Dark Shadows Episode 878 - 11/5/69

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Petofi shows Aristede the sketch of Garth Blackwood. Petofi tells Aristede of Tate's peculiar talent. He says Blackwood will take Aristede with his blessings. Aristede says a picture can't come to life. He then hears the chains, and Petofi says goodbye to Aristede, and tells him that he will miss him. Aristede begs Petofi to protect him. Petofi suggests that he start running. Aristede runs out the back door.

A man comes in the front door carrying chains, saying he's looking for a prisoner who escaped from Dartmoor. Petofi tells him that he's not harboring him. He tells Blackwood that Aristede ran out the back door.

Judith comes downstairs and meets Evan in the drawing room. She asks what he has to report. He says he doesn't have any information yet. He tells her that he's using Tim Shaw, since he has a personal interest in Trask. She says she wants to know where Trask was every time he said he was visiting her. She says she'll meet Evan tomorrow to change her will. He says he doesn't want her to do anything that she might regret later. She says she's wiser now, and warns him that it doesn't pay to trifle with her.

He leaves, and Trask enters. She tells him that she's planning to change her will to ensure all of her money go to charitable causes when she dies. He says she can't, until she suggests that she thought he would appreciate that. She goes upstairs, and Trask leaves in a hurry.

Aristede makes his way through the woods, hearing the chains grow closer.

Trask visits Evan, and says he must dissuade her from changing her will. He says there will be something in it for him. He says he doesn't want to change her mind. He tells Trask that when he goes down, he's not going down with him. Evan tells Trask that his days are numbered. Trask asks him to at least delay her for a few days. Evan asks if the same thing will happen to his second wife as did to his first, and he suggests that it's best if Evan doesn't know.

Aristede continues to run through the woods.

Evan warns Trask not to try to stop Judith. There's a knock at the door, and it's Aristede. He apologizes for barging in, but says Petofi sent someone to kill him. Evan says he can't help him, and Trask suggests that Evan could help him. Aristede begs Evan for help. He says if he doesn't help him, his blood will be on Evan's hands.

Trask says Evan is only concerned about himself. Aristede asks Trask to help him persuade Evan. Trask says he can offer spiritual help. Evan says whatever he has planned isn't going to happen in his house. Trask asks for privacy to help him, and Evan offers them 15 minutes. He leaves, and Trask says he'll exorcise his demon for a price. Aristede agrees to anything. Trask tells him that he's going to murder someone for him.

Trask tells Aristede the motive must appear to be robbery. Aristede asks when he gets what he wants. Trask says that will be taken care of as soon as he finishes his job. Evan comes in and tells them their time is up. Trask asks Evan to protect Aristede for an hour. He agrees. Trask leaves. Evan tells Aristede to make himself comfortable.

Trask returns to Collinwood and apologizes to Judith for his behavior earlier.

At Evan's house, Aristede hears the chains. Evan asks him what's wrong. Aristede says he's coming to the house. He runs out a side door. Blackwood walks in, and Evan demands to know who he is. He says he is the law, and asks where the prisoner is. He threatens a severe penalty. He says he will search the house. Evan threatens to call the police, and Blackwood strangles him with his chains. Aristede pops back in, and seeing Evan on the floor, runs away again.

Our thoughts

John: I guess I was expecting something different as far as Blackwood is concerned. If he's going to slowly follow folks around Collinsport, he's never going to catch up with his quarry.

Christine: I suspect the powers of his unibrow may equal that of Petofi's Hand. It's odd that his forehead wasn't quite as furry in the sketch Tate made.

John: Why would anyone care about what happens to Aristede? Particularly Evan. He should just send him on his way to accept his fate.

Christine: With Trask's childishly drawn plan and Aristede's penchant for screwing things up, I have to believe Judith will remain quite safe from their dumb and dumber collaboration.

John: While it would be ironic for Evan to get taken out by Blackwood, that almost seems too easy. If he is dead, what does that do as far as Judith's affairs are concerned?

Christine: It depends on whether or not he finished making the requested changes to her will. I love Judith's new strong personality and enjoyed seeing her smirk after telling Trask she intended to leave her money to charity when she dies. I can't wait to see what Tim Shaw, junior detective and jack of all trades, turns up about Trask's actual whereabouts when he claimed he was visiting her at the sanitarium, as well as what other delightful torments Judith has in store for her dear husband.

Dark Shadows Episode 864 - 10/16/69

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

(For the duration of the Petofi/Quentin mind-swap, Count Petofi occupying Quentin as played by David Selby will be referred to as Petofi-Q, and Quentin in Petofi's body as played by Thayer David will be referred to as Count Quentin).

Petofi-Q compliments Evan on the grave that he dug. Evan asks who it's for, and Petofi-Q says it's for him. Petofi-Q says that he is going to bury him alive. Evan begs for his life. Petofi-Q says he cannot give him one reason why he deserves to live. He says the Collins family members trust him. Petofi-Q asks if he'll do whatever is asked of him. Evan says that he will. Evan makes the case that he is needed, because he knows his secret and can be trusted.

Petofi-Q says he has Aristede, but Evan counters that he cannot appear at Collinwood. He says if anyone suspects Quentin is not himself, Edward would confide in him. Petofi-Q tells him to remember the grave that he dug, because if he lets him down they will be back to fill it. Petofi-Q tells Evan they need to solve the mystery of Angelique.

Angelique is calling the pharmacy when Charity comes downstairs. Charity pokes fun at her, and Angelique clarifies that she was the one to postpone the wedding. After Charity leaves, she calls the pharmacy again to check on her medication. She abruptly gets off the phone when Quentin arrives.

He asks her where she's been keeping herself. She says she's been avoiding him, in case it would make her regret the decision she made. He tells her that they will go out for dinner at 6, and she says she doesn't feel well. She says he becomes fascinated when she doesn't show much interest in him. She tells him they can have dinner tomorrow. She goes outside just before Evan Hanley arrives at Collinwood.

Tate is in his studio, frustrated that he is unable to work. Charity comes to see him. He says he's glad to see her, as he needs company. She asks if he needs any company, and he tells her she's better than most. He shows off his studio, telling her that it's the work of the late Charles Delaware Tate.

She points out that he's not dead, and tell him that she wants to buy a painting. He says she'll have to pay for it, and he asks how she plans to do it. She suggests she has a way. She picks one out, and when he sees it's of Amanda, he refuses to sell it.

He asks if Quentin sent her, or Reverend Trask. She says she didn't like Amanda, but she finds the painting restful. He tells her that painting costs $5000, and she hands over the cash. He asks her where she got it. She says she didn't ask him where he got his talent. She tells him that it's not stolen.

Angelique makes her way through the woods, and opens a trapdoor. She enters it as Evan Hanley watches her.

Evan returns to Collinwood and tells Petofi-Q that he followed Angelique to the pharmacy, where they seemed to know her. She then went to Shipwreck Point and went into a trapdoor. Petofi-Q tells Evan that he will return there and wait for Angelique to leave. After she does, he's to investigate the place and report back to him.

Evan watches as Angelique leaves, and then goes to the trapdoor.

Angelique returns to Collinwood. Petofi-Q asks about her headache. He asks if she bought medicine for it when she went into town. She says she didn't. He asks where she was, and she explains that she's tired from running her errands. He says he thinks she's seeing another man. She says that it takes all her time and effort just dealing with him. She invites him into the drawing room to talk about pleasant things.

Evan investigates Angelique's lair.

Angelique offers Quentin a drink, and when he refuses, she suggests that he has really changed. He says that he's just restless, and leaves to take a walk. She offers to go with him. He says he's got a business appointment and won't be long. He leaves, and Charity laughs at her from atop the stairs, saying he's left her again.

Petofi-Q finds Evan unconscious in Angelique's lair. He says someone knocked him out. He begs forgiveness.

Angelique tells Charity that they've spent enough time discussing Quentin when Petofi-Q returns. She kisses him goodnight as he heads upstairs. This upsets Charity, who tells her that he's not Quentin Collins.

Our thoughts

John: Evan managed to stay out of the grave another day, but we'll see how long that lasts. His usefulness to Petofi appears to be awfully limited.

Christine: Tate's violent tendencies were on display again. It's no wonder he wasn't surprised by his window coverings falling down after manhandling his door, as it's surely happened before. Of course, we can't go too many episodes without him forcibly grabbing someone, and Pansity was his unfortunate target today.

John: I don't know which was funnier; Tate quoting Charity $5000 for the painting, or her whipping out the cash and waving it under his nose. I'm not sure if she actually ended up with Amanda's portrait—I guess time will tell.

Christine: I'm betting she did. He's going to need the money now that he can no longer paint.

John: We were introduced to a great new underground location today. I'm anxious to find out more about it, and particularly who Angelique is treating down there. Is it possible that she has revived Barnabas?

Christine: That was quite the atmospheric underground set! I was expecting Petofi-Q to find bite marks on Evan, but without that evidence, it's left up in the air whether or not it's Barnabas. Who else could it be?

Down for the Count:
Barnabas was staked in his coffin 18 episodes ago.

Dark Shadows Episode 863 - 10/15/69

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

(For the duration of the Petofi/Quentin mind-swap, Count Petofi occupying Quentin as played by David Selby will be referred to as Petofi-Q, and Quentin in Petofi's body as played by Thayer David will be referred to as Count Quentin).

Evan asks Count Quentin if he knows what to do. He says that he does. He steps out of the room, and there's a knock at the door. Petofi-Q arrives and Evan says it's a pleasant surprise that Quentin is right on time for a change. Petofi-Q asks how many others are coming. Evan says half a dozen are coming, but he has a surprise—they have requested that he conduct the ceremony tonight. Evan invites him to sit in a chair, and Petofi-Q does. He says he hopes he doesn't disappoint anyone, as he's not as well-versed in the Black Arts. Count Quentin sneaks in behind him with chloroform, and uses it to knock Petofi-Q out. Evan says they must begin immediately, as he doesn't know how long the chloroform will last.

Evan conducts the ceremony, placing Count Quentin's hand on Petofi-Q's. He asks Lucifer for the power they need. He drinks from a chalice. He then puts his hands on Petofi-Q's forehead. He says the robber of the soul must not be spared. He then moves to Count Quentin and says the robbed must be avenged. He returns to Petofi-Q, but Count Petofi says it's not working. Evan tells him to be quiet, and resumes the ceremony. Count Quentin says he can't see, and then passes out.

Quentin places his hand on Evan's shoulder, and he screams that he did it! Petofi-Q tells him he just made the greatest mistake of his life. Evan realizes that it didn't work. Petofi-Q says that Evan overestimated his power. Evan begs him not to kill him.

Petofi-Q forces Evan to look at him, and raises his hand to Evan's face. He tells Evan to take off his robe, and says that he knows where to go and what to do. Evan confirms that he does, and walks out.

Count Quentin comes to, and Petofi-Q tells him that they meet again. He says he shall never see Evan Hanley again. Petofi-Q tells him that he'll find him in the graveyard.

Edward points out that it's the first time in a while that he, Judith and Quentin have all been together. He adds that he was surprised Trask hasn't been home since she was released. He brings up how Trask said he went to see her each week. Edward tells Judith that Trask brought a woman to the house; he was going to save her soul. He says she was very beautiful, and he thinks she left because of his intentions. She gets up and goes upstairs to wait for Trask. Edward chides Petofi-Q for not helping. He points out that he hates Trask as much as anyone. Petofi-Q says he has an appointment, and leaves.

In the cemetery, Evan begins to dig a grave.

Trask returns to Collinwood. Edward offers him a drink, but he declines, saying he doesn't approve of imbibing in spirits. He says he had a most distressing journey. Edward asks if anything happened to Judith, and Trask tells him that she didn't even recognize him. Edward plays along as Trask says that he pleaded with Judith to recognize him. Edward says she recognized him when he visited her. Trask suggests that it is the will of an angry God. Edward suggests that he can go to her, and Trask says the doctors have discouraged any more visitors, aside from his weekly visits. He excuses himself, and goes upstairs. Edward smiles.

Judith comes downstairs and says good evening to Trask. She asks if hes's surprised to see him. Edward says he must be, since he just described how she didn't recognize him. Judith asks Trask into the study.

Trask tells Judith he's happy to see her well. She asks where he was, and he says he was in Boston on business. She says he told Edward he visited her. He explains that he planned to stop by the sanitarium, but his carriage broke down.

She accuses him of never coming to visit her. He says the doctors said it might have interfered with the treatment. He adds that the doctors warned Edward that it might be dangerous to visit her, but he did not care. She asks why he lied to Edward. Trask admits that he is guilty of treating her brothers as they treat him.

He offers to hold her, but she doesn't come to him. She tells him to come to her. She tells him that she got her power of attorney back, and she has many surprises. She says she brought Charity back to the house, and they will help her. She excuses herself, and Edward enters. He suggests that Trask won again. He says he's going to find out what Trask has been up to, and Judith will be the first to know about it.

Evan finishes digging the grave when Count Quentin arrives. Evan grabs him by the throat when Petofi-Q arrives and tells him to let him go. Petofi-Q sends Count Quentin away. He assures him that they shall meet again. Petofi-Q compliments Evan on the grave. Evan asks who it's for, and Petofi-Q says it's for him. He says that he is going to bury him alive.

Our thoughts

John: I loved it when Evan did the Richard Nixon pose during the ceremony. Which of course proved to be a premature celebration of his success...

Christine: Um...I think the pose you're thinking of involves the use of the 'V' sign on the fingers, though he was displaying his upraised arms in a similar fashion. I loved it when he whimpered and begged Petofi-Q not to raise the Hand. I wonder if he was expecting facial disfigurement again.

John: Trask is fast on his feet, which is very frustrating to those of us who want to see him get his just desserts. I don't think Judith necessarily believes him, I think she may be playing a cat and mouse game with him; stringing him along until she decides to strike a final blow. At least I hope that's what she's up to.

Christine: The exchange between Judith and Trask was delightful, especially when she demands that he come to her for a hug, and I can't wait to see what surprises she has in store. It is clear she has the upper hand. I think just desserts will be served soon.

John: Sad that Evan was the only one not to realize that he was digging his own grave. I have a hunch that even if he is buried alive tomorrow, Count Quentin may come to his rescue, as he feels responsible for Evan's predicament. Not that he's necessarily deserving of anyone's mercy.

Christine: Such a dark turn of events! I expect Petofi-Q to prevent Count Quentin, the Prince of Darkness, or anyone else from coming to his rescue, and Evan Hanley is bound to be munching dirt tomorrow.


Down for the Count:
Barnabas was staked in his coffin 17 episodes ago.