Dark Shadows Episode 1131 10/27/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV! 

Leticia brings the box with the head to the secret grave, and tells the body he can now be whole again. She lifts the cover from the box, and the head is staring at her. The headless body approaches the boxed head. Leticia stops the body and says he must wait, as it's not time. She goes back to the head, and asks the head what more is to be done. 

Barnabas ponders the missing head and the missing headless body. He wonders what kind of evil will be among them if they are brought together. Barnabas says they need to find out more about Judah Zachery. He says there has to be a reason why he was decapitated. He sends Julia to Bedford to find out. 

Leticia tells Zachery that she understands, and then covers the box again. The body gets up, and she sits it back down before leaving.

Angelique is in the drawing room when Daniel enters. She introduces herself as Valerie Collins, Barnabas' wife. Daniel reacts strangely, saying she reminds him of someone, but he can't remember who. He says her name is not Valerie. He says it's not possible. He says that she's Angelique, and he remembers her. She says he hasn't been feeling well. He says she's a witch, and Ben Stokes testified to her death, but they didn't believe it. He says if she's the same, is Barnabas, too? She says he has an excellent memory. 

He asks how they both came back. She asks if he'd rather just forget. He calls for help, and she says that no one can help him. He pounds on the door. She says when she came back she thought this might occur. She says he will have to forget everything. She asks if there are things he would like to forget. He asks what she means. She calls upon darkness. 

Daniel is cold. She tells him to look, saying someone he loved is here. She tells him to turn and look at her. He does, and he sees the ghost of his wife. Angelique says she knows his secret, and asks if he'd like to hear his wife scream the way he did the night he murdered her on Widow's Hill. The ghost approaches and reaches out for him. He begs Angelique to make her go away. She says he will forget Barnabas and Angelique, and if he starts to, his wife's ghost will return. She sends the ghost back to her watery grave.

  

Leticia returns to Collinwood and hears Daniel crying in the drawing room. Angelique opens the door, and he's sitting in the chair, looking fine. He introduces Leticia to Valerie, Barnabas' wife. Daniel excuses himself, and Leticia asks him if Julia is there. He says she must be with Barnabas, and goes upstairs. 

Julia tells Barnabas that she was in luck, as the newspaper in Bedford was printing that night, and she was able to find an article by a prosecutor who said Judah Zachery was the most evil man who ever lived — the Devil's son. He corrupted the entire town he lived in near Bedford. Zachery claimed immortality, and said he could not be killed as long as he possessed the Mask of Baal, which he wore during rituals. He said he got it from the Devil himself. Barnabas says Desmond mentioned finding a mask. She says that they couldn't find anyone to testify against him until the last day of his trial — a woman named Miranda testified against him, and explained that his head must be decapitated and the body hidden. She says the head was kept on display until it was stolen, perhaps by one of his followers. She says that over time, the judges and their families all died mysteriously. She says one of the judges was a Collins — Amadeus. Barnabas says that he remembers as a boy Amadeus and his family died. 

Angelique enters and says that at last she can meet her new sister-in-law. He calls her Angelique, and says she's using a different name to protect him. She says she doesn't want to make a bad impression on her new sister-in-law. He sends Julia away, and Angelique asks how long she has traveled with him. She dismisses Julia, saying they have all the time in the world to find out about one another, and Julia tells her that she knows all about her. 

Angelique reminds Barnabas that she loves him, and he says it's another lie. She asks him to let her show him that she has changed. He says he gave her a thousand nights of agony, and she says she gave him immortality.

Julia returns to Collinwood, and Leticia says she found the headless body. She goes to get Quentin, and Leticia says they can't wait for Quentin or Barnabas, and begs her to come with her.

Barnabas tells Angelique they're in their usual stalemate. He tells her that Daniel will remember her, and she says he has been taken care of. She says she's always thinking of Barnabas, and asks if he can ever think of her. She says in time perhaps he won't consider her one of his enemies.

Leticia leads Julia to the body. It's lying on the ground. Julia says it's not moving. Leticia uncovers the boxed head, and Julia stares into Judah Zachery's eyes. She realizes that Leticia is under his power. She turns away, but can't help but return to stare into his eyes.

Our thoughts: 

John: I know it's too much to ask to see the headless body attempt to screw his head back on, but that would have been a classic scene. Of course I'm kind of glad they're keeping them separate, because let's face it — a shorter character with his head attached is less interesting than a tall headless man and a head in a box...

 

Christine: I agree that Judah Zachery is potentially more interesting in his separated form, though we'll see once he's put back together if that's true or not.

 

John: Harriet Collins almost had a Medusa-like look when her ghost appeared. So much for her looking like Julia (as Daniel's suggested when Julia first arrived in 1840).

Christine: Daniel is quite mad, you know. He may assume any redhead is his former wife. 

John: So now we know that Angelique in 1840 doesn't know who Julia is. That should make for more interesting interactions moving forward. If Barnabas and Julia are smart, they should be able to use this against her... but then B&J haven't proven to be the sharpest tools in the shed since their trip to 1995... And it doesn't help if Julia is going to be under the spell of the Devil's son himself.

Christine: It is nice to have Mrs. Barnabas Collins back to cause trouble at the estate. It should make for some entertaining interactions with the rest of the Collins clan. Did you see that Julia is now credited as Dr. Julia Hoffman Collins? Perhaps there's hope for a marriage between her and Barnabas after all!

Don't miss the Dark Shadows Reunion on HALLOWE'EN! Join Dark Shadows actors, Lara Parker, David Selby, Nancy Barrett, Marie Wallace, James Storm, Roger Davis, Sharon Smyth, Christopher Pennock and Kathryn Leigh Scott for a live broadcast moderated by Ansel Faraj and Jack Fields, October 31 at 6 pm PT/9 pm ET.

10/28/20 Christine's Addendum: I meant to note this and forgot. I found it odd that Jeremiah's portrait now hangs over the mantel at the Old House. We have only seen it hanging at Collinwood, with the first chronological appearance of it in 1897. It's possible that his portrait was placed here after Barnabas was locked in the coffin, and then later moved to Collinwood. It is difficult to believe that Barnabas hung it there himself after restoring the Old House in this time period. Perhaps he suffers no guilt from killing his brother in a duel over Josette, or maybe having a constant reminder of his terrible mistake is his way of atoning for his death. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1130 10/26/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV! 

A caped figure wanders through the Eagle Hill Cemetery. It enters the mausoleum, and goes into the secret room. Angelique is shocked to find Barnabas' coffin is gone, and says that he will never get away from her. She calls to someone named Laszlo. He comes inside and is not impressed by an empty tomb. He says they come every year, and there's nothing there to see. He asks what's different, as she normally walks out happy. She tells him she never answers his questions, and yet he keeps asking them. She tells him that there is an estate in town called Collinwood. He's to get it using his gypsy ingenuity to find out everything he can about Barnabas Collins. She's not sure if they will know him. He asks who Barnabas is, and she says he's the only man she ever loved. He adds, except him, of course, and she repeats it. She tells him he cannot bring up Barnabas' name first. She sends him on his way.

Barnabas stops by to see Leticia. As they're talking, she stops and says he seems like a man who has been there a long, long time. He says Quentin and Desmond said that she knows about something, and she says she doesn't know anything about the head, and asks why they sent him. He tells her that it's important that they find... and she interrupts him. He tells her that the children's governess was killed on the way to Rose Cottage. He asks her if she knows where the head is. She says the head is evil, and if none of them ever see it again, it will be for the best. He says he hopes for her sake that she doesn't know where the body is. He leaves, and she opens a cupboard where she has the head in a box stashed. 

Gabriel tells the gypsy that there's not a lot of need to tell the future. He says he needs to know about the present, and asks if he can see a headless man. Laszlo says the house is against itself. Gabriel asks for details, and Laszlo says for a modest fee... Gabriel cuts him off and says he can put him back out in the storm. He tells Laszlo to read his palm, and he does. Barnabas walks in, and Gabriel tells Laszlo he can read Barnabas' palm next. Laszlo gets up to leave. Barnabas tells him to be careful if he's going into the village, as there are strange things happening tonight. Laszlo says he knows far better than Barnabas.

Leticia speaks to the head, and calls out to the body of Judah Zachery, telling it to show her where it is. She sees a vision of the body covered in leaves. She turns to the head and says she knows what she must do now.

Gabriel asks Barnabas why he didn't let the gypsy read his palm. Barnabas suggests that it's odd for a gypsy to have wandered onto the estate. Gabriel asks how Barnabas' search for the headless man is coning. He says he's going to join the search before he can kill someone else.       

Leticia finds the headless body in the woods. She brushes away the leaves, an the body grabs her. She calls it by name and says she was sent to find it. It seems tentative, but lets her help it. It takes her hand and she leads it away. 

Angelique is waiting in the mausoleum when she hears a whistle. Laszlo enters and tells her he learned nothing' no one was home. He then adds that he was introduced to Barnabas. She asks him to tell her if he still has a strange look in his eyes — and when he smiles does his face go gentle? Laszlo says he didn't smile at him. He adds that he recently arrived from London. She says, "So that's his story." Laszlo asks if he came from this room, and she says that's none of his concern. He says she'll tell him, or he'll find out for himself.

Leticia leads the headless body back to the coffin where he was buried. She tells him that he'll be safe. She steps away from him and he panics, swinging his arms around. She helps him into a chair, and tells him to stay. 

Angelique arrives at Collinwood, and introduces herself to Gabriel as Mrs. Barnabas Collins. She says she wanted to surprise him. Gabriel says it surprised him, and introduces himself as a cousin. She explains her trunk was stolen off of the stage from Boston, and asks when her husband will be  back. Gabriel says he is staying at the old house. He offers her a brandy and she accepts. He asks if she's from England, too. She says she is, and that she can't wait to see the expression on his face when he arrives. He adds that Julia, Barnabas' sister, might still be up, and offers to go get her. She acts like she knows of her, and says that she's never met her. She tells him to see if she's still up.

Leticia returns to Rose Cottage, and covers the box with the head in the cupboard. 

Gabriel says Julia must be at the old house. She says that Julia was upset when she arrived and Barnabas wasn't there yet. She asks if Gabriel minds if she waits. She says it's almost like the end of a dream — being reunited with Barnabas and finally meeting Julia.

Leticia brings the box with the head to the secret grave, and tells the body he can now be whole again. The headless body approaches the boxed head...

Our thoughts: 

John: Angelique is back, and has brought Aristede with her! Well, Laszlo, anyway. For what it's worth, he's another familiar face for the 1840 flashback, and a welcome one at that! I wonder what the gypsy will make of the warlock with a detached head! And I can't wait for Julia and Angelique to meet up, since Julia will definitely recognize her... 

 

Christine: If Laszlo is anything like his predecessors, he will be seeking to get the Head for himself to reap the benefits of its power. I don't know if I hope for Julia to meet up with Angelique first or Barnabas, or maybe both at the same time! Any way it plays out, the Angelique reunion should be fun to watch!

 

John: I called it — though it's not like it took Leticia's second sight to figure out that she had taken the head. And poor Barnabas seems to have forgotten whether he's looking for the head, the body or both!

 
Christine: I had assumed she had taken it to get rid of the evil thing rather than help reunite the parts. I wonder if she'll be tasked with sewing it back together or if it will magically meld itself. 

John: So explain to me how a headless body that can't see appears to have perfect hearing (without ears)? Do you think once his head is screwed on, Zachery will be Leticia's boyfriend? She seems to have really hit it off (with his body, anyway)...

Christine: Why would you question how a headless body can hear and not how it can walk or move around without a brain? Clearly supernatural beings on this show are imbued with the power to do anything the writers construct for them. It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that Leticia will introduce the reconstructed Judah to the family as her new beau. I'm hoping for some excitement this week!

Dark Shadows Episode 1128 10/21/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV! 

Samantha enters the drawing room. She closes the door and tells Quentin that he looks tired. He asks her if she has made up her mind. She says that she knows with whom she must spend the rest of her life. She hesitates, and turns away from them. Quentin asks her to speak with them separately, and she asks to speak to Gerard first. 

She tells Gerard it has been a painful and difficult decision. He tells her that he doesn't envy her. She says she thinks he knew from the beginning what she'd decide, and he says yes. He says she mustn't regret her decision. He says he feels a woman must stay true to her first love. She agrees, and says that's why she's chosen him. He's shocked. She's surprised that he thought she would choose Quentin. She embraces him, and asks if he's unhappy. He asks if she's sure she made the right choice. She says if she had chosen Quentin, she'd still have gone on loving him. Gerard says he'll go back to Rose Cottage. She tells him that she's going to make him happy. 

She leaves, and Gabriel wheels in, laughing. He asks if Gerard is glad he didn't take his wager. Gerard tells him that he and Samantha are very much in love. He tells Gabriel to get out, and Gabriel reminds him where he is.

Samatha comes to see Quentin. She explains that she's chosen Gerard. Quentin says he was convinced there was only one choice open to him. He says she has everything she could ever want in Collinwood. She adds except love and happiness. He asks how many people have that. She says she must take her chance at that. He reminds her that she denied him of a similar opportunity four years ago. She says she didn't understand what he was going through then, but she does now. He asks if she and Gerard love one another, and she says they do. He says he thought she'd want to go on for Tad's sake. He asks what she'll do if she decides she was wrong. She assures him that she knows she's right in her heart. She begs him for an answer. He tells her that he'll talk to his attorney tomorrow, and there's nothing more to say. 

She says she's going to tell Tad, and get him ready to go with her. Quentin tells her that she won't do any such thing. She says Tad belongs with her, and he tells her that Tad will not leave Collinwood. She asks him to be reasonable, and he tells her that she's asking to take his son, and expecting him to be reasonable. She demands that she get custody, and Quentin says he's his son just as he is hers. She says that's not true, and adds that Quentin is not Tad's father. He asks what she means. He refuses to believe her. Quentin asks if he's not his father, then who is. She says he'll never know. He throws her on the bed and demands to know how the father is. She says it was someone else. He tells her she can go wherever she pleases whenever she wants, but he won't let Tad go with her. He threatens to kill her is she says anything to Tad about his father. She runs off. 

Gabriel is in the foyer when Samantha comes downstairs. He asks if she's upset because Quentin calmly accepted her decision. She tells Gabriel that Quentin has refused her her freedom. Hortense comes in and Samantha asks to see her in the drawing room. She tells Gabriel that the two of them are destined to rot in Collinwood. She then goes into the drawing room. She tells Hortense that she's leaving Collinwood, and taking Tad with her. She tells her to pack his bags secretly, and to bring Tad to her at Rose Cottage at 7pm. Gabriel eavesdrops on their conversation.

Gabriel wheels into Quentin's room, and says someone is plotting to abduct the crown prince. He says he overheard Samantha talking to Hortense, and she's planning to leave with Tad that night.

Hortense goes to get Tad and is shocked to see Quentin standing on the stairs. He asks her what she's doing, and she makes up a story about his schoolwork. He grabs her and calls her a lying sneak. He says he knows she and Samantha were planning something. He tells her to tell Samantha that Tad is staying in the house with him. He adds that Samantha will never see Tad again, and he fires Hortense. 

On her way to Rose Cottage, Hortense finds a body in the woods. She realizes that it's missing a head when it sits up and grabs her.

Our thoughts: 

John: Interesting to see that both Gerard and Quentin seemed surprised by Samantha's decision. If the two work together, it seems like they could both be free of any problems in no time at all!

 
Christine: Well, she did set it up in such a way to fool them both. It would have been more proper to deliver the news to the loser first so he wouldn't have to wait in anticipation of good news. 

John: Today we got a grand soap opera reveal — Tad is NOT Quentin's son! Which begs the question, whose son can he be? Unless it's someone we haven't met, it almost certainly would seem to be Gabriel. How's that for a Collins-twist!

Christine: You're forgetting both Ben and Daniel, however unlikely that may be. I'm so glad Hortense showed up to be a victim today. It's so rare to see actual servants in the house anymore. It reminds me of the good old future days gone by at Collinwood.

John: Why, it's the old headless-body-covered-by-branches trick! I've been wondering what headless Zachery's corpse has been up to these past few days. Now we know he's just been playing possum. And to what end, you ask? Good question. Once again I think our writers have long since abandoned any sense of logic.

 
Christine: It's the Bedford atrocities all over again! His purpose is to take heads because he's looking for the one that he's missing! What a clever Headless Man to devise a way to conceal himself so he could spring on an unsuspecting victim, and all without the benefit of a brain to come up with it! What will this cranium impaired fellow unthink up next? Incidentally, after 4 years of viewing, it was quite revealing to see up close what's been hanging over the heads of the Collins family in the foyer.