Dark Shadows Episode 464 - 4/4/68

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At 2am, Barnabas tells the portrait of Angelique that he has lived with her curse for almost 200 years. He carves the portrait out of the canvas, and throws it into the fireplace. He tells her that burning is the only way she will die, ending this curse. He then hears Angelique's laughter, and he sees the portrait is once again complete.

Vicki comes downstairs and hears Roger reciting poetry. She finds him speaking to the portrait she bought. She says he's been staring at it for hours, and he compliments her on her taste. He says he's never seen a face so spellbinding. Vicki suggests it might have been someone she met in the past. Roger dismisses her account of visiting the past. Vicki says she'll have to prove it to him. Julia enters and Roger asks her what she thinks of it. He asks if she's ever seen a more beautiful face. Julia acknowledges her beauty. Roger refers to her as the Countess duPres, which Julia says is curious.

There's a knock at the door and Vicki answers it to Matthew Morgan, I mean Ben Stokes, make that professor Timothy Stokes. She invites him in. He says the gentleman at the antique store told him she was quite lovely. She brings him in and introduces him to Barnabas. Barnabas is a bit surprised to see him.

Stokes had been interested in the painting, but failed to purchase it. He offers Vicki $200 for it. He explains he's collected relics from his family members. He mentions a family member who worked in Collinwood, and Vicki references Ben. Barnabas asks where Timothy learned of Ben. Stokes says he wrote an unpublished book of memoirs. Barnabas calls out that it would be odd for a servant to read or write. Timothy says that changed in 1795, when he was released of his indentured servitude. He received his freedom, some money, and land from Joshua Collins. Barnabas is very interested to hear this. Stokes adds that most of the book was burned in a fire. Barnabas suggests that Vicki should consider Stokes' offer.

Roger enters and suggests it's not for sale. Roger offers Vicki $500 for it, and Stokes cannot compete with that. Roger asks why he wants the painting, and Stokes says he thinks his relative was related to her. Vicki suddenly remembers Angelique, and describes how she married Barnabas, was a witch, and almost destroyed the family.

Stokes tells Barnabas he's interested in Vicki. He wonders how she knew of Angelique. He says he knew of Angelique's existence, but he didn't know she was a witch. He goes on to describe a series of unsolved murders from 1795. Barnabas suggests it may be too late for justice to be done. Stokes says that he's convinced Vicki can help him. He adds that he's a devoted student of the occult. He says Vicki knows the past as if she had lived through it. He bids Barnabas goodnight.

Vicki prepares for bed.

In the old house, Barnabas calls to Vicki, and tells her to come to him, as she's too much of a threat.

Hearing the sound of Josette's music box, Vicki gets out of bed.

Barnabas tells her not to be afraid, and calls her to him.

Vicki arrives at the old house, and Barnabas escorts her inside. He takes Josette's music box from her and tells her that when he calls her again, she will come to him and they will go away together for the rest of time. He leans in to bite her neck.

Vicki is sleeping when there's a knock at her door. Julia enters and checks on Vicki. Vicki sits up, and says she had a bad dream. Julia tells her  to go back to sleep and notices that she has puncture wounds on her neck.

There's a knock at the front door of the old house. Barnabas, who was admiring his own portrait, answers it. Julia accuses him of being in Vicki's room. He clarifies that Vicki came to the old house. He says Vicki doesn't remember anything, but she knows. She recognized Angelique's portrait. Julia asks who Angelique is, and he tells her to never mind. Julia reminds him that she knows what he is. She tells him to leave Vicki alone or run the risk of exposure. She tells him he has until tomorrow night.

Our thoughts

John: Let me be perfectly clear. Lara Parker is not a bad looking woman. But that portrait of Angelique doesn't do her justice. It's hideous. At a minimum, I think we can all agree that it's definitely not spellbinding.

Christine: The operative word is spellbinding. Roger is clearly bewitched. If you are also spellbound by portraits on Dark Shadows, be sure to check out the Dark Shadows Gallery, which you can access below Contributors on the right side of the page.

John: Of all things, why would Roger be compelled to call Julia Countess duPres, and more importantly, why wouldn't Vicki jump on the opportunity to say she met the Countess in the past?

Christine: Roger confusing Julia with the Countess suggests that he is being possessed by Angelique, which is underscored by his enthusiasm for her unflattering portrait. Vicki's memory is spotty on her sojourn into the 18th century, and it seems that she only remembers events when it becomes useful to the narrative. I know Collinwood is a big mansion, but you'd think somebody might hear Vicki wandering through the halls and out the door with the music box playing all the way to the Old House. 

John: So now that Vicki's come back from the past, Barnabas is starting to recognize people that look like his friends and family 200 years ago? Well that's certainly convenient... To that end, Matthew/Ben cleans up pretty well. Look forward to seeing more of the Professor.

Christine: I thought it was interesting for Barnabas to learn the fate of his former friend and discover that his father not only kept his promise, but was rather generous in giving Ben land and money. I wonder if Barnabas is aware of Ben's participation in chaining him up in his coffin. In honor of National Poetry Month, you might like to know that Roger's recital in today's episode is from "Dover Beach" by Matthew Arnold.