Dark Shadows Episode 1212 2/16/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

In the drawing room, Quentin offers to go first. He draws a lottery slip, followed by the rest of the family. Everyone holds the folded slips of paper. Quentin starts to open his, and Flora offers to go first. She shows that her slip is blank. Quentin's is as well. Julia's is also black. Gabriel says he can't bear it. Morgan open his, which is also black. Catherine opens hers, and embraces Morgan. Gabriel suggests that she has the X, and she tells him that it's blank. Quentin tells Gabriel to open his, but he refuses. He throws it down. Morgan opens it and it has the X. They tell Gabriel he has to go into the room. Gabriel runs out of the drawing room and locks the door behind him. Quentin and Mogran unlock the door and chase after him. Catherine tells the women that it's not fair. She says what they've done to Gabriel is revolting.

Gabriel runs through the woods. Morgan and Quentin run past where he's hiding. When he steps out of the shadow, they appear and grab him. Quentin reminds him that he said he'd take it like a man if he were selected. 

Julia throws the lottery slips in the fire. Quentin and Morgan return with Gabriel, and Julia tells him he should be ashamed of himself. Julia tells them to lock Quentin in the tower room. She says they'll give him anything he wants, including as much liquor as he needs. Morgan and Quentin lead him upstairs.

Catherine is pacing in her room when Julia comes to see her. She says she needs to talk to her about her attitudes. She blames Catherine for Melanie's illness, explaining that the lottery was postponed because of her. Julia cautions her not to impose herself on the house so quickly. She reminds her that she's not the mistress of Collinwood. She adds that since Catherine objected to the lottery, she assumes that she'll attempt to change the outcome. She tells her that the curse must be appeased — there is no other way.

Quentin and Morgan lead Gabriel to the tower room. They close the door and lock him in. 

Flora tells Morgan and Quentin that she wants to visit Gabriel in the tower room. They refuse. She tries to convince them that she only plans to comfort him. Morgan hands her he key. After she's gone, Morgan suggests that one of them should watch her. Quentin says it's not necessary. Quentin pours himself a drink, and then behaves strangely. Morgan offers to get the doctor.

Flora visits Gabriel. He asks if she's come to let him out. He begs her to show him mercy. She tells him that they're helpless to change their destiny. She gives him a book, which she says was his father's favorite book on meditation. Gabriel swings open the door, only to find Morgan standing in the doorway. Flora leaves.

Julia finds Quentin on the floor in the drawing room. He tells her to stay away; suggesting that he has the plague.

Morgan tells Catherine Melanie is weaker. He says she just needs to survive another night. Catherine mocks him for thinking that her condition will change when Gabriel goes into the room. She says that it would be kinder to shoot Gabriel to death. She tells him that Julia lectured her about trying to impose her feelings on the family. She says she felt humiliated. He assures her it will never happen again. Julia comes in and he tells her he wants to talk to her. She says there's no time, that Quentin has the plague. 

Flora comes downstairs and confirms to Julia that Quentin has the plague. Julia says that by the next night they might all have the plague. Morgan suggests that they put Gabriel in the room tonight. Flora says there's not enough time tonight, and they must wait. She says they should tell Gabriel about Quentin. Morgan and Julia go upstairs to do that.

Julia and Morgan go to the tower room, and find that Gabriel's no longer there.

Our thoughts:  

John: I thought the writers were on track to prove me right, leaving Catherine and Gabriel as the last ones to check their slips. Of course when Gabriel ended up with the marked slip, my first instinct was that Catherine is some sort of witch, and managed to switch the marked lottery slip with Gabriel...

 

Christine: It is hard to let go of the fact that these are completely different characters than the ones we knew so well in the past. I keep forgetting Julia is not a doctor. 

                                                                                                                           

John: While they don't bother specifying what time it is, doesn't it seem odd that throughout the entire episode, it's deemed too late to lock Gabriel up for the night. I'd sure love to understand the logic behind that. It sure seems like another case of the writers just making up the rules as they go for dramatic purposes...

 
Christine: As Flora explained, whoever spends the night in the room has to spend a full night. There's quite a difference between going in to spend the night at 7 pm as opposed to going in at 2 am. 

John: Do you think Gabriel jumped out the window? That would be a funny way for him to avoid suffering, while stiffing the rest of the family, forcing someone else to take his place in the room.

 

Christine: Perhaps the Tower is another parallel time room and he's escaped to another time. The family might have tried consoling Gabriel by reminding him that there was a possibility that he could survive the experience. Maybe alcohol is the bullet proof vest needed to survive the night in the Cursed Room. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1211 2/15/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Julia returns to Collinwood and Flora tells her that Melanie has the plague. Julia doesn't understand how it's possible. Flora reminds her that it happened in the past when their relatives refused to hold the lottery. She explains that they held a seance, after which Melanie was afflicted. She says a doctor is with her, along with Quentin. Flora tells her she wants to convene a family meeting.

Morgan tells Catherine that the doctor won't let him in Melanie's room. Catherine says that she was all right just a few hours ago. He explains that it's the result of the curse. She dismisses him, and he says it's all due to the curse. Julia comes in and tells them Julia wants to meet in the drawing room.

Flora tells Gabriel to relax, and not to resort to his usual means. She tells him to give her his flask, which he reluctantly does. She tells him she'll return it when they're finished. He asks her if Melanie is going to die. Julia, Morgan and Catherine come in. Flora explains that there's no normal way Melanie can be saved from the plague. Catherine wonders if she actually has it, and Quentin, standing at the doorway, says there's no doubt about it. Flora confirms that they will hold the lottery tonight. Catherine speaks up and suggests that the lottery not be held. Flora says that's impossible. She reminds Catherine that Melanie is upstairs dying. Quentin tells Catherine that she can believe as she wishes, but if they vote, she'll lose 5 to 1. 

As Quentin steps into the room, Gabriel tells him to stop, pointing out that he has been exposed to the plague. Quentin says they will all get it unless they go through the ceremony. Flora agrees. Gabriel suggests they burn the house down. Quentin reminds him that some of their ancestors tried that unsuccessfully. Flora says she will prepare six slips. Morgan insists that only the men participate. Quentin agrees. Julia aligns with Flora, saying they should all participate, adding that they have precedent on their side. Quentin asks if she'd have them involve Melanie as well. Quentin and Morgan press Gabriel to weigh in. Gabriel points out that they haven't heard from Catherine. She speaks up, saying that she agrees that the women should participate. Morgan tells her that she can't be serious. Catherine explains that it doesn't matter if she believe in the lottery. Flora tells him that they will vote. They go around the room, and Gabriel casts the deciding vote . . . and he votes yes. Quentin grabs him and threatens to put him in the room and throw away the key. Flora tells them that she will let them know when the slips are ready. 

Gabriel takes a drink from a hidden cup. Morgan comes in and says he could kill him with his bare hands. Gabriel reminds him that will increase Catherine's odds of being selected. Morgan points out that he decreased his by voting yes. Gabriel tells him it makes no difference to him what he believes. Gabriel says he voted no to save his wife. He adds that if it was just Julia and their mother, Morgan would have voted yes. Morgan denies it. Gabriel tells him to go spend what may be his last night with his wife.

Morgan tells Catherine that if she picks the losing slip, she must let him take her place in the room. She tells him that's out of the question. He says he won't have her life jeopardized by his coward brother. She says it's too early to worry about. 

Gabriel continues drinking when Quentin comes in, and tells his brother that he'll stand as a monument to losers. Quentin asks Gabriel how he'll feel when their mother chooses the losing slip, and goes into the room only to die, or emerge mad. Gabriel says he doesn't think she'll draw the losing slip. Gabriel says if he chooses the losing slip, he'll do his duty. Quentin says he wouldn't be surprised if Gabriel struck up a bargain with whoever is in the room to sell out the entire family. Gabriel asks Quentin to promise to kill him if he comes out of the room insane. Julia arrives and tells them that Flora is ready.

In the drawing room, Quentin offers to go first. He draws a slip, followed by the rest of the family.

Our thoughts:  

John: Sad to report that news of Christopher Pennock's passing on February 13th. Gabriel was in particularly fine form today as he let his brothers down by siding with the women when it came to lottery eligibility.

 

Christine: It was a delight to see him on Halloween enjoying pizza and beers with his buddy James Storm, making the sudden news all the more sad indeed. 

                                                                                                                           

John: As soon as Catherine suggested that women should also participate in the lottery, I think they telegraphed that she would be the one selected. I guess we'll find out for sure tomorrow!

 
Christine: I thought it was when Morgan said she should let him take her place if she drew the slip that indicated she would be the one. I'm betting he'll change his mind once that happens.

John: Poor Flora was having trouble using that fountain pen... I was beginning to think that none of the slips would have the X on it.

 

Christine: For all his bravado, Morgan was in no hurry to draw a slip, allowing his wife to go before him.

 

Dark Shadows Episode 1210 2/12/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Sitting down around the table at a seance, Quentin calls upon Brutus' spirit. Melanie moans, and says, "Lottery now or all will die. Plague. Die. PLAGUE! DIE! PLAGUE! DIE!" Quentin asks what she means, and asks about the black plague. She speaks of the smell of bodies burning. She says one must go in the locked room. She adds that he was cruel; that he killed. Quentin asks why the spirit demands a sacrifice. She says she can tell them no more, and says they must go to the locked room. She collapses, and when she wakes, she asks if she had an attack. He says that he thinks she was the same woman when she had the attacks. Melanie asks if they found out why the family was cursed. He says they didn't, but they got a clue about a plague. He says the disease is in the house because at one time, the family didn't go along with the legend of the locked room. He says it's possible a sea-faring man from the orient came along at the right moment. He says they can check the family history and village archives. He says the woman possessing Melanie may be the woman who cursed the family. Quentin says he's going to the village to find out what he can. There's a knock at the door, and Melanie goes to answer it. She comes back and says it's the police there to question them about Stella's murder. Flora goes to the door and invites them in.

Morgan kisses Catherine and tells her that he has a secret. The secret is that he's happy. She says she needs to unpack. 

Catherine asks him to start a family as soon as they can. He bristles. He tells her that it's out of the question. They will never have children, and they won't discuss it because of the curse. She's shocked that he lets the room dictate his life. She says he's married the wrong woman if he thinks she'll give in to superstition. He calls her a fool. She tells him that they must have children, and he tells her never to mention that again, and storms out. 

Melanie tells her mother and Quentin that she's sure they know she killed Stella. Quentin tells her that it's just her imagination. Melanie says they knew they were lying. Flora says they can blame Stella's brother for that. Melanie corrects, her, saying that they can only blame themselves, because they were lying. Quentin tells her that the police believed everything they told them. He asks who could deny the word of a Collins. Melanie goes upstairs and Flora tells Quentin that Melanie was right. 

Catherine removes some letters from her luggage. She opens and reads one. It's a love letter from Bramwell, explaining that he will return to her a success. Melanie comes into her room to say goodnight. She asks if Catherine is afraid when she comes into her room. She notices that Catherine has been crying. She tells Melanie that she's never learned to control her moods. Melanie says they each have a secret they must live with, and Catherine agrees.

Quentin reads from the family history about their ancestor's dental work. He tells Morgan if any of the Collins' had the plague, he'll find it. Morgan berates him for holding a seance when Quentin finds a reference to the plague at Collinwood. He says it started in the house at 1680. It starts with a fever and then black marks arrive. He also says it ended as quickly as it started. Morgan tells him to put down the book. He says it's more important than the plague. He says he wants Bramwell and his mother out of the old house. Quentin says his father made that agreement, and it will stand.

Melanie tells Catherine that she will be good for everyone in the house, and then bids her goodnight. Catherine is still unpacking when Morgan comes in. She says a wife is not supposed to argue with her husband; just accept. She says she never learned how to do that, and he says she will. She says she's not so sure, and he tells her she'll have to try. He finds a letter from Bramwell on the mantle and freaks out. He reads it, and she tells him it was written years ago. He accuses her of still being in love with Bramwell. She reminds him that she married him. He tells her to give him the letters, and then searches her suitcase for them. He takes them to the fireplace and throws them in, saying she will never read them again — EVER! She asks if he'll forbid her of thinking of them. She asks if she's allowed to have a past? Or are only the Collins' allowed that. He comes to her and embraces her, begging her to love him as much as he loves her. 

Melanie dreams. She sees her mother wondering what they did to deserve punishment. She sees Quentin holding Melanie's dead body. Flora tells him that he must take her body to the village to be burned, because she has the plague. Melanie wakes up screaming. Quentin rushes into her room and asks her what's wrong. She says she's burning, and he realizes she has a fever. He tells his mother to leave, saying the plague has come back.

Our thoughts:  

John: I guess we technically have to include the seance tracker again. Did you notice in the voiceover intro that Catherine says that the curse started in 1860 (which was still another 19 years in the future at this point)? We'll write that off as blooper, but with the curse starting in 1680, a good 100 years before the main house was built (at least in our time), someone still has some explaining to do. And I don't think the answer is that the house existed in parallel time first, and was then built up around the room in 'our' time, 100 years later...

 

Christine: The writers needed to consult the Collins Family history books before writing this curse into the storyline, but perhaps they think that parallel time gives them the freedom to play fast and loose with established history. 

                                                                                                                           

John: Would you let your part-time possessed/potentially murderous relative answer the door? Especially when there's a good chance that it's the police coming to visit? Interesting how they managed to handle a police visit without police on the call sheet for today's episode.

 
Christine: Now that Melanie has the plague, perhaps they'll finally hold that Lottery they've been putting off. 

John: Please tell me Catherine regrets marrying Morgan. He's a jealous, controlling jerk. Not since Angelique was with Sky Rumson have we seen such a dysfunctional relationship.

 

Christine: There was also Maggie and Quentin Collins in parallel time. I certainly regret Catherine marrying Morgan, though I have to wonder if his refusal to give her children is a precursor to her finding out that her recent tryst with Bramwell may have given her what she wants.  

Dark Shadows Before I Die Séance Tracker

Episode 170/171: Dr. Peter Guthrie conducts; Carolyn, Vicki, Roger, Laura Collins participate; Josette speaks through Vicki in French; held in the drawing room at Collinwood

Episode 186: Vicki conducts; Sam and David participate; David Radcliffe speaks through David; held in the drawing room at the Old House

Episode 280/281: Roger conducts; Liz, Vicki, Burke, Barnabas, Carolyn participate; Josette speaks through Vicki; held in the drawing room at the Old House

Episode 365: Roger conducts; Liz, Julia, Vicki, Carolyn, Barnabas participate; Sarah Collins speaks through Vicki after Carolyn pretends Sarah is speaking through her; Vicki is transferred to 1795; held in the drawing room at Collinwood

Episode 449: Countess duPrés conducts; Joshua Collins participates; Bathia Mapes shows up, claiming she was called; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1795

Episode 510/511: Professor Stokes conducts; Julia and Tony Peterson participate; Reverend Trask speaks through Tony Peterson; the basement wall breaks open to reveal his skeleton; held in the basement at the Old House

Episode 600: Professor Stokes conducts; Barnabas and Julia participate; Phillipe Cordier speaks through Barnabas; held in the drawing room at the Old House

Episode 640: David conducts; Amy participates; unsuccessful attempt to contact Quentin Collins; held in Amy's bedroom

Episode 642: Professor Stokes conducts; Liz, Vicki, Carolyn, Chris participate; Magda speaks through Carolyn; held in the drawing room at Collinwood

Episode 682: Professor Stokes conducts; Barnabas, Maggie, Mrs. Johnson participate; Janet Findley speaks through Mrs. Johnson; held in the drawing room at Collinwood

Episode 698: Professor Stokes conducts (assumed); Roger participates; unsuccessful attempt to contact Quentin Collins, whose laughter is heard; held at Collinwood offscreen

Episode 797: Barnabas conducts; Quentin and Magda participate; Julianka's ghost appears and curses Magda; held in the drawing room at the Old House in 1897

Episode 860/861: Charity, possessed by Pansy Faye, conducts; Edward Collins and Kitty Soames participate; a hooded figure appears (revealed as Judith in the following episode); held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1897

Episode 898: Julia conducts; David and Chris Jennings participate; Jamison speaks through David and tells them that Quentin's spirit is gone and won't come to them; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1969

Episode 948: Barnabas conducts; Maggie and Julia participate; Josette speaks through Maggie, informing Barnabas that the Leviathans aren't holding her and that she died by her own hand with poison; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1969

Episode 990: Cyrus conducts; Roger, Elizabeth, Bruno, Sabrina and Alexis participate; an unknown entity speaks through Sabrina, claiming that Alexis is dying, who then passes out; held in the parallel drawing room in 1970

Episode 1008/1009: Quentin conducts; Hoffman and Angelique as Alexis participate; after hearing spacey sounds, Hoffman freaks out and runs off, breaking the circle, and an entity appears in the room that turns out to be Joshua Collins, warning of an evil that is coming to the house; held in the parallel drawing room in 1970

Episode 1021: Unknown conductor; Quentin, Angelique, possibly Cyrus and other unseen people participate; Quentin rises up and strangles Angelique as colorful psychedelic lights flash; held in Maggie Collins' dream in 1970 parallel time

Episode 1070: Barnabas conducts; Julia and Professor Stokes participate; Carolyn speaks through Julia, providing the same six clues she wrote down before she died that portend the destruction of Collinwood, but is interrupted by the presence of Gerard before she can explain what they mean; held in the drawing room at the Old House in 1995

Episode 1079: David conducts; Hallie participates; a ghostly voice that sounds like David's repeatedly says, "Let us live!"; held in the Playroom at Collinwood in 1970

Episode 1126: Gerard conducts; Flora and Lamar Trask participate; the ghost of Reverend Trask informs them they are surrounded by evil and tells them to beware the cross; held in Rose Cottage in 1840

Episode 1150: Quentin conducts; Daphne participates; Joanna Mills is summoned and a hooded figure appears; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1840

Episode 1157: Gerard conducts; Charles Dawson and Daniel Collins participate; Dawson pretends that Randall Drew is speaking through him, and claims he was murdered by Quentin Collins; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in 1840

Episode 1163: Leticia conducts; Flora Collins and Barnabas participate; Leticia calls on the spirit of Roxanne to give the identity of the vampire who created her; held at Rose Cottage in 1840

Episode 1209/1210: Quentin Collins conducts; Flora Collins and Melanie Collins participate; Melanie is possessed by an unknown entity saying, "Lottery now or all will die. Plague. Die. Plague. Die! PLAGUE! DIE! PLAGUE!"; held in the drawing room at Collinwood in parallel time 1841

Dark Shadows Episode 1207/1208 2/10/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

In the gazebo, Morgan takes out the guns and offers Bramwell his choice. He picks one. They agree to take ten paces. Bramwell offers to shake his hand, but Morgan refuses. They begin to take ten paces from one another. Bramwell hears Catherine's voice, reminding him that if he kills Morgan, she will kill herself. At ten paces, they turn. Bramwell doesn't fire his gun. Morgan shoots him.

Back at Collinwood, Catherine is in the drawing room when Daphne arrives. She asks if it's really true, and if anyone tried to stop them. She says she did, and no one would listen to her. She says they can do nothing but wait. She tells Daphne that Morgan and Brawell's hatred for one another is too great. Daphne tells Catherine she knows that she never stopped loving Bramwell, and just can't admit it. Daphne notes that the sun is up, which must mean that it's over. She says she feels sorry for Bramwell being treated as less than human by his family. They hear the front door, and see Morgan. He assumes that they expected Bramwell would be the one who came back. He says that he thought so, too. Daphne asks if Bramwell is dead. Morgan explains that he's badly wounded. He says Bramwell raised his pistol, but didn't fire. He says he'll never know why. Daphne asks where Bramwell is, and Morgan  tells her that two servants dragged him back to the old house. She says they shouldn't have moved him. Morgan says he doesn't care if Bramwell lives or dies. Daphne says that she does, and runs to the old house. Morgan asks Catherine if she wants to join her sister at Bramwell's side.

Bramwell is lying in bed as Daphne watches over him. He wakes and starts to get up. She tells him not to. She explains that she's taking care of him. Bramwell asks if Morgan is boasting of his great victory. She asks if he didn't fire his pistol because of Catherine. He says it's not true. She tells him they can each believe what they want. He asks if Catherine was happy to see Morgan alive. She says yes. He says things would have been better off with one of them dead. 

Catherine says she's sorry it all happened. Morgan says that he's not, and suggests the incident will hopefully bring Bramwell to his senses. He points out that Catherine is looking in the direction of the old house, and asks if that's where she'd like to be.

Gerard Stiles meets Kendrick Young in the Blue Whale. Kendrick offers him a drink, and asks if it's true that he has certain psychic powers. Gerard refers to them as abilities. Kendrick asks if he can locate missing persons. He says his sister worked for Flora Collins, and disappeared three weeks earlier. He says that despite what everyone says, he thinks she's still at Collinwood. Gerard asks what he wants. Kendrick asks him to help him find his sister. Gerard asks why he hasn't gone to the police. Kendrick says they were no help. Gerard says he will help him if the price is right.

Daphne is waiting when Catherine and Morgan return. She tells them that she's been waiting for them. She says Bramwell's condition is still serious. Morgan tells her that he and Catherine just got married. She offers insincere congratulations. Morgan goes to get champagne, and Daphne tells her she should have waiting until Bramwell recovered. She says the only way they could get married was with Bramwell incapacitated. She adds that Bramwell brought it on himself. Daphne tells her sister that she should tell Bramwell. Morgan returns with champagne when there's a knock at the door. It's Gerard and Kendrick to see Quentin. Mogan offers his help in Quentin's absence. Gerard says he's there to help Kendrick find his missing sister. Morgan says he doesn't know where she is, and insists that he leave. Gerard tells Kendrick they'll do as Morgan says, and they leave. 

Gerard tells Kendrick that his sister is not in Collinwood. He tells them they should search the grounds of Collinwood. 

Daphne returns to Bramwell to tell him about Catherine and Morgan getting married. 

Gerard leads Kendrick through the woods, and says they must find a tool shed.

Catherine asks Morgan what's troubling him. She asks who the men were at the door. He says they were unsavory drinking buddies of Gabriel's. 

Gerard moves a shovel over the earth. He tells Kendrick they are standing over an unorthodox grave, and tells him they must start digging.

Our thoughts:  

John: Why didn't you ask Bramwell why he didn't shoot you, Morgan? He's not dead yet, if you really cared to know...

 

Christine: He may have wondered about it, but it was clear he didn't really care why he didn't shoot. If Bramwell really wanted Morgan to drop Catherine, all he'd have to do is tell him about the afternoon they made sweet love together last week. 

                                                                                                                           

John: I have to say, the writers have let me down once more. It's pretty lazy to have a Gerard Stiles in this version of parallel time who seems like a carbon copy of the one we left behind.

 
Christine: Someone with occult powers had to show up to help Kendrick out. Or it could be that Jim Storm had a few days left on his contract to fulfill. 

John: Since it seems unlikely they would have Kendrick exhume his sister's corpse, I'm going to assume that the burial plot they discovered is in fact Trask's. Not that anyone would be able to identify his remains, which I assume will be well preserved.

 

Christine: That hadn't occurred to me, though it would be a nice surprise. I'm still expecting them to find Stella. 

 

John: Since everyone appears to have forgotten about it, it almost seems like we should have a tracker to see how long they go without discussing the lottery...

Christine: I think they're all waiting for Gabriel to get back from his time off. They must be hoping that he'll be the one to draw the slip with the X on it.

Dark Shadows Episode 1206 2/8/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Catherine and Julia come downstairs. Julia asks her if she's certain this is the right thing to do. She tells Julia that she's never been more sure in her entire life. They go into the drawing room, where Morgan waits with the minister. He begins the ceremony, and when he asks if any man knows any reason why they should not be joined, Bramwell steps into the room. He tells Catherine that she will not marry Morgan. Morgan tells him to get out. Bramwell pushes him aside, saying the marriage is a mockery, and grabs Catherine and kisses her. Morgan pulls him away and punches him. Bramwell knocks him down. Bramwell grabs Catherine and tries to drag her out, but Morgan stops him. They continue to fight until Bramwell bests Morgan, knocking him unconscious. Catherine tells Bramwell she'll never go with him. Julia tells Bramwell that he did what he came to do, and there will be no wedding this night. She tells him to get out. Catherine tells him she never wants to hear him say her name again. Bramwell runs out. 

Melanie comes to see Bramwell in the old house. She finds her cousin Josette. She says she doesn't know where Bramwell is. Josette says that it's better that she and Bramwell aren't in Collinwood's inner circle. She says Melanie interests her because Justin, before he was mad, loved her so much. Melanie tells her that she must find out who her parents are, and whether they're mad, too, and locked up in an asylum somewhere. She says they think she's this way because she went into the room. She asks if Josette lived on the estate before Justin adopted her. Josette says that her husband Barnabas died two years before. She tries to assure Melanie that her parents probably weren't mad. Bramwell returns and explains to Melanie that from this day on, he will not be welcome at Collinwood ever again.

Morgan sits up, calling Bramwell's name. Julia tries to keep him in his bed, but he gets up and starts to go looking for Bramwell. Catherine arrives and tells him he's in no condition. She assures him that they'll be married tomorrow. Catherine asks Julia to leave them alone. Before she does, she tells Morgan to listen to Catherine. She tells Morgan that what Bramwell did was unforgivable. He asks her if she gave him any reason to do it. He then apologizes and says he knows that she didn't. He tells her that he will tell Bramwell to leave Collinwood. Catherine says they can just ignore him. He agrees, but only for the moment.

Bramwell tells his mother what he felt he had to do. Melanie points out that he must love Catherine so much. He wonders if his love became hate. Josette says he is like his father, so full of dark feelings. Bramwell points out that his father married the woman he loved. Bramwell regrets not marrying Catherine earlier, before he established himself. He adds that the only way it will end is when he kills Morgan.

Catherine reminds Morgan that the Dr. says he's fine, and they can get married tomorrow. She assures Morgan that Bramwell will not be able to make them unhappy once they are married. After Catherine leaves, Morgan leaves, too.

Josette tells Barnabas that there will be no more talk of killing. He goes upstairs, sulking. Melanie tells her how glad she is that they talked. 

Catherine is shocked to find Morgan is not in his room. 

Josette tells Bramwell that he must forget Catherine. She tells him they can do without the things they desire. She bids him goodnight and goes upstairs. Bramwell hears the front door, and when he gets up, he sees Morgan. He suggests that Morgan has come to kill him. Bramwell tells him that he thinks Catherine loves him, but she doesn't. Morgan slaps Bramwell across the face with his glove, and challenges him to a duel. They agree to meet at the gazebo, and use pistols. Bramwell says there will be no seconds, as anyone who knows would try to stop them. Catherine comes in and says there will be no duel. Bramwell says it's up to them. Morgan tells her to go back to Collinwood. Julia tells them there will be a scandal. Catherine says she won't let them kill each other. Morgan leaves, ad Catherine tells Bramwell that he caused this. She leaves, and Julia tells Josette that she must stop her son for the family's sake. Josette says she's concerned for her son's life. Julia leaves, and Josette tells Bramwell that he must not do this. He says he has already accepted Morgan's challenged. He says there will be a duel, and he will shoot to kill.

Catherine tries to convince Morgan to marry her and then they can leave Collinwood. He refuses, saying they can't have what they want until Bramwell is dead. She cries, and he asks if she's crying over Bramwell or him. She leaves, and he checks his pistols. 

Julia tries to convince Catherine not to go to Bramwell, but she says she must.

Bramwell tells Catherine that Morgan challenged him to the duel. She accuses him of not loving her. She says he wants to impose his will, and make her unhappy. She says she won't let him make her a widow before she has a chance to become a bride. She asks him to write a note to Morgan saying he won't meet him. He says he can't do that. She asks if it's because of pride, or his inability to admit that he's wrong. He blames her for her insane insistence that she loves Morgan. She threatens to kill herself if Bramwell kills Morgan.

In the gazebo, Morgan takes out the guns and offers Bramwell his choice. He picks one. They agree to take ten paces. Bramwell offers to shake his hand, but Morgan refuses. They begin to take ten paces from one another.

Our thoughts:  

John: Bramwell's throwdown with Morgan in the opening scene has to be the worst fight choreography that we've seen to date! Morgan should have just played dead after the second knock-down. It looked rather odd for him to sit up, knock the table over, and then pretend to have been somehow knocked out by it...

 

Christine: I got a good laugh out of that. You were right about the dueling. Is it too much to hope that one of them will end up a ghost like Jeremiah? 

                                                                                                                           

John: When Catherine calls for a doctor and Julia just stands there, I thought it was funny until I remembered that this isn't our Julia. Oh, well...

 
Christine: I had the same reaction. I was also surprised to see Josette, since I had already forgotten that Barnabas was Bramwell's dad, and that there's a tenuous connection to the characters we've watched the past four years, who've been callously written off. 

John: I'm sorry. How could they tarnish Josette's name with a homely old woman? Fine, explain that she was married to a Barnabas, but it still doesn't seem right. Where's Katherine Leigh Scott when we need her!

Christine: Did you expect her to remain young and svelte forever in a parallel time with no supernatural intervention? The actress portraying her is far from homely, though it might have been less jarring if they had given her a brunette wig. 

John: Did you see the crew member in the mirror in the scene between Morgan and Catherine?

Christine: Not until you made me go look. Is this what made you forget to add the Slap Tracker? 

John: I think it was perhaps because Morgan's was the wimpiest slap we've seen in the history of the show. It almost doesn't deserve to be included. But, it's a slap, so to the tracker we go!

Collinsport Slap-Tracker

20 Roger slaps Burke Devlin's drink out of his hand!

93 Roger slaps David!

128 Joe slaps Maggie's butt!

383 Barnabas slaps Jeremiah!

467 Elizabeth slaps Roger!

535 Julia slaps Cassandra!

619 Blair slaps Angelique!

790 Trask slaps Judith!

805 Trask slaps Charity!

865 Quentin slaps Aristede!

963 A zombie slaps Julia!

964 Zombies slap Roger and Quentin!

1119 Samantha slaps Gabriel! 

1129 Quentin Slaps Samantha! 

 

1183 Gerard Slaps Samantha!

 

1206 Morgan Slaps Bramwell!

Dark Shadows Episode 1205 2/5/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Melanie pounds on double doors and begs to be let in, saying, "I want to be with you!"

Julia comes downstairs and asks Morgan if he's seen Melanie. He says she knows she's been locked in her room. He asks if she's mad and wandering around with a knife. She says she is. She tells him they meant no harm. She tells him that Stella didn't leave Collinwood. She says Justin almost killed her, and they saved her, but they had to lock her up in the tower room. Morgan says they must let her out. She says they can't, because she'd dead. She says that she was strangled to death. He says he'll find Melanie and have her committed. Julia says it's not Melanie's fault. She blames the spirit in the house. She asks how he'll explain Stella. She says they have to dispose of her body, and they need his help. She pleads with him, asking what if they take she and his mother away. He agrees to help her. He laments not having a moment of happiness in their lives. She reminds him that he has Catherine. He asks if he'll have Catherine tomorrow, or if she'll lead him through his world of madness like his mother and father. He tells her he'll take care of things so that no one ever knows about Stella.

Bramwell comes to see Catherine. She tells him to go away, but she refuses. He reminds her of what she said yesterday. She says she loves Morgan. He tells her that he loves her, and kisses her. She tells him not to be gentle with her. She then manhandles him and he drags her towards the bedroom. She pulls away from him and says that he's a demon, and the demons in her are in league with him. She tells him to get out, saying she doesn't want him any more. He says she always will, and he'll be back because she wants him back.

Melanie wakes up and finds herself in front of the locked door. She wonders how she got there, and then runs away.

Morgan returns to the drawing room and asks Julia if she found Melanie. She says no, and asks him if it's done. He says the body is gone, and she'll reside forever at Collinwood. Melanie comes in and Morgan says he knows what she did with her. Julia tells him that he knows. He says he knows she murdered Stella. Melanie says she was just talking to her, and she was alive. Morgan asks if she was alive when Melanie was in her room? Julia asks him to leave them alone. He tells Julia that Melanie is her and his mother's problem, and his solution is the only way out. He leaves, and Melanie asks Julia if she thinks she killed Stella. Julia says if she was involved, she doesn't think it was her fault. Melanie says she can't remember things. Melanie says she didn't murder her, she just went to her to ask her not to turn in she or her mother. She says that she went to her room. And then she woke up in front of the locked room. Julia asks if she remembers being locked in her room. She says it's still locked now. Melanie wonders if she did kill Stella. 

Catherine comes to see Morgan. She asks him to hold her. She asks him if he loves her, and he says more than anything in the world. She begs him to marry him tonight. He says of course they can be married tonight. He asks if something is wrong for her to have decided this. She says she was alone, worried about him, and decided that he needed her now, more than ever. She tells him that she loves him, and kisses him. He says he'll call the minister. She asks if they can make it simple and quiet. Before he goes to get the minister, he asks her if she's sure she wants this. She assures him that she does.

Melanie meets Kendrick in the gazebo. She says that she asked around, and Stella left Collinwood two weeks about. He says they could be lying to her, too. She says there's no need for him to come to Collinwood anymore, and then starts to cry. He consoles her, and they kiss. She begs him not to come back, ever again, and runs off crying.  

Melanie runs into the drawing room, crying. Bramwell asks if he can help her. She says that no one can. She asks if he knows about her. He says he knows she's a very lovely young woman. She asks if he knows that she's mad. He says she doesn't seem to be. He asks her what she means. She says she needs to tell someone when Morgan comes in. He says he came to tell Flora that his mother is back from Boston. Morgan asks Melanie to tell their mother, in case he forgets. He then sends Melanie up to her room. She tells Bramwell that they can talk soon. Morgan asks about Bramwell's ship coming form the orient, which will finally make him a wealthy man. Morgan then says tomorrow may be quite different for him... and after pausing, says because his ship coming into port, and then laughs. 

Catherine and Julia come downstairs. Julia asks her if she's certain this is the right thing to do. She tells Julia that she's never been more sure in her entire life. They go into the drawing room, where Morgan waits with the minister. He begins the ceremony, and when he asks if any man knows any reason why they should not be joined, Bramwell steps into the room.

Our thoughts:  

John: What's this about Stella being strangled? If Julia was planning to ask for Morgan's help disposing of her body, why would she lie about that. And if she's not lying, why on earth would they change the story between yesterday and today? Since we didn't see her body again, we can only speculate the explanation  for the change in how she died.

 

Christine: It was quite clear in yesterday's episode that she had a knife protruding from her chest, so that was confusing to hear. Perhaps they are trying to sow doubt that Melanie was responsible for killing her, and trying to have us believe that someone else may have done it. 

                                                                                                                           

John: What in the name of all that is holy is going on between Bramwell and Catherine? "Don't be gentle with me?" You go, Catherine. And then she does an about-face and flips out on him. Do you think they're literally possessed by demons? Or that she's afflicted with the same multiple-personality madness that Melanie is experiencing?

 
Christine: They may be possessed by the horned god though more likely just the horn dog. What the heck was Bramwell doing running her off to the bedroom? Doesn't he know the standard thing to do is sweep her up in his arms and carry her off to the bedroom? It also would have prevented her from ducking away from him.

John: I'm beginning to think that Morgan is going to die in a duel with Bramwell before he has a chance to spend a night in the locked room and go mad! Just imagine, it could be like a replay of Barnabas and Jeremiah in Episode 384 all over again!

 

Christine: It was strange that the minister would ask if any man had a reason why they shouldn't be joined when there were only 4 people in the room, and the only other man in the room was the groom, but I guess that's to be expected when you've got Mr. Best, straight from the underworld, to conduct your impromptu marriage ceremony.