get hurt. He points out that things might be different if Barnabas were there...

Angelique tells Julia that she'd give up her powers if she could only see where Barnabas is. Julia asks her if she's really in love with him. She says she is, and she thinks he finally understands that. Leticia runs in and tells Julia they must go to Zachery's tomb. She says if the head isn't in the tomb, then Desmond thinks he knows where it is.

In the jail, Flora asks Desmond why he didn't tell her about the head. She assures him she'll find a lawyer to overpower Dawson. He says he doesn't understand how Dawson found out so much about Zachery, and assumes it was Gerard. She says Gerard only just heard of Zachery. Desmond says that he found the journal in Gerard's room. He's sure he planted it in Quentin's lab, but can't prove it.

Angelique is sure that Gerard is Zachery, and therefore knows where Barnabas is. She decides to play upon his love for Miranda. She finds him in the drawing room, and she asks if Barnabas might have given some clue as to where he is. She cries, and Gerard comforts her. He reminds her that she and Barnabas were estranged. She asks Gerard if he were ever in love. He says he was, once, very long ago. She asks if he still remembers her, and he says he does. She asks if he would try to save her if he could, and he says he never would. He says he dreams about her only because he hates her. He says he would never help her now. 

Julia confirms the head is not in the tomb. Angelique says Gerard has it. Leticia says she wishes she could be as sure as they are. Julia asks if it would be in Gerard's room. She says he just left for Rose Cottage, so she can go searching for it now. She leaves, and Leticia asks Julia if they can go to the lab and make sure there's nothing else there to cause trouble for Quentin. 

Leticia says Quentin's staircase is crazy. Julia tells her it was an experiment to transcend time. Leticia says she knows that it's true. The stairs lead from 1840 to another time. Julia yells at her to stop as she ascends thee stairs. Julia grabs her. Leticia says it was like someone was calling her. She says they must get rid of the stairs. Angelique comes in and says the head is not in Gerard's room. Leticia says that maybe Gerard is not possessed, and leaves. Julia asks where she's going. Julia tells Angelique that she was afraid. Julia says she never thought anything like this would happen when she came down them. Angelique asks what she means. Julia explains that's how she arrived in 1840. On the night in 1970 when the ghost of Gerard had killed the two children. She says she doesn't know whether to be grateful, or hate the stairs.

Leticia is reading her cards when Gerard comes in. She tells him to sit down for a reading. She pulls a queen of hearts suggesting there will be another woman in his life, followed by the queen of spades, saying she will replace the one he loved and lost. And then the ace of clubs, saying she will marry him, hating him. He accuses her of making things up, and gets up and walks out on her. 

Desmond tells Leticia not to play games with Gerard. She says she saw his future as himself, and today she saw the future of Judah Zachery. Desmond says there's only one way to end it — to get out of jail and kill Gerard himself. She reminds him that she wouldn't have killed her when she was possessed. They must try to save Gerard from Zachery.

Julia and Angelique continue to search Quentin's lab. Angelique suggests that she should go to town to talk to Trask, leaving Julia alone to search. She hears footsteps, and calls out, asking who it is. She realizes that it's someone coming down the stairs.

Our thoughts: 

John: I thought it was great for Angelique to think she'd use her historic relationship with Zachery to get the low-down on Barnabas' location, only to find out that Gerard still thinks of his lost love every night, but not for the reason she was hoping!

 

Christine: I thought it was disappointing. Her spell casting has always been superior to her love magic, so she really couldn't have expected a different result, especially since she was responsible for his beheading. It would have been much more fun to see her throw a spell his way to make him do her bidding. 

 

John: Do you think it was an error on the part of the property master that Leticia only had a standard Bicycle deck of playing cards to read the future with? Of course we all know that Bicycle playing cards were not introduced until 1885, so we'll have to assume someone brought this deck back in time through Quentin's magic staircase at some point.

 
Christine: Desmond was seen with Collinwood's standard tarot deck last in Episode 1141. Leticia's Bicycle deck reading will be the last tarot reading on the show, so it's possible the 1JJ Swiss tarot deck used throughout various time periods may have ended up in the same hands as the original portrait of Barnabas.  

John: Hmmm... who could it be coming from the future? Barnabas? I highly doubt that. Do you think Professor Stokes has found the staircase? Not that we haven't seen Thayer David several times in 1840 already...

 

Christine: It could be Barnabas. Since he came to 1840 by way of I Ching, his body is still hanging out in 1970. Perhaps his 1840 persona croaked behind the wall, and snapped him back to consciousness in 1970, and then he took the Stairway through time back. Though, if he died in 1840, would he still remain alive in 1970? Was the zoom in on his portrait as the ladies went to Quentin's lab a clue? Or do the disco lights indicate that someone is arriving from the late 70s in platform shoes and Angels Flight pants? 

Dark Shadows Episode 1173 12/23/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Daphne brings the note to the oak tree. As she goes to place it, Trask grabs the note from her and says that he'll take it. She demands that he give it back. He grabs her and tells her that she will be called back to testify at the witchcraft trial. He tells her to renounce the warlock and ponder the direction her sad life has taken. She tells him that she would never do that. He tells her to leave before he turns her over to the authorities.

Julia returns to the old house, and Angelique tells her that she's responsible for the trouble Barnabas. Ju;ia reminds her that Barnabas would be dead if she hadn't lifted the curse. Angelique tells Julia she knows that she and Julia tried to reunite Judah Zachery's head and body. Julia asks how she knows Judah Zachery. Angelique explains how they met when she was young,  made her a member of his coven, and showed her how to use powers. Julia realizes that she is Miranda. Angelique explains how she testified against him, and upon his conviction, he swore to get revenge against the people responsible for his death, and their heirs. She says if Zachery killed Barnabas, he killed a Collins and the man she loves. 

Julia points out that Zachery's body was destroyed. Angelique explains that he has possessed someone else. She was sure it was Quentin, and now she knows that it is not. Julia says Zachery must be possessing Gerard. Angelique says she suspected him, and then she foolishly decided it wasn't him. She says he must have made her see Quentin when she had a vision of who Zachery was possessing. She says that Zachery has some plan for her, and he's waiting to carry it out. Julia asks if she can use her powers to find Barnabas. She says she's not a clairvoyant. Julia decides to ask Leticia if she can use her second sight.

Daphne returns to Collinwood, and Gerard asks if she placed the letter. She tells him to stop playing games; that she knows he sent his friend Trask to find the note. She says his plan succeeded, pointing out that he was the only one who knew about the note. She says she now knows that he is the enemy, and that tomorrow, Quentin will, too. 

Trask arrives at Collinwood to see Gerard. Gerard says he shouldn't have come. Trask explains that he found a note from Quentin to Joanna that must get to Dawson. Gerard tells him to take it back to the tree. He says that it's evidence that Quentin is trying to connect with the dead. He asks Trask if it would be more impressive to prove that he was successful. Gerard says that Joanna will come to receive the letter, and then again to leave a reply. He says that they will be there to intercept the letter. He points out how impressive it will be when Dawson presents a letter addressed to Quentin from a dead woman. Trask says they would have to convict him immediately, and offer to take the note back to the tree. 

He leaves, and Samantha comes downstairs. Gerard tells her to come to him and she refuses. He kisses her and tells her she would be better to remember the days before Quentin returned. She pulls away from him, and he says that she's as clever as he is, and just as unscrupulous — using the letters to try and get rid of Daphne. He continues to kiss her, but she keeps turning away. He tells her to put on the cape and wear to the Oak Tree, and to bring him the note. He says that she will then write the answer to Quentin's note, and put that into the tree. He says she must, and they kiss again. Samantha leaves and Gerard pulls out his Devil's sigil and tells her to dream of him.

Daphne dreams of Gerard. She kisses him, and assures him that she loves him. They kiss, and she tells him not to ever leave her. Daphne wakes, having forgotten her dream.

Daphne goes into the drawing room and, ignoring Gerard, sits by the fire. He asks if she had a nice nap. He suggests that she go to Desmond to prepare for the questioning in the trial. She says she doesn't know why, but she's feeling differently about him now. He asks if there's anything he can do to comfort her, and they embrace. 

Julia tells Angelique that Leticia cannot see Barnabas. Angelique decides that she must go to Gerard, since he doesn't know that she knows he is Judah Zachery. She wonders if she can find the love they once shared if she tries.

Trask and Gerard return to the tree and find that the note is gone. Trask finds it hard to believe the spirit took it. Gerard tells him they must hide and give the spirit a chance to place her response, and they see someone in a cloak place a note at the tree. Trask can't believe it, but eagerly collects the note. He sees it's to Quentin, and reads it. Trask is convinced that Quentin will be beheaded.

Back at Collinwood, Gerard laughs as he tells Samantha that her performance with the letter was brilliant. She explains that she went to the tree earlier and there was no letter there, so she wasn't able to leave a response. She and Gerard realize that Joanna must have returned.

Our thoughts: 

John: While I like the idea of Julia and Angelique working together, the sad fact is that they're not accomplishing much more than Julia and Barnabas do on their own. While I have trouble believing that Angelique wouldn't be able to use her powers to find Barnabas, it's doubly insulting that Leticia would fail as well. Do you think Jonathan Frid was taking an extended Christmas vacation? If they don't find an another way to locate him soon, he'll end up another skeleton for future generations to find!

 

Christine: Angelique has never had any difficulty finding Barnabas in the past, so it is hard to believe she can't find him now. I think it's just the writers' excuse to have her put the make on Gerardudah so we can see him try and juggle five women. 

 

John: I'm getting a bit bored with Gerard's repeated dream-intrusions to remind Daphne to come snuggle up with him. Does his power really lack a long-term effect that necessitates his doing this every few days, or is he just too fixated on his devil trinket?

 
Christine: It's hard to believe he is as powerful as he's been made out to be when his imagination seems limited to having Daphne dream of making out with him every few days. He was able to get Edith to dedicate herself to Satan in far less time.

John: While it was amusing to see Gerard surprised by Samantha's revelation that she didn't place the note, why would that even matter to him? In terms of getting Quentin convicted and beheaded, aren't they just as well off to have the note actually coming from Joanna beyond the grave?

 

Christine: I have to wonder if Samantha is playing him by having him think Joanna was responsible for placing the note. It would be ideal if she were setting him up for revenge. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1172 12/22/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV

Barnabas arrives at Trask's chapel and calls to him. When no one answers, he makes his way to the cellar.  He calls to Roxanne, asking if she's there, and pleading for him to appear to him. Trask comes out with a gun. Barnabas realizes that it was a trap. Trask says he has waited a long time for this moment. He tells Barnabas to look behind him, and he sees a pile of bricks. Trask tells him that his father's death must be avenged, and it's only fitting that Barnabas should die the way his father did — sealed up behind a brick wall. Barnabas asks him if he thinks he'll get away with this. Trask threatens to shoot him if he tries to escape. He adds that he's glad Barnabas is human, and not a vampire. He tells him to put on manacles. Barnabas does as he's told. 

Moments later, Barnabas is almost completely walled up behind bricks. Like Barnabas, Trask leaves the brick right in front of his eyes for last. Trask says his father's remains were not found for 40 years. He asks Barnabas how long he thinks his father lived without food or water. Barnabas assures Trask that he will see his face again. Trask tells him that his screams will not be heard. He says he is proud that he is not only avenging his father's death, but preventing his testifying on Quentin's behalf. He places the last brick in place.

Gerard comes downstairs at Collinwood as Julia comes in. He greets her, and she reminds him that he tried to kill Barnabas yesterday, and they are not friends. She asks if he has seen Barnabas. She says Valerie hadn't seen him since last night. Gerard asks her why she's so uneasy. She says if he sees him, he can tell him she's gone to see Quentin. 

As she leaves Trask arrives. He says that he assumes she's unable to find her brother. He says he can understand her concern for a missing loved one. Gerard asks Trask what he's trying to tell him. Trask says it's nothing at all. Gerard asks what he's done with Barnabas. Trask asks if Gerard thinks he'd do anything to harm Barnabas. He reiterates that they found Barnabas was innocent of being a vampire. Gerard asks what he did with him. Trask says whatever happened to Barnabas would be well deserved, and he thinks they have seen the last of him. 

Julia comes to see Quentin, and finds that Barnabas hasn't arrived. She says she doesn't know where he is. Quentin asks if he's changed his mind about testifying. Julia says that something dreadful has happened to him. Quentin says someone has seen to it that Barnabas won't testify on his behalf. 

Behind the brick wall, Barnabas hears someone enter the cellar of Trask's chapel. Trask asks him if he can hear him. He says that his failure to appear at Quentin's trial came as a sever shock to the defense. He says it may have been a turning point in the trial.

Gerard is in the drawing room when Daphne returns from Rose Cottage. She asks him what happened in her room last night. He says that nothing happened. She accuses him of lying to her. She asks him to tell her what happened. He says that something happened. He says Joanna's spirit appeared and moved towards her bed carrying a knife. She says Joana really wants to kill her. She asks him if she should leave Collinwood, and he says no. He says they will find the answers. He ponders a way of communicating with her. She says they already tried a seance. He says they could leave Joanna a note from Quentin by the tree. Daphne is doubtful. She says that if Quentin tries to communicate with the dead, someone may use that against him.

Trask returns to the brick wall. He asks Barnabas how he feels. Barnabas says nothing. Trask asks if he's hungry or thirsty, and points out that it will get worse as time goes by. Barnabas finds the situation ironic. 

Quentin reads the note Daphne found in the foyer. He asks what happened. She describes what Gerard told her, about Joanna's spirit attempting to kill her. He says she's got to get away. She says Gerard's idea would be to have Quentin write Joanna a note explaining his feelings. He asks how he gets a not to her. Daphne says she'll take it to the Oak Tree. He agrees to write a note.

Trask arrives to see Gerard. Gerard says that Quentin plans to enlist help from the spirit world. He tells Trask to sit down and listen carefully.

Julia returns to Collinwood and Daphne asks if there's any word on Barnabas. She says no, and tells Daphne to prey for him. She then walks in on Trask and Gerard, and asks whose fate they are deciding now. She asks what they have done with her brother. She accuses them of having reasons to stop him from testifying for Quentin. She asks Gerard why he won't admit to working with Trask. Trask tells Julia that Gerard has yet to believe that Quentin is a heretic. He adds that he thinks Barnabas ran away out of fear of being questioned by Dawson. Trask leaves, and Gerard says she mustn't make accusations against him. He offers her a drink but she brushes him off and leaves.

Daphne brings the note to the oak tree. As she goes to place it, Trask grabs the note from her and says that he'll take it.

Our thoughts: 

John: The only thing folks in Collinsport do faster than travel great distances on foot is walling people up in basement alcoves. Do you think it takes a special skill to leave the last opening in the bricks right at someone's eye-line? And why is it that the people being walled up never bother to kick the bricks out before the mortar has dried?

 

Christine: It's possible that folks in Collinsport are interred and disinterred at the cemetery much quicker than they are walled up in basements around town. The fact that they are being walled up to leave eye-level bricks for last would seem to make them structurally unsound, and I can only imagine it's some profound sense of guilt that makes the victims believe they deserve such harsh punishment that keeps them from easily knocking down the freshly cemented wall, which would take weeks to fully dry in that day and age. 

 

Episode 442

Episode 879

John: Doesn't it seem like we should be at the trial? I mean, why would Barnabas not testifying be a game-changer for Quentin? Or was Trask just lying about all that? It seemed like the last time we were there, things were looking brighter for Quentin. I hate to think we're missing out on any Charles Dawson magic!

 
Christine: It's his day off. Hopefully we'll catch up with him at trial tomorrow, when Trask presents his newfound evidence of Quentin communicating with the dead. 

John: Julia had better step up her game, and quickly, if she is going to save Barnabas, so he can in turn save Quentin. Wouldn't you think she'd go straight to Angelique to conjure up Barnabas' location? Or Leticia? Wouldn't it be cool, once freed, for Barnabas to wall up another Trask alongside his pop's skeleton in the basement of the old house? So that in some unseen future, someone would find two Trask's buried behind the brick wall?

 

Christine: Yeah, what good is it being married to a witch if she can't find you when you're at the mercy of a maniac? Perhaps she'll show up before the end of the week to save her beloved. Quentin's head will surely be off by then, though. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1169 12/17/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Gerard arrives at the old house. He forces his way in and points a gun at her. He tells her not to play innocent. He says she knows what he's going to do and tells her to leave the house because it won't be pleasant. He goes to the bookcase and searches for a lever to open it. Barnabas appears and asks if he's looking for a book. Gerard is shocked to see him in the daylight. Barnabas offers to help him find the book he's looking for. Barnabas asks him what's wrong. Gerard says he's standing in front of him in broad daylight. Barnabas asks him what's so unusual about that, and Gerard says what's unusual is vampirism. Barnabas asks him why he thinks he's a vampire. Gerard says he knows his answer to that. Barnabas explains that vampires cannot survive during the daytime, or see their reflection in a mirror. Gerard says that he obviously has assistance form someone. Barnabas says of course he has, adding that he's had someone nearby offering a kind hand. Valerie walks in and offers Gerard a drink. Gerard tells them to enjoy it while they can, and leaves. 

After he's gone, Barnabas asks Angelique what she wants in return for helping him. She says she expects nothing. For once in her life, she says there is no price. Julia says she's never done anything for nothing. Angelique says she did what she did because she loves Barnabas. Julia turns in a huff, saying she doesn't believe her. Barnabas asks Julia to allow him to speak to Angelique alone, and she says of course, since they are husband and wife. He thanks her for warning him about Gerard, adding that right now he would be dead in his coffin forever. Julia says he would have had to kill her first, and he says in that case, Angelique saved them both. Julia asks him for what... saved them for what, and storms off. 

Barnabas tells Angelique that she can pretend in front of Julia, but they know each other too well for lies. He asks the price for her saving his life. She says there is none, and she understands him not believing her. She says she only has herself to blame. He says she is extraordinary. He points out that he's seen her play this scene so many times before, but he confesses that he's never been so convinced. She tells him that it's the truth — she loves him. He tells her to spare him the charade, saying she only wants power over him. She says she has no hold over him now that she lifted the curse. She says she would rather see him free of her than dead. She admits she gave him reasons to despise her, but nothing she has done has given her his love. He says that they can no more love at will than they can prevent their love. She says she knows that well, and is why she asks for nothing he can't give her willingly. She asks that he try loving her. He says he almost feels like an ordinary man, and she's an ordinary woman. She says he is an ordinary man now, and he asks, "forever?" She pauses, silent, and then says she swears it will be forever. She asks him to hold her. She says she's afraid of losing him now that he's human, and can die. She asks him to hold her. He does. She asks if he believes her now, and he says he does. He says he cannot say he loves her now, but for the first time since her arrival from Martinique, he understands her love. She asks if that makes any difference, and he says he doesn't know. 

At Collinwood, Julia tells Barnabas it's madness to believe Angelique. She tells him not to trust her, and he says he must. She says it's a mistake, and Angelique will use her power against him again. She says she cares for him too much.. and then dials back, saying he's her good friend and she doesn't want to lose him. He tells her that he's human now, and wants to take a walk in the sun. 

He leaves, and she starts upstairs, running into Gerard. He points out she had quite a night with Valerie. He asks her when she last saw her brother Barnabas in the daylight. She says just now, and before that, earlier in the day, which he should also remember. She then adds yesterday and the day before. He says she's the only one who has. He takes her to the portrait and asks who it is. She says Barnabas. He asks which one, and she replies, "the father." Gerard questions, "the father?" Julia laughs it off and says it's her father. Gerard says he thinks there's only one Barnabas Collins. She says she understands he thinks Barnabas is a vampire, and as a doctor, says she's concerned about him. She assures him that Barnabas is all-too human. She excuses herself and goes upstairs. 

Gerard goes into the drawing room and takes a drink. Gabriel wheels in and asks for his check. Gerard tosses it to him, and Gabriel points out it's only half his allowance. Gerard explains that it's all he's getting until the trial is over, since it's causing the family a fortune. Gabriel demands his allowance, and Gerard walks out on him, calling him a boor. Gabriel wheels to the fire and throws the check in, but misses. He hears laughter which he thinks is his father, and he asks why he has come back. 

Barnabas returns to the old house and regales Angelique with talk of the beauty of daylight. She asks if he's happy, and he says he's like a child, waiting for the morning. She says she's glad. He asks what she's doing, and she says she's replying to Charles Dawson, who has asked her to testify against Quentin. She says she's going to do it. Barnabas says that he won't allow it, because Quentin is innocent. Angelique tells him that Quentin is evil — possessed by the spirit of Judah Zachery. He asks her how she knows Zachery. She points out that as long as he has known her, he never knew who made her as she is. He's shocked. She says it was in 1692, long before she met Barnabas. She said she loathed Zachery from the moment she met him, but she was drawn to his spell and made a member of his coven. She says that Amadeus Collins, Barnabas' great uncle was a judge who tried and convicted him for witchcraft, and had him beheaded. She explains that she testified against him, and if she hadn't, they would have beheaded her as well. She says Zachery vowed revenge on her and the Collins family. Barnabas realizes that she's Miranda from the newspaper articles. She tells him that she was exiled to the West Indies, where she met Josette. 

Barnabas asks why she thinks Quentin is possessed. She says it started when Gerard referred to her as Miranda. She thought only Judah would know that. Barnabas points out how that would make Gerard the suspect, not Quentin. She says she saw a vision of Amadeus. She suspected Gerard, and conjured an image of Zachery now, and saw Quentin's face. Barnabas says that Gerard is surely possessed by Zachery. He says that all of her strange experiences have been made by Judah acting as Gerard. She asks why he is so sure. He says that he came from the 20th Century, where Gerard is an evil spirit possessing two children, David Collins and Hallie Stokes. He says that he will murder Quentin if they don't stop him, and go on to destroy Collinwood. She realizes that if it's true, Zachery will continue to exist. Barnabas tells her she must refuse to testify against Quentin, and she agrees. He says that if anyone is a threat to them, it is Gerard Stiles.

Gabriel thanks Julia for giving him a drink. She says he was pale as a ghost. He suggests that she dislikes Gerard as much as he does. She asks why he thinks that. He says she either hates him, or is terrified of him. Gabriel says he is a loathsome pig. He says Gerard knows he is going to break his father's will. Gabriel hears his father's voice saying, "DO NOT TRY," and he wheels out of the room. Julia wonders what is terrifying Gabriel. She goes outside.

Gabriel lights a lamp in his room, and the window blows open. He asks his father to leave him alone. Daniel's ghost appears and says that Gabriel murdered him. Gabriel blames Gerard for goading him into killing him. Daniel yells at him, calling him a liar. He says he will do as Gabriel did to him, and disappears. Gabriel says he will ensure Gerard never hurts him again.

In the drawing room, Gerard plays a game of chess by himself. Gabriel walks in through the secret door and sneaks up on him. He karate-chops Gerard in the neck, knocking him out. He ties a rope around his neck and pulls it tight.

Our thoughts: 

John: Fancy mirror shot in the opening! And then a great twist and entrance for Angelique! Of course, Gerard still could have killed Barnabas and been done with it, right then and there...

 

Christine: That scene was well played. Gerard must have been too flabbergasted to do anything. At the very least he could have asked about the skeleton in the basement. 

 

John: Lara Parker has played this scene so many times before. I have to admit, I watched this scene between she and Barnabas thinking this is the most important event in the history of the show since Barnabas' arrival nearly 1000 episodes ago... but just like Barnabas, I'm so jaded, I know it can't be true. But throughout this episode, each time I thought they would show her true colors, they stuck to her story. Kudos to the writers for getting me to doubt myself, if only for a brief moment in time.

 
Christine: Consider that sometimes this show likes to do the unexpected. Even Julia seemed to truly believe it, with the way she was freaking out, though what she really may be upset about is that her beloved Barnabas is now mortal and she could lose him. This is certainly a game changer, as it will most definitely alter future events at Collinwood. 

John: Wow! A Ghost of Daniel appearance, and Gabriel takes the most steps we've seen — for the first time without his wheelchair nearby! But can he truly do-away with Gerard so easily? I think not. Though wouldn't it be funny if he actually killed Gerard, and in doing so sealed Quentin's fate by eliminating the real warlock Barnabas, Julia and Angelique are out to expose. Gerard surviving this event is the only thing I'm more sure about than my assumptions about Angelique's sincerity. 

 

Christine: I can't believe that Gerard was so engrossed with his solo chess game that he didn't know Gabriel was creeping up behind him, so it appears to be some kind of a set up.