Dark Shadows Episode 1209 2/11/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Gerard tells Kendrick they are standing over an unorthodox grave, and tells him they must start digging. 

Standing over the open grave, Gerard tells Kendrick he's sorry. Kendrick says he knew his sister was dead, though he didn't want to believe it. He wonders who could have done it to her.

Melanie tells her mother that she thinks she killed Stella, and she's sure others do, too. She asks her mother if she really went to Catherine's room with a knife. She says if she hadn't been stopped, Catherine would be dead, too. Flora tells her that she doesn't think she's responsible for Stella's death. She says if she and Julia didn't lock her in the room, Stella wouldn't be dead. Melanie points out that they didn't stab her to death. She tells her mother that she could be next. Flora says that even if she did kill Stella, she didn't know. Melanie realizes that her mother also thinks that she killed Stella. She tells her mother that she wants to die. 

There's a knock on the door and Flora goes to answer it. It's Gerard and Kendrick. She invites them in for a few moments. Kendrick says hello to Melanie. Flora asks what they want. Kendrick tells them that his sister is dead. Flora asks if there's anything she can do. He says he'd like to ask her a few questions. She asks Melanie to go upstairs, and he tells her that he'd like her to stay as well. Melanie tells her mother she'll be alright. They retire into the drawing room. Kendrick asks her to tell them the truth. She is offended that he implies she has lied to him. Gerard says that they found Stella's grave on the estate. Melanie cries. Kendrick apologizes for upsetting her. He says he hopes that her mother and aunt had nothing to do with his sister's death, but it's hard for him to believe. He tells her that she's the only one he can believe. He asks her to confirm that her mother's story is true, and no one saw Stella after she left without a word two weeks ago, he will believe her. She tells him that it's true. He thanks her. He apologizes to Flora for disturbing her. She asks where they are going, and he says they are going to the police. They leave, and Melanie starts crying. Flora tells her not to make a sound. She wonders how they found the body, and says she must get Julia. Melanie says she's not really her daughter, so the family name won't be soiled. She says she's got to tell the truth and starts to run out, but runs into Quentin's arm. He asks what's going on, and she tells him that she killed Stella.

Quentin asks Flora why no one involved him to handle the situation with Stella. He wonders where to begin. Flora says the police will be there soon. He suggests that maybe it's time to tell the truth. Flora agrees, but says not about Melanie. She doesn't want her to be blamed for it. She says that she'll tell the police that she murdered Stella. He says they were going to try and stick to the truth. He says they just need to do so without anyone really knowing what happened.

Melanie is crying over the open grave where Stella was buried. Gerard watches her from the shadows. He steps out of the shadows and startles Melanie. She asks who he is and what he wants. He introduces himself, and says he was with Kendrick at the house. She asks what he's doing, and he says he was watching over the grave while Kendrick went to get the police. He says the police will be very interested in hearing about her involvement with Stella. She runs off.

Quentin tells his mother that all of their troubles begin and end with the locked room. He says there has got to be a way to escape it. He says they have to find out what Brutus did to create the evil in that room. He goes digging for Brutus' letter. Melanie returns and grabs the letter from him. She growls he got so much less than what he deserved. She says that every Collins until the end of time will learn, and then laughs hysterically. Flora tells Quentin that she isn't Melanie now; that she's someone else. He asks her if she knows who Brutus Collins is. She refuses. She tries to run off but he grabs her and asks who she is. She says she'll never tell him, and then snaps out of her trance. She asks him if it happened again. 

Kendrick tells Gerard that he finds it impossible to believe the police couldn't find a single clue. He says if he had found her two days earlier, she would have been alive. He says it means Stella was still in Collinwood when they told her she was not. He wonders what the secret of Collinwood is. He asks Gerard to help him discover the secret of the house. Gerard says he'll be happy to. 

Quentin says there's no doubt Melanie was someone close to Brutus Collins. He says the curse started with Brutus, and it can end with him. He tells Flora to get Melanie, and they'll have a talk with Brutus.

Quentin tells Melanie that she's going to help them. He says the love and will protect her. She agrees to help. They sit down around the table and begin a seance. Quentin calls upon Brutus' spirit. Melanie moans, and says, "Lottery now or all will die. Plague. Die. Plague. Die! PLAGUE! DIE! PLAGUE!"

Our thoughts:  

John: I was surprised when Quentin suggested telling the truth, only to then clarify that while he means telling the truth, he doesn't mean telling the whole truth, and nothing but the truth...

 

Christine: He is a Collins, after all. Do you think it's possible that Melanie is not responsible for Stella's death, and we are being led astray? 

                                                                                                                           

John: How did Melanie know where Stella's grave was? Did Kendrick and Gerard put up signs on trees, like directions to a garage sale? It's not like she helped with the burial. Maybe it's supposed to be right out the front door. I guess we shouldn't assume that just because Julia and Flora have experience disposing of bodies that they do a good job of it.

 
Christine: I think Morgan was responsible for Stella's burial. It could be that whoever is possessing Melanie was the one who led her to the grave.

John: Break out the seance tracker — parallel time edition! Now, first things first. Wouldn't there need to be some understanding of the threat, or you would think everyone would have always blown off the notion of the lottery? And if folks are so familiar with holding seances, wouldn't you expect that they would have already tried to contact Brutus to find out why he has a thorn in his side? I'll be interested to find out more about this plague that will kill everyone if the lottery is not held, but can't believe the family doesn't already know the details.

 

Christine: There you go again, opening up all the plot holes! I don't think Brutus is the one with the thorn in his side, rather it seems Brutus is the one who put a thorn in someone else's side, and that someone appears to be possessing Melanie. It seems to be a recurring theme for this family in all time periods that a family member mistreats someone else and the rest of the family has to suffer the vengeance of the ill treated party for generations to come.

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: 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 1197 1/26/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

The executioner practices on a log, slicing it in half. Barnabas watches as the guards bring Quentin out. Gerard tells Quentin that he wouldn't miss this for the world. Desmond comes out as they lead Quentin to the executioner. They start to blindfold him and he refuses it. He says, "When I was born, I saw the light of day. And when I die, I'm going to see the dark of night." He gets into position beneath the executioner, who raises his axe. 

Valerie calls for the executioner to stop, saying that Quentin and Desmond are innocent, pointing out that Gerard is the one who is guilty. She comes forward a covered box. The judge asks her who she is. Barnabas explains that she's his wife. She tells the judge that Dawson mentioned the head of Judah Zachery possessed Quentin, and she claims she found the head tonight it Dawson's home. She pulls off the cover. 

The judge asks where Dawson is, and she says that he's dead. Trask says that she killed him, and she says that for once, he is right. She says he was holding her prisoner, and she hit him over the head when trying to escape. She says when she searched his house, she found the head. The judge asks how she got to Dawson's house, and she says Gerard took her there. Gerard tells him that she's lying. She says that what Dawson said was true — except the part about the head possessing Quentin Collin. She says it posses Gerard Stiles. He asks her how she knows all this, and she explains that she knew Judah Zachery for many years. Barnabas smiles.

The judge says he died in 1692, and she says it was her testimony that sent him to his death. Gerard points out that she's deranged, and she says that he knows he bewitched her, until he took away her powers last night. Barnabas points out the significance of finding the head in Dawson's home, and Gerard and Trask suggest that she may have placed it there herself. She tells the judge she would swear under oath. 

While they argue, Desmond grabs a gun from a guard and shoots Gerard, calling him Judah. He falls to the ground. 

Barnabas tells the judge to look at the head, which is transformed to a skull. Barnabas says they need no more proof. On the ground, Gerard says that Judah is dead, and now he is free. He asks to see Quentin. Quentin kneels near him and accepts his apology as Gerard dies. The judge says he's convinced, and releases Quentin and Desmond. 

Trask points out that Valerie is a witch. The judge says she'll be arrested. Barnabas asks if he can have a few minutes with her before turning her in. He goes to Angelique and thanks her. She asks if he knows why she did it, and he says he does, and thanks her again. She says she did what she felt she had to do, and the rest is up to him. He promises to get her out of this, and leaves her to go with the guard. 

Back in Collinwood, Quentin says they need to find Daphne. He sends Desmond to go see Leticia. 

Daphne hears footsteps and grabs a candlestick. When Quentin comes in, he tells her that Gerard is dead. They kiss. 

In the East Wing, Barnabas searches for Daphne. He sees Catherine in parallel time. He then sees himself enter the room. Bramwell tells her that he's waited five years to see her. They kiss, and she pulls away. He asks if she's happy to see him, and she says that he's been gone for five years. He says he came back to marry her. She says he can't; that she's agreed to marry Morgan. He demands that she look at him. He asks if she loves him. She says she does not. He says it's impossible. He says it has always been the two of them. She apologizes to him. He says he won't let her ruin both of their lives. He says he'd like to kill Morgan. She says no one can ever talk to him when he's angry. She says it was a difficult decision to decide to marry Morgan. She says that he she could never find the life she wants together. He says they belong to one another. She says they would destroy one another. 

He says she must have a rich Collins over a poor one. Bramwell says Morgan only wants her because he doesn't want him to have her. He says that the family drove his father Barnabas to his grave. He says only Justin loved him, yet he had his accident before he could give him his rightful place in the business. He says that's why he left, and now he has returned to find out that they have claimed her, too. He says it's the final insult. She says it was her choice. He says he told her he would live to see the day when the Collins family would come crawling to him. He grabs her and kisses her one last time before walking out on her.

Quentin brings Daphne downstairs. She doesn't understand what happened. Quentin says he doesn't either. Barnabas comes downstairs and seems distraught. Daphne asks if he saw something in parallel time. He says he realizes that he must go tell someone he loves how he feels about them.

Barnabas finds the judge to discuss Valerie's case. He says it's too late. Barnabas asks why. The judge explains that the tribunal interviewed her and let her go.

Quentin reads Daphne a note from Samantha confirming that Tad is his son. Barnabas returns, and Quentin tells him that they're going to Boston to get Tad and be married. He tells him that Valerie is in the drawing room. Quentin and Valerie leave, and Barnabas goes into the drawing room. Trask sneaks into the foyer behind him.

Barnabas tells her that he knows how she feels. Trask bursts in and calls out, "Die, witch!" before shooting her.

Our thoughts:  

John: Were beheadings so common in 1840 that they had an executioner ready to go, with a big axe and the full wardrobe, just waiting to get the call?

 

Christine: Not only that, but it appears they have an execution rehearsal before the big event, since they did not have flaming torches yesterday, and neither Trask nor Barnabas were present. 

                                                                                                                           

John: Wow. Talk about a rush to judgement! I'm sorry, but it's a little too simple to wrap up such an extensive storyline with a simple gunshot. I can't even begin to understand why Judah's head would decompose when the unrelated body he possessed was killed. The nature of his existence already established that his life was not tied to a corproeal form. To think Julia missed out on the whole thing! Seems like they were anxious to get everyone over to the parallel time storyline, and cut the cord on Gerard Stiles and the curse of Judah Zachery. Should we assume that everything in 1970 is now hunky-dory?

 
Christine: I agree it did not make sense for Judah be killed by a gunshot and have his head decompose to a cool looking skull in a box, though perhaps it might make you feel better to think of him like a cat whose nine lives suddenly expired. If Gerard was truly free of possession when he died, then I think it's safe to assume that zombie pirates will not overrun Collinwood, and that Tad and Carrie won't be haunting the playroom. At least it makes me feel better to think that the present day Collins family members are safe, even if we may never see them again.

John: Adding insult to injury, the self-confessed witch talks her way out of conviction in a matter of minutes; in front of the same tribunal that convicted Quentin and Desmond to death on mere circumstantial evidence! Of course that was all a setup to allow Trask to shoot her. Let's face it. If Trask was going to kill her in cold blood, he would have shot Barnabas at the same time, given that he holds him responsible for his father's death. Not to mention that Barnabas also can likely prove that Trask walled him up in the basement of his shop and left him to die. Did I mention that it's only Tuesday???

 

Christine: It certainly was an eventful episode for a Tuesday! Perhaps Trask intends to turn the gun on Barnabas next. If he doesn't get the shot off before Barnabas grabs him by the throat, then I expect he'll be hanging out with his dad in Barnabas' basement before the end of the week. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1196 1/25/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Angelique prepares to stab a voodoo doll with another pin when Gerard comes into the room. He realizes that she is in fact Miranda. He tells her that she has used her powers for the last time. He tells her that she's clever for recognizing him as Judah. He brings how he was beheaded because of her. He grabs her and she refuses to look into his eyes. He forces her to look him in the eyes, and tells her that he taught her powers when she was a young girl. She says that she has learned more since then. He threatens to make her human again. He takes away the powers he bestowed upon her. He lets go of her, he gives her back the voodoo doll, and his handkerchief. She wraps it around the dolls neck and tries to strangle it. It doesn't work. He grabs her and leads her out of the room.

Barnabas returns to the East Wing where she sees someone Melanie speaking to her father, Justin Collins. She reminds him that she was adopted. He tells her that she saved his life. Catherine comes into the room and greets Justin. She asks if he's feeling better, and he doesn't respond. She shows her wedding invitation to Melanie, who asks if she's inviting Bramwell to the wedding. Melanie explains that he's coming back. Catherine says that if Morgan wants it, Bramwell will be invited. Melanie shows Justin the invitation and he freaks out. Melanie sends Catherine to get his medication. Justin tells Melanie that Catherine must not marry Morgan. He says no strangers in the house... he mentions 'the room'... and says no one must know. Melanie tells him they will not have the lottery again. He tells her to close the door so they can talk. She does.

On the other side of the closed door, Barnabas wonders what room he was talking about. 

Gerard assures Dawson that Miranda is harmless. He doesn't want to keep her there. Gerard tells him that Quentin will soon be dead, and people will think that Judah Zachery is gone. He promises to return to Miranda to give her his full attention once Quentin is dead. Dawson asks for permission to kill her if she tries to escape. Gerard encourages him to try to keep her alive. Gerard tells her that he'll see her after the execution, and leaves. Dawson tells her not to try to escape.

Leticia visits Desmond in his cell. He asks her to promise to give a letter to Flora that changes his will so that Leticia will get his inheritance. She tells him Flora has gone to get the governor. He says they found a law allowing them to execute a warlock's follower without a trial. He tells her that had they made it to Boston, he would have married her. She asks him to marry her in his cell. He tells her that it would be too dangerous. They might say she was part of their coven and arrest her. He refuses. She asks him to say the words so they'll know in their hearts. She says her vows aloud, and he does the same. They kiss. 

Barnabas visits Quentin in his cell. Quentin says he deserves to die for allowing Gerard to fool him. Barnabas assures Quentin that he will rescue Daphne, and run Gerard out of Collinwood. He says that Quentin will be avenged. Quentin says that he's more concerned about Desmond. And then he expresses concern for Tad. He asks Barnabas to try and convince him that he's not guilty, and that he was not afraid to die. 

Dawson tells Miranda that she should have tried to fight Judah Zachery. She tells Dawson that she never used her powers to get a man, and that she could have gotten him. She goes to kiss him. He tells her that he almost believed her for a minute, but he knows how desperately she wants to escape. He says he's more afraid than he is attracted to her. He says there's nothing she could do to help Quentin or Desmond anyway. She asks why he won't let her go then. He tells her that she won't turn Judah against him, but when he turns away, she clocks him with a candlestick. Miranda realizes that he's dead.

Gerard counts down the minutes to Quentin's execution. Leticia comes in and calls him Judah, saying he killed Gerard. She pulls a knife and he disarms her. As he leaves, he tells her that she is no longer welcome in the house. 

Desmond and Quentin share a last moment together. Quentin tells him that what he minds the most is that Desmond got caught up in everything. The guards come for them, and Quentin leaves first.

Leticia tells Barnabas that she tried to kill Gerard, but nothing can save them now. He asks her where Valerie is.

The executioner practices on a log, slicing it in half. The guards bring Quentin out, and Gerard, who is there as a witness, tells Quentin that he wouldn't miss this for the world. Desmond watches as they lead Quentin to the executioner. 

They start to blindfold him and he refuses it. He says, "When I was born, I saw the light of day. And when I die, I want to see the dark of night." He gets into position beneath the executioner. 

Our thoughts:  

John: I love how people just decide to tune into parallel time as if it were a separate soap opera that they could pick up and follow on demand... I have to admit that I was surprised at this late date to see another new face. I was sure that Justin Collins would have been portrayed by Louis Edmonds.

 

Christine: Honestly, I'd love to see one of the characters standing at the door to parallel time with a bag of popcorn just once! The fact that Louis Edmonds is not playing the role of Justin Collins, in addition to the copious amount of pasty makeup he's wearing, might indicate that he has a short expiration date. 

                                                                                                                           

John: And just like that, Mirangelique is stripped of her powers? It's amazing how characters are so suddenly gifted with previously unused powers where the story calls for it!

 
Christine: It looks like he gave her a Barbie knockoff to test that her powers were gone. Perhaps that's why the spell didn't work!

John: You'd think they could have at least had the executioner raise the axe before the episode faded to black...

 

Christine: If you look closely while Quentin's head is on the chopping block, you'll see the pole swing back as it had been raised, though I suppose you were expecting the cliche blade in the air. It is still a chilling moment. Do you think heads will roll tomorrow, or will something completely ludicrous happen to save the day?

Dark Shadows Episode 1195 1/22/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Daphne and Gerard exchange vows, and are pronounced man and wife. Quentin enters and says, "No!" Gerard sends the preacher away. Quentin asks Daphne why she did it. She appears to be in a trance. Quentin accuses Gerard of putting her under a spell. Quentin says he's taking her, and he'll kill him with his bare hands if he has to. Trask appears and tells Quentin his killing days are over, as he points a gun at him. Quentin realizes that he stepped into a trap. Trask tells Quentin he's taking him back to jail. Quentin asks if they've already got Desmond, and Trask confirms the police already apprehended him. Daphne comes out of her spell and hears Gerard refer to her as his wife. She asks Quentin what he's doing there, and he says he was tricked into coming, just as she was tricked into marrying Gerard. Daphne tries to stop Trask from taking him, and Gerard tells her that he is her husband, and she will do exactly what he says. He tells her he's taking her up to the bridal chamber. Quentin tells her to go upstairs. Gerard tells Quentin to take his last look at Daphne, and he pushes her out of the drawing room. 

When they are alone, Quentin tells Trask that if there's a way to return from the grave, he's going to find it so he can torment him until he's dead. Trask leads him out of the house.

Daphne tells Gerard he can't get her to stay. He assures her that her opinion will pass. He pulls a cover off the bed. She says she hates him, and she won't be his wife. He says she will become Mrs. Gerard Stiles. She says he's not Gerard Stiles — he's the warlock Judah Zachery. She says there's no power on earth that can get her to change her feelings for Quentin. Gerard tells her to think it over, and locks her in the room.

Barnabas returns to the East Wing. He hears voices and opens the door. He sees Catherine and Daphne. Daphne tells her that old Ezra Robinson asked if Catherine was planning to live in Collinwood after getting married. He said he had to warn her. He said there's a haunted room in the house, and that's why everyone keeps their doors locked at night. He told her that every generation, a lottery is held to see which family member has to spend a night in that room. People either die or come out mad. The last person to go in that room was Justin Collins. She tells Daphne she doesn't believe any of the stories. Quentin comes in and tells her she has made a wise decision. She sends Catherine downstairs to discuss wedding plans with Morgan. Quentin asks Daphne if she knows why he's been gone for seven years. She says he was in prison for manslaughter. He tells her he got into a fight with a man and killed him because he was telling stories about his family like Ezra Robinson. He tells her that he doesn't like to hear slanderous stories about his family. He asks her if he has made himself absolutely clear. She says yes, and apologizes. He then turns on the charm, and offers to take her for a walk. He grabs her arm and leads her out of the room. 

Gerard is in the drawing room when Valerie arrives at Collinwood to meet Barnabas. He says he hasn't seen him. He offers to wait with her in the drawing room, and when Barnabas arrives, he'll tell them the news. She asks about the news, and he says that Quentin was captured tonight, right after he and she were married. Barnabas hears this from the top of the stairs, shocked.

Barnabas goes to see Quentin and says they can still get him out. Quentin says there's more guards this time. Quentin tells Barnabas that Daphne was placed under a spell, and he has to help her. Trask comes in and tells them that tomorrow morning Quentin and Desmond will be executed. Barnabas warns Trask that they still have a private matter to settle, and that tomorrow might be his day...

Barnabas returns to Collinwood. He tells Angelique they only have a day to save Quentin. He says he has no other choice. She has to save Quentin. He says that she can find the head of Judah Zachery and destroy it. She says that it is under the power of Gerard, and he would destroy anyone who approached the head. She says their only hope is to leave Collinwood. Barnabas says that they can be nothing more than friends. He tells her that he can never love her the way she wants to be loved. He says that he is human, and she's a witch. She assures him that she has changed. He says she will never change — her feelings towards others are cold an indifferent. He walks out on her and goes upstairs.

Barnabas comes downstairs and runs into Gerard. He says he's looking for Daphne. Gerard refers to her as Mrs. Stiles. Barnabas says the wedding is a fraud, and demands to know where she is. Gerard says Collinwood is his house, and he demands that Barnabas get out. Barnabas tells him he thought he would never come out into the open, and refers to him as Judah before leaving. 

Gerard returns to Daphne's room and tells her that Quentin will be executed at dawn. He offers to deliver a message to him. She screams that she hates him, and attacks him. He tosses her onto the bed.

Angelique stares at the portrait of Barnabas and thinks she will help Quentin, but she's only doing it out of her love for Barnabas. She goes into the drawing room and stares into the fire. She summons the prince of fire and the dark creatures of nature to aid her in the destruction of her mortal enemy. She holds up a voodoo doll of Gerard Stiles, saying he's the embodiment of Judah Zachery. She stabs it with a pin.

Gerard gasps in pain. Daphne asks what's happening to him as he stumbles out of Daphne's room.

Angelique prepares to stab the doll with another pin when Gerard comes into the room. He finally realizes that she is in fact Miranda.

Our thoughts:  

John: Wouldn't Trask be interested in understanding how Gerard put Daphne under a spell so that she would marry him? Or is he so excited to be bringing Quentin back to jail that he's not even paying attention?

 

Christine: Just like his dad, he's so fixated on the person he thinks is guilty of witchcraft that he misses the very obvious clues to the person who truly is guilty. 

 

John: Mere seconds after parallel Quentin basically threatens to kill parallel Daphne, he starts hitting on her! Poor Kate Jackson had to spend the whole episode fending off lecherous men...

 
Christine: I don't understand why Quentin would tell her to do what Gerard said and go up to the "bridal chamber" when he should have advised her to run screaming willy nilly from the house to escape the beast. 

John: So it sounds like poor Desmond is going to be executed without so much as a trial! Of course, it's quite possible that no one survives the confrontation between Angelique and Judah Zachery.

 

Christine: I am hoping Angelique only paused her curse for end of episode drama's sake, and that she'll be plunging the pin on Monday. Incidentally, I loved seeing Kate Jackson make faces in the fun house mirror!

Dark Shadows Episode 1194 1/21/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Daphne and Quentin express their love for one another, and he asks her to marry him. She agrees. They kiss, and do not notice Gerard outside the window, eavesdropping on them.

At Rose Cottage, Daphne and Leticia discuss their plans to leave Collinwood. She tells her that she has to go to Collinwood to get cash out of their safe. Flora comes in and tells Leticia that she knows she knows where Desmond is. She asks if something new has developed. Leticia tells her that the four of them are leaving in the dead of night. Flora is pleased he's taking her with him. She says she wants to say goodbye to him, and asks where he is. Daphne says that she can't tell Gerard where he is.

Dawson asks Gerard why he hasn't used his powers to find Quentin. Gerard assures him that Quentin and Desmond will be back in jail in the morning. Dawson asks what he's waiting for. Gerard says that he has not suffered enough. He says that he has a plan involving someone else. Daphne returns to Collinwood and Gerard tells her that they were just talking about her. She apologizes for interrupting them. Gerard tells her that Dawson wanted to see her. Gerard says that he'll vouch for Daphne not knowing where Quentin is. She excuses herself, and Gerard stops her, asking her to play a game. She says she's not in the mood. He says he'd like to talk to her later, and she shakes her head and goes upstairs. He and Dawson retire to the drawing room, and Gerard explains that he needs his help with some paperwork.

Leticia asks Daphne if she found the money. She says she hasn't yet. She says Gerard and Dawson were there but left, and Leticia sends her back upstairs in search of the money. Gerard returns to Collinwood and finds Leticia in the drawing room. He asks if she remembers when he first brought her to Collinwood. She says that he's changed her. He offers her a drink, and suggests that they drink to a wedding. He reiterates that there will be a wedding tonight at Collinwood. She asks who he's marrying. He says he didn't say he was. He asks her if Daphne will be seeing Quentin tonight. She says if Quentin has an ounce of sense, he's 1000 miles away by now. He tells her that she's lost her sense of humor. She says she's got to find Daphne to invite he to dinner with Flora tomorrow night. 

In the East Wing, Daphne hears music beyond the door into parallel time. She opens it and sees who she think is Flora. The woman calls Melanie and asks her if she feels alright. She asks her if she was going to the West Wing, and Melanie says she wasn't. She says she never goes to the West Wing. She tells Melanie that the servants found her father in the corridor outside the room in the West Wing last night. Melanie says if he goes there one more time, he'll die. Melanie says they can't stand to have that lottery again. She says they should all leave the house. Her mother says that a generation ago, William Collins discovered that leaving didn't help. She says it happens to them wherever they go. She tells Melanie that her father wants to see her. 

Quentin tells Flora that they'll be on their way in a few hours. She tells him that Desmond is not well enough to travel. He assures her that he'll take care of Desmond. 

Gerard watches Daphne, who sits in the drawing room. He takes out his devil's sigil, and says that Daphne will have her last dream, in which she learns that they must become man and wife. Daphne falls asleep and dreams. In it, Gerard asks her why she's leaving him. She says she can't remember anything when she's with him, and they kiss. He tells her to remember that he adores her, and she loves him. She says she knows. He asks her to promise to never leave him, and she agrees. He says that when she wakes, her dream will come true, and they will share their lives together. Gerard wakes her, telling her that she had a bad dream. She kisses him. He tells her they will get married, and says he will call for the minister.

Leticia comes downstairs and finds Daphne in the foyer. She says they've got to go, and Daphne says she changed her mind and doesn't want to go anymore. Leticia asks why, and she tells her that she's going to marry Gerard.

Quentin can't believe Daphne is going to marry Gerard. He leaves as Leticia warns him not to go to Collinwood, saying that it's a trap. 

Daphne and Gerard exchange vows, and are pronounced man and wife. Quentin enters and says, "No!"

Our thoughts:  

John: Wasn't Daphne just giving a lecture on how parallel time works? Today she seems mystified by the strangers she can't speak to in the room she can't enter.

 

Christine: I was wondering how she couldn't hear Gerard telling her to sleep and dream outside the drawing room. 

 

John: Ah, The Lottery. I guess we now know what inspired the storyline for this final trip into parallel time.

 
Christine: There weren't many gothic stories left to mine, were there?

John: Once again, Quentin arrives just after the wedding ceremony was performed. He really needs to work on his timing!

 

Christine: I swear that has got to take the record for fastest soap opera wedding. It wasn't possible for Quentin to arrive on time without the ability to materialize like vampire Barnabas. Speaking of...where do you suppose he's been hiding out all this time while Quentin and Desmond have been trying to escape?

 

John: Blink and you'll miss the crew member who poked his head out of the drawing room to see if Gerard was standing there!

 

Christine: I must have blinked.