Dark Shadows Episode 1193 1/20/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

At Widow's Hill, Samantha calls for Gerard. Joanna appears and tells her that she's not the only one capable of forgery. She tells Samantha that she didn't fail that night on the hill; just as she will not fail. Samantha asks how she looks the way she does. Joanna says that she controls how Samantha sees her. She then tells her that she will now see what her body looked like after her body washed ashore months later. Joanna's face is replaced with a skull. Samantha screams and steps off the cliff. Joanna looks over the cliff and smiles.

Gerard comes downstairs and finds a note to Samantha on the floor. He reads about Widow's Hill as Joanna comes in. He asks if she's seen Samantha, and Joanna says not since their encounter earlier. He shows her the note. She points out that it's from him, and he clarifies that it's not his writing. He asks if she's sure she hasn't seen Samantha. She confirms it, and he leaves the house. 

Julia tends to Desmond. Quentin tells her that she should go back to Collinwood. She says Desmond should rest for another 24 hours. He tells Quentin to leave without him. Quentin says they'll all leave together. 

Daphne finds Joanna in the drawing room. They hear the front door, and see Gerard has returned, and is carrying Samantha's dead body. 

Daphne points out that the deaths keep adding up. Daphne asks how he found her. He says he went to Widow's Hill looking for her after he found a note supposedly from him asking her to meet him there. He says someone else wrote the note. Daphne asks who would do such a thing, and Gerard says it will raise more suspicion about Quentin. Daphne says Quentin is not responsible for Samantha's death. Gerard says he must go to Trask's funeral chapel and prepare for Samantha and Edith's services, pointing out that a servant found Edith's body in the East Wing. He leaves, and Joanna tells Daphne that Samantha stood in the way of she and Quentin. She says that now they can be married. Daphne says she's worried about Tad. 

Quentin is shocked to hear Samantha is dead. He laughs, and says he doesn't believe it. Joanna tells him that Gerard thinks he's the prime suspect. Quentin says that they have to get away as quickly as possible. He tells her that they'll need a carriage in the morning. He says they'll go to Boston to get Tad. He says the next time Gerard sees Tad, he'll be 21 years old and the master of Collinwood.

Julia returns to Collinwood. Gerard asks her if she's been treating another patient. She says yes, and he asks if her patient is Desmond. She says she has not been treating Desmond. He asks who she's been treating, and she says he doesn't know him. He asks if she knows the penalty of aiding and abetting an escaped prisoner. He says she's the logical choice to help Desmond. She points out that Quentin would know how he thinks, and not contact her for that reason. She goes upstairs. 

Daphne goes into the East Wing, and opens the door to parallel time. She sees Julia Collins go to the window with binoculars. She's watching Samantha meet Stella's brother. He says he will not leave town until he finds out what happened to his sister. Daphne then sees Samantha talking to Julia, asking what really happened to Stella. She says that she wasn't happy so she just left. She then closes the doors that shut Daphne out. 

Joanna finds her and asks her if she's been watching the other room again. She says she doesn't understand parallel time. Daphne says the people seem just as unhappy as everyone in their own time. Joanna tells her that tomorrow morning, she and Quentin are leaving Collinsport forever. 

Gerard watches as Julia leaves Collinwood in the middle of the night.

Julia arrives at the docks where Quentin and Desmond are hiding. She tells him that Gerard is asking questions. He asks if she was followed, and she says she wasn't. There's a knock at the door. It's Daphne. She tells Quentin that she wants to stay with him until it's time to go. He asks her to marry him, and she agrees. They kiss, and do not notice Gerard outside the window, eavesdropping on them.

Our thoughts:  

John: I'm sorry, Samantha would have popped like a balloon when she hit the rocks below Widow's Hill. That haphazard make-up just makes it look as if she needs to wash her face.

 

Christine: It does look like she was trying to put on makeup while riding in a carriage. Unlike other folks who've landed on the rocks below Widows' Hill, Samantha was discovered relatively quickly, so there was probably not sufficient time to have her look appropriately battered. At the very least they could have shredded and dirtied her pristine clothes.

 

John: Well, at least we know Tad is 'safe' in Boston... since we haven't seen hide nor hair of him since everyone in Collinwood started turning up dead.

 
Christine: The body count might seem to suggest we'll be leaving this time band behind very soon.

John: How is it that Daphne can not only see someone in the room in parallel time, but also see (not to mention hear) what Julia is watching through her binoculars?

 

Christine: I don't know that she gave any indication that she knew what parallel Julia was looking at, though I was rather focused on wondering whether or not it's the first time we've seen binocular view on the show. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1192 1/19/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Daphne is in the East Wing when Quentin arrives. They embrace and kiss. She says they can't stay, and they step into an empty room. Daphne realizes where they are and says it's not safe for them to stay in the room, but before they can leave, the room is suddenly furnished. She tells him that they're trapped in another time! Quentin asks her what happened. She tells him Julia described it as parallel time. He recognizes it as the Weisman theory. She tells him there's no way out of the room. They hear voices and hide. They hear a couple named Morgan and Catherine — he tells her he's been waiting a week for her answer. 

Morgan leaves her, and Samantha knocks on the door. Catherine lets her in and they exchange pleasantries. They discuss Justin Collins, the old man at Collinwood, who hasn't spoken in ten years since he was paralyzed in an accident. Samantha says she knows Morgan has asked her to marry her; and she implores her not to move into the house in case she agrees to marry him. She tells him her conception of the house is far from reality. Catherine asks her why she stays, and she basically says it's the money. 

Morgan returns and Samantha excuses herself. Morgan asks if she was giving Catherine advice. He tells her that Samantha has never been fond of her. He tells her he has a headache, and goes towards the room Quentin and Daphne are hiding to get some pills. Catherine stops him, and tells him that she has a better cure for his headache — she agrees to marry him. He tells her that she won't regret it. They head downstairs when the parallel time Daphne comes in. They tell her the news and the room switches back to Collinwood in 1840. 

Quentin suspects that the room changed back because the two Daphne's were in the same place at the same time. They leave the room. Quentin is amazed by what they experienced. Quentin tells he that he's going to leave Collinsport, and he wants her to come with him. She agrees. He tells her that it will be a few days before Desmond is ready to travel, and asks her to wait in Collinwood until then. Joanna comes in and tell shim that he had better leave, as Gerard and Samantha has returned. Quentin leaves. Joanna asks Daphne why she's unhappy, since she and Quentin will be together. She says that they'll never be man and wife, assuming that he'll never truly be free of Samantha.

Daphne tells Gerard that it was Gabriel who tried to kill him. Gerard points out that now he's dead, and there's no explanation for it. Samantha returns, unhappy to see Daphne. She asks if she has seen the escaped Quentin. She asks Daphne where she met Quentin in the house. She denies it. Samantha tells Gerard that Quentin is hiding in the house, and he thinks Daphne knows where. Gerard tells Daphne she'll be in serious trouble if she knows where Quentin is and won't talk. Samantha threatens to use force to get her to speak. Gerard tells Samantha there will be no force used. He offers to take Daphne up to her room. Samantha shouts after them that the authorities will find Quentin and he'll be executed. 

Joanna goes into the drawing room and closes the door. Samantha tells her to get out. Joanna says that they have never resolved the matter of the notes Samantha sent. Samantha denies any involvement. Joanna spells out what happened, and Samantha says she can't prove it. She admits to doing it, and tells Joanna that she knows she's been trying to lure her into a false sense of security. She tells Joanna that she won't get her revenge — she won't be able to kill her. Joanna asks why she would want to kill her. Samantha says she hasn't forgotten when Samantha pushed her over, and thought she was dead. She pulls a gun out of a drawer, and shoots at Joanna. 

Gerard comes in and sees the two women standing opposite one another. Joanna says Samantha tried to kill her. Samantha says she shot her and nothing happened. She claims Joanna is a ghost. He offers to take Samantha to her room, but she runs past him. Joanna asks him if she looks like a ghost to him, and he says, "not at all."

Samantha and Gerard are in the cemetery with a coffin. He asks if she's sure she wants to go through with this, and she says she must know. He opens the coffin belonging to Joanna Mills. It's empty. He says it means nothing. He says the body they thought was Joanna was very badly decomposed. He says that if Joanna is a ghost, why would she look young and beautiful rather than the way she was found at the beach — a decaying mess. He promises that she's heard the last from Joanna Mills tonight.

Samantha returns to Collinwood and finds a note from Gerard telling her to meet him at Widow's Hill. 

At Widow's Hill, Samantha calls for Gerard. Joanna appears and tells her that she's not the only one capable of forgery. She tells Samantha that she didn't fail that night on the hill; just as she will not fail. Samantha asks how she looks the way she does. She says that she controls how Samantha sees her. She then tells her that she will now see what her body looked like after her body washed ashore months later. Joanna's face is replaced with a skull.

Our thoughts:  

John: Not only had Daphne totally bought in to the concept of parallel time, Quentin is already a scholar of it! Of course he is. Convenient that they were able to pop out of parallel time after basically watching a trailer for the parallel time Dark Shadows!

 

Christine: At least they were consistent with saying that two counterparts could not coexist in parallel time. 

 

John: Good to know that there's a long history of Collins' hiding guns in the drawing room. At first, I thought when Samantha shot Joanna, that would be this episode's cliffhanger, and we'd find out tomorrow that Joanna had reloaded the gun with blanks. But it kept going! And it turns out that the bullets were real, and Joanna truly is a ghost! Imagine if she had admitted that on the witness stand in Quentin's trial! She would have been thrown in jail alongside Quentin and Desmond.

 
Christine: It would seem pretty futile to throw a ghost in jail. 

John: It's pretty much a given that someone doesn't just visit Widow's Hill, they become a permanent resident. I sure hope we get to see Joanna scare Samantha right off the cliff in tomorrow's episode! And while the parallel time blue screen swaps are marred by limitations of the technology, I really liked the in camera effect used to project a skeletal image on Joanna's skin.

 

Christine: I was surprised that Samantha fell for the obvious forged note. As if Gerard would leave a note signed, "Love, Gerard." I was a little disappointed by the superimposed skull. I think we've seen better on the show before. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1188 1/13/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Daphne finds Gabriel in the drawing room. She tells him that Edith has been murdered, and she knows who killed her. She says she's going to the police, saying that Gerard killed Edith. She adds that he almost killed her, too. Gabriel tells her that they're safe. He asks for all of the details on what happened. She shows him the cuff link she found in Edith's room with the letter G on it. She says that he can tell the police about the affair and they'll surely arrest him. He points out that the cuff link is his own. Daphne is shocked. He thanks her for bringing it to him, and stands up and walks towards her, telling her that she won't be going to the police. She screams. He grabs her and covers her mouth. He tells her that he can walk, that he killed Edith, and because she knows too much, he's going to have to kill her, too.

Gerard comes to, and finds himself locked in the room. He calls to Daphne.

Gabriel ties Daphne to a chair. He tells her that in addition to Edith, he killed Randall Drew, too. He says it was all part of his plan to get rid of Quentin, and it worked, though not as well as he thought. She asks if he actually thought he would be master of Collinwood. He points out that he tried to get rid of Gerard, but he has more lives than a cat. He adds that he'll see to it that Gerard's time has come. He tells Daphne that since Gerard loves her, he'll use her as a bargaining chip to get everything he wants from him. She says that if he lets her live, she'll go to the police. He assures her that he'll be so far away the police will never find him. She says he can't let Quentin die, and he says it's either Quentin or him. He gags her, and leaves her tied to the chair. He locks the door, leaving Daphne trapped inside.

Gabriel hears voices in the East Wing, and when he swings the door open, he sees who he assumes is Flora. He speaks to her, but she can't hear him. He's unable to enter the room. Mrs. Collins asks Stella if she's happy with her position at Collinwood. Stella tells her that she is. Mrs. Collins asks what made her forget the rules that were outlined to her when she was hired as a secretary. Stella says she thought someone was in trouble. Mrs. Collins reminds her that she is to remain in her room after dinner. Stella says they heard a scream, and it sounded like someone was dying. Mrs. Collins explains that nothing happened out of the ordinary last night, and she mustn't become hysterical any time she hears a strange noise in the night. Stella agrees. Mrs. Collins then closes the door where Gabriel is watching.

Gerard comes downstairs, calling for Daphne. Gabriel rolls in and asks Gerard what's wrong. Gerard says that something terrified Daphne, and she hit him over the head with a candlestick. Gabriel asks him when he got back. Gerard says he got back an hour and a half ago. Gabriel asks if he ran into Edith. Gerard asks why he would be with Edith. Gabriel says he knows what they're up to, and Gerard denies they are up to anything. He offers Gabriel an increase in his allowance if he keeps Edith away from him. He then leaves to look for Daphne at Rose Cottage.

Samantha asks Gabriel where Gerard is. He tells her that Gerard is desperate to find Daphne. She asks why, and he tells her that he doesn't know. Gerard returns and says Daphne wasn't there. Samantha asks bitterly what it's all about. Gerard says he can't say, pointing out that she was upset and hit him over the head with a candlestick. Gabriel suggests that Gerard's rendezvous with Edith might have upset her, and wheels out. Samantha asks Gerard what Gabriel means. Gerard asks if she thinks he'd be interested in Edith. He says she's interested in him, but he has no interest in a woman who acts like a complete and utter fool. 

Gabriel is in the foyer when Joanna arrives to see Daphne. Samantha and Gerard hear her from within the drawing room, and she tells him to get rid of her. Gerard tells her to remain cool and calm. He goes into the foyer. He tells Joanna that Daphne left, and he doesn't know when she'll return. Gerard tells her that she can wait in Daphne's room. Joanna tells Samantha that she knows the sanitarium send her belongings to Collinwood, and she asks Samantha to get them for her at her convenience.

Gerard leads Joanna to Daphne's room, and tells her that he'll be there all night in case there's anything she needs.

Samantha asks Gerard why he let Joanna stay in the house. He advises her not to admit what she did. He assures Samantha that he will protect her. When she says she doesn't believe him, he says that she must. He then asks if she put Tad on a stagecoach to Boston. She says he was upset about his father's conviction, and so she sent him to stay with her family in Boston. He asks if she felt his life was in danger, and she says that he will be back soon. They kiss.

Gabriel tells Daphne that he owes her an apology. He says he just came from the strange room she mentioned. She asks what he saw. He demands that she tell him everything about the room. He asks if Julia and Stokes saw the room change. Daphne tells him that Julia explained that the contents of that room are parallel time. Gabriel asks what that is. She says if he's in the room when it changes, he'll go into another time. She tries to convince him that he can use that room to escape. He says he'll do that after he gets what he wants from Gerard. 

Joanna is walking the halls when she hears Gabriel open a door. She goes into a room, and he hides in the shadows, prepared to kill her...

Our thoughts: 

John: Whenever an evil mastermind tells their potential victim their plans, assuming there's no harm in doing so before they kill them, you can all but bet that their decision is going to come back to haunt them.

 

Christine: Exactly. Especially when they don't kill them right away. Samantha told Gerard that Tad would be coming back soon, but after a little investigation, I see that David Henesy's last appearance was in Episode 1165. It seems he will be safe from Gerard killing him, or else he will be killed offscreen. I wonder if fans at the time knew that he wasn't returning or if they had to read it in Tiger Beat later.

 

John: I thought Joanna agreed not to meet Daphne at the house. What do you think compelled her to show up at Collinwood late in the night? Gerard was awfully accommodating to just let her stay in her sister's room. Of course that's one more thing that will upset Samantha, so perhaps that was his motivation.

 
Christine: I think she showed up just to intimidate Samantha by asking for the return of her belongings.

John: So Daphne is not only a parallel time convert, she's plotting how Gabriel can use it to get away with murder (literally and figuratively). The only thing more surprising is how quickly Gabriel was willing to buy the whole concept of parallel time based solely on Daphne's word.

 

Christine: I actually was surprised she gave up the information so readily and didn't bargain with him to release her if she told him what he wanted to know.

Petofi box sighting.

Dark Shadows Episode 1183 1/6/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Daphne wakes up and goes to a room Gerard is in. He tells her that it's time for her to make a very important decision, and asks her to marry him. She says she's afraid, and adds that he knows her so well. He tells her that's what love is. He points out that her sister's return changes things. Daphne tells him that Quentin and Joanna had broken up. He asks if Joanna still loves Quentin. She says she doesn't know. Gerard tells her that she must marry him. He promises to show her wondrous new lands, and tells her it's time she learned about love. 

Samantha bursts in and asks Daphne if she has something better to do than looking around the house. Daphne leaves and Samantha asks Gerard if this is where lovers meet. He tells her that she's suspicious. He begins to make an excuse, and she says that he can't let any woman alone. She asks him what about her. She tells him she needs help because Joanna is going to kill her. She tells him that he can't get rid of her so easily, because she knows too much about him. She says she can tell Quentin, Barnabas, and the court about him. He slaps her. 

She says all she wants is to feel him beside her. He says she can have that, but she must stop with the jealousy. He explains there are reasons why he does everything he does, and they aren't exactly like hers. She asks about them, and he tells her that her threats are not conducive to confidence. He tells her the games will be over after the trial. She asks what she's going to do about Joanna, and he says he'll take care of her. He sends her away, and she asks him to come to her later. He tells her that he will if he can. She asks why she fell in love with him. She leaves, and he realizes that Samantha is the problem that needs to be solved.

Joanna tells Quentin that she saw one of the notes Daphne had, and it wasn't her handwriting. She shows him the locket she's wearing, and asks if he remembers when he gave it to her. She reminds him that when he gave it to her for her birthday, he told her that on her next birthday she would be Mrs. Collins. He asks if she remembers the night after her birthday when he told her that Samantha wouldn't give him a divorce. She says the fighting was her fault. He says they agreed to break up. She says she didn't mean for that to be forever. He tells her that he thinks it's right that they're separated. She asks him who he's in love with, and he tells her it's Daphne. She asks if Daphne loves him, and he says that she does. He thanks Joanna for coming forward and testifying, but he thinks she should leave Collinsport now. 

Daphne is writing a letter when Samantha comes into the drawing room. Samantha points out that Daphne's loyalty is to her husband, and not she or Tad. She asks Daphne what Joanna said about her. She says she never mentioned her, but she did point out that Joanna confirmed that she didn't write the letters they thought were for her sister. She asks Samantha if she is sure she saw someone in the room with her, accusing Samantha of attempting to frighten her. Samantha denies it and walks out on her.

Samantha tells Gerard that Daphne suspects that she wrote the notes from Joanna. He says he'll take care of it. He goes into the drawing room and asks if she's been arguing with the lady of the house again. Daphne says she thinks Samantha is dangerous, and tells him she needs time to think. She leaves, and Gerard thinks the only help she needs is help in making up her mind. 

Daphne returns to the room where she found Gerard, and lies down in the bed.

Gerard takes out his devil's sigil and calls for Daphne to sleep and dream about the trouble she's caused, telling her that this she will remember. She dreams of Quentin and Joanna back together, kissing, and professing their love for one another. Daphne wakes up and wonders what she's going to do.

Joanna tells Daphne that there comes a time when one loses control of their life. She says that if Quentin is freed, he may take control again. Daphne asks if she still loves him, and she says she does. Samantha comes in and asks Daphne to excuse them. She leave, and Samantha points out that they met before yesterday. Joanna explains that her memory has not been the same. Samantha says her brother too Joanna to a concert where she saw her, and then says they've seen each other since then. Joanna says that she's not aware of it. Samantha tells her that her presence in the house is not appreciated. Joanna says she'll arrange to meet her sister in the village, and as she leaves, tells Samantha that they will see each other again. Samantha asks what she means, and Joanna says the village is small, and they are sure to see one another.

Quentin tells Daphne she looks like a little girl, intense and trying to solve a problem. She tells him that she can't see him any more. She says Joanna still loves him. He says that he and Joanna broke up. She can't listen to him. She says Joanna won't be right again without him. He asks if she's willing to sacrifice everything for her sister. She tells him that she doesn't feel the same about him anymore. He asks what she's going to do, and she tells him that she's going to marry Gerard Stiles.

Our thoughts: 

John: Break out the slap-tracker! I was surprised that Gerard's long-overdue slap didn't knock Samantha out.

 

Christine: It was the most exciting thing that happened in this episode. Too bad it didn't knock some sense into her. 

 

John: They're making a big deal out of Samantha writing the notes, but really, who cares? It's not like they can have her arrested for doing that, and it's certainly not witchcraft. I can't for the life of me figure out why she hasn't just owned up to it. It's not like she should have anything to fear from Daphne. Joanna, on the other hand, I can see plotting to get her own revenge on Samantha. I have a hunch that she's not letting on just how much she truly remembers...

 
Christine: Her parting comment seemed to indicate she wasn't through with her.

John: How long will Gerard be able to maintain his status as Quentin's best friend if he keeps marrying the women Quentin is with at the time? And since it's so easily lost in the shuffle, are these the actions of Gerard himself (which seem consistent with the Gerard Stiles we first met in 1840), or is this the work of Judah Zachery?

 

Christine: I suppose it is part of his revenge on the Collins family, and Quentin in particular, to take away anything that he cherishes. 

 

Collinsport Slap-Tracker

20 Roger slaps Burke Devlin's drink out of his hand!

93 Roger slaps David!

128 Joe slaps Maggie's butt!

383 Barnabas slaps Jeremiah!

467 Elizabeth slaps Roger!

535 Julia slaps Cassandra!

619 Blair slaps Angelique!

790 Trask slaps Judith!

805 Trask slaps Charity!

865 Quentin slaps Aristede!

963 A zombie slaps Julia!

964 Zombies slap Roger and Quentin!

1119 Samantha slaps Gabriel! 

1129 Quentin Slaps Samantha! 

 

1183 Gerard Slaps Samantha!

Dark Shadows Episode 1182 1/5/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Samantha tells Gerard that Joanna is dead, and when he tells her that anyone can see that she's still alive, Samantha reiterates that she knows she's dead because she killed her. Gerard says that's impossible. He says he must know if it's true. He asks if she wants Quentin dead, and she says yes, and then no. She tells Gerard that she loves him. She says she didn't mean to do it, and now Joanna is back for revenge. Gerard demands that she tell him everything from the beginning. 

She explains how she refused Quentin's request for a divorce. She says she thought she had won until the letters started to come from the asylum. One asked Quentin to come, but he was away at sea by then. She says she went in his place without telling anyone. She found Joanna in the garden, calling for Quentin. She approached her and Joanna asked if she came with a message. She said that her lover was coming to meet her soon — Quentin. Samantha asked her what she'd do if he never came. She added that Quentin had gone away for months, and may never see her again. Joanna told her that she hated her and tells her to leave. Samantha continued to torment her, and Joanna said Samantha never forgave her. Samantha realized that Joanna recognized her. Samantha told Joanna that she was not mad, just horribly cruel. Joanna told her that Quentin was coming, and dismisses her. 

Samantha tells Gerard that she should have killed her then. She says that she got more letters, and she was sure Joanna was sane. She says she wrote Joanna telling her to meet her on the grounds. When she did, Joanna said she was expecting Quentin. Joanna told her that she'd never let Samantha keep her away from Quentin. She added that Samantha never cared for Quentin. Samantha told Joanna that she could never have him, and grabbing her, Joanna fell over a cliff. Gerard says that if it was high tide, she may not have died on the rocks. Samantha says she did die on the rocks, and she's come back to kill her.

Daphne returns to Collinwood and sees Joanna at the top of the stairs. She's afraid that Joanna has come back for her. She screams, and Gerard comes out and explains that her sister is alive. Joanna extends her hand and Daphe takes it. She embraces her sister when she realizes that she's alive. Joanna and Daphne go upstairs.

Gerard tells Samantha that Joanna is not a ghost, but she's convinced that she's dead. 

Joanna tells Daphne that she doesn't know how to feel; surprising everyone. Daphne tells her that she always made everything right. She says she's done it again, and it's good to have her back. She says she initially blamed Quentin for her death, but she learned he wouldn't hurt anyone. She points out how she was afraid when letters started to arrive in her handwriting. Joanna says that she never sent any letters. Daphne shows her one, and she says the handwriting doesn't match completely. Joanna explains that after she left the asylum, she went to Boston. Daphne asks if she's still in love with Quentin, and Joanna tells her that she was always a romantic.

Samantha thinks Daphne and Joanna are plotting to kill her. Joanna comes into the drawing room and thanks Samantha for letting her see her sister. She introduces herself to Gerard before bidding them a good day and leaving. Samantha freaks out, and Gerard tells her to go upstairs and relax. She begs Gerard not to leave her. After she goes upstairs, he thinks that Joanna might be quite helpful with both Samantha and Daphne. He takes out his devil's sigil, and speaks into the fire, telling Daphne to dream of him.

Daphne grows tired and falls asleep. In her dream, Gerard tells her how much he loves her. She tells him that she loves and needs him. She says she wants him; that he is all that she will ever want. She wakes up and heads downstairs. She goes to a room and finds Gerard there. He tells her that it's time for her to make a very important decision, and asks her to marry him.                                            

                               

Our thoughts: 

John: The whole Samantha-killed-Joanna story seems a bit far-fetched. People don't normally do well after falling off of cliffs in Collinsport, high tide or no. I'm still willing to believe that Joanna is actually some sort of spirit.

 

Christine: I believe the only other person to survive a fall from the cliff was Adam. Perhaps Dr. Lang is the one who has come back to life and reanimated her! 

 

John: Considering that she believes that she killed Joanna, and almost killed Daphne in her bed, I do hope that Samantha will get her just deserts in due time. I can't wait for her to hear Gerard and Daphne's news!

 
Christine: Daphne hasn't agreed to marry Gerard yet. Her face says no. How many more occult inspired make out dreams will we have to endure before she finally agrees?

John: I was hoping that Daphne's feelings for Quentin would come up in conversation with her sister, but what can you do. Now that Gerard has finished with his dream-tinkering with her, and has actually proposed, perhaps she'll have forgotten about her feelings for Quentin?

 

Christine: It could be that she loves her sister enough to give Quentin up for her. Truly, I don't understand Gerardudah's evil plot in wanting to settle down with Daphne. Wouldn't you expect an evil warlock to want to have access to many women and not chain himself to just one? Not that being married will stop him from philandering, but why bother to get married?

Dark Shadows Episode 1181 1/4/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our thoughts: 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

Dark Shadows Episode 1174/1175 12/24/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

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. Samantha says she can feel her presence in the house, and she thinks she's coming to kill her. Gerard says they don't even know that it's her, and why would she want to kill her. Samantha says that it's her fault that Joanna and Quentin couldn't be together. There's a knock at the door, and Samantha is afraid. Gerard explains that ghosts don't knock. 

It's Dawson, with a court order allowing him to search Quentin's laboratory. She escorts him to it. Leticia comes in and tells Gerard that Dawson has death in his eyes. She says she's been thinking about Barnabas, and suggests that he knows where he is. Gerard tells her that he was with her when Barnabas disappeared. She says if he knows where Barnabas is, he must tell her. She says he may not know where he is, but he knows something about Barnabas' disappearance that he's not saying. 

Dawson tells Gerard that Samantha saw him take certain files, and will be a willing witness if needed. He says it's quite a discovery, and Gerard tells him that he placed them there earlier. Dawson says they probably shouldn't talk in the house, and Gerard assures him that Daphne is in the bedroom, and Samantha knows they are working closely together. He says that he and Samantha are back together again. He asks if Trask gave him the letter. Dawson says he did, but he's going to introduce his newly found evidence tomorrow. Gerard tells him that Leticia is becoming a thorn in his side, and Dawson says they'll have to do something about her. Gerard adds, "and quickly."

Leticia gives Desmond a letter the constable brought. He sees that they're calling her as a witness for the prosecution. Desmond is concerned, and then says they have no way of knowing. She assures him that she'd never speak of that. He says they may want to link her second sight to Quentin. He says that if they bring it up, she must tell them that it was just a performance. She agrees. He tells her that he doesn't want them to think that she's a witch.

Gerard and Samantha have tea, disappointed that they aren't able to listen to today's testimony. She asks him to take her away from Collinwood. She's still concerned about Joanna, and he tells her that once the trial is over, they will go away and get married, and he kisses her.

Desmond tells Quentin that Trask took the letter he gave to Daphne to leave at the oak tree. Quentin asks how he knew to be there. He asks if they've accused Daphne of anything yet, and Desmond tells him that they're up to something, and he should be prepared for anything. The tribunal is called back into session.

Leticia is sworn in. Dawson asks her to describe her act to the judges. She says she was a mentalist. He points out that she had second sight, and she says it was just a game. He asks her if she ever discussed the occult with Quentin. She says she doesn't remember. He asks if she remembers a book that he holds up for her, and she says she does not. He reads her the title — the Journal of Judah Zachery. Desmond objects, but is overruled. Dawson asks if she knows the name Judah Zachery, and she says she's heard the name.

She says he was a warlock. Dawson says he was, in 1692. She says he was beheaded. He says she can say more about him. Desmond objects, and Dawson reads from the diary, demonstrating when the first entry was written, and pointing out the last entry was written in the last month. He reads an entry which says, "Leticia is the logical one to help me." Dawson then asks Leticia if she had the head of Zachery in her possession. She says she can't tell them about the head, because it has nothing to do with Quentin, and Quentin stands up and tells her that she must. The judge admonishes Quentin, and Leticia says that she saw the head at Rose Cottage, and she could hear his voice in her mind. Dawson accuses her of being possessed by the head, and she says she was. He asks who brought the head to Rose Cottage, and she says it was Desmond. He asks why he brought it from Asia to Collinsport, and she says it was for Quentin. She breaks down, crying, and apologizes to Quentin. Dawson dismisses Leticia and calls Desmond to the stand. The judge finds it unusual, and Dawson says he plans to show that Quentin is possessed by Judah Zachery. Desmond approaches the stand. Dawson smiles at Quentin.

Dawson asks why Desmond brought the head to Quentin, and he says he found it for him as a curio. Dawson asks if he discovered the head's powers, and Desmond says yes. He asks if his eyes open, and if he heard his voice. Desmond says yes. Dawson asks if he wrote in the journal with the hand of Zachery. Desmond admits that he did. 

He then says Leticia took the head. Dawson asks what happened to it, and he says it was destroyed in an explosion. Dawson tells the judges that Desmond should be disqualified as Quentin's council, and that he should be charged with the crime of witchcraft. The judge says he will confer with his colleagues. Quentin tells Desmond that they can't do it. The judges disqualify Desmond as Quentin's attorney, and order him arrested to await trial on charges of witchcraft. 

Our thoughts: 

John: Aren't Gerard and Samantha technically still married? Did that ever get addressed? Or was that automatically nullified upon Quentin's return? Odd that Gerard would talk about getting married without even acknowledging that it will be their second wedding...

 

Christine: I think we were left to assume their marriage had been annulled after Quentin gave her the responsibility of deciding which husband to keep and Gerard rejected her when she chose him, so it's prudent that he not bring up their first time being married. No doubt Samantha has not forgotten it, and given that she's prone to bitter revenge, Gerard may be wise not to fully trust her.

 

John: Once again, Dawson really drives the court proceedings, not even giving Desmond a chance to cross-examine Leticia! And the judges basically play right along. Poor Quentin never had a chance.

 
Christine: It is rather ironic that he and Desmond are being prosecuted for witchcraft by a practicing warlock himself. 

John: Well, Leticia's testimony didn't exactly work out well for Quentin, or Desmond! It's possible that Quentin might still be acquitted, but Desmond's own case seems pretty much locked up. Do you think he's regretting picking up that severed-head curio now? With Barnabas buried alive, Quentin and now Desmond in jail, it's not exactly going to be a happy Christmas in Collinwood in 1840!

 

Christine: Here I thought we'd all be able to expect Quentin's head in a gift box with a tidy little bow under the tree this year. Perhaps we'll have it before the new year. 

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.