Dark Shadows Episode 1197 1/26/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

The executioner practices on a log, slicing it in half. Barnabas watches as the guards bring Quentin out. Gerard tells Quentin that he wouldn't miss this for the world. Desmond comes out as they lead Quentin to the executioner. They start to blindfold him and he refuses it. He says, "When I was born, I saw the light of day. And when I die, I'm going to see the dark of night." He gets into position beneath the executioner, who raises his axe. 

Valerie calls for the executioner to stop, saying that Quentin and Desmond are innocent, pointing out that Gerard is the one who is guilty. She comes forward a covered box. The judge asks her who she is. Barnabas explains that she's his wife. She tells the judge that Dawson mentioned the head of Judah Zachery possessed Quentin, and she claims she found the head tonight it Dawson's home. She pulls off the cover. 

The judge asks where Dawson is, and she says that he's dead. Trask says that she killed him, and she says that for once, he is right. She says he was holding her prisoner, and she hit him over the head when trying to escape. She says when she searched his house, she found the head. The judge asks how she got to Dawson's house, and she says Gerard took her there. Gerard tells him that she's lying. She says that what Dawson said was true — except the part about the head possessing Quentin Collin. She says it posses Gerard Stiles. He asks her how she knows all this, and she explains that she knew Judah Zachery for many years. Barnabas smiles.

The judge says he died in 1692, and she says it was her testimony that sent him to his death. Gerard points out that she's deranged, and she says that he knows he bewitched her, until he took away her powers last night. Barnabas points out the significance of finding the head in Dawson's home, and Gerard and Trask suggest that she may have placed it there herself. She tells the judge she would swear under oath. 

While they argue, Desmond grabs a gun from a guard and shoots Gerard, calling him Judah. He falls to the ground. 

Barnabas tells the judge to look at the head, which is transformed to a skull. Barnabas says they need no more proof. On the ground, Gerard says that Judah is dead, and now he is free. He asks to see Quentin. Quentin kneels near him and accepts his apology as Gerard dies. The judge says he's convinced, and releases Quentin and Desmond. 

Trask points out that Valerie is a witch. The judge says she'll be arrested. Barnabas asks if he can have a few minutes with her before turning her in. He goes to Angelique and thanks her. She asks if he knows why she did it, and he says he does, and thanks her again. She says she did what she felt she had to do, and the rest is up to him. He promises to get her out of this, and leaves her to go with the guard. 

Back in Collinwood, Quentin says they need to find Daphne. He sends Desmond to go see Leticia. 

Daphne hears footsteps and grabs a candlestick. When Quentin comes in, he tells her that Gerard is dead. They kiss. 

In the East Wing, Barnabas searches for Daphne. He sees Catherine in parallel time. He then sees himself enter the room. Bramwell tells her that he's waited five years to see her. They kiss, and she pulls away. He asks if she's happy to see him, and she says that he's been gone for five years. He says he came back to marry her. She says he can't; that she's agreed to marry Morgan. He demands that she look at him. He asks if she loves him. She says she does not. He says it's impossible. He says it has always been the two of them. She apologizes to him. He says he won't let her ruin both of their lives. He says he'd like to kill Morgan. She says no one can ever talk to him when he's angry. She says it was a difficult decision to decide to marry Morgan. She says that he she could never find the life she wants together. He says they belong to one another. She says they would destroy one another. 

He says she must have a rich Collins over a poor one. Bramwell says Morgan only wants her because he doesn't want him to have her. He says that the family drove his father Barnabas to his grave. He says only Justin loved him, yet he had his accident before he could give him his rightful place in the business. He says that's why he left, and now he has returned to find out that they have claimed her, too. He says it's the final insult. She says it was her choice. He says he told her he would live to see the day when the Collins family would come crawling to him. He grabs her and kisses her one last time before walking out on her.

Quentin brings Daphne downstairs. She doesn't understand what happened. Quentin says he doesn't either. Barnabas comes downstairs and seems distraught. Daphne asks if he saw something in parallel time. He says he realizes that he must go tell someone he loves how he feels about them.

Barnabas finds the judge to discuss Valerie's case. He says it's too late. Barnabas asks why. The judge explains that the tribunal interviewed her and let her go.

Quentin reads Daphne a note from Samantha confirming that Tad is his son. Barnabas returns, and Quentin tells him that they're going to Boston to get Tad and be married. He tells him that Valerie is in the drawing room. Quentin and Valerie leave, and Barnabas goes into the drawing room. Trask sneaks into the foyer behind him.

Barnabas tells her that he knows how she feels. Trask bursts in and calls out, "Die, witch!" before shooting her.

Our thoughts:  

John: Were beheadings so common in 1840 that they had an executioner ready to go, with a big axe and the full wardrobe, just waiting to get the call?

 

Christine: Not only that, but it appears they have an execution rehearsal before the big event, since they did not have flaming torches yesterday, and neither Trask nor Barnabas were present. 

                                                                                                                           

John: Wow. Talk about a rush to judgement! I'm sorry, but it's a little too simple to wrap up such an extensive storyline with a simple gunshot. I can't even begin to understand why Judah's head would decompose when the unrelated body he possessed was killed. The nature of his existence already established that his life was not tied to a corproeal form. To think Julia missed out on the whole thing! Seems like they were anxious to get everyone over to the parallel time storyline, and cut the cord on Gerard Stiles and the curse of Judah Zachery. Should we assume that everything in 1970 is now hunky-dory?

 
Christine: I agree it did not make sense for Judah be killed by a gunshot and have his head decompose to a cool looking skull in a box, though perhaps it might make you feel better to think of him like a cat whose nine lives suddenly expired. If Gerard was truly free of possession when he died, then I think it's safe to assume that zombie pirates will not overrun Collinwood, and that Tad and Carrie won't be haunting the playroom. At least it makes me feel better to think that the present day Collins family members are safe, even if we may never see them again.

John: Adding insult to injury, the self-confessed witch talks her way out of conviction in a matter of minutes; in front of the same tribunal that convicted Quentin and Desmond to death on mere circumstantial evidence! Of course that was all a setup to allow Trask to shoot her. Let's face it. If Trask was going to kill her in cold blood, he would have shot Barnabas at the same time, given that he holds him responsible for his father's death. Not to mention that Barnabas also can likely prove that Trask walled him up in the basement of his shop and left him to die. Did I mention that it's only Tuesday???

 

Christine: It certainly was an eventful episode for a Tuesday! Perhaps Trask intends to turn the gun on Barnabas next. If he doesn't get the shot off before Barnabas grabs him by the throat, then I expect he'll be hanging out with his dad in Barnabas' basement before the end of the week. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1196 1/25/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our thoughts:  

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

 

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

                                                                                                                           

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

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

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

 

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

Dark Shadows Episode 1195 1/22/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Daphne and Gerard exchange vows, and are pronounced man and wife. Quentin enters and says, "No!" Gerard sends the preacher away. Quentin asks Daphne why she did it. She appears to be in a trance. Quentin accuses Gerard of putting her under a spell. Quentin says he's taking her, and he'll kill him with his bare hands if he has to. Trask appears and tells Quentin his killing days are over, as he points a gun at him. Quentin realizes that he stepped into a trap. Trask tells Quentin he's taking him back to jail. Quentin asks if they've already got Desmond, and Trask confirms the police already apprehended him. Daphne comes out of her spell and hears Gerard refer to her as his wife. She asks Quentin what he's doing there, and he says he was tricked into coming, just as she was tricked into marrying Gerard. Daphne tries to stop Trask from taking him, and Gerard tells her that he is her husband, and she will do exactly what he says. He tells her he's taking her up to the bridal chamber. Quentin tells her to go upstairs. Gerard tells Quentin to take his last look at Daphne, and he pushes her out of the drawing room. 

When they are alone, Quentin tells Trask that if there's a way to return from the grave, he's going to find it so he can torment him until he's dead. Trask leads him out of the house.

Daphne tells Gerard he can't get her to stay. He assures her that her opinion will pass. He pulls a cover off the bed. She says she hates him, and she won't be his wife. He says she will become Mrs. Gerard Stiles. She says he's not Gerard Stiles — he's the warlock Judah Zachery. She says there's no power on earth that can get her to change her feelings for Quentin. Gerard tells her to think it over, and locks her in the room.

Barnabas returns to the East Wing. He hears voices and opens the door. He sees Catherine and Daphne. Daphne tells her that old Ezra Robinson asked if Catherine was planning to live in Collinwood after getting married. He said he had to warn her. He said there's a haunted room in the house, and that's why everyone keeps their doors locked at night. He told her that every generation, a lottery is held to see which family member has to spend a night in that room. People either die or come out mad. The last person to go in that room was Justin Collins. She tells Daphne she doesn't believe any of the stories. Quentin comes in and tells her she has made a wise decision. She sends Catherine downstairs to discuss wedding plans with Morgan. Quentin asks Daphne if she knows why he's been gone for seven years. She says he was in prison for manslaughter. He tells her he got into a fight with a man and killed him because he was telling stories about his family like Ezra Robinson. He tells her that he doesn't like to hear slanderous stories about his family. He asks her if he has made himself absolutely clear. She says yes, and apologizes. He then turns on the charm, and offers to take her for a walk. He grabs her arm and leads her out of the room. 

Gerard is in the drawing room when Valerie arrives at Collinwood to meet Barnabas. He says he hasn't seen him. He offers to wait with her in the drawing room, and when Barnabas arrives, he'll tell them the news. She asks about the news, and he says that Quentin was captured tonight, right after he and she were married. Barnabas hears this from the top of the stairs, shocked.

Barnabas goes to see Quentin and says they can still get him out. Quentin says there's more guards this time. Quentin tells Barnabas that Daphne was placed under a spell, and he has to help her. Trask comes in and tells them that tomorrow morning Quentin and Desmond will be executed. Barnabas warns Trask that they still have a private matter to settle, and that tomorrow might be his day...

Barnabas returns to Collinwood. He tells Angelique they only have a day to save Quentin. He says he has no other choice. She has to save Quentin. He says that she can find the head of Judah Zachery and destroy it. She says that it is under the power of Gerard, and he would destroy anyone who approached the head. She says their only hope is to leave Collinwood. Barnabas says that they can be nothing more than friends. He tells her that he can never love her the way she wants to be loved. He says that he is human, and she's a witch. She assures him that she has changed. He says she will never change — her feelings towards others are cold an indifferent. He walks out on her and goes upstairs.

Barnabas comes downstairs and runs into Gerard. He says he's looking for Daphne. Gerard refers to her as Mrs. Stiles. Barnabas says the wedding is a fraud, and demands to know where she is. Gerard says Collinwood is his house, and he demands that Barnabas get out. Barnabas tells him he thought he would never come out into the open, and refers to him as Judah before leaving. 

Gerard returns to Daphne's room and tells her that Quentin will be executed at dawn. He offers to deliver a message to him. She screams that she hates him, and attacks him. He tosses her onto the bed.

Angelique stares at the portrait of Barnabas and thinks she will help Quentin, but she's only doing it out of her love for Barnabas. She goes into the drawing room and stares into the fire. She summons the prince of fire and the dark creatures of nature to aid her in the destruction of her mortal enemy. She holds up a voodoo doll of Gerard Stiles, saying he's the embodiment of Judah Zachery. She stabs it with a pin.

Gerard gasps in pain. Daphne asks what's happening to him as he stumbles out of Daphne's room.

Angelique prepares to stab the doll with another pin when Gerard comes into the room. He finally realizes that she is in fact Miranda.

Our thoughts:  

John: Wouldn't Trask be interested in understanding how Gerard put Daphne under a spell so that she would marry him? Or is he so excited to be bringing Quentin back to jail that he's not even paying attention?

 

Christine: Just like his dad, he's so fixated on the person he thinks is guilty of witchcraft that he misses the very obvious clues to the person who truly is guilty. 

 

John: Mere seconds after parallel Quentin basically threatens to kill parallel Daphne, he starts hitting on her! Poor Kate Jackson had to spend the whole episode fending off lecherous men...

 
Christine: I don't understand why Quentin would tell her to do what Gerard said and go up to the "bridal chamber" when he should have advised her to run screaming willy nilly from the house to escape the beast. 

John: So it sounds like poor Desmond is going to be executed without so much as a trial! Of course, it's quite possible that no one survives the confrontation between Angelique and Judah Zachery.

 

Christine: I am hoping Angelique only paused her curse for end of episode drama's sake, and that she'll be plunging the pin on Monday. Incidentally, I loved seeing Kate Jackson make faces in the fun house mirror!

Dark Shadows Episode 1177 12/29/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our thoughts: 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

Dark Shadows Episode 1176 12/28/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our thoughts: 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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