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 1186 1/11/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

The court comes to order, and the judges announce that they have arrived at a verdict. They ask Quentin to rise. The tribunal finds him guilty as charged, and he will be beheaded in the public square on a date to be decided. Barnabas says that the defense will appeal, and the judge reminds him there are no provisions for an appeal under the law governing trials of witchcraft. Barnabas points out that the right of an appeal is basic to the judicial system, and they say they won't prevent him from trying. The court is adjourned.

Daphne tells Quentin she can't believe it happened. She says as long as he's alive there's hope. He says as long as he's alive — but he has to start thinking about when he's going to die. She wonders if there's a way to get him out. He tells her to forget about him. Barnabas arrives and says the judges won't listen to reason. Quentin asks if Barnabas told them Gerard was behind the whole thing. Daphne is confused. She thought Gerard was for him. Barnabas says that was his most cunning tactic. If Quentin lost, Gerard stood to gain. And if Quentin were found innocent, he would still win for having stood by his friend. Quentin says Gerard can't claim a complete victory until they take his head. Barnabas says that unless they find some other solution, then it's all over. 

Gerard arrives at Collinwood and finds Gabriel in the drawing room. Gabriel asks why he's not smiling, since he won. Gerard says he lost his best friend. Gabriel asks him to admit what he's won. Gerard says he's only the trustee of the estate until Tad reaches 21. Gabriel says he'll see to it that Tad won't ever reach that age. Gerard points out that he can cut off his allowance if he keeps it up. 

Edith comes in and says she just heard about Quentin. Gabriel leaves, and Edith kisses Gerard. She tells him that she wants to see him tonight at 11. He tells her that he can make it. They don't know that Gabriel is eavesdropping on them as Edith reminds Gerard that she has something coming. He assures her that she will get hers.

Gabriel wheels in and asks Edith if she's ready for tonight. She says she doesn't know what he means. He points out that he knows she's meeting Gerard tonight. He makes fun of her for having so little class as to allow a fraud like Gerard to get a hold over her. She says he does not, but he could because he gets what he goes after. She tells him she's going to live before it's too late. She asks how he's going to stop her as a helpless cripple. She laughs as she goes upstairs. 

Daphne and Barnabas return to Collinwood. She says they can't just sit back and watch him die. Barnabas says he will not. He tells Daphne to go upstairs and rest. After he leaves, she wonders if there's no hope for Quentin. She wishes she never came to Collinwood. She hears music playing in the closed off East Wing.

Edith comes down to the drawing room. She hears a shutter banging, and goes to secure it. She then hears footsteps in the foyer, and calls out to who's there. She goes out and the front door swings open. She closes it and asks who came in the house. The lights go off. She calls out to Gerard. 

She runs upstairs to Gabriel's room but the door is locked. She runs into another room and finds the empty wheelchair. She turns to see Gabriel standing behind her. He explains it's just the two of them in the house. He explains that two people knew he could walk. His father and Randall. She points out that he killed the two of them, and he strangles her. He says he'll find a spot to bury her.

Daphne finds the source of the music in the East Wing. She opens a door and finds the room empty, and music no longer playing. She closes it, hears something, and when she opens it again the room is furnished. She's sure she's dreaming, but she can't get into the room. She sees two people, Valerie and strange man, although the woman is referred to as Catherine. Catherine asks the man why he asked her to meet him. He says his name is Morgan Collins, and he asks her, Catherine Harridge, to marry him. She promises to answer him soon. She points out that there's no one she loves more than him, and he kisses her. He leaves, and there's a knock on the door. 

Daphne sees herself speaking to Catherine. She says she heard them, and asks her sister why she didn't give Morgan an answer. She says she knows that she's only loved one man in her entire life. Catherine says he's been gone for five years, and there are rumors he's coming back. She says he belongs in the past. Daphne says she doesn't know how she can be happy in Collinwood. They leave the room, and it's suddenly empty again. Daphne walks in and assumes that she's hallucinating. She closes the door behind her.

Gabriel carries Edith's dead body into the East Wing. 

Daphne goes looking for Edith and finds Gabriel's empty wheelchair. Gabriel sees her and hides before she can see him. He runs downstairs and goes into the drawing room. Daphne calls to Edith, and goes into the drawing room, where she finds Gabriel standing.

Our thoughts: 

John: I guess it should be no surprise that Quentin was found guilty, considering the evidence against him and the nature of the tribunal... Question is, with the Tate portrait and severe case of lycanthropy, will his severed head not grow old (a la Judah Zachery), and/or sprout hair once a month?

 

Christine: Quentin's portrait won't be painted until 1897, so he doesn't have immortality in this time period. On the plus side, he won't live to become a werewolf. 

 

John: You go, Gabriel! Daniel and Randall certainly didn't deserve to die at his hands, but Edith, by all means, take her away!

 
Christine: Funny that Gerard was the one to tell her she would get hers. Was it all part of his plan?

John: No! Not strange music coming from the East Wing! Not — more parallel time! With only a few months remaining, I have a bad feeling about this...

 

Christine: My thoughts exactly! A parallel excursion seems inevitable. Those of us viewing from the DS Coffin Set have just pulled out our last set of episodes. The end is in sight.

Dark Shadows Episode 1185 1/8/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Carrie arrives at Grimes's house and finds him on the floor. Jeremy returns and when he sees Carrie, tells her she can't stay. She tells him that his father is dead on the floor just a few feet away. Jeremy is upset, realizing that his father is really dead. He asks her how it happened. Carrie says he was moaning when she arrived. Jeremy asks if he said anything before he died. She says that he did.

Gerard tells Dawson that he should be getting the coroner's report on Grimes soon. Dawson asks who found the body, and Gerard says it was Carrie. Dawson says that Grimes testimony would have been useless, but with his death, it would appear that he will win the case for them.

Barnabas tells Quentin that Mordecai Grimes is dead. Quentin asks how it happened. Barnabas says they don't know yet. He says Carrie Stokes found him. He says it will be a field day for Dawson, as he's sure he will attribute his death to witchcraft. Quentin asks how he can prove it. Barnabas says that he doesn't know. 

The court comes to order, and Dawson solemnly notes that his next witness turned up dead last night. He says he can prove without a shadow of a doubt that the death is the result of witchcraft at the hands of Quentin. He calls Carrie Stokes to the stand. She is sworn in. Dawson asks her when she last saw Mordecai Grimes. She says she saw him at his house last night. She found him on the floor in his house. She thought he had fallen, and when she saw the look in his eyes, she knew he was dying. Dawson asks if he said anything to her. She says he did, and when he asks what he said before dying, she refuses. Dawson compels her to tell them. She says that his last words were, "Quentin Collins." She adds that Quentin didn't kill him, and when Dawson objects, it is sustained. Barnabas has no questions for her. Dawson provides the coroner's report saying the cause of death is unknown, and clearly an act of sorcery. 

He then calls Jeremy Grimes to the stand. Dawson asks him about the letter he's holding. Jeremy explains that it was a letter his father wrote and asked him to deliver to Dawson right before he died. Dawson reads the letter explaining how he had evidence proving Quentin's guilt. Barnabas asks Jeremy if the letter was sealed when it was given to him. He says that it was. He asks if his father told him of the contents of the letter. Jeremy says he did not. Barnabas points out that only Jeremy's father and Dawson were the only two men to know the contents of the letter were his father and Dawson, and now one of those men is dead. He points out how conveniently the course of the trial has been altered in the last 24 hours. The last remark is stricken from the record, and Jeremy is dismissed. Dawson rests his case, and Barnabas is asked to present the case. Barnabas calls Quentin to the stand.

Quentin discusses his arguments with Grimes. Barnabas asks if he had anything to do with his death, and Quentin has denied it. Barnabas asks if Quentin has ever practiced the Black Arts, and he says he wouldn't even know how. Dawson cross-examines him. He asks if Desmond sought out the head of Judah Zachery on his request. He admits that he did. Dawson asks why, and Quentin says it was merely curiosity. Dawson asks if he longed for the powers of Judah Zachery. Quentin says he did not, and Dawson accuses him of using those powers to kill off the list of victims. Quentin says he's sick of Dawson's lies and insinuations, and when he gets through with the trial, he'll deal with him. 

The judge threatens Quentin with contempt. Dawson says the defendant has given an adequate demonstration of what he was trying to prove. Quentin steps down, and the defense rests. Dawson gives his closing remarks. He says facts support that he is guilty as charged, listing off the victims he was found with. He mentions Quentin's staircase through time, and his admission of owning the head of Judah Zachery. Barnabas points out that what Dawson claims as fact is hearsay. No one alive can say that he killed any of the victims. He points out that given that fact, the tribunal cannot come back with any verdict but not guilty.

Carries comes to see Jeremy. He tells her that Quentin is guilty. He says he's a warlock, She tells Jeremy that he sounds like his father. He says he hopes they execute Quentin. Carrie runs out on him.

The court comes to order, and the judges announce that they have arrived at a verdict.

Our thoughts: 

John: Grimes' pupils were like half moons? What the hell does that even mean? And how exactly did Dawson know what Grimes told Carrie? Because a good lawyer would never ask a question to which he didn't know the answer. I'd almost be willing to buy it if Gerard had planned for Carrie to be there, and used his powers to make Grimes tell her Quentin was responsible.

 

Christine: It means his pupils looked like this, I guess. 🌗 Eww, that must have been pretty creepy to see. I'm guessing that Jeremy told Dawson about Carrie hearing his dying dad utter Quentin's name. 

 

John: Again, Dawson is in fine form in the courtroom today. I think his best move was getting Quentin to fly off the handle, and go so far as to threaten him in front of the tribunal. While I'd like to see Quentin get back at Dawson, it probably wasn't the smartest thing to say from the witness stand.

 

Christine: You can't blame Quentin. It's up to the lawyer to see that he keeps his yap shut and doesn't walk into traps like that. 

John: I sure hope this is the end of the road for Carrie and Jeremy's relationship. The two young lovers were really beginning to get on my nerves.

 

Christine: That's because you're not a teenager with raging hormones. The conflict between them will only fuel their intense feelings for one another, so I recommend that you take up meditation or have a cocktail before episodes from now on. What's your guess on the verdict? I'm expecting a date will be set with the executioner on Monday. 

Dark Shadows Episode 1181 1/4/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Dawson moves that the court make an immediate decision. The tribunal says they are ready to render a decision. They are interrupted by a woman dressed in black. She claims to be Joanna Mills. Dawson says it's a hoax, and Barnabas asks Quentin if she's Joanna. He says that she is. Dawson says the woman cannot be Joanna Mills, because he entered her death certificate into the record. The court asks Dawson if he thinks the woman is dead. Dawson admits she's alive, and Barnabas urges the court to allow her to testify. Dawson loses his composure, accusing the defense of trying to trick the court. Barnabas says that Dawson gave the best reason why she should testify. He says Dawson entered a sketch into the record, and that can be used to determine her identity. The course says they will also check a handwriting sample before deciding. 

Gerard drinks, and tells Samantha he wishes they could see the end of Quentin's trial in person. She says she can't get over what happened last night, sure that the ghost of Joanna has returned to haunt them. He holds her and tells her that everything will be alright. He says Trask will put the nail in Quentin's coffin, introducing the letter into the record. Samantha says he wasn't supposed to do that. She says it might already be all over for Quentin. 

Barnabas says that they will let Joanna take the stand, and it will ruin Dawson's case. Joanna comes into the jail to speak to Quentin. Barnabas leaves them. She asks if he's glad to see her. He says he's in shock, since he thought she was dead. He asks her to explain how she wrote and sent the notes. She says she wrote notes in the sanitarium, but never sent them so she doesn't know how he could have received them. She says she'll do whatever she can to help clear him. He tells her that Daphne is at Collinwood. She thought Quentin had killed her, and she came to avenge her death. She says she wants to see her, and he tells her that he and she should have a long talk first. Barnabas returns and says the judges are ready.

The judge says they will hear Joanna Mills testimony. She's sworn in, and Dawson objects. He points out that if it is Joanna Mills, she escaped from a mental institution. The judge asks if it's true she escaped from an asylum. She says she didn't escape, she just left. She explains that she was there because she loved a man who could never be hers. They asked about her body washing ashore, and she says she knows nothing of it. Dawson says he has no questions for Joanna. Barnabas asks her about her emotional disturbance, asking her to identify the man responsible. She says she was and is in love with Quentin Collins. He mentions the letter found in the tree, and she says that she wrote it. She says that on her way to Collinwood, she found Quentin's note in the tree, and decided to respond to it. Barnabas thanks her for her testimony, and dismisses her. He tells the court that there's nothing supernatural about the letter, and no spirit left it at the oak tree. He asks that Trask's testimony be stricken from the record. The tribunal agrees that Joanna's testimony invalidates Trask's own, which will be stricken from the record. The judge also mentions her testimony raises serious questions regarding events and evidence in the trial. Barnabas tells Dawson that someone is trying to incriminate Quentin. Dawson requests a recess, and one is granted.

Gerard can't believe what Dawson told him. Dawson says they need a stronger weapon, and says they must use the head of Judah Zachery. Gerard says he'll have an answer that night. 

Joanna arrives at Collinwood, frightening Samantha. She asks to see her sister Daphne. Joanna says that Samantha and she know of one another, even though they've never met, Samantha sends her upstairs to see Daphne. Gerard comes in to see Joanna ascending the stairs. Samantha tells him that Joanna is dead, and when he tells her they can see that she's alive, she reiterates that she knows she's dead because she killed her.

Our thoughts: 

John: I wonder how long before the good news of Joanna's arrival turns into bad news for Quentin. Unless he can figure out a way to marry both Daphne and Joanna, I sense there's a storm coming... Of course, perhaps that will explain Daphne's ghost-connection to Gerard in 1970.

 

Christine: Too bad there never was a spin-off courtroom drama with Barnabas Collins. Straight out of being chained behind a wall for days and he's right on top of his lawyerly game!

 

John: Dawson jumps in to comment in the middle of Barnabas' questioning, and for the first time loses all composure in the courtroom. I do hope the head of Judah Zachery will soon take the stand to testify!

 

Christine: That would be awesome if the Head in the Box took the stand! Dawson is just as entertaining when he's flustered. He is the Hamilton Burger to Barnabas' Perry Mason. 

John: Well, well, well. Samantha is quite the killer, it seems. I wonder who else she's managed to do away with. Have any of the Collinwood help gone missing? Just think — if he plays his cards right, Gabriel might even be able to convince folks that Samantha was responsible for Daniel's death!

 

Christine: It's a wonder she didn't kill Gerard after he kicked her to the curb. So, is Joanna a ghost, did Samantha kill someone else by mistake, or did she just botch Joanna's murder?

Dark Shadows Episode 1179/1180 12/31/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

The judge asks Quentin if he would like to cross-examine Trask. Quentin says it would be best handled by his council. He clarifies that he has found a man to handle his case, and he requests a recess while they await his arrival. Dawson objects. Quentin suggests that he deserves representation. Before any more can be argued, Barnabas walks in and says that they need not wait any longer. Trask is shocked. Quentin presents Barnabas as his attorney. Dawson objects. Barnabas says any citizen may volunteer their services in this sort of proceeding, and he volunteers his. Barnabas requests a transcript of Trask's testimony. Trask says he cannot continue his testimony, saying he has a severe pain in his chest, and asks to be dismissed. 

Barnabas asks for a postponement, and the judge agrees to postpone the trial until the next morning. Dawson says that may not be enough time, and the judge says if Trask's condition becomes more serious, they can discuss it tomorrow.

In his cell, Quentin says he got Valerie's note, but he doesn't understand where he was. Barnabas says Trask had imprisoned him, and Valerie and Julia found him and freed him. He describes being bricked into an alcove and left to die. Quentin asks why he didn't tell the judge. Barnabas says that for the moment, he doesn't intend to turn him over to the authorities. He asks Quentin to trust him. They review Trask's testimony together. 

Trask paces around his chapel when Barnabas comes to see him. He asks if Trask is wondering how he got out. Trask says he used Quentin's sorcery, and that he should be dead. Barnabas says that maybe he is dead, and now he's back to haunt him forever. Barnabas says that he has every intention of doing something to him in revenge for what he did — but not now. He tells him that he'll see him in court in the morning.

Dawson is pacing in the courtroom when Trask arrives. He asks him what's wrong. Trask says he won't appear on the stand. He refuses to be cross-examined. Dawson says his entire testimony will be tossed out. He asks Trask what he's frightened of. He says he will face Barnabas whether he likes it or not.

Barnabas comes to see Flora. She says they were so worried. She tells him they arrested Desmond for witchcraft. Barnabas says he plans to help Desmond as well as Quentin. He says when he proves Quentin's innocence, it will provide Desmond's as well. Barnabas asks her if Desmond told her he brought the severed head for Quentin. She says he did. Barnabas asks if it disappeared before Quentin got it. She says that as far as she knows, yes. He asks her who else saw the head. Flora says Leticia testified that she did. Barnabas points out that Gerard could have seen it, too. He says he suspects he's involved. He asks how Gerard and Trask became friends. She says they became friends the night they were discussing Trask's father's disappearance. Barnabas asks him to tell her everything about that night in as much detail as possible. 

The court is called to order. Trask is called to the stand for cross-examination. Barnabas asks if active participation in the occult tantamount to witchcraft. He agrees. Barnabas says he has to include himself. The judge asks for clarification. Barnabas asks Trask to tell the court if he participated in a seance to communicate with his dead father. Trask is silent. Trask says he's trying to brand him as a witch. The judge directs him to answer the question. Trask admits that he did. Barnabas asks if he was successful. Trask says they heard his father's voice warning them of evil. Barnabas asks if his participation means he's a witch. Trask says it does not. Barnabas agrees. And says the same is true of Quentin. The court agrees to remove references to seances and witchcraft from the record. 

Dawson says the prosecution has not claimed that a seance constitutes an act of witchcraft. He says a means other than a seance to contact the dead does constitute witchcraft. Dawson asks if Trask knows of other examples of Quentin's powers over the dead. Trask says he witnessed such an incident. Quentin wrote a letter to a dead woman, Joanna Mills. He says he saw the spirit appear and leave a written response. He says he took the letter the spirit left behind. Dawson produces the letter. He admits a self-portrait of Joanna created when she was in an asylum, and points out that the signature matches the letter. He then submits Joanna's death certificate. Barnabas objects. Dawson says Trask saw the spirit deliver the letter, and therefore he moves that the court make a decision. Barnabas says the defense hasn't even presented their case. The tribunal says they are ready to render a decision. They are interrupted by a woman dressed in black. She claims to be Joanna Mills.

Our thoughts: 

John: So much for Barnabas' arrival turning the tables! It looked like Trask was ready to break, but Dawson convinced him to take the stand, and before you know it, he's got the judges ready to render a judgment before the defense can even present their case!

 

Christine: I'm disappointed that we didn't get to see his amazing rescue by Angelique and Julia, and find out how he was revived so quickly after being near death.

 

John: Meanwhile, Barnabas plays his little game with Trask outside of the courtroom, but keeps his own imprisonment a secret so he can torture him? That may be great for Barnabas, but it's not doing any favors for Quentin!

 
Christine: Do you think he'll find a place for Lamar next to his dear old dad in his basement? It looks like the show's resident artist has been put to work again, providing a sketch of Joanna so the judges would have confirmation of her identity before she appeared. 

John: Well that's a horse of a different color. Do we think this Joanna is really alive? Or a dead woman appearing to testify on Quentin's behalf?

 

Christine: Of course it's Joanna! It's the oldest soap opera trope in the book! And of course we have the typical shocked faced zooms to bring a delightful end to our last full year on Dark Shadows. Happy New Year, everyone!

Dark Shadows Episode 1178 12/30/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Downstairs in the basement of Trask's Memorial Chapel, Trask calls to Barnabas. When he doesn't answer, Trask wonders if he's already dead. Barnabas confirms he's not dead yet. Trask tells him that he could go on living if he was a vampire. Barnabas tells him to go away and let him die in peace. 

Gerard visits Quentin, who says Desmond is no more guilty than he is. Gerard says he should try and postpone the trial to get a new attorney. Quentin asks if there's any news about Barnabas, and Gerard just says that he's vanished. 

Dawson reviews legal documents when Gerard comes to see him. Dawson says they need positive proof that Quentin is Zachery, and he says Gerard has it. He says they just need the head from Quentin's laboratory, and they're done. Gerard suggests that there must be another way. Gerard asks what he thinks they will do with the head when the trial is over. Dawson realizes that it would be destroyed. Trask comes in, and says if he were allowed to take the stand, the trial would soon be over. Dawson tells him that he can testify in the morning. Dawson excuses himself, and Gerard points out Trask isn't usually so cheerful. Trask tells him that Barnabas is dead. Gerard asks if he's sure, and how he knows. Trask says he can't say more. Gerard pushes him, but Trask tells him that his lips are sealed. 

Gerard asks for a postponement until legal representation can be found. Dawson objects, saying that extra time to practice witchcraft. The judge offers him three hours to find representation. Or they will appoints Silas Graham. Quentin says the man is incompetent, and he'd be better served to represent himself. The judge tells him that he has until 1pm. 

Gerard tells Quentin that three hours isn't enough time. He says he tried to find the right man for the case, but he couldn't find anyone. Quentin says if no one is willing to take his case, they must think he's guilty. Gerard tells him that he's not totally defenseless. He suggests that he defend himself. Quentin reminds him that he knows nothing of the law. 

Gerard tells Dawson that Quentin is all his. He says Quentin will be quite ineffectual in court, so it's time for Dawson to go in for the kill. 

The trial resumes at 1pm. Dawson asks Quentin will be representing him. Quentin says that much to his regret, he will have to speak for himself. Dawson says it's impossible that Quentin was unable to find anyone to represent him. He says the fact that only his cousin, who awaits his own trial for witchcraft, was willing to defend him makes a strong statement about the case against him. Quentin suggests that Dawson's statements should be stricken from the record, and his objection is sustained. They ask Quentin if he might find representation in the near future. Quentin says he's not at liberty to say. 

Dawson calls Trask to testify. After being sworn in, Dawson asks about Lorna Bell. Trask mentions how he last saw her alive, she mentioned planning to meet Quentin. He says when he next saw her, later that night, she was dead, and had the Devil's mark on her forehead. The same mark was on Quentin's ring. And also on Randall Drew's body. He says he found Quentin over Randall's dead body. He adds that Quentin's deceased father had a vision in which he saw Quentin murder Lorna. Quentin objects, but it is overruled. Trask says it was on Quentin's stairway into time. Dawson asks if Quentin has supernatural powers over time. Trask says he does not know. Dawson points out that the stairway is where Daniel saw the vision. 

Dawson asks about what happened on the Grimes property. Trask says his cattle were stricken by a spell cast by Quentin. Quentin objects. Trasks says Quentin threatened Grimes. Quentin says he didn't threaten Grimes, but he will threaten Trask. Dawson asks how Trask knows of the threat. Trask says Grimes told him. Quentin objects. Trask says he didn't hear the threat, but Grimes wouldn't lie to him. The judge says that Grimes can testify for himself, and Dawson assures the court that he will. The judge asks Quentin if he would like to cross-examine Trask. Quentin says it would be best handled by his council. He clarifies that he has found a man to handle his case, and he requests a recess while they await his arrival. Dawson objects. Quentin suggests that he deserved representation. Before any more can be argued, Barnabas walks in and says that they need not wait any longer.

Our thoughts: 

John: Where was Roxanne's ghost when Trask came to visit Barnabas? Do you supposed Julia and Angelique have been hanging out by Trask's chapel all day?

 

Christine: Julia and Angelique seemed determined to wait for a sign from Roxanne yesterday. Perhaps she finally found them, or they heard Trask taunting Barnabas, and broke down the wall when he left. 

 

John: How was Quentin supposed to find alternative representation in three hours — from within the jail cell? You'd be hard pressed to do that in 2020 with a smartphone at your disposal, and he's supposed to figure it out in 1840?

 
Christine: I love how the judge advised him not to make the decision to represent himself in haste and then followed up by saying he had until 1 o'clock. I hope we'll find out how Quentin knew that Barnabas was on the way to help him. 

John: Tomorrow should certainly be interesting! Considering how Barnabas was looking behind the brick wall just a few hours ago, I'd almost think that Angelique would have had to restore his vampire curse for him to suddenly appear so spry and chipper!

 

Christine: Yes, indeed! Let's hope for an exciting episode to conclude our last full year of the show!