Dark Shadows Episode 446 - 3/11/68

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Joshua descends to the basement as the sun sets outside. He comes across a coffin. He holds his pistol ready, and watches as the coffin opens and Barnabas sits up. He says, "It is true," and Barnabas asks him, "What is true, father?"

Joshua says he doesn't know what is true, as he was with Barnabas' body when he died. He asks how he lives, and Barnabas tells him not to ask. Joshua suggests he never died—he must have been in a coma. Barnabas tells his father to leave him and forget he saw him. He asks if Ben told him he was there, and Joshua says he did not, and he'll never know who it was that told him. He asks Barnabas if it's true he killed the women in town. He asks if Barnabas killed Suki Forbes, and then asks if he's ever known anything about his son.

Joshua asks him if he cared about the shame and scandal he would bring to the family, and Barnabas admits that he did. Joshua adds that he went so far as to attack his cousin Millicent. Barnabas denies it. He says he killed the others because he had to—he was under a curse. Joshua says he will take Barnabas to town and turn him over to the authorities. Barnabas asks if he'd sit in court with his mother while he admitted to being one of the living dead. Barnabas attempts to stop his father, but stops before hurting him.

Barnabas says he'll do anything for his father, provided that he allows his mother to continue to think he's dead. Joshua leaves a pistol on the coffin, and tells Barnabas he knows what he must do. He says only one of them will leave the room alive, and it's up to Barnabas to decide. Barnabas says he cannot kill him, and also points out that Joshua cannot kill him.

Naomi arrives at the old house, and calls out to Joshua.

Barnabas and Joshua hear her. Joshua tells him he must find the strength to do what he must do for the sake of the family. Joshua goes upstairs to find Naomi, and Barnabas picks up the pistol.

Joshua asks what Naomi is doing, and she says Nathan told her that he was there. Joshua is disturbed, and tells her to come along with him. A door slams in the house, and Naomi says she knows there's someone in the house he doesn't want her to know about. He pleads with her to return to the new house with him.

Nathan sits in the drawing room with is feet up on the table. He hears Joshua and Naomi arrive.

Joshua tells Naomi he has to go to the yard. Nathan comes out and says he was waiting for Joshua to finish their business. Nathan offers Joshua a drink, and Joshua is offended that he's being offered a drink of his own liquor in his own house. Nathan asks Joshua if he's willing to give his blessing on their marriage. He says no to a blessing, and then agrees that if Millicent wants it, he won't get in the way.

Nathan asks Naomi to go upstairs to get Millicent. She tells him she doesn't like to be ordered around. Joshua asks her to go get Millicent. Nathan thanks her, and she tells him that she's only doing it because her husband asked him to. She goes upstairs, and Nathan asks Joshua how he found his son. Joshua refuses to discuss it, and Nathan tells him that he appreciates Joshua's opening the West Wing to Millicent and him. He denies doing any such thing, and Nathan tells him it must have been an oversight. He then says they won't stay long, as he wants to take her on a grand tour. Joshua points out the generosity in his plan, considering he'll be using Millicent's money to pay for it. He leaves, and requests that Nathan NOT tell his wife where he's going this time.

Joshua returns to the basement of the old house, and finds Barnabas still alive, his pistol unused. Barnabas tells him the curse has given him eternal life, and he cannot die. Joshua doesn't understand. Barnabas reiterates that Joshua's gun cannot kill him. Barnabas says he will leave, and take Ben with him. Joshua asks if he'll continue to kill, and Barnabas tells his father that yes he will, because he is a vampire. He aims his pistol and shoots Barnabas.

Our thoughts

John: Is this the first time we've heard Barnabas utter the V-word?

Christine: Yes, Barnabas came out of the closeted coffin to his dad today, and didn't skirt around the issue by calling himself one of the living dead.

I am a Vampire!

John: Nathan really is enjoying applying pressure to Joshua. I expected Joshua to be a stronger adversary, or at least give some signs that while Nathan might have the upper hand now, eventually the tides will turn against him.

Christine: Cut him some slack. He just found out his son is a vampire. It's what every parent dreads hearing from their child. Once he gets over the shock, it may occur to him that Barnabas could easily solve the Nathan problem.

John: Joshua has got a real surprise coming. Though one might think seeing your dead son rise from a coffin would be enough to convince you he's a vampire...

Christine: Joshua does not seem to have a clear understanding of vampire folklore. Bravo to Frid and Edmonds for their performances today!