Episode 75 - 10/7/66

Matthew is walking along Widow's Hill when he finds Roger looking out over the ocean. Roger is still elated over the coroner's report.

Vicki is about to go for a walk when Carolyn asks to talk to her in the drawing room. Vicki says she doesn't want to argue, and Carolyn says that was her previous incarnation. Carolyn tells her that Bill's death was ruled accidental. She asks if Carolyn thinks it will satisfy Burke.

Roger tells Matthew that he doesn't care if Burke is satisfied. He also says if Burke gives them trouble, Matthew can take care of them. Matthew asks Roger if the Sheriff will cause problems if he thinks the coroner was wrong. If he thinks Roger lied to him.

Carolyn loans Vicki a scarf for her walk. She tells Carolyn that she doesn't think Burke will be satisfied with the coroner's decision. Matthew arrives as Vicki leaves. He asks for Liz, as he wants to tell her how pleased he is with the coroner's decision.

Vicki runs into Roger on Widow's Hill. He throws a rock into the sea symbolizing Burke Devlin. Vicki asks for directions at Lookout Point. He asks why she wants to go there, as that's where Bill Malloy may have died. He points her in the right direction and then heads back to the house. Vicki tells him Carolyn is looking for him.

Carolyn gives Roger a hug and a kiss when he arrives home. She then jokingly asks him about having stolen a valuable piece of property from Burke Devlin.

Vicki walks along the beach, and reaches down to pick something up.

Carolyn reminds Roger he took a pen to return to Burke the night Bill died. She said she saw Burke today, and he said that Roger didn't have the pen with him. Carolyn wants to be sure Burke gets it back. Carolyn asks Roger where the pen could be if he went straight from the house to the meeting.

Vicki finds a pen in the seaweed on the beach.

Carolyn asks Matthew to keep his eyes out for a silver pen. Roger is scrambling around the drawing room looking for it, and is upset that she told Matthew. As he's about to go outside, Matthew says Burke is coming up the drive. Roger asks Matthew to get Liz. There's a loud knock at the door.

Our thoughts

John: Holy smokes! They didn't waste any time bringing the pen back into the picture. Once again, Vicki holds the smoking gun that can implicate someone in the Collins clan. How is Roger going to get out of this?

Christine: Plan A--Destroy or hide the evidence. Plan B--Have Liz get him out of it.

John: When Roger threw the 'Burke' rock over the cliff into the water below, Vicki gave him a look that almost seemed to say, not the first time you've thrown someone into the water from up here?

Christine: He's pretty cavalier about suggesting to Matthew that he invite Burke out to admire the view and give him a push. You would think he would not talk that way if he were guilty. He does look quite upset about the missing pen and seemed to have remembered where he might find it right before Burke showed up and ruined his happy day.

John: The big question for Monday - will Vicki make it back to the house safely, and if so, will she tell anyone about the pen she found?

Episode 74 - 10/6/66

Burke returns to find David in his hotel room. Burke asks him how he snuck in. David says he got in while the maid was cleaning, and then hid from her. Burke says that's against the law, and David says it's not, as Burke told him before it's only against the law if you get caught. Burke says he doesn't recall telling him that, and if he did, he was wrong. David asks Burke if he ever killed anybody. He says he knows Burke didn't kill Bill Malloy. He says his father killed Mr. Malloy.

Roger arrives home and calls out to Liz. He can't believe his good fortune. Liz is troubled that Roger is celebrating. Liz realizes David ran out when the Sheriff arrived. Roger is too busy celebrating to care.

David says he knows his father killed Bill because the voices in Collinwood told him so. He said he also saw it in his crystal ball. Burke says the coroner is going to make David's aunt and uncle upset when he makes his ruling. There's a knock at the door, and Burke sends David into the kitchen. It's Carolyn, and when Burke invites her in and says he's in the middle of a meeting, she assumes it's with another woman. Carolyn insinuates that Burke is seeing Vicki, and he calls to his 'honey' to bring in the drinks. Carolyn is shocked to see David. She asks what he's doing there. David asks the same of her.

Carolyn tells Burke that her mother is going to hire Mrs. Johnson. Burke sends David into the kitchen, and he asks Carolyn why she's so worried he drove Vicki home. He tells her he doesn't have to explain himself to her, or to Vicki, or to anyone. She says she's glad she gave his gift back and he needs to be reminded about the pen. Burke says he doesn't have it. She says Roger was supposed to give it back to him. She says it was the night Bill died, and he was going to give it back to Burke. Burke says he mentioned it at the meeting that night, but that Roger realized he didn't have it. Carolyn steps into the other room to make a call. Carolyn comes back into the room and says she spoke to her mother and the coroner says Bill's death was ruled accidental. Burke is upset. He yells for her to take David home.

Carolyn and David return to Collinwood. Liz is upset with David, but Carolyn says to forget about it today. David tells Carolyn to tell her mother how Burke reacted to the news.

In the Sheriff's office, Burke demands to understand how the coroner could arrive at his conclusion. The Sheriff says unless he has any evidence, Burke better get out of his office. Burke says it's not over. And he adds that he's got lawyers now, so it won't be so easy to run him out of town this time.

Our thoughts

John: Roger is downright giddy over the coroner's ruling. I'd say he was in a drunken stupor, but he hadn't yet had a thing to drink.

Christine: Yes, the Collins family is ecstatic, which is bound to mean that the tide will turn.

John: I love when Burke calls to David, saying "Hi, honey," to toy with Carolyn. And then when David turns the tables on Carolyn, asking what she's doing, he says to her, "your turn!" Classic.

Christine: That was a great scene. It would be easy for Burke to hurt the Collins family through his fan club of David and Carolyn.

John: So I was wrong, Burke got the news sooner than I was expecting. But I can't say I was surprised by his reaction. Of course now we all want to know what happened to the pen between when Carolyn gave it to Roger, and when he arrived at the meeting. Will it turn up with Bill Malloy's personal effects? Maybe that will be our Friday climax tomorrow!

Episode 45

"Now that's the second time you've mentioned that pen."

Episode 73 - 10/5/66

Sam Evans stops by to see the Sheriff. He explains he was just passing by. The Sheriff says he was worried it took so long for Sam to show up. He explains Burke Devlin and Roger Collins each dropped by to visit hours before. All three anxious to find out the results of the coroner's report. The Sheriff says in a few hours he should know if he's Sam Evans the painter or Sam Evans the murder suspect.

Elizabeth asks David to join her in the drawing room. She asks where he's been. He says he was outside playing. He said Vicki never showed up for his lessons today, hoping she'd get in trouble. She sends David upstairs to see Vicki. David says he thinks she told him that Burke killed Bill Malloy.

Sam asks which way he thinks the coroner will go, and the Sheriff sends Sam on his way. The Sheriff says the coroner may ask him about everyone's demeanor, and he says Sam sure seems nervous. Sam explains he's just very interested, and runs off.

David tries to call Burke Devlin from the phone in the foyer. Liz walks in on him and asks what he had to tell Burke. David wanted to tell Burke that the Sheriff and Liz think he killed Mr. Malloy. David says Bill was killed, but Burke had nothing to do with it. Liz tells him to go upstairs. She then calls the Sheriff to get an update on the coroner's findings.

Sam stops into the diner to see Maggie. She says she hears the coroner's report on Bill Malloy is due later today, and the rumor is it's going to be ruled a homicide. He asks her to keep her gossip to herself. Sam asks if Maggie's thought about what she's going to do with her life after he's gone.

Roger calls Liz and they discuss what they heard from the Sheriff. After hanging up, David tries to sneak past his aunt and she sends him back upstairs. While she goes to make a phone call, he runs outside. The Sheriff pulls up as she goes outside to try and stop him.

The Sheriff tells Liz the coroner has ruled that Bill's death was an accidental drowning.

David Collins arrives in the diner looking for Burke. Maggie introduces him to her Dad and offers him free ice cream. Sam tells David he has a great smile, and he'd love to paint it someday. David leaves. Sam tells Maggie that no matter what the coroner rules, Burke Devlin is going to go on a rampage at Collinwood.

Our thoughts

John: The Sheriff has been the hardest working actor in Dan Curtis land these past few weeks, but I think that's all about to change.

Christine: No wonder he was smiling when he tells Liz it was an accidental drowning. Everyone was anxious about the coroner's report, with Sam acting guilty and Maggie and the Sheriff tossing out red herrings, and then it all comes to naught. You can bet Devlin and Mrs. Johnson will not let it rest.

John: David's pushing his luck with his only fan. His aunt Elizabeth had enough of his antics before he disobeyed her and ran away.

Christine: Wait til she finds out he's looking to spend some quality time with his surrogate father and enemy of the Collins family.

John: I imagine it's going to take the rest of the week for the news to filter through Collinwood. If I had to guess, I'd say that Roger and Sam will hear the news first, and Burke Devlin will get wind of the coroner's ruling last—in the final minutes of Friday's episode.

Episode 72 - 10/4/66

Carolyn pops into Vicki's room and starts giving her a hard time. Carolyn says Vicki should pack her things and go back to the foundling home. Carolyn saw Burke drop Vicki off. Vicki asks if Carolyn is raving because she was with an enemy of the family, or because she was with Burke. Vicki turns Carolyn's question on her, and asks whose side she's on. Carolyn storms out.

Mrs. Johnson calls Burke from the diner to let her know she's not heard from anyone at Collinwood. She then orders a well done roast beef sandwich with well washed lettuce and fresh mayonnaise. She then starts to tell Maggie about Bill, noting that she needs something to keep her occupied. She says the mayonnaise doesn't smell fresh, and tells Maggie to maker her another sandwich.

On her way out of Collinwood, Carolyn is stopped by her mother. Carolyn is snippy, and lets on that Vicki was with Burke Devlin. Liz storms upstairs and Carolyn interrupts her to ask if she's considered hiring Mrs. Johnson. Liz says she's too busy focusing on firing a governess. After she's gone, Carolyn tries unsuccessfully to reach Burke by phone.

Liz asks why Vicki brought Burke to the house. And why she was with Burke instead of David. Vicki says that Roger said he would tell her she was with him. Liz explains that she pays Miss Winters, and that she discuss it with her before taking a day off. She also asks her not to bring Burke back to the house again.

Mrs. Johnson asks Maggie to join her. Mrs. Johnson bemoans the loss of Bill. Maggie says being a housekeeper for one man for so long is like being married. Mrs. Johnson confirms that they never slept together. Carolyn stops in to the diner and joins Mrs. Johnson. She tells Carolyn that Bill was always fond of Carolyn. Carolyn asks Maggie if she had seen Burke Devlin. Mrs. Johnson asks if she and Burke are friendly. Mrs. Johnson says she hasn't seen him since he's return, but Carolyn says he told her that they had talked. Carolyn shares her thoughts about Mrs. Johnson working in Collinwood. Mrs. Johnson says she'll accept the job if offered.

Liz calls Roger and admonishes him for not telling her he gave Vicki the day off. Vicki walks in, and when Liz begins to apologize, Vicki tears into her for checking up on her. She explains that she doesn't lie, and she's tired of being badgered. Liz reminds her that she's an employee, and Vicki tells her to fire her. The two end up apologizing to one another, and Liz tells Vicki she plans to hire a housekeeper.

Mrs. Johnson calls Burke to let him know that she spoke to Carolyn, and she thinks their plan is going to work out.

Our thoughts

John: Boy, Carolyn was a real bitch to Vicki today. And while one might think she had torn up her Burke Devlin fan club card, her conflicted feelings for him are surely the source of her rage. I expect the animosity between she and Vicki will be short lived.

Christine: I was thinking that we had the first appearance of a witch on today's episode, but I hate to denigrate witches like that. She did her best to get Vicki fired so she could have Burke to herself. She is only trying to get Mrs. Johnson hired to please him. As long as Vicki doesn't cash in her rain check for dinner with Burke, Carolyn will be apologizing and declaring her BFF once again. 

John: We now have confirmation that Mrs. Johnson is a nutbag. And a lousy tipper. She should fit right in at Collinwood.

Christine: Mrs. Johnson is not a nutbag. She is acting in accordance with the middle aged lady club. Really, can you blame her for making sure the roast beef is cooked, the lettuce is washed and the mayonnaise is fresh on her sandwich? She can't afford to be sick with evil walking the streets of Collinsport. Makes sense to me. I'm not sure that we really needed to know that she never shared a bed with Bill Malloy, though obviously she wanted to.

John: Good for Vicki. While it took her 72 episodes (that's what, about 3 days in LST - local soap time?), she's finally stopped letting everyone push her around. I hope this isn't the last we've seen of the new and improved Victoria Winters.

Christine: It was nice to see her stand up for herself on Pick-on-Vicki-Day, though I expect it will be short lived. It surely won't be the last time a member of the Collins family has to apologize to her. Poor little governess.

I wonder...

Episode 71 - 10/3/66

Roger calls the Sheriff to ask about the status of the report on Bill's cause of death. The Sheriff explains that he thinks it will either be ruled accidental, or a homicide, in which case he's sure they'll be talking more.

Roger calls the Sheriff back, but hangs up before speaking with him. He runs into Vicki in the foyer. He asks how she's been getting along with David. She explains that David's been introducing her to his friends; the ghosts in the old house. Roger suggests that she needs an excursion, and offers to tour the cannery. He also offers to take her to breakfast, and says they might have one more stop to make in between.

Burke drops in on the Sheriff to check in on the status of his investigation. The Sheriff explains that the coroner's report should be finalized today. Burke presses him to find out if he expects it to be ruled an accident or homicide.

Over breakfast at the diner at the hotel, Roger explains a bit about the cannery to Vicki. Burke comes up, and Roger suggests that he's sure Bill's death will be ruled an accidental drowning. Right then, Burke walks in and says he doesn't think Roger will be that lucky. Roger goes to make a phone call, and Burke asks Vicki what she's doing. She asks where he'll be later, and Burke says he'll be at the diner. Roger tells Vicki it's time to leave, and they need to make one more stop.

Roger takes Vicki to see the Sheriff. He says they were on the way to the cannery, and thought he might be able to help out with the report. Vicki gets a tour of the Sheriff's office, and then Roger revisits Bill's time of death, and his statement. He says Vicki can corroborate his alibi. Vicki tells her story, which still doesn't pinpoint exactly when he left.

After her tour of the cannery, Vicki meets Burke at the diner. Burke says Vicki gave Roger a solid gold alibi. Vicki says she told the truth. The Sheriff arrives and tells Vicki that he can tell Roger that he added her statement to the report. Burke says Vicki sure gets around, and offers to drive her home.

Burke drops Vicki off, and she suggests he leave. He says he'll be back, and maybe when the world does crash, he'll save a piece for her to stand on. He tells her to say hello to Mrs. Stoddard for him, and leaves.

Our thoughts

John: It seems pretty clear from his statements that the Sheriff doesn't have enough evidence to rule Bill's death a homicide. Roger shoehorning in Vicki's testimony all but assures that; assuming the Sheriff finds it credible in supporting Roger's timeline.

Christine: Sheriff Patterson is funny. I enjoyed how he offered to get Burke some of his coffee after initially telling him it would make him sick.

John: Roger thinks he's got Vicki wrapped around his finger. I'll bet he wouldn't be too happy to know she met with Burke after leaving him, though it's his own fault for making her walk home.

Christine: It was not very gallant of him. He got what he wanted and sent her on her way. Roger is being very devious. I wonder what else he has planned for Miss Winters.

John: I have to be honest, this was a bit of a let down after Friday's ghostly interlude. Hopefully we don't have to wait too much longer for our next supernatural experience.

Christine: Yes, what a tease! We won't have to wait too much longer, but long enough. Here are some location shots of Vicki playing hooky with Dodgy Roger.