Barnabas tells Julia that he wants her to arrange the release of Willie Loomis from Windcliff. She asks why, and Barnabas replies, "Why not?" She explains that Willie is not completely sane. Barnabas says he could be perfectly normal. Barnabas says he feels responsible for what happened to Willie. Julia is suspicious of Barnabas' current desire to see Willie released. She doubts it's a matter of conscience, seeing that Barnabas never went to visit Willie. He says that in his previous condition, he couldn't have done that, and she says he never even asked. She offers to get the latest report from Windcliff, and Barnabas suggests that the two of them go to see Willie today. Julia agrees to go with him today.
At Windcliff, Barnabas waits in a common room. Julia enters alone, saying a nurse will bring Willie shortly. She reminds Barnabas that her decision will be final, and she will be making it based on her concerns for Willie, and not for him. The nurse brings Willie in, and Barnabas asks if he remembers him. Willie says he hasn't seen him in a long time. They sit down together, and Barnabas asks him if he remembers where he lived before Windcliff. Willie says he remembers the old house, and Barnabas asks if he'd like to come back. Julia interrupts and tells Willie they are concerned about him, and wanted to ask him a few questions. Barnabas tells Willie that he would like him to come home with him.
Julia asks Willie how much he remembers before coming to Windcliff. He recalls something about going to Maggie Evans house. He says there were policemen outside, and he wanted to tell her something, but he can't remember what. Julia asks him if he'd like to leave Windcliff, and he says he'd like to work for Barnabas again. She tells Willie that she'll discuss it with Barnabas, and let him know her decision.
A nurse escorts Willie back to his room. Julia tells Barnabas that he made things difficult. Barnabas claims Willie is exactly as he was before coming to Windcliff, and not dangerous. She sarcastically thanks him for his diagnosis. Barnabas says he will assume full responsibility for Willie after she releases him.
Willie returns to the old house with Barnabas and Julia. Barnabas tells Willie he has to stay in the house for a few days; until others have time to adjust to his coming home. He sends Willie up to his room. Barnabas tells Julia he's as docile as ever. She says her only concern is that Willie may not be psychologically able to cope with the outside world.
Willie sneaks out of the old house into the night.
Maggie works on building a frame when there's a knock at her door. She calls to Joe, telling hi to come in. There's another knock, and when she gets the door she's frightened to see Willie. He tells her that Barnabas brought him back to the old house, and he needs to tell her what happened. She threatens to call the police. He says he wanted to warn her she was in danger.
There's another knock at the door, and she calls for Joe. He rushes in, and Willie rushes out.
Back outside the old house, Willie stands with a rifle. He ducks behind bushes when Joe arrives. Barnabas opens the door and Joe asks where Willie is. Before Barnabas can deny it, Joe asks if he got Willie free. He tells him that Willie came to Maggie's to finish what he started. Joe tells him to get Willie, or he'll get the police. Barnabas says Willie's release was legal, and unless he committed a crime, the police can't do anything. Barnabas explains that if Willie did anything, it's his fault. Joe tells Barnabas that if Willie ever goes near Maggie again, he'll kill him.
He leaves, and Willie comes out of hiding. He aims the rifle at Joe and pulls the trigger. It isn't loaded, but Willie laughs maniacally.
Our thoughts
John: So after all this time, Willie hasn't been off in a coma somewhere. It appears he was shuffled off to Windcliff, and apparently not charged in any crime.
Christine: Julia told Barnabas that Willie was sent to a home for the criminally insane back in Episode 330. It's great to have John Karlen back, better than ever.
John: How lucky for Barnabas that Willie only remembers the boring good times they spent together... and not the blood drinking, cane beating and strangling good times.
Christine: It was probably an act to convince them to get him released from Windcliff. If he'd started raving about Barnabas being a vampire, they would have left him there.
John: Hard to discern Willie's state of mind. Did he really go to warn Maggie, indicating that he's playing Barnabas, and actively working against him? But then why would he be pointing an unloaded gun at Joe? I think we can all agree that someone like Willie Loomis probably shouldn't have access to guns, even in 1968...
Christine: It is unclear what his goal is, but seeing him drooling and laughing like a madman is a good indication of his state of mind. The last time we saw Willie look so happy was when he was opening Barnabas' coffin expecting to find jewels.
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| Episode 210 |
2 comments:
No longer under Barnabas's power, Willie has reverted to his old self and while he won't do anything to his friend Barnabas, he has no problem wanting to take out Joe Haskell. The loose cannon is back!
I highly recommend reading the novel Hawkes Harbor, by S.E. Hinton. It was written as a Dark Shadows novel, and it chronicled Willie's entire time with Barnabas and at the asylum. Once the Dark Shadows novel line was canceled, Hinton changed the names and published it as an original novel. However, it's a GREAT character study of Willie and Barnabas nonetheless, and it does a great job of exploring all the weird and evolving nuances of their relationship.
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