Dark Shadows Episode 423 - 2/7/68

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Joshua returns to the house, looking distraught. The Countess finds him in the drawing room and asks him to tell Josette she needs to leave Collinwood. Joshua tells the Countess that he went to where they laid Barnabas to rest. He doesn't know how the ring they buried him with is in Josette's possession. He tells her that he opened Barnabas' coffin, and it was empty. She says she doesn't understand. He says that someone must have robbed his grave. He says that only two servants knew where they buried him, as well as Ben Stokes. The Countess says that still doesn't explain how Josette ended up with the ring. Miss Forbes interrupts them, and asks if his niece was alright. She says that she heard Josette, who sounded distressed, calling several times for Baranabas.

Joshua has Riggs unlock the door to Josette's room. He and the Countess enter, and they find Josette is gone. Joshua tells Riggs to round up a search party. The Countess asks how she could have gotten out of the room, and he shows her the secret panel. Joshua says only two others knew about the passage, and they are both dead; Jeremiah and Barnabas.

There's a knock at the front door, and Suki Forbes answers it. It's Nathan. She invites him in. They go into the drawing room, and he once again asks her how much she wants. She tells him $5000 in gold. He tells her he doesn't have it, and she says she won't accept any less. She tells him if he refuses, she'll show Millicent her marriage license. He tells her that if she does, she'll get nothing from him. The Countess bursts in and asks for Nathan's help in searching for Josette. After she leaves, Nathan tells Suki to go to the old house, and says that he'll meet her there to discuss her terms for leaving. After she leaves, Joshua comes in and asks him to go into town and ask the constable to arrange a search party for Josette.

Suki goes to the old house and lets herself in. Inside, she is confronted by Barnabas. He asks who she is, and what she wants. She tells him her name, and explains she's Nathan's sister. She says that Nathan arranged to meet her at the old house. Barnabas says he knows she is wife, not his sister. He asks why she is at Collinwood pretending to be someone she is not. He tells her that if she wants to live, she must leave Collinwood immediately, and never tell anyone what she has seen. She tells him that she knows exactly who he is: Barnabas. Just like she saw in the portrait. She notices Josette's coat, and when she looks up, Barnabas is gone. She decides to leave, and outside she is approached by a giant bat. She goes back inside and closes the door behind her. The bat enters the house, and turns into Barnabas. He grabs her throat and she screams.

Outside, Nathan hears her screams.

Barnabas lets Suki's body fall to the ground. Nathan bursts in to find Suki on the ground. He asks who was responsible, and before collapsing, she says Barnabas.

Our thoughts

John: Thank you Joshua, for the explanation on the secret panels in Collinwood!

Christine: It's about time! He said they were built as a safeguard during the war, but I think Joshua was sneaking mistresses into Collinwood.

John: Surprisingly, Barnabas didn't put the bite on Suki. One must wonder if he was doing her a favor in that he knew she was Nathan's wife.

Christine: Maybe he just wasn't hungry. I'm not sure I understand how she was able to speak Barnabas' name after being strangled to death.

John:  Nice transition from the (bad) bat to Barnabas. Almost passing for an onscreen transformation. Almost.

Christine: It was a nice effect, though I couldn't figure out why he decided to transform into a bat and fly around willy-nilly in the first place. Why didn't he just take care of her when she confirmed who he was, instead of flapping around outside while she proceeded to narrate her own fearful predicament? Barnabas is developing showmanship.