Dark Shadows Episode 1230 3/12/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Morgan comes back into Collinwood holding his rope. He sneaks up behind Julia and puts the rope around her neck, choking her. He calls her Constance and tells her it's too late, and that she'll never stop him from seeing Amanda again. Quentin comes in and rescues Julia. He grabs one of the dueling pistols and tells Morgan that he'll use it if he has to. He checks on Julia and confirms that she's still alive. He asks why he tried to kill her. Catherine comes in and Quentin tells her to take care of Julia while he locks Morgan in a room. Morgan tells Catherine that she can tell Constance he'll try again... Quentin leads him upstairs, and Catherine helps Julia up. She says he tried to kill her. 

Ben Stokes returns home and Carrie, crying, runs to him and tells him that Morgan has come several times, and each time he's getting worse. She says he's possessed by a man who hated the Collins family. She says she thought he might kill her. Ben sits her down and asks her to tell him the whole story.

Quentin puts Morgan into a room. He says he's arming the servants, and they have orders to shoot to kill if he tries to escape. Morgan pounds on the door and says that when he gets out, he'll kill any Collins he can get his hands on. 

Catherine asks Julia if she's feeling better. Julia thanks her, and she says she should thank Quentin, without whom she might be dead. Catherine asks what they can do about Morgan. Julia says that he's as dangerous as Gabriel. Quentin comes in and says there's still hope for Morgan. He asks Julia who Constance is. She explains that she was Brutus' sister. He says that before the possession, Morgan was alright. He thinks the spirit of James Forsythe is back in his own time, reliving those events. He says they have to exorcise Forsythe, after which Morgan will be normal if they succeed. He says they have to hold a seance. Catherine and Julia agree.

Quentin says he'll get Carrie Stokes to be a medium, and as he leaves to get her, Ben Stokes arrives at Collinwood. He asks where Morgan is, telling Quentin that he wants to kill him. He says he doesn't want anyone frightening his daughter, and demands to see Morgan. Quentin says he's under lock and key, and asks Ben to speak with him in the drawing room. Quentin tells Ben that Morgan would never harm anyone. He says that he isn't the one to frighten Carrie. Ben says that's what Carrie said. Quentin says that Morgan is possessed, and they need to hold a seance to exorcise the spirit. He adds that they need Carrie's gift to help Morgan. Ben says she'll be scared. Quentin promises that nothing will harm her.  Ben says he'll ask her, but she'll have to make up her own mind. They leave together to go speak with her. 

Catherine comes downstairs and finds Julia in the drawing room. She asks about Morgan. Catherine says she didn't go in, but she heard him moving around in the room. Quentin returns and says that Carrie is coming, and that there will be one more person in the room — Morgan. Julia says that's impossible. Quentin says they'll have to bring him against his will. He takes them into the study.

Catherine comes into Morgan's room. She tells him that she's there to help him, because they share a common goal. She says they both want Constance dead. She says if he agrees, she'll set him free. He asks if she'll let him out if he agrees to kill Contsance. She says yes, and he agrees. She offers him a drink to celebrate, and adds something to it before handing it to him. They toast and drink. Morgan asks when he can get out, and she says some time tomorrow morning. He collapses to the ground, and opens the door so they can get Morgan downstairs.

In the drawing room, Quentin explains that Morgan is unconscious. Carrie asks him what he wants her to do. Quentin says he wants her to contact James Forsythe so they can exorcise him from Morgan. Carrie agrees. Catherine, Julia, Quentin, Ben, Carrie and an unconscious Morgan sit around the table. Carrie calls for the spirit of James Forsythe. She asks for a sign. Lightning flashes outside. Morgan sits up and asks what she wants of him. He says he is James Forsythe. Carries asks why he possessed Morgan. He explains that he did so to be free again, and to right the wrongs that had been done to him. He then says 'he has come to get me again.' Carrie asks who. He says Brutus is in the room. He stands up and says he will not get him. He runs out of the room, and Quentin chases after him. Julia checks upstairs for him. Catherine tells Ben that Carrie will be alright, and he escorts her out of the house. 

Julia hears Morgan calling. She finds him and he says he's Forsythe, and Brutus is here, trying to send him back to the tomb He tells her that she must hear the truth of the curse, and what happened in 1680. She begs him to tell her. He says that Brutus is here. He shouts that he will tell the truth about the curse. 

Our thoughts:  

John: Quentin's tough guy act lost a little weight when he backed into the open door... Of course that gaffe was immediately topped when Morgan calls out how he's going to kill every 'Morgan' he can get his hands on!

 

Christine: This show continues to deliver top notch entertainment, because I enjoyed that immensely!

                                                                                                                          

John: I love when the crew started closing all of the doors before they kicked off the the seance! I guess those were supposed to be the 'servants' that are oft-mentioned and yet rarely seen... Oh well, at least they gave us one more (could it be our last) chance to break out the Seance tracker!

 

Christine: I love that we got Ben Stokes back today with a trendy hairstyle. 

 

John: Why waste time telling us about the curse, when you can use a possessed body to tell another spirit that you're about to tell the truth about the curse! How much do you want to bet that we won't find out about the curse on Monday, either?

 

Christine: I had the same thought, but then it occurred to me that this may be one of those times they will surprise us. At this point in the show, they were probably desperate to have folks come back on Monday to find out, and didn't want to risk losing them by not delivering.

Dark Shadows Before I Die Séance Tracker

Episode 170/171: Dr. Peter Guthrie conducts; Carolyn, Vicki, Roger, Laura Collins participate; Josette speaks through Vicki in French; held in the drawing room at Collinwood

Episode 186: Vicki conducts; Sam and David participate; David Radcliffe speaks through David; held in the drawing room at the Old House

Episode 280/281: Roger conducts; Liz, Vicki, Burke, Barnabas, Carolyn participate; Josette speaks through Vicki; held in the drawing room at the Old House

Episode 365: Roger conducts; Liz, Julia, Vicki, Carolyn, Barnabas participate; Sarah Collins speaks through Vicki after Carolyn pretends Sarah is speaking through her; Vicki is transferred to 1795; held in the drawing room at Collinwood

Episode 449: Countess duPrés conducts; Joshua Collins participates; Bathia Mapes shows up, claiming she was called; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1795

Episode 510/511: Professor Stokes conducts; Julia and Tony Peterson participate; Reverend Trask speaks through Tony Peterson; the basement wall breaks open to reveal his skeleton; held in the basement at the Old House

Episode 600: Professor Stokes conducts; Barnabas and Julia participate; Phillipe Cordier speaks through Barnabas; held in the drawing room at the Old House

Episode 640: David conducts; Amy participates; unsuccessful attempt to contact Quentin Collins; held in Amy's bedroom

Episode 642: Professor Stokes conducts; Liz, Vicki, Carolyn, Chris participate; Magda speaks through Carolyn; held in the drawing room at Collinwood

Episode 682: Professor Stokes conducts; Barnabas, Maggie, Mrs. Johnson participate; Janet Findley speaks through Mrs. Johnson; held in the drawing room at Collinwood

Episode 698: Professor Stokes conducts (assumed); Roger participates; unsuccessful attempt to contact Quentin Collins, whose laughter is heard; held at Collinwood offscreen

Episode 797: Barnabas conducts; Quentin and Magda participate; Julianka's ghost appears and curses Magda; held in the drawing room at the Old House in 1897

Episode 860/861: Charity, possessed by Pansy Faye, conducts; Edward Collins and Kitty Soames participate; a hooded figure appears (revealed as Judith in the following episode); held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1897

Episode 898: Julia conducts; David and Chris Jennings participate; Jamison speaks through David and tells them that Quentin's spirit is gone and won't come to them; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1969

Episode 948: Barnabas conducts; Maggie and Julia participate; Josette speaks through Maggie, informing Barnabas that the Leviathans aren't holding her and that she died by her own hand with poison; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1969

Episode 990: Cyrus conducts; Roger, Elizabeth, Bruno, Sabrina and Alexis participate; an unknown entity speaks through Sabrina, claiming that Alexis is dying, who then passes out; held in the parallel drawing room in 1970

Episode 1008/1009: Quentin conducts; Hoffman and Angelique as Alexis participate; after hearing spacey sounds, Hoffman freaks out and runs off, breaking the circle, and an entity appears in the room that turns out to be Joshua Collins, warning of an evil that is coming to the house; held in the parallel drawing room in 1970

Episode 1021: Unknown conductor; Quentin, Angelique, possibly Cyrus and other unseen people participate; Quentin rises up and strangles Angelique as colorful psychedelic lights flash; held in Maggie Collins' dream in 1970 parallel time

Episode 1070: Barnabas conducts; Julia and Professor Stokes participate; Carolyn speaks through Julia, providing the same six clues she wrote down before she died that portend the destruction of Collinwood, but is interrupted by the presence of Gerard before she can explain what they mean; held in the drawing room at the Old House in 1995

Episode 1079: David conducts; Hallie participates; a ghostly voice that sounds like David's repeatedly says, "Let us live!"; held in the Playroom at Collinwood in 1970

Episode 1126: Gerard conducts; Flora and Lamar Trask participate; the ghost of Reverend Trask informs them they are surrounded by evil and tells them to beware the cross; held in Rose Cottage in 1840

Episode 1150: Quentin conducts; Daphne participates; Joanna Mills is summoned and a hooded figure appears; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1840

Episode 1157: Gerard conducts; Charles Dawson and Daniel Collins participate; Dawson pretends that Randall Drew is speaking through him, and claims he was murdered by Quentin Collins; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1840

Episode 1163: Leticia conducts; Flora Collins and Barnabas participate; Leticia calls on the spirit of Roxanne to give the identity of the vampire who created her; held at Rose Cottage in 1840

Episode 1209: Quentin Collins conducts; Flora Collins and Melanie Collins participate; Melanie is possessed by an unknown entity saying, "Lottery now or all will die. Plague. Die. Plague. Die! PLAGUE! DIE! PLAGUE!"; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in parallel time 1841

Episode 1230: Carrie Stokes conducts; Quentin Collins, Ben Stokes Julia Collins, Catherine Collins, and Morgan Collins (unconscious) participate; James Forsythe speaks through Morgan, saying he has possessed Morgan to be free to right all the wrongs done to him; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in parallel time 1841

 

Dark Shadows Episode 1227 3/9/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Flora waits for Gabriel in the gazebo. He arrives, and it appears he's hiding a knife behind his back. Flora is startled. She tells him that he looks tired. She assures him that the worst is over, and approaches him. He turns away from her and says he's got to keep moving. Flora tells him that she can't deny he failed the  family, but now's not the time to dwell on that. She asks him to come home with her, and he says that he'll be found. He says he's leaving the country. He tells her that her jewels will help him. She says she'd give him anything he needs if it would help. He tells her she talks too much. He raises the knife and demands that she give him her jewels. He tells her that he hates her. He then asks what she's doing there. She says he asked her to meet him. She reminds him that she's his mother. He tells her that he's going to kill her and everyone else. He approaches her with the knife raised. 

Kendrick knocks him out and tells Flora to run away. Gabriel gets up and attacks him. Kendrick wrestles the knife from him and stabs him. Flora says that he killed him.

Quentin goes to Melanie's room and pounds on the door. He asks her to come out, and she tells him to go away. He says she can't lock herself up because Kendrick knows about her condition. She says she killed his sister. Quentin tells her that she can't blame herself. She says she's a mad Collins', and she won't leave the room. She tells him to leave her alone, and go find their mother and Gabriel. 

Flora sees that Gabriel is still alive. Kendrick says he'll pay for Stella's murder. Flora says he didn't kill Stella. She says she knows. Kendrick asks who killed his sister, if not Gabriel. Flora says she doesn't know, but she knows it wasn't Gabriel. Quentin arrives and tells Kendrick that he should go. He tells Flora that he'll be back. Quentin checks on Gabriel, and helps him up. 

Kendrick arrives to see Melanie. She lets him in and he tells her that he loves her. He says they're going to face her attacks together. She assures him there's no happy endings for a Collins. She says he might find out other things about her. He tells her that she can tell him anything, and it won't make a difference. She says she can't harm anyone as long as she doesn't leave her room. He tells her that she's going out with him tonight. She asks what will happen when her attacks come. He says they will face them together. He begs her to come out with him tonight. She says she has to think about it. He assures her that unlike his sister, she still has a chance if she'll take it.

Quentin and Gabriel are in the tower room. Quentin says that Gabriel needs to tell him what he found in the room, so they can better understand the curse. Gabriel says Morgan stayed in the room. Quentin says that he doesn't think Morgan staying there met the demands of the room. Quentin says that Gabriel owes the family. Gabriel tells him that he felt desperately alone in the room, and then not alone, but then he can't remember. Quentin tells him to try. Gabriel says he felt terror... and then says he knows what he saw in the room. Quentin asks what he saw. Gabriel snaps, and tells Quentin that he hates them all. Quentin sits him down and tells him to shut up. Quentin locks him in the tower room for the night. Alone in the tower room, Gabriel says the door will open again, and they will all be dead.

Flora asks about Gabriel. Quentin tells her that he was about to tell him what he needed to know, and then he had an attack and tried to kill him. Flora tells Quentin that she has to talk to Kendrick. Quentin offers to go talk to him. He says he's going to tell him a few things, including that Melanie, nor any family members, had anything to do with his sister's death.

Kendrick arrives at Collinwood to see Flora. She says she has nothing to tell him. He says he's come to take Melanie out. She says that's impossible. He says he intends to help her. She says that only the family can take care of her. Kendrick offers to help. He says they must work together. He asks who killed his sister. She says no one had any reason to kill her. He asks who did it. She says she doesn't know. Melanie comes in and begs her mother to tell him.

Our thoughts:  

John: It wasn't quite clear if Gabriel was having an attack when he attempted to kill his mother. If he just needed jewelry to fund his getaway, you'd think he'd just take it, as opposed to threatening her life. Considering that Kendrick basically saved her life, Flora might have been a little more gracious towards him.

 

Christine: I loved how Quentin told him to sit down and shut up when he started having another attack.

                                                                                                                           

John: How exactly did Kendrick get into the house to see Melanie?

 
Christine: Well, if it's like Collinwood in all other time periods, then he probably came in through the unlocked front door. 

John: I love how Gabriel had an attack right before telling Quentin what he wanted to hear. Do you think we'll ever find out what's in the room that causes family members to die or go insane?

 

Christine: I don't know that we will ever find out since it probably won't be quite as terrifying and horrible as its been made out to be. Unless it turns out to be Pansy Faye singing "I Wanna Dance With You" on an endless loop. That could be traumatic enough to cause insanity or death.

 

Dark Shadows Episode 1222 3/2/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Julia and Catherine arrive at the room. Julia tries to open the door, but the key doesn't work. From inside the room, Morgan tells them that the lock has been changed, and Quentin has the only key. Catherine pounds on the door and tells him that he can't take her place. He says the curse only demands that a Collins spend the night in the room. He says he couldn't come out now if he wanted to. He tells her that the courage she showed him was all the strength he ever needed. He says he has her to thank for not being scared. Catherine runs off. Morgan asks Julia to stay with her tonight. She says she will, and tells him that she'll pray for him. 

Catherine finds Quentin in the drawing room and begs him for the key. He refuses. He says Morgan is doing exactly what he expected of him, and adds that if organ hadn't, then he would have. He tells her that they came to an agreement that none of the women would stay in the room. 

Morgan continues to wander around the dark room. H finds a door with a padlock on it. He shakes it vigorously, but it miraculously holds.

At 9pm, Quentin tells Catherine and Julia that he hopes all is well. Catherine says that Morgan may be dead by now. There's a knock at the door, and Julia gets up to answer it. It's Kendrick. She reluctantly lets him in. He tells them that he knows Gabriel is in Collinwood. Quentin asks if he has considered that someone else might be hiding him. Julia tells him that no one in the family is hiding him. He says they seem to be hiding something. Julia and Quentin reaffirm that Gabriel isn't there. Kendrick asks them what's bothering them if not Gabriel.

Morgan breaks the padlock with a vase. He grabs a candle and goes into the doorway. He finds a secret passageway. 

Quentin tells Kendrick that it's time for him to leave. Melanie sees him from atop the stairs and comes down to see Kendrick. Julia tells him that it's not appropriate on this particular night. Melanie says it will help her take her mind off poor Morgan. She says she'll go back upstairs after a few minutes. Julia allows them to go into the drawing room. After they go in, Quentin asks Julia if she knows what she's doing. Julia says Melanie won't make another blunder. She adds that if she refused to let them speak, Melanie would have made a scene. They suddenly realize that Catherine is missing. Quentin goes upstairs to look for her. 

Inside the room, Morgan walks around in the dark. 

Kendrick asks Melanie what's wrong with Morgan. She says he fell ill, and the doctor is with him. Kendrick asks her if Gabriel is in the house, or near the house. She says that he isn't. Kendrick says that Gabriel killed his sister, and he must pay. Melanie tells him that he didn't kill her. Kendrick asks who did if not Gabriel. He asks her why she's crying. She says it will take too long to list all of the reasons, and hugs him. She tells him that she'll do whatever he asks. He asks why the Collins' adopted her. She starts to tell him the story...

Catherine goes to the locked door. She calls to Morgan, asking if he's alright. Quentin finds her standing outside the door. She says that she had to come. She tells him she called to Morgan, but he didn't answer/ Quentin takes her by the arm and leads her downstairs.

Melanie finishes the story of her adoption, explaining that she never found out who her real parents were. Kendrick bids her goodnight, and they kiss.

Julia sits by the fire. Quentin comes in and tells her that he found Catherine standing outside the door. Julia asks where she is, and he says she's in the drawing room with Melanie. Quentin says that if Morgan comes out in the morning, and is still normal, then it's all over. Julia tells him to stop dwelling on it.

Catherine and Melanie wait in the drawing room.

Julia and Quentin sit and drink.

The family is gathered in the drawing room. Julia says that she will be the one to tell Flora when the time comes. 

At 6am, Quentin says that it's time. He tells Catherine to stay with Melanie, and he and Julia go upstairs. 

Quentin unlocks the door, and he and Julia go in. Morgan is sitting in a chair, staring into the distance. Quentin asks if he's alright, and he says that he is. He gets up, and they walk him downstairs. Morgan doesn't say another word.

Catherine and Melanie see them bringing him downstairs. Catherine runs to Morgan and hugs him. She says that she wants to be alone with him. She takes him into the drawing room, and closes the door behind her.

Morgan looks around the room. Catherine asks him why he's acting like he's never seen the room before. He tells her to stop calling him Morgan, saying that it's not his name.

Our thoughts:  

John: Did you notice how all the candles in the locked room don't illuminate it the way a single candle brightens up a whole room elsewhere in the house?

 

Christine: That's probably because the evil in the room sucks all the light out of the room. I was happy to see that there's a pop up bar in this parallel time, just as there was in 1970 parallel time. 

                                                                                                                           

John: So did that doorway just lead to the standard secret passages throughout Collinwood? Or did he end up somewhere else that I should have recognized?

 
Christine: It looked to me like the usual passages, but perhaps it was a doorway to another time!

John: I wish I could say I was excited to find out who's possessing Morgan. Maybe it's Brutus. Or maybe this is just a manifestation of his insanity. He's not dead, that much is clear. But based on what we know, the circumstances appear to be different than what happened with their father...

 

Christine: Hard to believe, but he seems to be even more surly than he was before! So, does this mean the curse has ended...or not? 

 

Dark Shadows Episode 1220 2/26/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Catherine visits Bramwell at the old house. He explains that Daphne has gone into the village, and she asks to come in to speak to him privately. He lets her in. She says she didn't faint due to a dizzy spell. She tells him that she's pregnant — with his child! He asks if she's sure, and she confirms that she is. She tells him that she didn't tell him to hurt him, and he replies that he's always dreamed of having a child with her. She assures him that it's not Morgan's child. She says that she knew he shouldn't have married Daphne. He says there's only one thing to do — the two of them will leave Collinwood forever. He suggests that they go to the South of France and rent a villa. She brings up Daphne. Bramwell says he would send her to hell if it would solve anything. She tells him Daphne will find hell enough here with him. He asks what she wants from him. She says to let her go back to her husband. Bramwell points out that it's his child, and Catherine says that it will be the child of who she says it is.

Flora is shocked to hear that Bramwell and Daphne have married. She tells Julia they must decide on a gift. Morgan says they have more important things to worry about. Quentin comes in and says he's been to every sleazy boardinghouse looking for Gabriel. He says that he saw Kendrick Young at the police department, and he's intent on finding Gabriel. Morgan doesn't understand how no one has seen Gabriel. Quentin points out that he could be dead. Flora says they will proceed with the lottery this afternoon, with or without Gabriel. Morgan says that Carrie Stokes found a letter in the cottage addressed to James Forsyte, from someone with the initial A. He says that after reading it, the letter burst into flames. Quentin says there may be other letters. Flora tells him that they only have a few hours, adding that everyone needs to be there, including Catherine. 

Bramwell offers to take her back to Collinwood, and she says she can make it back on her own. She says they're planning to meet about the lottery. He brings up the child, and she says she's not telling them anything. He says that if necessary, he will go to Collinwood and tell everyone she is pregnant. She says they'll want to know how he knew. She storms out. 

Morgan and Quentin dig through letters in the basement of the cottage. Just as they're about to give up, Morgan finds a document on James Forsythe. They find a reference to Brutus Collins, and someone with the initial A. Quentin points out that Brutus' wife was named Amanda. Quentin finds a date that links it to the time the curse began. Quentin wonders why the spirit didn't burn the letter they have. 

Catherine returns to Collinwood and Julia tells her she missed the meeting. She tells her the lottery will be at 3 o'clock. She then asks what the doctor said. Catherine makes up a story that Julia doesn't believe. She demands that she tell her the real reason she fainted. Catherine doubles-down with her denial. Julia reminds her that they've known each other for a long time. She asks Catherine what's really wrong. Catherine tells her that she wants to be her friend. Julia is reluctant to commit.

When the boys return without more information on the curse, Flora says that they will proceed with the lottery. She then spells out the rules, and asks if anyone will refuse to do what has to be done if chosen. Quentin says that one Gabriel in the house was more than enough. They each draw and take turns unfolding their slips of paper. It gets down to Morgan and Catherine. They open theirs at the same time, and Catherine announces that she was selected.

Our thoughts:  

John: Was anyone expecting that response from papa-to-be Bramwell? I can't believe he volunteered that he'd send Daphne straight to hell. Not exactly a solid foundation on which to build a marriage.

 

Christine: The whole purpose to marrying Daphne was to try to get Catherine back, and he may have been hoping the news of a child together would be the ticket to bring them together. Who really believes he'll be okay with letting Catherine pass his kid off as Morgan's? 

                                                                                                                           

John: Can't say that I'm particularly interested in the Brutus/Amanda/Forsythe love triangle. Just get over it and explain why there's a curse already!

 
Christine: Right. Unless we're about to travel back in time to meet those characters next...

John: Can't say that Catherine being selected in the lottery was much of a surprise. The only question is, which of her competing paramours will step in to do as they promised? Morgan suggested that he would take her place if she was selected, and Bramwell has threatened to tell the truth before letting her go into the room. Or will it be something behind door number three?

 

Christine: Perhaps we'll find out that James Forsythe is about to be reincarnated as her unborn child and she'll survive the night in the room because of it!

 

Dark Shadows Episode 1216 2/22/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Quentin and Julia return to Collinwood and find Melanie in the drawing room. She tells them that 'he' told her that the curse isn't over until a Collins goes into the room. Quentin asks her who spoke to her. She says it was Poppa. Quentin says he knew it; they have to have the lottery again. He goes to find the others. Melanie asks Julia when the curse will end. Julia tells her to go to her room to get some rest. 

In the woods, Quentin hears someone, but no one responds to his calls of who's there. 

Carrie is not surprised when Quentin arrives to see her. He comes in and she asks if someone is waiting for him outside. He tells her that he came alone, and she tells him that someone followed him. He looks outside in time to see someone leaving. He asks her how she knew that. She explains that she just felt a presence. Quentin asks Carrie to concentrate on the name James Forsythe, and tell him whatever she can about him. He tells her it's important, but he can't tell her why. She does so, and she tells him she can see Collinwod of long ago. She says two people are approaching the house; James Forsythe and a woman. He asks about him. She says he's young and handsome, and he lives in Collinwood. She adds that he's in love with her. He tells her that no one named James Forsythe lived in Collinwood. He then asks her about the woman. She says she sees them about to enter the house — and the nothing. She tells him that James Forsythe is somewhere near Collinwood. Quentin says if what she saw was a long time ago, Forsythe would be dead. She says she can't explain it, but she feels that he's close. Quentin thanks her and heads back to Collinwood.

Quentin hears someone following him in the woods and confronts his follower. It's Kendirck Young. He tells Quentin he was on his way to Collinwood, and that he wasn't following him. Quentin asks him why he's going there, and he says he heard Melanie was sick. Quentin tells him that she was, but she recovered. He adds that there's no need for him to pay a visit. He tells Quentin that he'll do what he wants.

Melanie is in the garden when Kendrick arrives to see her. She thanks him for coming, and says that if she weren't so tired he could stay longer. He tells her about his life in Boston, and she asks why he's telling her. He explains that he wants her to know him, as friends. He asks her what's troubling her. She tells him that sometimes friends have to trust one another, and asks him to trust her. She tells him he's different from the other men she's met; gentle and thoughtful. He suggests that all the other men she met must be Collins'. She says she can't relate to anyone in the real world, and he offers to help her. He kisses her, and she kisses him back. 

They are interrupted by Julia. She asks Kendrick what he's doing, reminding him that he's not welcome. She tells Melanie to go into the house, and Melanie tells her that she's not a child, and she will choose her own friends. She says she'll go into the house if Kendrick can come with her. Julia says that if she lets her speak to Kendrick alone, she'll let him join her in the house. She goes inside. Julia tells him not to see Melanie again. He refuses. She asks what he's after, and he explains that he's after nothing. Julia explains that Melanie has led a sheltered life. She asks him what it will take for him to leave and never come back. He asks why the Collins' are all so miserable if money can buy everything. She asks him how much. He tells her no amount would be enough. He reminds her that Melanie can leave tonight, and she can't stop her. Julia tells him that Melanie must never leave Collinwood.  

Quentin reads from the Collins family history when Kendrick comes into the drawing room. He asks how Kendrick ingratiated himself with Julia. He says he didn't. Quentin says as far as he's concerned, he can stay. As long as he doesn't start asking the wrong questions. He leaves Kendrick alone. Gabriel sneaks into the room with a knife. He approaches Kendrick and tells him that the same thing that happened to his sister is going to happen to him, too.

Our thoughts:  

John: So much for any urgency getting a new lottery going. I'm betting we don't have a new sacrifice scheduled before Friday...

 

Christine: I think the urgency is with finding Gabriel to send him back into the room since he seems to be the least liked member of the family. 

                                                                                                                           

John: I love how Quentin gets a cursory description of James Forsythe from Carrie, and suddenly he knows that her vision was from so long ago that Forsythe must be dead. Since it's parallel time, making things up as they go is a foregone conclusion. Do you suppose he's the cause of the curse, in response to something Brutus did?

 
Christine: He may or may not be the cause, but surely he has something to do with the Cursed Room or they wouldn't keep talking about him. I love how Carrie knew that Quentin was about to arrive but had no idea why he had come to see her. I guess her psychic powers have limits. Quentin alluded to the fact that a brother had killed another Collins family brother once before. I might think Barnabas killed Jeremiah in this time band too if he didn't have his portrait hanging over the mantel at the Old House. If he didn't, then who did?

John: Maybe Gabriel has gone crazy from his limited time spent in the room... Of course, I wasn't quite expecting him to find his way home. If he was smart, he would have gone away and never looked back!

 

Christine: One thing we do know is that Gabriel has multiple pairs of the same outfit, assuming of course that Tim Braithwaite was buried in the clothes he had loaned him to assume his place in the Cursed Room. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1212 2/16/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

In the drawing room, Quentin offers to go first. He draws a lottery slip, followed by the rest of the family. Everyone holds the folded slips of paper. Quentin starts to open his, and Flora offers to go first. She shows that her slip is blank. Quentin's is as well. Julia's is also black. Gabriel says he can't bear it. Morgan open his, which is also black. Catherine opens hers, and embraces Morgan. Gabriel suggests that she has the X, and she tells him that it's blank. Quentin tells Gabriel to open his, but he refuses. He throws it down. Morgan opens it and it has the X. They tell Gabriel he has to go into the room. Gabriel runs out of the drawing room and locks the door behind him. Quentin and Mogran unlock the door and chase after him. Catherine tells the women that it's not fair. She says what they've done to Gabriel is revolting.

Gabriel runs through the woods. Morgan and Quentin run past where he's hiding. When he steps out of the shadow, they appear and grab him. Quentin reminds him that he said he'd take it like a man if he were selected. 

Julia throws the lottery slips in the fire. Quentin and Morgan return with Gabriel, and Julia tells him he should be ashamed of himself. Julia tells them to lock Quentin in the tower room. She says they'll give him anything he wants, including as much liquor as he needs. Morgan and Quentin lead him upstairs.

Catherine is pacing in her room when Julia comes to see her. She says she needs to talk to her about her attitudes. She blames Catherine for Melanie's illness, explaining that the lottery was postponed because of her. Julia cautions her not to impose herself on the house so quickly. She reminds her that she's not the mistress of Collinwood. She adds that since Catherine objected to the lottery, she assumes that she'll attempt to change the outcome. She tells her that the curse must be appeased — there is no other way.

Quentin and Morgan lead Gabriel to the tower room. They close the door and lock him in. 

Flora tells Morgan and Quentin that she wants to visit Gabriel in the tower room. They refuse. She tries to convince them that she only plans to comfort him. Morgan hands her he key. After she's gone, Morgan suggests that one of them should watch her. Quentin says it's not necessary. Quentin pours himself a drink, and then behaves strangely. Morgan offers to get the doctor.

Flora visits Gabriel. He asks if she's come to let him out. He begs her to show him mercy. She tells him that they're helpless to change their destiny. She gives him a book, which she says was his father's favorite book on meditation. Gabriel swings open the door, only to find Morgan standing in the doorway. Flora leaves.

Julia finds Quentin on the floor in the drawing room. He tells her to stay away; suggesting that he has the plague.

Morgan tells Catherine Melanie is weaker. He says she just needs to survive another night. Catherine mocks him for thinking that her condition will change when Gabriel goes into the room. She says that it would be kinder to shoot Gabriel to death. She tells him that Julia lectured her about trying to impose her feelings on the family. She says she felt humiliated. He assures her it will never happen again. Julia comes in and he tells her he wants to talk to her. She says there's no time, that Quentin has the plague. 

Flora comes downstairs and confirms to Julia that Quentin has the plague. Julia says that by the next night they might all have the plague. Morgan suggests that they put Gabriel in the room tonight. Flora says there's not enough time tonight, and they must wait. She says they should tell Gabriel about Quentin. Morgan and Julia go upstairs to do that.

Julia and Morgan go to the tower room, and find that Gabriel's no longer there.

Our thoughts:  

John: I thought the writers were on track to prove me right, leaving Catherine and Gabriel as the last ones to check their slips. Of course when Gabriel ended up with the marked slip, my first instinct was that Catherine is some sort of witch, and managed to switch the marked lottery slip with Gabriel...

 

Christine: It is hard to let go of the fact that these are completely different characters than the ones we knew so well in the past. I keep forgetting Julia is not a doctor. 

                                                                                                                           

John: While they don't bother specifying what time it is, doesn't it seem odd that throughout the entire episode, it's deemed too late to lock Gabriel up for the night. I'd sure love to understand the logic behind that. It sure seems like another case of the writers just making up the rules as they go for dramatic purposes...

 
Christine: As Flora explained, whoever spends the night in the room has to spend a full night. There's quite a difference between going in to spend the night at 7 pm as opposed to going in at 2 am. 

John: Do you think Gabriel jumped out the window? That would be a funny way for him to avoid suffering, while stiffing the rest of the family, forcing someone else to take his place in the room.

 

Christine: Perhaps the Tower is another parallel time room and he's escaped to another time. The family might have tried consoling Gabriel by reminding him that there was a possibility that he could survive the experience. Maybe alcohol is the bullet proof vest needed to survive the night in the Cursed Room. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1211 2/15/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Julia returns to Collinwood and Flora tells her that Melanie has the plague. Julia doesn't understand how it's possible. Flora reminds her that it happened in the past when their relatives refused to hold the lottery. She explains that they held a seance, after which Melanie was afflicted. She says a doctor is with her, along with Quentin. Flora tells her she wants to convene a family meeting.

Morgan tells Catherine that the doctor won't let him in Melanie's room. Catherine says that she was all right just a few hours ago. He explains that it's the result of the curse. She dismisses him, and he says it's all due to the curse. Julia comes in and tells them Julia wants to meet in the drawing room.

Flora tells Gabriel to relax, and not to resort to his usual means. She tells him to give her his flask, which he reluctantly does. She tells him she'll return it when they're finished. He asks her if Melanie is going to die. Julia, Morgan and Catherine come in. Flora explains that there's no normal way Melanie can be saved from the plague. Catherine wonders if she actually has it, and Quentin, standing at the doorway, says there's no doubt about it. Flora confirms that they will hold the lottery tonight. Catherine speaks up and suggests that the lottery not be held. Flora says that's impossible. She reminds Catherine that Melanie is upstairs dying. Quentin tells Catherine that she can believe as she wishes, but if they vote, she'll lose 5 to 1. 

As Quentin steps into the room, Gabriel tells him to stop, pointing out that he has been exposed to the plague. Quentin says they will all get it unless they go through the ceremony. Flora agrees. Gabriel suggests they burn the house down. Quentin reminds him that some of their ancestors tried that unsuccessfully. Flora says she will prepare six slips. Morgan insists that only the men participate. Quentin agrees. Julia aligns with Flora, saying they should all participate, adding that they have precedent on their side. Quentin asks if she'd have them involve Melanie as well. Quentin and Morgan press Gabriel to weigh in. Gabriel points out that they haven't heard from Catherine. She speaks up, saying that she agrees that the women should participate. Morgan tells her that she can't be serious. Catherine explains that it doesn't matter if she believe in the lottery. Flora tells him that they will vote. They go around the room, and Gabriel casts the deciding vote . . . and he votes yes. Quentin grabs him and threatens to put him in the room and throw away the key. Flora tells them that she will let them know when the slips are ready. 

Gabriel takes a drink from a hidden cup. Morgan comes in and says he could kill him with his bare hands. Gabriel reminds him that will increase Catherine's odds of being selected. Morgan points out that he decreased his by voting yes. Gabriel tells him it makes no difference to him what he believes. Gabriel says he voted no to save his wife. He adds that if it was just Julia and their mother, Morgan would have voted yes. Morgan denies it. Gabriel tells him to go spend what may be his last night with his wife.

Morgan tells Catherine that if she picks the losing slip, she must let him take her place in the room. She tells him that's out of the question. He says he won't have her life jeopardized by his coward brother. She says it's too early to worry about. 

Gabriel continues drinking when Quentin comes in, and tells his brother that he'll stand as a monument to losers. Quentin asks Gabriel how he'll feel when their mother chooses the losing slip, and goes into the room only to die, or emerge mad. Gabriel says he doesn't think she'll draw the losing slip. Gabriel says if he chooses the losing slip, he'll do his duty. Quentin says he wouldn't be surprised if Gabriel struck up a bargain with whoever is in the room to sell out the entire family. Gabriel asks Quentin to promise to kill him if he comes out of the room insane. Julia arrives and tells them that Flora is ready.

In the drawing room, Quentin offers to go first. He draws a slip, followed by the rest of the family.

Our thoughts:  

John: Sad to report that news of Christopher Pennock's passing on February 13th. Gabriel was in particularly fine form today as he let his brothers down by siding with the women when it came to lottery eligibility.

 

Christine: It was a delight to see him on Halloween enjoying pizza and beers with his buddy James Storm, making the sudden news all the more sad indeed. 

                                                                                                                           

John: As soon as Catherine suggested that women should also participate in the lottery, I think they telegraphed that she would be the one selected. I guess we'll find out for sure tomorrow!

 
Christine: I thought it was when Morgan said she should let him take her place if she drew the slip that indicated she would be the one. I'm betting he'll change his mind once that happens.

John: Poor Flora was having trouble using that fountain pen... I was beginning to think that none of the slips would have the X on it.

 

Christine: For all his bravado, Morgan was in no hurry to draw a slip, allowing his wife to go before him.