Dark Shadows Episode 260 - 6/23/67

A bell rings three times, and Willie realizes that Maggie has only two hours to live. He tells the portrait of Barnabas that he should die, and that he should take the hammer downstairs and take care of him. He then realizes that he can't do it.

Maggie hears footsteps, and Willie enters her cell with food. He sees she's holding a doll, and he asks her where she found it. He asks to see it and she gets defensive. He asks her to drink milk he brought for her, and when she starts to he stops her. He says it's poison. He wanted her death to be easier than whatever Barnabas had planned. He leaves it with her, and says she has a few hours to decide how she wants to die. She says he can escape with her. He refuses and leaves, locking the cell behind him.

Maggie hears the music of London Bridge, and looks up to see the girl. Maggie asks if she's real, or if she's just imagining her. Sarah offers to let her keep her doll. Maggie pleads for the girl to help her. Maggie asks her to tell her how she can get out of her cell. The girl says her father told her she isn't supposed to tell anyone, not even her brother. The girls says a rhyme, and tells Maggie she has to figure it out on her own. She gets up, and when she turns, the girl is gone again.

Sam works on a portrait when the girl appears in the house. She says she's looking for Sam Evans, and he says that's him. She asks if he'd paint a picture of her. He offers to draw a picture of her. He says he will as long as she doesn't tell the other kids in the neighborhood. He asks her name and she says it's Sarah. He said he doesn't recognize her, and she says she was gone for a long time, and now she's back. She asks if he has a little girl. He tells her about Maggie. She asks if he misses her. She asked where he's looked, and Sam says everywhere. She asks if he looked on the beach below Widow's Hill. She says he might find her there tonight. He finishes off the drawing, and looks up to find her gone.

Barnabas lays in his open coffin as the sun sets.

Maggie continues to work through the puzzle the girl left her with, in an attempt to escape from her cell.

Meanwhile. Barnabas stirs in his coffin.

Maggie thinks the grate high on the wall is what the girl was referring to.

Barnabas sits up in his coffin.

Maggie touches the bricks beneath the grate, searching for a secret exit.

Barnabas makes his way towards Maggie's cell.

Maggie pushes a brick as she hears Barnabas approach. The wall opens up, and she ducks in.

Barnabas enters her cell and calls to Maggie, who is nowhere to be found. He sees the open wall panel, and enters.

Maggie works her way through the subterranean passageways.

Barnabas calls to her, telling her she won't escape.

Our thoughts

John: What was the source of the bell ringing? Is there a bell tower on the property?

Christine: I believe they had it installed some time around Episode 222, to herald Barnabas' appearance at dusk.

John: Sarah stopping by to see Sam was a pleasant surprise. And her message that he could find Maggie at the base of Widow's Hill is rather ominous. Will Sam find her after she's leapt off Widow's Hill?

Christine: That hadn't occurred to me. I assumed Sarah went to see Sam at Maggie's request in an effort to save her by leading him to where the secret passage let out.

John: Yeah, it ultimately played out that way, though I thought they missed an opportunity for greater suspense. That said, it's a great third act! Now the burning question is if Maggie escapes, how will Barnabas not be implicated? Between this and yesterday's revelation, this is another milestone week in Collinsport.

Christine: It bothered me that Maggie didn't close the secret passageway to stall Barnabas' pursuit, though it was suspenseful to have him following so closely behind her. It has certainly been an exciting week on Dark Shadows!

Dark Shadows Episode 280 - 7/21/67

Barnabas, dressed in his 100+ year-old clothes, sits reviewing a book of family portraits. Willie asks when everyone will arrive. He explains that the family are all looking forward to the evening. He tells Willie that Roger and Elizabeth are coming dressed as his parents. He turns to a page with Jeremiah's portrait, and Willie asks why he doesn't like him. Barnabas explains that he stood in his way with Josette, and that with Burke Devlin in that role, they will meet again. He tears Jeremiah's portrait out of the book.

Carolyn and Roger are dressed in their period costumes. She explains that she's nervous, and feels odd wearing the clothes. Roger says he's looking forward to it, despite Vicki's inviting Burke. Liz walks in wearing Naomi's dress. She says she really doesn't want to go to the party. Roger says he'll take her home early if she'd like, but she must at least make an appearance. Vicki enters and Roger says she looks just like Josette Collins. Vicki says she'll wait for Burke so the rest can go over.

Barnabas speaks to the portrait of Josette, and tells her not to disappoint him this time. He opens the music box, and Willie enters telling him that the guests have arrived; except Vicki and Burke. He asks what Barnabas is doing with the music box. Willie says he shouldn't try to give it to her. He says Vicki won't come to him willingly, nor would Burke allow her to go to him. He asks what he's planning to do with the music box, and Barnabas ignores him, going downstairs to see his guests.

Roger says he feels as if they've stepped into the past. Liz and Carolyn are less excited than he is. Barnabas walks in and welcomes them. Carolyn says that Barnabas looks like his ancestor, and he says they all do. He starts to refer to Liz as his mother, and Roger as his father. Roger tells him he'll be amazed by Vicki's similarity to Josette. Carolyn thanks Barnabas for allowing Burke to come. Roger says it's good there's a Jeremiah to escort Josette. Carolyn says she heard they were very much in love, which Barnabas quickly dismisses as untrue.

There's a knock at the door, and Barnabas lets Vicki in. He compliments her, and when Burke extends his hand to Barnabas, he initially refuses to shake it. Burke apologizes for their late arrival. Barnabas proposes a toast to the past, and all the remembered glories.Vicki says she feels as though she's in the past. Roger says it's the candlelight. She says that when she put on the dress, she really felt that she was Josette. A bell strikes eleven o'clock, and Roger speaks of ghosts. Carolyn points out the candles are flickering, and Liz comments on how cold it is. She says she felt a hand on her shoulder. Barnabas looks around the room for the cause of the disturbances.

Barnabas explains the house does work on one's imagination. Roger suggests it could have been a ghost trying to contact her. He suggests that they should have a seance, to try and speak to one of their ancestors who is trying to contact them. Barnabas says he doesn't like parlor games, but Roger counters that they've had a successful seance in the past. He presses on saying it would make for the evening's entertainment. Barnabas protests, lest the ladies be frightened, and Roger asks if he's the one who's afraid. Liz says it's best to humor Roger, despite being a waste of time. Carolyn is reluctant, and Burke leaves it up to Vicki. She agrees to try it, so they move a table into place.

Roger places a single candlestick on the table, and they arrange chairs around the table. Roger coordinates the seance, with Barnabas reluctantly playing along. Roger asks who's in the room with them, and implores them to speak to the group. Barnabas asks to put an end to it when Liz suddenly describes a piercing cold. Carolyn says there's something in the room as the candles are blown out and the front door swings open. Burke suggests they stop, Roger agrees, but before they can, they notice Vicki has gone into a trance. Barnabas stares intently at her...

Our thoughts

John: So much for respecting family history, as Barnabas destroys the book of family portraits!

Christine: That was surprising to see. The family should be careful not to leave him unattended in the Collinwood drawing room, or Jeremiah's portrait may end up like the portrait of Laura Murdoch Collins. It looks like he switched his ring to the other hand so it could be gloriously displayed while viewing the family album. Elizabeth looks like a party pooper, but still dazzles with her sparkly jewels.

John: Call me crazy, but I was expecting a dinner party. Let this be a lesson to all of you. If you host a party, and don't plan activities, your guests might very well kick off a seance.

Christine: I thought Willie might serve up some hors d'oeuvres with the Claret Punch at the very least, though it appears he may have been hiding out in the servant's quarters while the family gathered. It was great to see Barnabas snap when Carolyn mentioned how much in love Jeremiah and Josette were, and then shoot daggers at Burke when he arrived.

John: Who'd have thought that Roger of all people would be the one to run the seance. If I recall correctly, he wanted nothing to do with the last one at Collinwood.

Christine: It was rather rude of him to push it after Barnabas protested and was clearly upset by it, but it would have been boring to watch them sit around and drink Claret Cup. David is going to be unhappy that he wasn't invited to the party, especially after hearing they had a séance without him. We finally get an explanation for the bell we've heard ringing at the Old House. Apparently, it's the chapel bell down in the valley that lets Barnabas know when it's time to get up.

Barnabas refrains from imbibing.

Naomi Collins

Joshua Collins

Jeremiah Collins

The next Josette Collins

Dark Shadows Episode 1142 11/10/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV

Gerard wakes to knocking on his door. The scene plays out as it did in his dream. Gerard cringes at the sight of the case he tossed over Widow's Hill. The man comes in and asks if he really thought he could get rid of it. The man claims to be Zachery's servant. He tells Gerard to look at it as he removes the cover. The head of Judah Zachery stares at him. 

He hears the voice say that he has chosen to live through Gerard, and tells him to put on the mask. Zachery's servant hands Gerard the mask. He takes it and puts it on. The head closes its eyes. The servant says it is done, and removes the mask from Gerard. Zachery, possessing Gerard, tells him to take the mask away, and guard it well. He asks how many are in their coven, and the man says there are six of the thirteen. Zachery asks what happened to the others. The man says when the trial was over, they turned to the other faith. The servant reminds him that Gerard Stiles body may die; he is not immortal. Zachery reminds him that he said he would punish all those responsible for his beheading, including Miranda. He adds that she will not be the first. He says there were three judges at his trial, and of them, only one family survives — that of Amadeus Collins. He says that the man's head on the block this time will be Quentin's.

Quentin tells Trask that Samantha can't believe Roxanne is dead. He sympathizes with Trask, knowing he was fond of Roxanne. Trask says bleeding to death is an odd way to die in this day and age. He adds that Julia may not have been the right one to treat Roxanne — since she has her brother Barnabas to protect. Quentin tells him he's being ridiculous. He assures him that Barnabas did nothing to her. Trask says he's sure that Barnabas caused her to die. Quentin asks how he did it, and Trask says he doesn't know. He says that evil men deal with dark forces. Quentin tells him that  he doesn't want to hear another word about Barnabas. Trask tells Quentin that the Devil himself has friends who try to shield him, too.

   

Gerard stands over Roxanne's coffin. Gerard walks in and points out she looks lovely. Gerard says there is a great beauty in death. Trask finds that a strange thing to say. Gerard says he misunderstood him. Trask tells Gerard he's upset he failed to bring him info on Barnabas. Gerard says he will still help him. Trask says there is sorcery in their streets and it must be ferreted out. Gerard assures him that he will help him with no additional cost. 

Lorna Bell, a schoolmate of Roxanne's arrives to pay her respects. Trask and Gerard step out and Trask tells him that woman does not move in polite society. Gerard asks if she has relatives locally, and Trask says no, before leaving to deal with flowers. Gerard goes back in and introduces himself to Lorna. He invites her to take part in something. She says she has never taken part of anything in Collinsport. She doesn't know what he's talking about, but she flirts with Gerard. He says it's a private memorial service, to which Trask was not invited. He adds that he'd like to take her home afterwards, and she replies that she'd prefer that to the memorial. He tells her it's a secret just as Quentin comes in and recognizes Lorna Bell. Gerard steps out, and Trask returns. Lorna tells Quentin she will see him later. He's not sure what she means, and when Trask isn't listening, she says the memorial services for Roxanne. 

Zachery's servant, Mr. Dawson, brings Lorna to a room with an altar. She asks where Gerard is, and he says he'll go get him. She sees a figure standing in the shadows, who turns, wearing the bejeweled mask. She screams and tries to get out of the room. Dawson comes back in and tells her she should be honored to have been chosen. He says she is their offering to celebrate the return of Judah Zachery, the Devil's son. Dawson holds Lorna as the masked figure raises a knife.

Gerard tells Trask that he came as soon as he got his message. Trask says he has proof of the black arts. Trask says Lorna was murdered, discovered by a Mr. Dawson in an empty field. The body is unmarked except for proof that there are devil worshippers among them. He shows Gerard the body, which has  a symbol drawn on her forehead. He tells Gerard that she had left with Quentin. 

Quentin finds out that Lorna is dead, and doesn't appear to be surprised. Trask says he didn't tell the constable that she had left with Quentin. Quentin says that's good, because they didn't leave together. Trask adds that he also didn't tell the constable that he heard her tell Quentin that she would meet him later. Quentin says that he didn't know what she meant by that. Trask says he's waiting until he has conclusive evidence. He interrogates Quentin, who asks if he's suggesting that he murdered her. Trask says he knows that Quentin is practicing black magic, since she was found with the mark of Satan on her forehead — the same mark on the ring Quentin is wearing.

Our thoughts: 

John: Did we get a new funeral dirge from Robert Cobert today? That kind of music certainly plays to his strengths as a composer.

 

Christine: It certainly set the right tone for the scene, though we would expect no less of Trask than to have a nice send off for his former fiancé.

 

John: Funny that it just as easily could have been fast-talking Gerard hitting on Lorna, as Zachery-possessed Gerard. The problem I have with how things played out is that he went to such great lengths to confirm that Lorna had no connections in town, and that Trask wouldn't be aware of his plot, that he should have given up on her as soon as Quentin showed up and recognized her.

 
Christine: It actually served his purpose well that Quentin knew her, since he seems to be framing him for her Satanic sacrifice.

John: If Lorna was dispatched without a mark on her body (save the sharpie-drawn mark of Satan on her forehead), what do you suppose Zachery was waving the knife for?

 

Christine: It was for dramatic effect, of course. Has Quentin always worn a ring with the mark of Satan, or is it a new piece of jewelry he picked up expressly to be framed for witchcraft? 

 

Dark Shadows Episode 603 - 10/16/68

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Elizabeth is in the drawing room looking at a model mausoleum when Vicki comes in. She tells Vicki to ensure that her wishes are fulfilled, and asks that if she dies before it is built, Vicki won't let her be buried underground.

Vicki says she won't promise her because she's not going to die. She says both Dr. Hoffman and Windcliff both say she's in excellent health. Vicki tries to convince Liz to help herself. Liz tells her they will build the mausoleum on the cliff, and someone will always need to be in the house to hear the bell when she rings it.

Roger enters and chastises his sister. He asks what she's hiding, and she tells him it's a model of her mausoleum. Roger tells her that the contractor who built it knew he was humoring an insane woman. She says that she will pay for it and Roger smashes the model. Liz runs off, and Vicki tells him that he shouldn't have done that.

A voice calls to Liz in her room. It's her own voice, telling her she can't hide from herself. The voice tells her to get ready.

Vicki tries to fix the model, as Roger explains that everything went wrong after he married Cassandra. He says neither of them have been lucky in love, but at least she didn't marry Clark. There's a knock at the door and Roger gets it. It's Jeff, who he leaves outside when he goes to get Vicki. He asks her if she wishes to see him, and she agrees to.

Liz tells herself that they will find her dead in her bedroom, tonight.

Jeff tells Vicki it's good to see her. He offers her the engagement ring, saying it's hers. He puts his hand on her shoulder and she tells him not to touch her. He says she has every right to be angry. She says that she made up the man she loved, because the man she loved wouldn't have done the kind of things that he did. She says that if he loved her, he could have told her why he acted the way he did. He tries to convince her that everything he did, he did for her. She doesn't understand, and asks if he'd like to try and explain it to her. He says that he will, later. She rebuffs him.

Roger goes to Liz' room. He knocks on the door but there's no answer. He goes in and finds that she's not there.

Jeff tells Vicki that he tried, and he said everything he planned to say. Before Vicki can truly tell him off, Roger comes downstairs and says that Liz is gone.

Liz wanders through Eagle Hill Cemetery. She looks around, imagining that this is where she will be buried alive.

Jeff offers to help Roger look for Liz. Roger asks Vicki to search the house with Mrs. Johnson.

Liz kneels near the grave of Peter Bradford. She grabs her chest.

In the woods, Roger calls to Liz. Jeff asks why she'd come to the woods on her own. Roger explains that Liz is troubled. He suggests that they split up, adding that she may have gone to Widow's Hill.

Liz says she's alright, and then she hears her voice telling her that she will be found dead lying on a grave. Jeff finds her and when he tries to help her, she tells him that he's dead. She passes out and he realizes that she's lying on Peter Bradford's grave.

Vicki comes downstairs when Jeff comes in carrying Liz. He tells her he found her in the graveyard, and that she fainted. Vicki says she has no pulse or heartbeat—that she's dead!

Our thoughts

John: Since when does Vicki run around Collinwood in a little black dress with her hair down? Did she know that Jeff would be stopping by? Or did she perhaps have a date with Barnabas?

Christine: Maybe she just got back from the concert in Bangor Barnabas promised to take her to in Episode 583.

John: Sadly when Roger crushed Liz' model mausoleum, we saw that it wasn't a particularly high quality construction. Despite that, Vicki was still having trouble reassembling it correctly.

Christine: Was anyone else searching online for the Stoddard Mausoleum Playset, complete with bell that actually rings? Add a few Dark Shadows action figures and imaginative kids can have hours of entertaining fun! Collins Family Mausoleum, chained coffin, and stakes sold separately.

John: Liz is dead? Sure she is. Who was the last person to die for the duration of the closing credits of one episode to the opening credits of the next?

Christine: Of course she's not dead. Haven't you seen Premature Burial? It's no wonder Liz was so worried about being buried alive. Vicki has declared her dead even though her chest is rising and she's obviously still breathing!

Dark Shadows Episode 672 - 1/21/69

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Carolyn hears her mother's voice telling her she's in danger. The werewolf gets closer to her. Her mother pleads for her to get back to Collinwood.

Carolyn stands at the front door to Collinwood. While her mother begs her to go inside, the werewolf appears.

Julia opens the door and the werewolf runs away. She tells Julia that the cottage is a mess, and Julia says Chris can take care of himself. Carolyn tells Julia that she heard her mother's voice, and Julia replies that it's all in her mind. Carolyn says she's going to the mausoleum. Julia offers to get Barnabas to go with her, but she leaves alone.

As she leaves Collinwood, the werewolf jumps down from above and follows her. She hears a rustling and asks if it's Chris. She continues towards the cemetery with the werewolf in tow. As she reaches the mausoleum the werewolf attacks. She makes it inside and is able to lock the door. The werewolf reaches in at her as she cries for help. The werewolf picks up a rock and pounds on the door. In her coffin, Liz tries to will her hand to press the button that will ring the bells. The werewolf makes it into the mausoleum and attacks Carolyn. Liz is able to reach the button and bells begin to ring. The werewolf pauses momentarily.

Back at Collinwood, Julia and Barnabas hear the bells.

The werewolf notices a silver bracelet on Carolyn, and steps back. Julia and Barnabas arrive, and Barnabas proceeds to beat the werewolf with his silver-headed cane. The werewolf runs off. They explain they heard the bells, and Carolyn says that means her mother is alive. Barnabas opens the coffin, Julia sticks her head all the way in and pronounces Liz dead. Again.

Back in Collinwood, Carolyn asks Julia what attacked her. Julia says she doesn't know, but they have to destroy it. Carolyn says it must be the same animal dressed as a man that attacked her mother and Joe.

Barnabas asks how Carolyn fought the animal off. She says she put her hands up to protect herself, and her bracelet attracted his attention. Barnabas asks to see it, and notices that it's silver. He points out that the head of his cane is silver, too. Julia asks what he's getting at, and he tells her he's not certain.

Carolyn asks how the bells went off. Julia says she can't explain it, but that her mother is dead. They hear the front door. When they go to the foyer, Liz is standing there.

They help her into the drawing room. Julia checks her vitals and reluctantly agrees that she appears to be alive. Liz says that Cassandra put her under a spell. She tells the story of finding Cassandra with Tony Peterson, and how when she threatened to tell Roger, Cassandra put a spell on her. She says that when she felt Carolyn was in danger, she had to react. She asks if Cassandra will ever return, and Barnabas assures her that she won't. Liz says she had a vision of a woman who looked like Cassandra consumed by flames. Julia helps her upstairs.

Barnabas warns Carolyn not to leave the house until the animal is caught. She tells him that she's worried about Chris, as the cottage had been ransacked. He tries calling the cottage, but there's no answer. He says he'll get Roger's gun and go check the cottage.

Barnabas gets Roger's gun, and also takes his cane as he leaves Collinwood. Julia comes downstairs and tells Carolyn she can see her mother now.

Barnabas wanders through the woods. He hears the werewolf, who then appears before him. He shoots the werewolf in the chest. It is knocked down, but it gets up and comes after him.

Our thoughts

John: Well, that will go down in Dark Shadows' history as one of the most anti-climactic openings. Carolyn was within reach of the werewolf from the end of the last episode, and for inexplicable reasons, he dances around without attacking her. She then goes back out to the mausoleum. Why bother even have her returning to Collinwood? And what's the point of having a lock inside the mausoleum door if anyone could reach through the front and open it?

Christine: Why would the mausoleum lock from the inside anyway? I suppose they thought it would be suspenseful to stretch out the werewolf chase today, but it ended up feeling like they were trying to fill time in the episode. Carolyn must not pay much attention to what her boyfriend is wearing to not recognize his clothes on the Wolfman.

John: So where exactly on the estate were the bell towers installed? That was pretty epic bell-ringing to reach from the cemetery to the main house, particularly when connected to what appeared to be a standard doorbell.

Christine: It was all part of Liz's mausoleum design.

John: I just about died when Julia crawled headfirst into the coffin to check on Liz. Is this the third time she's incorrectly pronounced her dead? I love when she finally admits that Liz is alive, after Liz shows up back at the house.

Christine: That amusing image ranks right up there with Jeff Clark's goofy first appearance and Naomi's dream of ripping off a bloody mannequin arm. I've lost count of all the people Julia has declared dead that have returned to life, though since Liz repeatedly stated it would happen, I would have expected her to use a more reliable device to certify death than by laying her head on the victim's chest.