Dark Shadows Episode 897 - 12/3/69

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David enters a subterranean room with a bubbling cauldron. He reaches in and takes out some leaves. He speaks an incantation. He hears his words echo around him before collapsing to the ground.

Carolyn comes to visit Chris at the cottage. She asks if Sabrina meant something to him at some time. He says she did, but not any more. Carolyn says that she's trying to protect him from something. She asks how Sabrina got sick, and he asks what she said. She says that Sabrina warned her that he would try to kill her. He says that she's right, and she never should have come back. He says he's a monster, with no choice but to kill. He says he doesn't have control of himself. He tells her to leave, and she does. Chris picks up a gun.

Carolyn comes to the old house looking for Barnabas. She hears his voice, saying that punishment is necessary. She calls to him, and hears his voice behind a bookcase. He then appears on the other side of the room. He says that he is conducting an electronics experiment. He asks why she's there, and why she's upset. She tells him that she's come from visiting Chris. She says it's over between them. She asks why he advised her against staying with Chris. He says his reasons were that Chris was not emotionally stable. She says that Chris agrees with him. He says that she's destined to find a better match than Chris. He walks her to the door and sends her home.

After she leaves, he opens the secret panel behind the bookcase and enters. He rewinds a tape player that has the recording Carolyn heard. He asks if Philip understands what must be done, and sends him away in a trance.

Chris writes a note to Carolyn and places it on the mantle. He picks up the revolver, and hears a woman crying. A crazy looking woman (Jenny Collins) says he must not do it. She says she can't help him, but Quentin can. She disappears.

David wakes up in the Leviathan's underground lair. He heads back out the way he came in.

Megan comes downstairs in the antique shop, seemingly distraught. She picks up the phone and calls the police, just as Philip returns. She says she's been worried. He says he saw a man about a house full of antiques. She says that's unlike him, and he asks if she thinks he's lying to her. She says she thinks someone is coming to kill her. He tells her that everything is going to be alright.

He asks about the baby and she says he still has a fever. He says it's a shame about the book, and she should have been more careful, blaming her for it being stolen. She says they're both responsible. He tells her to relax. He leaves to get cigarettes, and she begs him not to leave her. He says he'll only be gone a few minutes.

He leaves and she proceeds to close all the blinds. She sits down in a rocking chair and picks up her knitting. She's disturbed by all the sounds around her. She gets up and picks up some paperwork, when one of the blinds flaps open. She goes to shut it and locks the door. She hears a picture fall, and goes to put it back up. She hears something behind a door to another room, and after checking it, slams it shut. She hears a door shut upstairs and picks up the phone to dial the apothecary down the street.

She asks if her husband is still there, and they say he hasn't been there. She hangs up the phone and screams when she hears another sound. She watches as the front door handle turns.

Our thoughts

John: No sooner that I mention her, and Jenny Collins reappears! Casting convenience? Or part of some grand master plan? At least we seem to be closing in on the arrival of Quentin Collins in 1969!

Christine: Her hair in death is bigger than it ever was in life, which is especially odd, since the last time she appeared as a ghost, her hair was neatly done. It gives her a very frightening Medusa-like appearance. It does seem odd for her to show up from beyond the grave to save Chris. And what is going on with David plucking the Leviathan weed out of the cauldron? I'm not sure what was going on with that scene, though Haza also laid a branch like this by Barnabas' head before raising him as the Leviathan Master.

John: Ah, Barnabas doing an electronics experiment. Making someone listen to his recorded directions rather than providing them directly. A new breed of technological horror at play!

Christine: Leviathan Barnabas is so much more creative with his punishments than Vampire Barnabas ever was!

John: Interesting scene in the antique shop. In a very uncharacteristic fashion, they play up the haunted room elements without relying on a Robert Cobert underscore. It certainly gave the actress playing Megan a lot to do, and proved to be genuinely creepy..

Christine: I thought so, too, though I am surprised you did not recognize the obvious steal from Night of the Living Dead, with the animal heads on the wall, and the sting provided by Megan's scream.

Night of the Living Dead

Night of the Living Dead

Dark Shadows Episode 811 - 8/4/69

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Magda calls for Julianka, begging for the young girl's life. Lightning flashes and the cradle rocks. Magda says to pray she's come with pity for the child. The ghost of Jenny appears, and says she's not come with pity. Magda asks Jenny if she came to save her daughter. Jenny says she will save her, or take her with her. Jenny removes the amulet and picks up her daughter. She sings to her. She says when she wakes, she will stay well. Quentin thanks her and tells her that he wishes things had been different. Jenny tells him he can prove his love and keep his daughter safe. She tells him to look into his heart and he will know what to do, and then she disappears. Quentin tells Magda he knows what she wants him to do.

Trask visits Edward in his confused state as a servant, confined to a room. Trask tells him that he would let him out if he could, but he can't. He explains that there are people keeping him from taking his rightful place. He needs to take care of them before he becomes master of Collinwood. Trask asks him to sign a paper that will help rid him of his enemies. Edward goes to read it and Trask tells him there's no need. Edward points out that it indicates Trask would be the legal guardian of his son, but Edward tells him he has no son and refuses to sign an inaccurate document.

Quentin tells Trask he wants the old nursery opened for his daughter. Trask refuses to let his daughter stay in the house. He says he can't remove Quentin legally, but he reminds him that he is the master of Collinwood. Quentin says there are enough Collins' left to defeat him. Quentin goes to see Edward. Trask tells Magda that he visited Judith and she thinks she's a child again, missing her brothers, and she will soon be joined by Edward to keep her company.

Quentin tells Edward that they must get rid of Trask. He tells Edward Trask will harm his son, and Edward says that everyone thinks he has a son, noting Trask asked him to sign over guardianship of a son he doesn't have. Quentin realizes that Edward is lost to him.

Trask visits Edward. Edward says Quentin tormented him. He says he offered to let him out, and then did not. Trask says that he must stay as long as Quentin says he must. He tells him he has a job for him to do. He wants Edward to kill Quentin. Trask tells him that Quentin said he is never going to let him out.

Quentin is passed out while his theme plays on the Victrola. He dreams of Jenny singing to their daughter. He tells her their daughter is as beautiful as she is. Jenny tells him that she's sorry, as it won't be easy for him to give her up. She says she was mad when they took their children away from Collinwood. Quentin assures her their daughter will be safe in Collinwood. Jenny tells him to prove her love and give her up.

Edward the servant shows up and tells Quentin to do the right thing. Edward helps Quentin dress for dinner, and helps with tying his tie. Quentin says he's tying it too tight. Quentin wakes up to find Edward choking him.

Our thoughts

John: I'd like to think we've seen the last of Jenny (and her singing), but since Quentin doesn't appear to be getting the point regarding their daughter, we're probably not through with her.

Christine: Today was the last time Jenny Collins will appear on the show. I'm not really sure why they brought her ghost back, and it was unclear what she did to help Lenore, since it couldn't possibly have been the singing that cured her.

John: I really think Louis Edmonds' performance as Edward might be his finest on the show. He slips into the butler routine almost effortlessly.

Christine: My thoughts exactly! I do find it hard to believe that he'd be willing to kill Quentin since he was so unwilling to sign an erroneous document.

John: If there's one thing I'm confident of, it's that Edward doesn't stand a chance of killing Quentin. I can imagine the tables turning, which would throw yet another wrench in Trask's plans to take over Collinwood, assuming Jamison would fall under Quentin's guardianship...

Christine: He definitely won't be able to kill Quentin with such a loose grip on his throat. I really can't fathom why Quentin didn't inform Trask that he has the written confession to his wife's murder, and use it to get the louse out of Collinwood. Maybe all the time spent drinking and listening to his theme song is not helping him come up with an effective plan to get rid of Trask.

Dark Shadows Episode 810 - 8/1/69

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Charity calls the police, and Quentin comes out from a secret panel and hangs up the phone. He tells her the woman is dead. Charity says that he killed her, and she's going to tell her father everything. He locks the drawing room door. She tells him to let her out, and he asks if she's afraid to be locked in the room with a supernatural creature. She says she's not afraid of him. He says lying is a sin, and she reminds him that murder is a worse sin. She says her father will turn him over to the police, and he counters that her father will not be the one to turn him in.

He shows her the confession signed by her father. She asks where he got it, saying her father burned it, and after it reappeared, he tore it up. She says he was tricked into signing it by Satan. She says Satan wants to take over Collinwood, and her father is the only one who can stop him. She asks him to give her the confession.

He says that if she tells her father about him, then he'll tell the police about her father. If one hangs, they'll both hang. He asks her if they're both going to keep quiet, or if they'll both tell their stories. She says if she keeps quiet, she'll be guilty of murder, too. She says he'll kill again when there's a full moon. He says if she talks, he, her father and Evan will die. But there's a chance that he might be cured before the next full moon. She says she needs to pray for guidance. He unlocks the door and lets her leave.

Magda comes to see Aristede. He tells her that when Barnabas rises tonight, she is not to let on that they are on to him. He shows her a pendant he's wearing that will protect him from Barnabas. He reiterates that he wants the hand. She says Tim still has it. Aristede tells her that she had better find him, before time runs out. She asks for whom time is running out, and then realizes it's Petofi. He sends her away.

Mrs. Filmore arrives at Collinwood. She tells Quentin that his daughter Lenore slipped into a coma. She says it's like when his boy fell ill. He says he'll find someone who may be able to help.

Charity drinks a glass of brandy. There's a knock on the door. It's Magda. Charity asks why she's there. Magda says she smells brandy, and Charity says she's having some brandy filled chocolates. Then she says she had a small glass. Magda asks if the man has made her unhappy. She complains that Collinwood is responsible for driving her to drink. Magda reminds her that she was to marry Tim Shaw. Charity asks if she could find where Tim is in her cards. Magda asks about him. Charity says he was an orphan, and that he talked about going to San Francisco with his best friend. Magda asks if she has his friend's address. She says she does. Magda sends her to get it. Charity asks why she needs the address to review the cards, and Magda says to leave the gypsy magic to her.

Charity goes upstairs and Quentin comes downstairs. He asks Magda how she heard about his daughter. Magda is surprised, and asks if she's dead. He tells her that she's dying, just like the boy. Magda is distraught. She says if she dies, then the future is dead too. Quentin says he doesn't care about the future, just his daughter. Magda says the pendant that Aristede wears protects him from Barnabas and Angelique, and it might be powerful enough to protect the baby from Julianka. She tells Quentin where Aristede is hiding, and reminds him that Aristede is dangerous while wearing it.

Quentin surprises Aristede, and tells him to give him the pendant. Aristede draws his knife, the dancing lady, and he and Quentin grapple. Quentin knocks him down and takes the pendant.

Quentin arrives where his daughter is kept. Magda is there with Mrs. Filmore. He sends Mrs. Filmore away and goes to place the pendant on the baby. There's no noticeable change. Quentin says if Julianka put the curse on Magda, she might take it off, if they summon her again. Magda doubts it will work, but agrees to do it for her niece's sake. Magda calls for Julianka, begging for the young girl's life. Lightning flashes and the cradle rocks. Magda says to pray she's come with pity for the child. The ghost of Jenny appears, and says she's not come with pity.

Our thoughts

John: There must be a booming business in Collinsport for protective pendants. Aristede's looked awfully familiar... I wonder if we've seen that exact model before (that's what we get for not starting a magic pendant/amulet tracker back in the early days of the blog!).

Christine: Yes, we've seen that exact model before. It was on Aristede in Episode 796, which he initially claimed would protect against witches, though today he claimed it protected from all manner of supernatural beings. Let's see how many amulets we can remember. Professor Stokes gave one to Barnabas in Episode 475, who then gave it to Dr. Lang for protection from Angelique. Barnabas gave an Ankh amulet to Rachel to protect her from Angelique. Quentin's son, Beth and Magda each had a pentagram pendant, some of which were created by Braithwaite, to protect against werewolves. Then of course, there are the crosses sported by Trask, Hanley and Edward to protect themselves from Barnabas, and the original Trask used a cross to exorcise Cassangelique. Also, not precisely an amulet, but worth noting that Barnabas used candlesticks to form a cross and repel Vampire Tom Jennings. Are there any I've left out?

Episode 796

Today's episode

John: I like Charity's new prayer routine - one large brandy, coming up! The only thing funnier was how quickly Magda caught her in the act.

Christine: I think it's more evidence that Pansy Faye is exerting an influence over her.

John: Just when I thought we might get a ghostly dose of Julianka, the spirits pull a fast one and send Jenny, the child's mother, instead. At last, she's finally reunited with her lost love Quentin! I'm sure things will go well...

Christine: My favorite moment of today's show was when Aristede told Quentin he had the Dancing Lady and Quentin said, "Then let her dance, Aristede. Let her dance."

Dark Shadows Episode 749 - 5/8/69

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

In the old house, Magda tells Sandor her potion is ready. Sandor says they should kill Quentin, and Magda explains that killing is easier, but a curse is better. Sandor asks how she knows the curse will work since she has never performed it before. She tells him she saw it done many years ago by an old gypsy woman who cursed Count Petofi after he did not pay her for services rendered. Sandor asks what happened to him, but Magda tells him it will be better for him to see it himself when it happens to Quentin.

Quentin waits in his room, concerned. Edward comes in and says that he has told Barnabas about Jenny's accident, and he believed it. Quentin says he is concerned about the gypsy curse. He tells Edward that he may be able to buy Magda off. If Edward gives him money, he promises never to ask him for anything again. Edward asks how much it will take. Quentin suggests he would need $10,000 - cash. Edward says he doesn't have it, but he's willing to ask Judith for it. He adds that he will do it if Quentin agrees to sign over any claim to their grandmother's estate, and also leave the house immediately. Quentin hesitates, but eventually agrees. Edward goes to speak to Judith.

Magda and Sandor arrive at Collinwood to claim Jenny's body. Edward tells them that she was buried that morning. Sandor tells him they had no right to do that. Magda tells Edward he has not heard the last of them, or of Jenny's spirit, and they leave.

Quentin paces in his room before sitting down in a chair. He hears Jenny calling to him, telling him to stay awake, because she's coming back. He gets up and asks her where she is. He sees a doll in the room with him.

Edward returns, and Quentin says he heard Jenny's voice. Edward says he heard the sound of his conscience, and he asks if the conscience also produced the doll. He looks to where it was, and it's no longer there. Edward says he spoke with Judith, and she added another condition. The gypsies must also leave Collinwood. He says Hanley is writing up the paperwork and he'll have the money that afternoon. Edward starts to leave and Quentin asks him to stay. He says he can't bear to be alone. Edward suggests that if he wants someone to hold his hand, he should call Beth. Edward leaves him. Quentin picks up a book to read, though he quickly falls asleep.

Quentin dreams of a tambourine. Magda enters his room and asks if he's ready. He begs her to stay away. She promises a simple ceremony. She adds that Jenny is waiting. He can't help but follow her as she leads him out of the room. She brings him to Sandor, who says the murderer must bless the spirit of the one they killed. He shows him Jenny's corpse. Quentin says he doesn't want to bless her. He touches Jenny's hand, and her eyes open. She pulls him to her and they kiss. Magda says the ceremony is complete with the kiss of death. Quentin wakes up, screaming.

Edward knocks on the door, asking what's wrong. Quentin says he just had a nightmare. He says his curse will be that Jenny is going to haunt him. Edward shows him the papers and Quentin signs it without reading it. He then asks for the money, and as soon as Edward hands it over, he runs out of the room.

Sandor asks how they can get Quentin to drink the potion. Sandor sees Quentin approaching the old house. They let him in. Quentin tells her that Jenny's ghost has already appeared to him. He offers her money to remove the curse. He offers them $10,000 in cash. Sandor asks to see it. Quentin demands an answer from Magda, first. She asks to see the money, and he reiterates his request after he gets her answer. She waves her hand and says she has removed the curse. Sandor suggests a toast, and pours the potion into his drink. He shares glasses, and they toast and drink.

Quentin is glad that he's free of the curse, and Magda explains that it has just begun. She tells him he was haunted by his guilt. She throws his money at him, and tells him the curse was in the potion he drank, and that it will start tonight.

Our thoughts

John: Next-day burial service is another thing that seems to be a regular service offered at Collinwood. You'd think they might have at least sent around invites to relevant parties.

Christine: As Sandor suggested, Edward was expediting burial out of a sense of guilt. Why wait when there's always a coffin to be had around Collinwood? No wonder Judith was not particularly surprised when Jenny said there was a coffin in the basement of the Old House since the basement at Collinwood must be stocked with coffins to keep up with demand.

John: Today was a day of low points for Quentin, groveling to his brother, asking him to stay with him, agreeing to leave Collinwood for good, penniless, and finding out his only way out of this mess failed... Can't wait to see what tonight's curse offers!

Christine: It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. I believe today's episode marks the first time we've heard Cobert's drum cues, which were played during the dream sequence, unless it's just the first time I noticed them. Magda beckoning Quentin against his will in that dream had me thinking of Angelique's dastardly dream curse.

John: And I thought there might be an issue when Quentin forgot to tell Magda and Sandor to beat it. But all bets were off when Magda threw his cash back in his face!

Christine: They may decide to blow town anyway to avoid the repercussions of their work. I couldn't help thinking that Magda was essentially giving Quentin the finger when she pretended to remove the curse from him.

Up yours, Quentin!