Dark Shadows Episode 1198 1/27/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

In the drawing room, Barnabas tells Angelique that he knows how he feels. Trask bursts in and calls out, "Die, witch!" before shooting her. Barnabas wrestles the gun away from Trask and says he should have killed him before. He drops him to the ground and calls to Julia. 

Angelique asks him to hold her, telling him she's dying. He tells her that he loves her. She dies in his arms. 

Trask starts to get up, and Barnabas grabs him. Trask runs upstairs and Barnabas follows him. He finds his way into a room and grabs a letter opener. He stabs Barnabas with it, but Barnabas sticks it in his belly. Trask wanders into the room in the East Wing and is transported into parallel time. Barnabas sees him, and then watches as he disappears when the room reverts to being empty.

Barnabas comes downstairs and picks up Trask's gun. He lays it on a table and kneels beside Angelique's dead body. He tells her that he was so often blinded by his fury, yet beneath his rage was a love as strong as hers.  

Julia comes in, and he tells her that Angelique is dead. He says Trask killed her before she knew that he loved her. He explains that she was his only love, and she never knew. She asks what happened, and he says Trask attacked him, and has disappeared into parallel time.

Desmond wonders where Leticia is. Flora says she doesn't know. She's just pleased that he is free. She chides herself for falling for Gerard's charm. She says that at least he brought them Leticia. Leticia returns and she and Desmond embrace and kiss. Flora leaves them. He asks where she has been, and she says she's been walking on the beach. He tells her that they're leaving Collinsport to get married in New York.

Barnabas tells Julia and Stokes that the police believed his story. He adds that Angelique is to be buried in the family mausoleum. Stokes says they must return to their own time. Barnabas asks how, and Stokes says they must ascend Quentin's staircase. He says they must return to Collinwood in their time to know if they've succeeded. He says it's 1971 there now. Barnabas wonders about what their visit has done to Collinwood in 1971. Desmond walks in and asks if they've gone mad, saying 1971 is 130 years from now. Julia explains that they came from the future. Stokes says they came down Quentin's staircase. He says they must be destroyed. Barnabas tells them they must leave him there. They're adamant that he must return with them. Desmond says that if Barnabas is staying for Valerie's funeral, he and Leticia can stay. Barnabas agrees to trying to ascend the stairs. 

Desmond is amazed to hear about the room in the East Wing, after hearing about the stairs. Barnabas says he must stop Trask if he tries to escape from parallel time. Desmond assures them that if he escapes, he will deal with him. He says he will tell no one the secret but Leticia and Quentin. They say their goodbyes. He asks how he will know if they made it, and Barnabas says he must assume that they have. As they ascend the stairs, Julia asks what they should do if they return to Collinwood in ruins. At the top of the stairs, Stokes opens the door and the three step through into disco lights. 

Barnabas, Julia and Stokes exit the stairwell. Collinwood is still standing, and Julia assumes they changed everything.

Two hours later, Barnabas dressed in 1971 fashions, Barnabas says they haven't seen a single person in the whole house. Stokes points out the refrigerator was full of food. Julia says there are no signs of the ghosts of Gerard and Daphne. Elizabeth walks in and tells them they're all late for opening of the historical center. She tells them to hurry. She says she returned to get Roger's speech. Julia asks if David and Hallie are there, and Elizabeth confirms it. Barnabas asks about Quentin and Carolyn, and she says they are there as well. She finds Roger's speech, and invites them to go with her. She mentions to Stokes that she found a journal from one of her ancestors, Flora Collins, in the West Wing that she's giving to the historical society tonight. Barnabas tells Julia that the ghosts of Gerard and Daphne never came there. He says the stairway is likely no more; destroyed by Desmond. 

Desmond chops at the staircase, wondering if Barnabas, Julia and Stokes made it back to their own time.

Leticia calls to Desmond. He comes upstairs and she says she was worried about him. He tells her to come with her to the East Wing. 

Leticia can't believe that Valerie is dead, and Trask is in another band of time. He tells her to wait until she hears the rest. He opens the door to an empty room. He stops her before she enters, and it suddenly changes. They see Trask, stabbed, calling for help. Leticia says that he's dead. She then sees Julia enter and call to Flora. Flora arrives and says it finally happened. What they've dreaded. Julia shuts the doors Desmond and Leticia are watching from. Flora says first poor Stella, and now this stranger. Julia goes back to the door and looks for anyone. She sees no one. She tells Flora they must get rid of the body. 

Melanie is looking for Julia. She calls to her mother. Flora appears and Melanie tells her that her father is dying. Julia says that the lottery will happen again before the week is over.

Our thoughts:  

John: While tending to her wound, Barnabas was applying compressions to Angelique's chest like he was ringing a bell to call a servant!

 

Christine: It's interesting that Barnabas has finally realized that he loves Angelique. Think of all the trouble he could have saved the family if he'd admitted it much sooner. 

                                                                                                                           

John: So for all intents and purposes, it looks like on this day we saw the 'finale' of Dark Shadows. Chronologically speaking, anyway. And lest anyone think that 1840 parallel time would continue with any relevance to the show, Trask has up and died, and his body already disposed of. At this point, I'm doubting we'll even see any more of our time band in 1840.

 
Christine: At least we know there are two happy couples, the kids will survive, and Flora will go on to flourish as a novelist. Perhaps she'll go exploring in the east wing and get the inspiration to pen "The Collins Lottery." 

John: I guess it's now safe to assume we'll ride out the remainder of the show's run watching this other soap opera play out. This is the way the world ends, not with a bang, but a whimper.

 

Christine: It is disappointing to be whisked away to a parallel past without spending some time with the present day Collins family. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1148 11/18/70

Dark Shadows Episode 1148 11/18/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV

Quentin bursts into the drawing room and tells Daphne that he knows who she is — the sister of Joanna Mills. She doesn't say anything. He tells her that she knew who he was when he held her in his arms earlier. He says if that means anything, she has to tell him the truth. She doesn't say anything, and he tells her that she has an hour to get out of the house. She admits to being Joanna's sister. He says he knew it was true, yet he hoped there was a mistake. She says there was no mistake. He asks if she came to drive him mad out of revenge. He says he doesn't need someone else to punish him. She admits that she came to kill him for causing her sister's death. He says that he loved her, too. He explains that he tried to divorce Samantha, but she wouldn't let him. He says Joanna deserved someone better. 

He asks Daphne if she's so young that she doesn't know love. He says Joanna wouldn't have resorted to the kind of revenge that she has. He says it would have been better if she had just killed him rather than leaving Joanna's letters around. She asks what he means. He tells her not to deny it. He looks at her and says that since she came to the house, every three days he has received a letter from Joanna. She asks if that's why he snatched her letter from her. He describes the notes, which were in Joanna's handwriting. Daphne points out that she's dead. Quentin says that either someone else is doing it, or Joanna's spirit cannot rest. Daphne says she wanted to grow up to be like her sister. She said her sister wrote of Quentin, but didn't mention he was married. When she found her in the sanitarium, she spoke of Quentin endlessly. She hugs him and tells him she's been so wrong about him. She apologizes. 

Gabriel interrupts them and marvels at how quickly they've gotten to know one another. He asks them if he should leave. Quentin tells him he can do as he wishes, and suggests that Daphne go to her room. Gabriel tells Quentin that she's pretty, and he responds that Gabriel shouldn't start imagining things; he was just comforting her. Gabriel says he knows Quentin has already had a roving eye. Quentin tells him to stop. Gabriel changes the subject and asks what ever happened to Joanna Mills. Quentin tells him that she's dead. He asks Gabriel if he knows anything about any letters. He asks what letters. Quentin suggests they remain close, like brothers. Gabriel says he won't say a word about what he saw tonight. He then brings up Julia's disappearance.

Laszlo checks in on Julia. He holds up a cross, which she asks him to give to her. She says that Roxanne will kill her. He says she'll have eternal life after she dies. Julia asks for the cross, saying it will stop her. He asks her for $1000, and she says she'll give it to him. He says he'd have to let her go, first. 

She tells Laszlo to go see Barnabas, who will see that he gets whatever he wants. He says it wouldn't be fair to Barnabas. It's too late for her. Julia passes out, and Laszlo takes a ring from her finger. He leaves, and Julia calls out to Barnabas.

In the drawing room, Barnabas hears wolves howling. Gabriel asks if he's worried about his sister. He asks what the police said, and he says that they're equally mystified what happened to her. Gabriel asks Barnabas if Julia has any enemies. Barnabas says he's afraid that by the time they find her, she'll be dead. He leaves to resume the useless search. 

Daphne returns to the drawing room where she runs into Gabriel. He says he received the official word that Quentin was just trying to comfort her. She tells him he's a very suspicious man. He asks her if Quentin has taught her of the black arts, and if she's a member in good standing of his coven of witches. She says he's fantasizing, and he says he wouldn't be surprised to find out that Trask is a member. He asks if she's been to Quentin's laboratory. He tells her to watch out for unusual dreams, because that's a time honored way for a witch or warlock to steal her soul. She admonishes him for making such accusations about his own brother. He reminds her that she's a governess in the house. She excuses herself. 

Laszlo breaks into the old house and calls out for Angelique. Barnabas asks him what he's doing there. He asks if he came to steal. Laszlo says he came to leave a message for Barnabas Collins. Barnabas reminds him that they met before, and he knows who he is. Laszlo says a man wants to meet Barnabas at midnight at the Eagle. Barnabas asks him to describe the man, and he says he's tall, and well-dressed. Barnabas asks if the man is heavy-set, with gray hair, and Laszlo confirms that he is. Barnabas tells him that there's no such man. He asks what he really wants. They struggle and he notices that Laszlo is wearing Julia's ring. He realizes that he's Angelique's servant, and demands to know where Julia is.

Quentin asks Daphne why she won't look at him. She says there are many reasons. He asks if Gabriel told her anything. She says Gabriel hates him, and she doesn't know what to believe. He tells her to believe what he told her yesterday. He reminds her that Joanna is dead, and she says she can't take her place. She then sees a note on the desk addressed, 'sister.' Quentin says it wasn't there when he came in. She can't read it, so he does. It urges her to take her chance, and not follow her path. Daphne runs upstairs.

Barnabas arrives at the lighthouse and finds Julia unconscious. 

Our thoughts: 

John: Filed under plot holes better left unexplored — just how did Daphne manage to insert herself into a governess position at Collinwood to exact her revenge? Was it dumb luck that she decided to come kill Quentin right after the mysterious murder of Hortense? If Quentin hadn't forgotten about the prior governess so quickly, he might at the very lest find the timing of her murder and Daphne's arrival as more than a mere coincidence.

 

Christine: She was lurking around Collinwood in Episode 1122 before Hortense was murdered, but it may have worked to her advantage to be in the right place at the right time to be offered the position. Too bad she didn't heed Julia's warning not to take the job in Episode 1129 or she wouldn't find herself in the position of being possessed by evil Judard, tormented by Gabriel, and pawed over by Quentin, who is still married. 

 

John: Pretty impressive how Barnabas knows there are no tall, well-dressed, heavy-set gray-haired men in Collinsport. That sounds to me like it could pass for a Stokes or Petofi (or anyone else portrayed by Thayer David!).

 
Christine: Who do you suppose is writing the Joanna notes? Clearly it has to be someone who knows Daphne is her sister, even though it is a strange way to address a note. It could have been picked up by Samantha, assuming her own dead sister was writing to her. 

John: Do you think Barnabas did away with Lazlo? On the one hand, it would be nice to know he got his just desserts, but if he dispatched him offscreen, I'm going to be very disappointed!

 

Christine: Chances are good that Barnabas did away with him once he told him where to find Julia. On the other hand, he may have let him live to suffer the worse fate of facing Angelique's wrath. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1122 10/13/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV! 

Barnabas sees a woman in the woods that he recognizes as Daphne. He grabs her and asks her what she's doing. She says her carriage broke down. He accuses her of being there to meet Gerard Stiles. She says she's never heard the name before. 

Desmond is pleased to find Quentin is alive, and says that he hopes the decision Samantha makes is what he wants. He tells Quentin to come to Rose Cottage tomorrow to see a gift he brought back for him from the Far East.

Daphne asks Barnabas if she's met him before, and why he's so suspicious. He introduces himself, and asks her name. She says she doesn't need to tell him her name. He says he'd hate to have to force her, and Desmond steps forward asking why he would have to. Desmond appears enamored with Daphne and offers to escort her back to her carriage. She tells him not to bother. He introduces himself, and she agrees to go with him.

Julia asks Barnabas why Daphne wouldn't know Gerard's name, and why she didn't come to Collinwood. He says she was there for some other purpose. He says she said she was leaving Collinsport tonight. He says the drama will now begin to unfold, and they must change it, or Collinwood in 1970 will be destroyed.

Desmond and Daphne sit in a restaurant. It turns out the carriage was working after all. He says he hopes she'll stay in Collinsport. She says she must go, and he tells her she hasn't finished her tea. He assures her the Collins' have a very respectable reputation. He says he could tell her about his mother, the worst, fastest novelist, or his cousin Barnabas, and she asks him to tell her about Quentin Collins.

Desmond finishes telling Daphne about Quentin. He asks if he bored her, and she says he did not. Desmond continues to hit on her. She asks if Quentin and his wife were happy. He says he never heard either one complain. He tries to convince her that he's a reason to stay in Collinsport. She reiterates that she has to go. He tells her that she needs to at least stay until morning, and she agrees to stay at the Inn. He tells her not to leave before he sees her in the morning.

Gabriel wheels into the drawing room where Julia offers him some coffee and a muffin. He asks how she happened to become a doctor. She says she studied with a physician privately. He asks if she has a license to practice, and she says not here. He says he might have her look at his legs. He explains he had an accident as a child, when his brother Quentin — dropping his cup when Quentin walks in. 

Quentin explains that he's not a ghost. Quentin introduces himself to Julia. Gabriel tells him that he should have woken him. He asks how he survived the storm, and Quentin says he can read about it in his memoirs. Gabriel asks how he can act so normally. He asks if Mrs. Gerard Stiles will walk through the door. He says there's just his wife Samantha, who has gone to Boston to be with Tad. Julia excuses herself. Gabriel asks if he found out what Samantha is really like. He says she tried to throw him out of the house. Quentin says he must have given her a reason. He says he's always felt responsible for him, but he's become so bitter that even he finds it hard to find affection for him.

Desmond examines the head in the box when Quentin arrives at Rose Cottage. He calls from outside saying he's come for his present. Desmond closes the drapes in front of the head and lets Quentin in. He says he's in dire need of a marvelous present. He asks what Desmond brought him. He says he brought him rare books on the occult. He hands him two books. Quentin thanks him, and begins to flip through them. Desmond peers between the curtains to see the head. He says he used to think Quentin and his mother were silly for believing in the occult. Quentin asks what changed his mind. Desmond says he remembered he has to go to the village, and tries to rush Quentin out. Desmond adds that Ben's funeral is today, and Quentin wonders what made him try to cut his own head off. Desmond leads him out to his carriage.

Barnabas is in Rose Cottage when he sees Desmond peer between curtains. Desmond says they missed him at Ben's funeral. Barnabas asks Desmond what he found out from the girl last night, and where she's staying. He says he left her at the Inn, but this afternoon she was gone, and left no forwarding address. He adds that her carriage wasn't broken at all last night. Barnabas asks him her name, and he says it was Daphne. He says he really wants to see her again, and Barnabas says that he does, too. 

Barnabas asks Julia if she checked with the boarding houses in town. She says she did, and he assumes she left Collinsport. Julia says she'll return. While they speak, Daphne sneaks in and leaves a note. She overhears Barnabas mention that they 're pretending to be people they are not. She sneaks back out. Barnabas suggests they should tell Quentin the truth, and she says they don't know him well enough.

Quentin comes downstairs and finds the note in the foyer. He bursts into the drawing room and demands to know who left the note for him.

Desmond closes a window banging in the wind in Rose Cottage. He goes to the head in the box and stares at it. He asks if the legends are true. He turns away from it, and its eyes open. He turns back and they are closed. He sits down and falls asleep, dreaming. He hears a voice tell him that he will help him, and he sees the open eyes in the decapitated head.

Our thoughts: 

John: Well there you have it. Barnabas and Julia are planning to save the future. Perhaps they really didn't know at this point that they wouldn't make it back to 1970.

Christine: Who says they won't? Have you been reading spoilers?

John: I love how Desmond talks of how Daphne's carriage 'started working.' Clearly Desmond was not fooled by this, but the notion that one could describe a carriage breaking down like an automobile, in such a way that you might find that it actually still works, was a bit of an anachronism.

Christine: Gabriel is working his stress ball again today. Do you suppose he's working both hands equally, or just the right hand? If this keeps up, I'm going to have to start a stress ball tracker!

John: Is today the first day 'The Head' was credited? If so, I assume that's because it finally spoke (not that speaking has been a prerequisite for screen credit. Think of how long it would have been for Gerard or Quentin's ghosts to get credited...

 
Christine: The Head was first credited in Episode 1117 as 'Head', and in Episode 1119, it was credited as 'The Head'.  

Dark Shadows Episode 1117 10/6/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV! 

Barnabas enters the room where Roxanne is sleeping. As he leans in to bite her, Julia calls to him. She asks him to stop. He says he must have someone to live with him through eternity. He tells Julia that she will not interfere with him again. He goes to bite her, but stops. He collapses to the ground. 

He comes to, and as he gets up Julia thrusts a cross at him. He tells her to put it away and look at him so she can see him. She says he tried to kill her. He says he would have if the I Ching hadn't succeeded.

 

He speaks to her of future events and she puts the cross down and embraces him. He tells her he found her grave showing she died on this day in 1840. He shudders to think that he might have killed her. He then sees Roxanne. He asks Julia about her condition. She says that she'll live, but she's represents a danger to them. They have to get her to be herself again.

Flora asks Samantha how Roxanne could have disappeared. She says she doesn't know, and points out that four other attacks in the village were identical. Flora offers to make her some tea.

Someone arrives at Collnwood with a large ornate box draped in a cloth cover.

Julia tells Barnabas she sent Ben to get some alcohol but he never returned. She says she's going to see if she can find some. After she's gone, Roxanne stirs. She sees Barnabas and calls to him. She says he's come back to her. He says that something is different. She tells him it's the same, and begs him to come to her. He explains that he cannot. She says he promised they would be together. He says when the time comes, he'll try to make her understand. 

Julia returns and tells Roxanne to lie down and rest. She tells Barnabas that the only thing they can do is try hypnosis to erase her memories. He says he has to meet the family. She explains that she told them that he is her brother, and they are the children of Barnabas Collins. He leaves her with Roxanne, and heads out to Collinwood. Julia prepares to hypnotize Roxanne.

Flora sees the doors open at Collinwood and closes them. She turns to see someone in the house and screams. She realizes that it's her son, Desmond. She's excited to see him. He says he has something to show her, and leads her into the drawing room. He lifts the cover off a box, revealing a head in a display box. She tells him to cover it up. He says he's going to give it to Quentin. She tells him that Quentin is dead.

Barnabas arrives at Collinwood, but hesitates before knocking.

Desmond can't believe that Quentin and Tad are dead. Samantha comes in and is happy to see him. They hear a knock at the door and Samantha runs to it. Barnabas introduces himself as having just arrived from England, and mentions that his sister should be there, and is expecting him. She invites him in, and introduces herself. Samantha tells him that his sister hasn't arrived yet. She introduces him to Flora and Desmond. Flora says he has a great resemblance to his father's portrait. He asks if he came at an inopportune moment. Samantha explains that her sister was attacked by a wild animal.

Julia hypnotizes Roxanne. She describes what happened after leaving Collinwood. The lights flicker in the room and go out. Julia hears a noise downstairs and goes out to investigate. She calls downstairs to see if anyone is there. She returns to the room to find Roxanne is gone.

Samantha says she can't believe they haven't heard anything. They hear the front door, and Samantha explains that Barnabas' sister has arrived. Barnabas and Julia embrace. She asks about his trip. He says it was a very smooth crossing. He points out she's shivering, and asks Samantha for some brandy. When she steps out, Julia explains to him that Roxanne got out. 

They go into the drawing room, and Flora introduces Julia to Desmond. They hear the front door and are surprised to see Roxanne stumble in. Julia explains she's a doctor, and says they should help her upstairs. Roxanne sees Barnabas and exclaims, "You! I know you!" Desmond asks what she means. She says she was waiting for him. She starts to collapse, and the ladies help her upstairs. Desmond says Roxanne's reaction to Barnabas was puzzling. He asks if it's Barnabas' first trip to the country, adding that it's strange Roxanne singled him out. He points out that if she comes to Collinwood often, she may have seen the portrait of his father.

Julia comes downstairs and goes into the drawing room. Barnabas asks her if the hypnosis worked. She suggests that he leave the house for now. Samantha comes downstairs and says Roxanne is awake. She says she was expecting to meet someone last night, and can't remember anything.

Desmond asks why no one knew about relatives in England. He says that Barnabas and Julia make an odd pair. Flora tells him that Barnabas is very charming. She asks him why he brought the head to Rose Cottage. She says the hideous thing is vile, disgusting and evil. He removes the cover and tells her to look at it. She runs off. Inside the box, the head opens its eyes.

Our thoughts: 

John: The I Ching rarely disappoints, and talk about just-in-time. I do think Julia should have made Barnabas suffer a little longer, even once she realized that he was in fact her Barnabas back in the older model's body.

Christine: I wonder how many tries before he got the 49th hexagram of change. Julia was too happy to see her loverboy and too relieved to evade certain death to make him suffer. 

John: We welcome another familiar face in Desmond Collins! Again, we'll choose to ignore the fact that we're finding out about relatives who didn't rate mentions in the family history up until now. And is it just me, or is there something weird about Flora being his mother? Maybe it's the portrayal of Flora that's throwing me off...

Christine: I don't find anything weird about it other than that we don't know what happened to his dad.

John: Head in a box alert! Now, you may wonder why Desmond would bring a head in a box as a gift for his uncle Quentin, but I say there's always room in Collinwood for a head in a box! Can't wait to see how this disembodied cranial cavity will play into the 1840 storyline!

Christine: If all else fails on the show, bring in a body part in a box!