Barnabas comes to the basement where Julia is working on the experiment and tells her that he and Willie opened Tom's coffin and found that it was empty. He declares that another vampire walks the night. Julia says they need to go on with the experiment. Barnabas says he needs to find Tom, and that if he didn't know better he'd be sure Cassandra was involved. In the absence of that, he believes that Blair must have something to do with it. Julia reminds him why they have to focus on the experiment.
In Collinwood, Jeff listens to the dogs howling outside while he waits for Vicki in the drawing room. She returns home, and tells him she was just about to go to the old house to see Barnabas. He says he doesn't understand why, and she explains that they're friends. He admits that he'll probably always be jealous. He tells her she can see Barnabas tomorrow, and she says she promised him. Jeff asks her to call him, and she explains Barnabas doesn't have a phone. Jeff offers to drive her, and she agrees.
Vicki arrives at the old house, and Barnabas tells her she shouldn't be out tonight. She reminds him that he invited her, and he apologizes, saying that he should have come to Collinwood. He gives her her missing engagement ring. He explains that Willie found it in the woods. She's thrilled to have it back, and says she must give Willie a reward. They hear the dogs howling, and he offers to take her to her car. Julia comes upstairs with one of Lang's journals, and Barnabas says he's just walking Vicki back to her car.
Jeff doesn't believe that Vicki could have dropped her ring in the woods. He's happy she has it back, but she doesn't understand what happened. She asks if he'd be angry if Carolyn had found it instead of Willie and Barnabas. He explains that he just wishes she knew what happened when she disappeared. She says she's reminded of being along in a room, listening to the sea. Jeff asks her to describe the room. She says she can't get a picture of the room. Jeff thinks she was locked in a room where she heard the sea. He suggests that Barnabas might be responsible for what happened. Vicki assures him that it's just a coincidence. He says he's going to see Barnabas, as he's the only clue to knowing more about what really happened.
Barnabas prepares to go out and meet with Willie. He tells Julia to keep working, and she says she's too tired. He tells her how grateful he is for all she is doing.
Julia is in the basement listening to jazz music.
Jeff arrives at the old house, and lets himself in. He calls to Barnabas, but there's no answer.
He wanders around, and sees Lang's notes on a desk. He wonders why Barnabas would be reading it. He reads Lang's description of finding parts for his creation.
Julia comes upstairs and finds him in the house. He says he was waiting for Barnabas. She says he's not there, and Jeff says he's supposed to be. He explains the door was open. She says she came up for Lang's journal, explaining that he and Barnabas are considering working on a book. Jeff says he doesn't think it will do Lang's memory much good to share how he intended to make a man. She explains that Barnabas and Willie drove to Bangor, and he says Vicki told him Barnabas would be there all night. He tells her he'll be interested in reading their book on Lang, and leaves.
In the basement, Julia writes Barnabas a note about Jeff showing up in the house. She hears footsteps, and she calls to Barnabas. She turns and sees a strange man in the basement with her. She asks what he wants, and he smiles, baring his fangs. She realizes it's Tom Jennings, and screams.
Our thoughts
John: I don't know about Vicki, but I'm certainly getting tired of Jealous Jeff. Maybe the ghost of Burke Devlin should show up to knock some sense into him.
Christine: Perhaps Jeff Clark is not Peter Bradford after all, but is really Burke Devlin reincarnate. Why is Vicki always dating such obnoxious guys? Whatever happened to that nice Frank Garner? He took her to the cemetery, dug up a grave for her, and never got all pissy or felt threatened by her male friends.
John: What was the significance of having Julia listening to the radio for one brief moment? I think she should have been listening to that when Tom crept up on her.
Christine: It's lucky you have me around to explain these things to you. The point of the sappy, big band music was to emphasize her romantic feelings for Barnabas after their magic moment together just prior, when she asked if he needed her, and he expressed his gratitude for all that she's doing for him. Will love finally bloom as they create another new life together? Let's hope so!
John: Great Tom Jennings appearance, who we could see hiding in the shadows before Julia saw him. Of course it would have been nice if he was moving while we were hearing his footsteps. While the reveal and his scary face might be viewed as silly to today's audience, I think it probably terrified schoolkids and housewives back in 1968!
Christine: It terrifies me now! That ending was fantastic! I was frightened just seeing him watch her through the window. It looks like Julia will finally get the vampire bite she's longed for, though not from the one she wanted it from. Hoo boy! What a Friday! What a week! We've got vampires running around all over the place! I know I should be concerned for Julia's safety, but I'm more worried about what's become of Maggie after her dinner date with lascivious Nicholas Blair.
The lighting on Tom was perfect, making him especially scary when you can't see his eyes!
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