Dark Shadows Episode 1238 3/24/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Kendrick visits Melanie. He explains that he saw Carrie, and he's already spoken to her real mother. She asks him to tell her who her mother is, and he says that she's on her way to see her. He says she'll be there shortly. She's very excited. There's a knock, and Kendrick goes to answer it. Melanie gasps and smiles. It's Josette. They embrace. Melanie says there's no one else she'd rather have as a mother. Josette says each time she saw here she considered telling her the truth. While Julia eavesdrops, Melanie asks her why she didn't keep her, and she says they couldn't, and ask to leave it at that. Julia bursts in and says Josette has told her enough. Josette says she should never have given her up. Julia says that she didn't have a choice, and Josette counters that she did. She says she could have taken Bramwell and the baby to Boston. Melanie asks what happened. Julia says she was persuaded that she couldn't take care of her children alone. Josette says she knew they'd take care of her. Julia tells her that telling the truth now can benefit no one. Josette tells her that nothing will stop her from telling Melanie the truth. Julia says she's so overwhelmed that she'll do anything for her daughter, no matter who she hurts. Melanie tells Julia to leave, and she does so reluctantly. 

Melanie asks her mother to tell her everything. Josette explains that her father, Justin Collins, insisted that she do what she did. Melanie can't believe it. Josette tells her that she's just as much a Collins as any of the others. Melanie says that she and her father must have been in love. She says it was after Barnabas died, they would spend time in Boston together. She says she got pregnant, and Melanie was their child. She says Justin hoped she would be a girl, having had three sons. Melanie thanks her for telling the truth. Josette says he offered to leave Flora, but she knew that was wrong. So she ran away to Boston by herself. She says he didn't track her down until after she was born. She says he convinced her that Melanie was the only thing that mattered. Melanie says it must have been hard to watch her grow up as someone else's child.

Julia finds Kendrick in the drawing room and berates him for prying into the family business and picking apart their secrets. She asks if he intends to tell everyone what they found out. Julia insists that Flora not be told. He says he will do whatever Melanie and her mother want. He then asks Julia how she found out. Julia explains that she found a letter in one of Justin's coat that she was donating to charity. She protected Flora, not letting her know that her husband had betrayed her with another woman.

Bramwell watches over Daphne. She wakes and is surprised to see him. He asks her how she feels, and she says she's tired. He says he's grateful she found her way back to him. She says she dreamed that she had his son, and the look on his face told her how much he loved her. She sees him change, and asks him what's wrong. She says she was wrong to come back. He tells her to chill out, and says that he does love her. She asks him not to turn away from her. She asks if he wants to have a child. He tells her that right now he wants her to get better. He says he may have failed her as a husband up until now, but he won't fail her again — ever.

Melanie is excited to realize that Bramwell is her half brother. Josette says she wishes she could have told them the truth when they were children. Melanie says she can't wait to tell the truth when Julia enters and interrupts them, saying that no one must know. Melanie says it doesn't concern her. Julia says she has obligations to the family, and she forbids it. Josette says she's not a child, and Julia tells her that she IS a child. A wilful child using Melanie for revenge against those she felt treated her badly. Julia asks Melanie if she wants to hurt Flora. She says she doesn't, but she also doesn't want to prevent her mother from telling the truth. Julia says that she owes it to Justin to take care of Flora. Melanie says if it's agreeable to Josette, they will say nothing. Melanie says that she needs to talk to Kendrick. Once she's gone, Julia tells Josette that she must never come to Collinwood again. Josette is shocked, and says she cannot treat her as an outcast. Julia says she made herself an outcast when she and Justin broke the laws of God and man.

Bramwell brings Daphne tea. Josette arrives and is pleased to see Daphne doing well. Bramwell tells his mother not to look sad. He asks her what's wrong, and she turns and runs from the room. 

Melanie says she doesn't know what to do. She says she doesn't want to hurt Flora or her father's memory. He says they will find a way, once they are married. She asks when they can be married, and he tells her they can go to the village and find out.

Bramwell comes to Collinwood and asks Julia what happened tonight. He says his mother came home very upset. She says there's nothing she wishes to tell him. He says her mother has never been so upset. Josette bursts in and tells Bramwell that something terrible is happening to Daphne. He runs out, and Josette follows him, but not before casting a glance at Julia.

Daphne, back at Death's door, tells Bramwell there's something she must tell him before she goes. He says he won't let her go. She says that not even his love can make her stay. She explains that she only came back for a visit, and now she must return to the darkness forever. She tells him that it's comforting, and she's not afraid. She tells him to find comfort without her. She says that in time, he will want Catherine, and she will want him. She gives him her blessing. She says they are the two people in the world she loves the most, and they must comfort one another. He tells her not to give up, but she dies. He begs her not to leave him.

Our thoughts:  

John: So we finally get the grand reveal — Josette is Melanie's mother, Justin is her father... and Melanie accepts it immediately and without question. And then Julia interrupts thinking she's going to strong-arm people into not sharing the info. And after somehow getting them to agree to cooperate, she basically tells Josette to get lost? If she's being banished from Collinwood, why would she care about what would happen if all the other family members found out? It seems ridiculous to think that now that the information is out there, everyone is going to keep quiet about it. And Justin and Josette broke the laws of God and man? Really, Julia? Isn't that laying it on a bit thick?

 

Christine: I find it hard to believe that Josette would turn to a married man for attention while in the throes of grief over losing her devoted husband. Justin was truly a cad. I'm also not sure how this fits Carrie's image of Melanie's mother bent over her father's coffin. Did she nudge Flora aside for the privilege, or just wait for her to take a potty break from her vigil to pay her respects?

                                                                                                                           

John: What the hell? Daphne has been up and down the health yo-yo over the past several episodes, and now we get the full range in a single episode? Out of the blue, she was back to normal and perfectly healthy... and then... dead.

 
Christine: It felt something like this...

 

John: Nice of Daphne to use her final moments to set her married sister up with her husband...

 

Christine: We are certainly on a fast track now. Do you suppose Catherine will be having the baby by Friday? 

 

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

Just 7 more episodes to go...

Dark Shadows Episode 1232 3/16/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Julia tries to wake Morgan. As he comes to, he recognizes her, and she realizes that he's himself again. He asks how he got there. She says it's a long story, and she had better start with the last thing that happened. He says he survived the room and has broken the curse. She tells him that the spirit of Brutus Collins appeared in the room and claimed that the curse had not ended, and would lead to further tragedy than ever before. He says he doesn't understand. He explains that he followed the letter which stated if someone went into the room and survived... She interrupts him and says that Brutus put the curse on the family. He went mad when his sister turned against him. She adds that Brutus killed his wife Amanda and his business partner James Forsythe, the two of which were lovers. He asks how she found all this out, and she says that he told her. She asks what he remembers. He tells her that he discovered a secret door in the room. She tells him he found a flight of stairs that led to a room with ledgers and two corpses. Amanda and Forsythe, and the spirit of Forsythe possessed him. He asks how long he was possessed, and she says it was over a week. She tells him they tried to exorcise the spirit in a seance, but it was Brutus' spirit that got rid of Forsythe. Morgan tells her that he needs to find Catherine. 

Daphne steps out of the old house and hears someone approaching. It's Josette. She asks about Bramwell, and Daphne explains that she doesn't know where he is. Josette points out that Daphne isn't happy. Daphne tells her that there's nothing wrong that won't work itself out in time, and she leaves to get some air. Josette has a letter for Bramwell. 

Morgan comes into the drawing room and asks Julia where Catherine might be. She says she doesn't know. He asks if she's not telling hims something, and then asks how often Bramwell came to the house while he was possessed. She says he was there a few times. He wants to know why Catherine isn't there where she belongs.

Bramwell returns to the old house, and his mother asks where he's been. She tells him she brought a letter from the village. He says it may be the news of his ship that he's been waiting for. She asks if the news is good, will it make life any more bearable for Daphne. He says he doesn't know what she's talking about. She says if he doesn't realize the mistake he made, it's up to her to point it out. She asks if he really loves Daphne. He says he thinks so. She says if he did,  he'd know. He says he knows he loves her. She tells him that no man can divide his love between two women, and he still loves Catherine. She tells him that Daphne is the one being truly hurt. He asks where she is, and Josette says she went out for air. He says he wants their marriage to have meaning, but for some reason he hasn't been able to try. She asks if the reason is other than Catherine, and he says he doesn't know. She points out that Daphne is devoted to him, and it would take very little to make her happy. He points out that the letter may make everything different. 

Daphne arrives at Collinwood, but doesn't go in. She remembers how Bramwell told Catherine that she was the only one he loved. She knocks on the door and Morgan lets her in. She asks if he's recovered, and he tells her completely. She asks to talk to Catherine. He says he'd like to talk to her, too. She asks where Catherine is, and he says he thinks she knows. She asks him what he means, and he asks her if she knows where Bramwell is. She says no. He asks if it's possible that they might be together. He says that Bramwell took advantage of him while he was possessed, coming to see Catherine every day. She says she doesn't believe that they've been unfaithful. He agrees he mustn't think that, but adds that he'll kill Bramwell if he sees Catherine again. 

Julia comes in and tells him that's not the answer. She says if Catherine and Bramwell have been seeing each other, it's only friendship. She adds that Catherine was by his side the entire time he was possessed. He asks where she is now, and Julia explains that she's at the cottage looking after Carrie Stokes. He says he's going to get her. Daphne starts to ask him to tell Catherine something, and they she gets woozy. Julia offers to help her.

Josette is playing solitaire when she hears the front door. Julia brings in Daphne and explains that she got dizzy. Daphne basically faints in on the couch.

Josette brings smelling salts, and Julia says her fever has gotten worse. They use the smelling salts to wake her, and she asks where Bramwell is. Julia tries to take her upstairs, but she wants to wait for Bramwell. Daphne asks if he's not coming back. Josette helps her upstairs, and tells Julia to send for the doctor. 

Morgan picks up one of the dueling pistols. He hears someone at the front door and puts it back. Julia tells him the doctor is with Daphne. She asks if he told Catherine about Daphne. He says he didn't think it was anything serious. She says they can wait to see what the doctor says. He suggests that she's ill because she knows why Bramwell married her. He says that Bramwell should be shot.

Josette asks Daphne what she's doing. She comes downstairs to meet Bramwell.  Josette helps her back upstairs and says the doctor told her she needs her rest.

Morgan pours himself a drink.

Josette helps Daphne back into bed. She asks why Bramwell went into the village. Josette says he had to meet a man to hear about his ship. Daphne asks her to bring Bramwell to him as soon as he arrives. They hear Bramwell return. He shouts that he has wonderful news. He rushes in and tells Daphne that they're rich, and everything will be different now. He says they'll travel, and she'll have everything she wants in life. He asks her what's wrong. He feels her fever. He asks her what's wrong. She tells him the doctor says she'll be fine, and asks him to hold her. He says nothing must ever happen to her. 

Bramwell asks Josette what happened to Daphne. She says it came on so suddenly. He asks what the doctor said, and she tells him that Daphne is dying.

Our thoughts:  

John: I really shouldn't be surprised by the lack of internal logic, but as Morgan points out, he survived the night in the room without going crazy, so the curse should be over. But no. Spirit Brutus has apparently moved the goalposts. To which we should all be saying, what's the point? If the curse can be changed at any point in time, what hope would they have of getting out from under it.

 

Christine: I suppose they could get someone to exorcise Brutus, but there aren't currently any Trasks on hand. The Collins family is so thoroughly cursed that there is no time period that exists where they are not cursed, so I don't think there was ever any hope for any of them.

                                                                                                                           

John: So are they actually setting up Morgan's eventual murder of Bramwell? If so, they had better hurry up, because he doesn't have too much time left!

 
Christine: If Carrie's vision was accurate, then he'll live to put Daphne in her grave, which means Morgan will kill him after that, or Bramwell will defend himself the next time Morgan points a gun at him. 

 

John: Really, Bramwell? After all the drama over Catherine, you've now decided that true happiness is all about being rich? Of course, in this parallel soap-opera time, Daphne's sudden onset of 'about-to-die-ness' should have been expected...

 

Christine: Bramwell's goal was always to get rich so he could give Catherine the finer things in life. Since it took him five years, she decided she couldn't wait any longer, which was why she took up with Morgan. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1218 2/24/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Daphne returns to Collinwood to tell Catherine that she's going to marry Bramwell. Catherine runs off into the night.

Bramwell is drinking in the old house when Catherine comes to see him. He says he knew she would come. He tells her that she isn't going to stop his marriage any more than he stopped hers. She says she won't stand by while he ruins her sister's life. He asks her if she's making Morgan's life better, and she says that she loves him. She tells him that he's bitter and resentful, and asks if her sister should have to pay the price for his feelings towards the Collins family. She accuses him of playing a selfish, vicious game. He tells her that it's settled — it's what he wants, and what Daphne wants. Catherine storms out.

Carrie comes downstairs and finds Daphne in the drawing room. She asks how Daphne is doing, and says she knows that something is bothering her. Daphne asks why she's looking at her so strangely. Carrie explains that she had a feeling that someone wasn't going to let her do something. She says sometimes when she tells people the things she sees, they get upset. Catherine returns to Collinwood and tells Carrie goodnight. Taking the cue, Carrie leaves. 

Daphne says she can't believe that she was naive enough to think Catherine could be happy for her. Catherine tells her she'll do everything in her power to stop the wedding. Daphne says she loves Bramwell, and wants to marry him. Catherine says she's a fool for thinking he loves her. Daphne accuses her of being selfish. She says Catherine is the one who is afraid to face the truth. Catherine begs her to reconsider. Daphne refuses. Catherine tells her that she will soon know what a marriage without love is. Daphne's retort is, "as you do, Catherine."

Bramwell's mother is surprised to hear of his plans. She asks if it's what he truly wants. She says she knows him better than anyone, and asks if he's marrying for love, or to get back at Catherine and the others at Collinwood. He tells her that he does not feel that he is being unfair to anyone. She says she doesn't think there has been a greater love than that between her and his father, Barnabas. She asks if he'll be able to say the same thing at her age. 

Daphne returns, and Bramwell asks her if Catherine was able to change her mind. Josette asks if Catherine was opposed, and Daphne confirms it. She tells Daphne that she'd be a welcome daughter, but it may be a mistake to rush into something that will alienate so many people. Josette leaves them. Barnabas asks her what's giving her doubts. She says he has never told her that he loves her. He says he asked her to marry him. She points out that he hasn't said the words. He accuses Catherine of poisoning her mind. Daphne asks why there's so much emotion in his voice when he speaks of Catherine. She adds that he has yet to say the words. He tells her he loves her, and she says she knows he doesn't mean what he just said. He asks if she wants to marry him, and she says she doesn't know. She says they need to be open and honest with one another. He tells her that his love can grow. She asks him to give her until morning. 

Josette goes to visit Catherine. Catherine tells her that it won't help for her to plead Bramwell's case. She tells her that she couldn't agree with her more. Catherine is surprised. She says that she shouldn't have reacted as she did. She says it was exactly what Bramwell predicted, and she succeeded in confusing Daphne. She says the wedding can't be stopped by a show of pressure. Catherine says she can't stand by and do nothing. Josette tells Catherine that she and Bramwell could have been happy, if only she had been willing to wait. 

Daphne visits Carrie. She asks Carrie to help her make a decision by looking into the future. Carrie warns her that she can't control what she sees. Carrie sees Bramwell with a sad look on his face. She sees that he's standing in the cemetery, looking at Daphne's grave, with 1841 listed as her year of death.

Our thoughts:  

John: It seems pretty clear to everyone but Daphne that Bramwell doesn't really love her. In any other time band, I'd say 'Daphne' would be the better catch for 'Barnabas' than 'Angelique', but since Bramwell's such a slimy guy, he doesn't deserve a nice girl like her.

 

Christine: She acknowledged that he didn't mean what he said after she cajoled him into saying he loved her, so I think she knows. Bramwell is rather spoiled and entitled, but perhaps it's because he doesn't have his dad around to advise him in a way that would have us adding to the slap tracker. I hope we might get around to hearing how Barnabas met his demise. 

                                                                                                                           

John: Nice Freudian slip when Bramwell calls Daphne Catherine! At that point she should have realized that things were in trouble!

 
Christine: I think Josette's reticence to give her blessing on the union may be enough to change Daphne's mind, though Carrie's vision should be the tipping point, that is, if she decides to tell her about it. We are really knee deep in soap opera romance now, aren't we? 

John: So, do you suppose there's a Widows' Hill in this time band? Daphne seems like just the gal to take a flying leap...

 

Christine: If there's a Josette and a Barnabas and a Collinwood, then there's definitely a Widows' Hill. 

 

Dark Shadows Episode 1214 2/18/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Morgan and Julia listen by the door to the room Gabriel is locked in. She wonders if they'll see Gabriel alive again, and if they do, if he'll be insane. Julia goes to check on Melanie. Morgan goes down to the drawing room to be with Catherine.

Catherine asks Morgan if anything has happened. He says they didn't hear anything inside the room. They profess their love for one another and kiss. Catherine says she feels sorry for Gabriel, and wonders if they'll ever know what he experienced. 

Julia tends to Melanie, who is delirious. She babbles about Brutus, and then screams, "No!" Julia tries to interrogate her about Brutus. Melanie sits up and tries to get out of bed. Julia asks her who she is. Melanie asks for James Forsythe. She says he killed him. 

In the night, Catherine sneaks out of her room. She goes to the door behind which Gabriel is locked. She listens at the door, and then starts to open the door when she is startled by Julia, who asks what she's doing there. She says she told Catherine not to interfere, and sends her away.

Bramwell is sneaking around the gazebo when he spots Catherine, and hides. He comes up behind her, and she is pleased to see him up and about. She tells him that he looks well, and asks how he feels. He doesn't respond. He asks her how it feels to be part of the Collins' madness. She reiterates that she's glad to see him, but suggests that he leave. She says Morgan wouldn't like his being there. He reminds her that she chose Morgan, so why would he mind. He bids her goodnight and starts to leave. She engages him in further conversation, and he asks her if she's happy. She says it's impossible with all that is happening in the house, but with Morgan, she is. He asks if she wishes he had never come, and she says yes. She expresses concern that Morgan might see them. He asks if Morgan would know she wants him to touch her. She says she doesn't want that. He asks if she's sorry that he lived. She admits that she wanted them both to live. She begs him not to speak of the duel again. She asks about Daphne. He says she just saw her, so she knows how she is. He adds that she was very kind to him; there when Catherine wasn't. She says that people will talk if Daphne is in the old house with him. He says she doesn't think that. She admits that she doesn't want him to hurt Daphne. He asks if she's jealous. 

Morgan appears, and asks why she would be jealous. He sends her inside, and tells Bramwell to leave. Morgan asks him why he didn't fire at him in the duel, and Bramwell walks out on him. 

Julia is watching over Melanie when Josette comes to see her. Julia says they'd like to cofine the plague to the house. Josette points out that if that were concern, they wouldn't have Daphne in the new house, or have visited the old house. Josette asks how it happened; noting that plague is unheard of in modern times. 

Melanie sits up and is pleased to see Josette. She sees Julia and asks her what she's doing there. Julia asks if she's alright, and Melanie asks if she had another one of her attacks. Julia says she was ill, but she doesn't understand. Melanie asks if the lottery has been held. Julia explains that Gabriel is in the room as they speak. Melanie hopes that he breaks the spell. Julia leaves Melanie with Josette to go check on Quentin. Josette tells Melanie that she's very fond of her. It makes Melanie very happy, because she always doubted that anyone in the family loved her. 

Julia comes downstairs and tells Morgan that Melanie and Quentin have both recovered. She says it's as if the curse has been removed, or the thing in the room has been appeased. She wonders what's happening to Gabriel in the room. Julia prays that the curse is over. 

At dawn, Morgan goes to the room and unlocks the door. He goes inside and finds someone lying on the bed, apparently dead, but it's not Gabriel.

Our thoughts:  

John: Well, so much for getting to see anything on the far side of the door to the locked room. I was hoping we might get some details on Brutus from possessed Melanie, but that didn't amount to much, either.

 

Christine: Josette's interaction with Melanie leads me to believe that Josette is her birth mother. If so, the question is why she doesn't know that, and if it may be because Barnabas is not her father.

                                                                                                                           

John: I did find it quite funny when Catherine told Julia that she had a right to be outside the door to the locked room, and Julia's response was that it was not a matter of right or wrong. To be fair, Julia was right, because Catherine's claim to have a right to be there had nothing to do with it being right or wrong...

 
Christine: Bramwell really knows how to get to Catherine. He may take up with Daphne for the sole purpose of making Catherine jealous. 

John: So who was that lying dead in the bed if not Gabriel? Frankly, had he not said that, I couldn't tell that the body didn't belong to Gabriel...

 

Christine: It kind of looks like an Invasion of the Body Snatchers pod version of Gabriel still taking form. Also, if that's not Gabriel, then what happened to Gabriel? At least the plague was abruptly ended. If only that would work on Covid.

Dark Shadows Episode 1206 2/8/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our thoughts:  

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

 

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

                                                                                                                           

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Collinsport Slap-Tracker

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

93 Roger slaps David!

128 Joe slaps Maggie's butt!

383 Barnabas slaps Jeremiah!

467 Elizabeth slaps Roger!

535 Julia slaps Cassandra!

619 Blair slaps Angelique!

790 Trask slaps Judith!

805 Trask slaps Charity!

865 Quentin slaps Aristede!

963 A zombie slaps Julia!

964 Zombies slap Roger and Quentin!

1119 Samantha slaps Gabriel! 

1129 Quentin Slaps Samantha! 

 

1183 Gerard Slaps Samantha!

 

1206 Morgan Slaps Bramwell!

Dark Shadows Episode 886 - 11/17/69

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Standing atop Widow's Hill, Josette hears footsteps approaching. She screams that she won't become what he is. But it's Natalie, not Barnabas. She tells her not to do it. She grabs Josette. She tells Natalie that she can't help her. She says that he will come to her. Natalie says she knows someone supposed to be dead is not.

Back at Collinwood, Natalie brings Josette to Millicent's room. She says she must go to tell someone who told her where she was that she is safe. She leaves, and Millicent asks her if Barnabas' death has really affected her that way.

Natalie comes to see Barnabas. He asks if Josette is safe. Natalie says that had he gone for her, she would have run from her and she would have died. She says that Angelique showed Josette a vision of herself as a witch. She says she saw him dead, and he cannot see Josette. She claims and understanding creatures such as him, and says he knows he's a ghost. He tells her to bring Josette to him. He says she will do as he says, and bites her neck.

Millicent tells Josette that Barnabas' death has not stopped her love for him. She says that she is afraid to love, as she's sure a tragedy will occur, as it did to her. She says when she's upset, she just doesn't think about it. She then finds a vial and ask Josette what it is. Josette asks for it and Millicent gives it to her. Natalie returns and tells Josette it's safe for her to return to her room. She sends her to her room and stays with Millicent, who says Josette shouldn't be alone. She asks why Josette thinks Barnabas is still alive, and then realizes Natalie is crying.

Josette returns to her room. Barnabas is waiting for her. He begs her not to be frightened of him. She says she knows his plan for her, and he explains that Angelique showed her that to try and ruin their love. He says they could have been together, but that is over now. He says there is another time, 100 years in the future, where he is still alive. He says he is free of the vampire curse then. He asks for her trust. He says they can be in another century tonight. He tries to impress upon her that he was in that time just hours ago. He asks her if she remembers Kitty Soames, or being in the old house. She says it was a dream, and he explains that it was not. She says that he is frightening her. He says there is more to their lives than she knows, and asks her for one last chance.

He says they can travel through time to be married and human. He tells her to go to the old house, and says that the secret is in the portrait. He asks if she still loves him and she says that she always will, and kisses him. He tells her to meet him at the old house at midnight, telling no one. He says she can write her aunt a note, and he will go see Ben Stokes to protect them. He promises to make her forget tonight. He leaves, and she sits down to write a note.

Barnabas is lost in the woods. He stumbles across a structure he's never seen before. He's sure it wasn't there earlier that night. He can't figure out how he could be lost in Collinwood. A woman approaches, and he asks who she is, and where he is. She waves her hand.

He turns and sees another cloaked figure. A man. They kneel and raise their hands to him. He asks what they want of him. They don't speak, but the man grabs him. Barnabas demands to be let go, and then tells himself he must disappear. But he cannot. He wonders who the strangers are, and what powers they have.

Josette is in the old house, waiting for Barnabas. She asks the portrait how it can be the key.

Millicent reads Josette's letter to Natalie. She says they must go after her. Natalie says they cannot fight him. Millicent refuses to give up, and runs out of the room.

Josette wonders where Barnabas is, as he has not arrived by 12:30. She wonders if he was lying to her about the portrait and time travel. She assumes that he plans to turn her into a creature of the night. She thinks that they will never have each other. She takes the vial from her purse and drinks the contents. She collapses, saying his name.

The two figures kneel at Barnabas' feet. He is unable to move. They rise and the man mentions the mother earth.

Josette lies on the floor, saying Barnabas' name one last time, before dying.

Barnabas is now lying atop the altar. The two figures approach him and the woman places leaves under his head. The man says he will know them when he rises from this sleep, and he will show them the way to a new and everlasting life.

Our thoughts

John: Well, I guess I got a definitive answer to the question of whether Barnabas is still a vampire. Julia Hoffman would have been so jealous of Natalie...

Christine: I understand that he's got to be famished by now, since he rarely consumed anybody during his stay in 1897, and that he's able to exert control over unwilling people by putting the bite on them, but he's quite the scoundrel to kiss Josette while the taste of her aunt's blood lingers on his lips.

John: Ah, Josette. Always ready to commit suicide at a moments notice. I wonder if Barnabas will even find out about it.

Christine: I'm not sure we can blame Angelique for this any more. Josette is in serious need of therapy. Or was. If only Barnabas had succeeded in transporting her to 1897 he could have set up a consultation for her with Freud. Oh well, too late now.  Will this be the last Josette reincarnation, lookalike or doppelgänger, or will we be going through this with Barnabas all over again in the future?

John: Double-wow! Who are these crazy cultists that appeared out of nowhere and know Barnabas? Could this be the Leviathans I have read about but never seen? I like the pre-Omega Man 'Family' vibe that they've got.

Christine: I think the sea monsters carved on the stone above the altar confirm that the Leviathans have landed, interrupting Barnabas' last chance to reunite with his long lost love. Nobody expects the Leviathans! Dig that crazy stone altar! It could be used for all manner of things. It should be an interesting week.