Dark Shadows Episode 1245 4/2/71 - The Finale!

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Morgan goes to the room and unlocks the door. He steps inside holding a gun. The ghost of Brutus appears and says he shall not have them, they are his! 

In the secret room, next to the corpses, Bramwell tells Catherine that it's almost dawn. They embrace. He asks if they ended it. She says Brutus will try something else. Bramwell says that they have defeated him repeatedly, and can do so again. He asks if after this night, she has any doubt that they were meant to be together. He says he has money now, and they will leave Collinwood. 

Brutus appears before them, laughing about their plan, and calls to Amanda. He calls her to him. Bramwell tells him it's over. Brutus calls her and says that all he wants is Amanda's forgiveness. Catherine says yes and approaches him. She asks Brutus if he still loves her, and he says he never stopped loving her. He tells her to come to him and they will be together for all eternity. She tries to go to him, but Bramwell holds her back. Bramwell is mysteriously choked again, and Brutus laughs at him. Catherine comes out of her spell and Brutus says that he must die. They hear a rooster. Brutus tells her to come to him, and she says she ever will. She say s they will bury the bodies in holy ground, and Amanda will finally have peace. She tells him to go from this house and never return again. She says it's done. He asks if she refuses him, and when she says she will never come to him, he says she has won, and disappears.

She tells Bramwell the curse is over, and he says that it's because of their love. He says they must be meant for each other. She says she will leave with him today. She then realizes that Morgan will never let them go. They exit the secret room, and run into Morgan with his gun. He points out that Bramwell has ended the curse, and probably wants some sort of gratitude. He says he's not going to get it, or Catherine, and shoots him at point blank range. 

Catherine consoles Bramwell. She tells Morgan that if he kills Bramwell, he'll have to kill her, too. He picks her up, when Julia and Kendrick come in. Morgan threatens to shoot Catherine if they try to stop him. They run out, and Kendrick follows after them. Bramwell tells Julia that he'll be alright as she helps him out of the room. Kendrick returns and says he lost them. Bramwell tells him that they took a secret passage. Kendrick asks Julia to check on Melanie, and goes in search of Morgan. 

Flora tells Julia that she should be looking for Morgan. She says she could talk to him. Julia asks what she'd say. She says they need to check on Melanie. They go into the tower room and find her asleep. Flora wakes her. Her first words are, "Mama, did something happen to Kendrick?" Flora tells her that she's well now. She asks where Kendrick is, and they say he'll be there soon. She says she never should have married him, and they explain that Bramwell and Catherine stayed in the room, the curse is over, and so is she. She asks if they're okay, and Julia says they left the room sane. Melanie assumes Kendrick left her, and Julia offers to go get him. She asks her mother why he's not there, and she says he'll be happy to see her. She adds that her father would have loved to know that the curse was finally over. Flora says it will never be the same without Justin, without Gabriel, and with Morgan the way he is. Melanie asks her to tell her everything that has happened. 

Julia goes into the drawing room. Kendrick comes through the secret panel. Julia initially thought it was Morgan, but when she sees him, she tells Kendrick that Melanie is alright. He says he heard Catherine and Morgan, and Bramwell is upstairs searching. He goes upstairs to see Melanie.

Bramwell finds Catherine's handkerchief in the secret passages.

Melanie asks her mother if Morgan's madness is real, and not the result of the curse, and she says it is. Melanie says Catherine never intended to hurt Morgan. Kendrick comes in and hugs Melanie. He says he can't stay long. She tells him to be careful, and they kiss.

Morgan and Catherine end up on the roof of Collinwood. He says Bramwell will find them there, and calls to him. He tells Catherine to look down, and ask her to imagine falling to her death. He says her lover is coming. She screams for Bramwell not to come. When he comes out onto the roof, Morgan points out that he has come to watch Catherine die. Bramwell asks Morgan to let him take her place. Morgan says she is going to die first, and then he is going to die. Bramwell apologizes for turning Morgan into who he is now. Morgan says that this is the way it has got to be. Kendrick comes up from behind Morgan. Catherine runs free, and he Kendrick and Bramwell grapple before Morgan falls through the railing. 

Flora is despondent about Morgan. She says it's hard not to blame Catherine and Bramwell. Julia reminds her that they ended the curse. She then says they have to make arrangements for Morgan's funeral.

Melanie tells Kendrick that they can't leave yet. He assures her that Julia can take care of Flora. She agrees to leave with him. They kiss passionately.

Catherine and Bramwell also kiss passionately. He tells her that everything will be alright. She expresses guilt for being responsible for Morgan's death. He tells her that they will leave Collinwood, and they will forget everything that happened there. She says she won't forget — she says she will remember to follow her heart. They kiss again.

Flora tells Bramwell that the family has been split apart in troubled times, and suggests that perhaps now they should stay together if they possibly can. Kendrick comes in and asks if Melanie's ready. They say Harris is bringing her home from the cottage, where she was saying goodbye to Carrie. He tells Flora he appreciates her understanding when Harris and Stokes come in with an unconscious Melanie. He says that he found her lying in the woods. Stokes says she was attacked by a wild animal. They look at her neck — there are two bite marks. They all wonder what could have happened. Stokes says if he didn't know it wasn't possible, he says he'd swear there was a vampire at Collinwood!

We see Bramwell... and then transition to the repainted portrait of Barnabas Collins. Professor(?) Stokes provides a voice-over saying:

There was no vampire loose on the great estate. For the first time at Collinwood, the marks on the neck  were indeed those of an animal. Melanie soon recovered, and went to live in Boston with her beloved Kendrick. There they prospered and had three children. 

Bramwell and Catherine were soon married, and at Flora's insistence, stayed on at Collinwood, where Bramwell assumed control of the Collins' business interests. Their love became a living legend, and for as long as they lived, the Dark Shadows at Collinwood were but a memory of a distant past...

Our thoughts:  

John: You know what they say, sometimes you feel better after throwing up. I was kidding when I suggested that Bramwell and Catherine's love might end the curse. If anyone, I thought it would have been Kendrick and Melanie's love (considering they got their own little Robert Cobert love theme!). After 160 years of blustering about, it's sad to see Brutus fold his hand against this particular pair... But if you think about it, Brutus got both madness and death — in the form of Morgan Collins. So did he really lose? 

Christine: Brutus gave up too easily. It's almost as if he knew it was the last episode and that continuing the curse would be futile. 

                                                                                                                           

John: For the second time, at point-blank range, Morgan was incapable of dealing a lethal blow to Bramwell! And not only is it non-lethal, it's all but forgotten by the end of the episode!

 
Christine: I couldn't figure out why Catherine seemed to be laughing while being dragged off by Morgan. I suppose extreme stress can cause a person to laugh in inappropriate situations. Much like having the giggles during a funeral. 

 

John: I love how they wanted viewers to think that Melanie might be dead in bed this morning.

 

Christine: I love how Kendrick was flossing with Melanie's hair and then smooched it to try and be subtle about pulling it out of his mouth.

 

John: Back to the rooftop precipice from episode 1191, where Daniel made Gabriel (NOT of parallel time) fall to his death! I was kinda hoping Justin might appear to make it more like the last time... 

 

Christine: That was a very satisfying scene. Morgan's fall seemed entirely natural and Kendrick almost going over the edge with him lent some realism to the event. 

John: We can't bring Quentin back for one episode, but we can have Harris the servant show up for the first time ever? Come on!

 

Christine: Quentin was out because of appendicitis and was unable to return. Harris the servant was played by show writer, Gordon Russell, which seemed entirely appropriate. 

 

John: Well, that was something of a surprise to end on. I have to admit, I'm of mixed emotions. I love the fact that it basically ended with Melanie brought in with a vampire bite! And while I welcomed a denouement, they didn't need to so solidly deny the possibility of there being a vampire in parallel time. Worse yet, we are provided with summations on these, to be frank, throwaway parallel time characters. How nice it would have been for them to bring us back to 1971 one last time, and tells us what happened to the characters we actually cared about; those we came to know and love (and hate) over the past five years. 

 

Christine: It is disappointing that the principal characters were left mostly dead with an unresolved storyline, but to try and touch base with them in this final episode would have felt too rushed and may have done a disservice. While it is a little sickening that Catherine and Bramwell's love was legendary and banished the "dark shadows" from Collinwood, in a way it provides some resolution to Barnabas and Angelique's story. The nice thing is, we can go back and revisit those characters we knew from the beginning. I'm ready to start over again with the beginning episodes. How about you? 

 

THAT'S IT! IT'S ALL OVER! OR IS IT???

We've concluded our five year mission, but you haven't heard the last of us...

Dark Shadows Episode 1241 3/29/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Bramwell arrives at Collinwood and finds Kendrick in the drawing room. Bramwell says that after hearing his and Melanie's news he expected that he would be more cheerful. Kendrick tells him that there is never anything to be cheerful about in this house. He explains that the lottery was held again, and he's going in the room this time. Bramwell is surprised that they allowed him to participate in the lottery. Kendrick says he was anxious to be picked to go into the room. Bramwell asks him why he's going to do it. He says he's going to end the curse. Bramwell suggests that he not become a part of the Collins' madness. He suggests that he take Melanie away from Collinwood. Kendrick explains that Melanie had another attack, and she's locked in the tower room. He adds that he and Julia saw the ghost of Brutus Collins, who told them she would never be free of madness unless someone else went into the room. Bramwell points out that Melanie seems to have suffered the most of everyone in the house. He asks Kendrick if he thinks he can end the curse. He says he believes it. Bramwell tells him that the only way to end the curse is for the Collins family to destroy itself. 

Catherine walks in and is surprised to see Bramwell. Kendrick goes upstairs to see Melanie. Catherine closes the drawing room doors and asks Bramwell what he's doing there. He says he spent the day making Daphne's funeral arrangements, and came to tell them to the family. She tells him to tell her, and she'll pass them on to the family. She says if they are seen together, it will be difficult for her. He says he'll leave on the condition that she agrees to meet him tonight in the gazebo. She says it's not possible. He asks if Morgan is watching her that closely. He tells her he won't leave until she promises to meet him. She does, and when he turns to leave, he runs into Morgan. 

Morgan tells Catherine to leave the room. She tries to explain but he cuts her off. She leaves, and Morgan tells Bramwell that he can thank Catherine that he's still alive. Morgan tells Bramwell that he's responsible for Daphne's death. He says he would have shot Bramwell if Catherine hadn't stopped him. Bramwell suggests that Morgan doesn't care about Daphne; he's just concerned that her death makes Bramwell a free man. Morgan denies it. He tells Bramwell he wants him to leave, and threatens to throw him out. Julia stops them, and tells Morgan to leave the room. Bramwell tells him he had better listen to his aunt if he wants to live to fight another day. He begrudgingly leaves. Julia reminds Bramwell that she warned him that there would be trouble if he stayed in Collinwood. Bramwell explains that he came to tell them of Daphne's funeral arrangements. He says he'd like to see Flora. Julia says she doesn't want to be disturbed. 

Kendrick goes to the tower room. Melanie asks him what he wants. He realizes that she's still possessed. She threatens to kill him if he comes near her. She tells him to stop calling her Melanie. He tries to get her to listen to him. He asks if she knows what the lottery is, and she says she does. He tells her that it was held again tonight, and he was chosen to go in. He says he will go in and the curse will end, and then she will be cured. She says Brutus will never let it end. She says he'll die, because Brutus shows no mercy to anyone. She says she is his servant to help him get his revenge. She tells Kendrick that she will rejoice when he goes into the room and dies. He leaves the room as she laughs. 

Outside the room, Julia arrives with food. She asks whey he came. He says he thought there might be some hope, but admits that it didn't do any good. She says that Melanie will stay that way. Kendrick tells her that he's not like the rest of them. He says that he's not willing to sit back and accept his fate. He says he will control his destiny. Julia tells him that Catherine used to feel the same way. She says that the curse has always caught up with the people that have tried to run away. She reminds Kendrick that he's just as human as the rest of them, and he's at the same risk when he goes inside the room. 

Morgan is drinking when Kendrick comes downstairs. He offers him a drink, and Kendrick declines. He says it's not going into the room that bothers him, but the waiting. He decides to fix himself a drink. 

Catherine comes downstairs and is about to head out when Morgan sees her. She says that she's going to the old house to pay her last respect to Daphne on her own. She tells him she won't be long. He asks her if she's feeling alright, and she says she is, and leaves. 

Kendrick brings Morgan another drink, and he turns it down.

Bramwell is waiting in the gazebo when Catherine arrives. She tells him she's risking everything being there. She asks what he wants. He reminds her that Daphne wants them together. He says he heard she had another fainting spell this morning. She admits that it's true. He says it's because she's pregnant, and that's what he wants to talk to her about. She says she doesn't know what to do. He says it's their child, and they have to decide about its future — not realizing that Morgan is watching them from the shadows.

Our thoughts:  

John: With each episode in this home stretch, it seems less likely that both Morgan and Bramwell will be alive by the last episode on Friday. And all things being equal, I don't know that Morgan will be able to survive another duel with Bramwell — of wits or pistols.

 

Christine: The question is whether or not Morgan will kill Catherine as well. I don't expect he'll want to keep her around to raise Bramwell's kid.

                                                                                                                           

John: Something tells me that the entire Collins clan is not destined for a dreadful fate... though the only opportunity for happiness would seem to be Kendrick surviving the night in the locked room and Melanie reverting back to her normal self, so they could live happily ever after. I can't see a positive outcome for Catherine with either Bramwell or Morgan...

 
Christine: I can't understand what makes any of them think that holding the lottery and sending another lamb to slaughter in the locked room is going to appease Brutus in any way. I also fail to understand what Brutus is getting out of his relatives spending the night in the room. Does he just enjoy tormenting them while they are in there? Perhaps Kendrick will be the one to reveal the secret of what happens to the inhabitant locked inside. 

 

John: Glad to see that the writers didn't forget Catherine's pregnancy. I'll be surprised if Morgan doesn't come charging out of the bushes at Bramwell at the beginning of tomorrow's episode. He has not proven to be one to think things through before acting impulsively.

 

Christine: I don't think he will do that unless he came equipped with a pistol. I expect he will want to punish them both, one way or another. 

 

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

Only 4 more episodes to go...

Dark Shadows Episode 1239 3/25/71

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV 

Catherine arrives at the old house and finds Bramwell coming down the stairs. She says that Julia told her Daphne had taken a turn for the worse. He tells her that Daphne is dead. He says she died peacefully. Catherine asks why it couldn't be her, saying that she deserved it. She says that the two of them inflicted the will to die upon her. Bramwell tells her that Daphne had a final wish — that she wanted them to be together. Catherine tells him that he's making it worse. She goes up to see Daphne, alone. 

Julia is in the drawing room, agitated. Kendrick and Melanie return and tell her that they were just married. She doesn't say anything. She explains that Daphne took a sudden change for the worse, and she's waiting to get an update. She tells them that they should wait for an update. She then takes the time to congratulate them. She asks if they've made any plans to stay in Collinwood, and he says they plan to stay in Collinwood, at least temporarily. Catherine returns, and Julia asks about Daphne. Catherine tells them that she's dead. Melanie bursts into tears and runs upstairs.

Julia tries to console Catherine. She says that she didn't know Daphne well, but she did pray for her. Ju;ia says she's worried about how Morgan will react. She says he's been particularly bitter towards Bramwell since Daphne fell ill, and with her gone, he will likely see him as competition for Catherine's affection. Catherine says she wouldn't do that. Julia says she's not worried about what Catherine would do, but what Morgan would do. Catherine says she'll tell him to leave Bramwell alone, and runs upstairs to find him. 

Kendrick carries Melanie into their room. He puts her on the bed and kisses her. He acknowledges that she's still upset about Daphne. She laments that death and madness are all that they know in the house.

Bramwell sits staring into the fire. There's a knock at the door, which he ignores. Eventually, Julia lets herself in. He says he assumes she has come as the family spokesperson to offer their condolences. She says she has. He tells her that she's done her job, the ritual is over, and he bids her goodnight. He says he just wants to be left alone. She says she had another reason for coming. She says that after the funeral, it might be wise for him to leave Collinwood. He asks her to explain herself. She says she wants to avoid another incident like the duel. She says that if he stays, Morgan may try something foolish. Bramwell says that if Morgan tries anything, he doesn't stand a chance. He refuses to go. He tells her that no force on earth could drive him away. He says he has longed to return a rich man to see the rest of them rot in hell. He says he has one good reason for staying — Catherine. Julia points out that she's married, and he reminds her that as Daphne knew, there's only one man that can make Catherine happy.

Catherine tells Julia that when she told Morgan about Daphne, he was ready to go to the old house and confront Bramwell. She says she got him to give her his word that he would leave Bramwell alone. Julia says that she hopes Morgan keeps his word, and that Bramwell also stays away. Kendrick comes into the drawing room, and tells Julia he has second thoughts about staying in Collinwood. He says he will take Melanie away as soon as he possibly can.

As Melanie sleeps, the shutters swing open. She asks who's in the room, and hears laughter. She sees and recognizes the ghost of Brutus Collins. She asks why he came to her. He says his curse must be fulfilled. He tells her that she will help him. She begs him to leave her alone. He says that she will be the instrument of his revenge, and calls her Amanda. He says she must do as he tells her. 

Julia asks Kendrick to change his mind. He says he will if that's what Melanie wants, but adds that she must get out of the house. 

Kendrick returns to his room. He finds the bed empty, and Melanie gone. He calls to her. Julia comes upstairs and he tells her Melanie is missing. Melanie appears with a knife. She says she met him before, and he's not a Collins. She says her name is Amanda, and all in the house are destined to die. She attacks, but he's able to get the knife out of her hand. Julia says they must lock her in the tower room for her own safety.

Julia brings Kendrick a drink. She says now he knows why Melanie can never leave the house. He says he agrees, only until the curse is done and finished with. The chandelier starts to swing. He asks what's happening. They hear laughter, and he asks Julia who it is. She tells him it's the ghost of Brutus Collins. Brutus materializes and says that she will not be sane again, until another Collins enters the locked room.

 

Our thoughts:  

John: So do you think there's any chance of both Bramwell and Morgan both surviving through the end of next week? I'm anxious to see if Catherine's pregnancy is even mentioned again, or if that little detail is ignored for the remainder of the series.

 

Christine: Anything goes at this point. I had expected Bramwell to say something about it to Catherine as he was warming her to the idea of honoring Daphne's dying wish. 

                                                                                                                           

John: Boom! Melanie and Kendrick are now married, and living in Collinwood! And now they're moving out. And now she's possessed... It really does seem like they're trying to condense these storylines into the few remaining episodes.

 
Christine: What has Brutus provided his 'servants' to murder the family with? If it's an awl, it doesn't seem to be a very sharp one. And why has the spirit of Amanda decided to be a killer? You'd think she'd want to attack Brutus, if anyone.

 

John: Do they keep family member flashcards somewhere? How is everyone able to recognize Brutus' spirit right away? And I may have said it before, but folks seem awfully chill hanging around ghosts. And what's with Brutus continually moving the goal-post? He wants another family member to go into the room? Why not just require the whole family going into the room. I would say there's no way all of this is resolved within the next week, but as noted above, at the rate the writers are going, they might just manage to cram it all in...

 

Christine: Brutus is really unimaginative though. He's so stuck on the locked room. Where are the zombie pirates to tear the place down? Where are the reanimated dismembered parts of evil people flying through the air and attacking people? Why doesn't he have the corpses of James Forsythe and Amanda rise up to do his evil bidding for him? I have to say, he's a bit more frightening with chunks of his head missing. 

 

Don't you hate it when nobody tells you where the ghost is standing?

 

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

Just 6 more episodes to go...