Dark Shadows Episode 932 1/20/70

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Julia, Grant and Amanda go into a room where Julia says there's a portrait of Quentin by Charles Delaware Tate. Grant asks her if it looks like him. She says she hasn't seen it. She says the professor has removed a landscape painted over it. Julia asks him to look at the portrait. He agrees. Julia uncovers it, and upon seeing it, Amanda screams. She runs out of the room, leaving Quentin to look at it. It's of a withered, 100 year-old, sore-ridden Quentin Collins. Quentin turns away from it.

Outside, Olivia wonders if that's how Quentin would look if not for the portrait. She wonders if she too should look the same. She turns to go back to him and finds Mr. Best waiting for her. She says she still has five minutes, and Quentin may remember her. She asks him to let her go back to see if Quentin knows her.

Julia tells Quentin if the painting means nothing to him, he can look at it. He agrees to examine it more closely. He says he remembers the day the portrait was painted. He says the portrait is as he truly is. He's surprised she can still look at him. He calls her Julia, and says that's what he called her when they first met. He remembers Amanda, and then that Olivia is Amanda.

Mr. Best says she must come with him, and promises her that it shall not be unpleasant. She says she'll never see Quentin again, and he tells her she doesn't know that. She pleads for one moment with Quentin.

Julia asks if he still loves Amanda, and he says he always has. Julia says he must tell her, or she will die tonight. He runs outside.

Quentin calls for Amanda, and finds her handkerchief on the ground.

Mr. Best leads Amanda into his waiting room, and she asks him not to close the door. He says no one can leave by that door, they can only enter. He asks her if the place is pleasant, and she asks if this is what death is. He describes it as a passing through place, a hotel. He tells her he has others to meet, and she asks him not to leave her. He says it has been so long since anyone begged him to stay, but he must not fall prey to human emotions. He leaves through the door.

Amanda tries to get out the same door, but cannot open it. A bellboy appears with a key and says he can let her out. She takes the key, but it doesn't work in the lock. He says he's fooled a lot with that trick. He confirms she can't get out by that door. She asks if there's another way. He says there is.

She offers him a trinket, but he says it's of no value to him. He remembers her from 70 years ago. He says she was lucky to be let go back then. He says he's there to show her to her room. She cries as he tells her that he'll give her a nice room.

In Amanda's room, Quentin realizes that he'll never see her again. He asks Julia why she didn't tell him who she was. She asks if it would have helped, since he didn't know who he was. He tells Julia that Amanda asked him if he loved her, and realizes that if he had said yes, it might have saved her. Julia tells him that he has to start thinking about... when he interrupts her and tells her to leave him alone. Quentin takes a letter opener to his throat and says he will be with her again when Mr. Best enters and tells him to stop. He explains that while it was Amanda's time, it's not his. Quentin goes to attack him, but is unable to. Mr. Best says he is impervious to attack. He's surprised to find that Quentin loves her. Quentin asks him to make a wager with him for her life. Best tells him he knows that he's alive thanks to Count Petofi. He asks Quentin if he would stay with Amanda. Quentin says he would, and asks Best if he'll do it.

Best returns to his 'hotel' with Quentin. Quentin asks if he'll have to stay there forever, and Best says only if he can't get out. Best leads him to a door. Quentin opens it. Thunder and lightning flashes. Best tells him that the door is the way out. He says it's seldom used, but every now and then he gives someone who impresses him a chance to escape. He says it takes courage and cunning. Quentin asks what's out there—if it's a trap. Best says it's many traps, and asks him if he wants to try. Quentin says yes, with Amanda.

Best tells him that if they touch each other, she will be lost to him forever. If they both reach the outside world, they will be together for eternity. He adds that if he loses his way, he will be lost, too. He offers Quentin candles, and bids him good luck. Quentin picks up the candles and goes to the door. He opens it, and Olivia appears behind him. She reaches out to touch his shoulder.

Our thoughts

John: I was pleased to be right about the portrait, but it's probably more telling about the writers' lack of imagination then any grand insight I have. That said, even I wasn't expecting quite so derivative of the portrait from the 1945 film The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Christine: It could have been a lack of imagination on the part of the writers, but I prefer to consider it a tribute to an enduring tale and a great movie moment.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

John: It seemed to me that Death's Bellhop showed up on set of the wrong show. What was with that accent? It was telling that his credit was presented on a blank background cut into the credits over the set we're used to...

Christine: I think it was trying to be a cockney accent, and I'm still trying to work out why Death has a bellboy to begin with. The fact that he got an afterthought end title rates him higher than some other folks who have appeared without any credit at all. We will be seeing this lad again later this summer.

John: Ah, Mr. Best is a sporting man. That always makes for good drama. But couldn't they have done a bit more to setup what it was Quentin would need to do to 'escape' his hotel? This is even more frustrating than the lack of a visible Leviathan creature. Though it would be funny if tomorrow's episode starts with Amanda touching Quentin's shoulder and being whisked away into the abyss... Looking forward to seeing that one, since it's my official birthday episode of Dark Shadows!

Christine: Once again, we are expected to employ our imaginations to make up for the lack of detail provided. Hopefully you'll get something exciting in the episode that aired the day you were born. Since the leap year has still got us out of sync, we'll have to wish you a Happy Birthday today!

Dark Shadows Episode 923 1/7/70

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There's a knock at Amanda's door. She opens it, and it's the man from the bridge. He calls her Amanda and tells her that he hopes that she's ready. She tries to close the door but he forces his way in.

She tells him that he can't take her right now. He points out that she's had a long and glamorous life. She says she knows he's death, and tells him that he's found Quentin. He reminds her that if she found Quentin and he shared her love, they would be happy forever. She points out that he lost his memory. He asks her if she's making this up. She assures him that she is not. He points out that Quentin doesn't know her. She demands to know when she is going to die. He asks if she's sure she wants to know. He opens his pocket watch. He tells her he drove the beast in the woods away from her, as it wasn't her time. He tells her she has four minutes. She runs next door and pounds on the door to Quentin's room. The man says she can hope he returns, remembering.

Julia flips through Collins family photo albums, noticing that all pictures of Quentin have been removed.

The man watches his stopwatch. Amanda hears someone coming, but it's not Quentin. The man asks how much more time she wants. He considers what it would be like to be the man she was waiting for. She asks for more time, and he tells her she has seven days for Quentin to profess his love for her.

Sabrina arrives at Collinwood. Carolyn is surprised to see her. She asks what she's doing there. Sabrina tells her that she must come with her. Carolyn says she's going to call the rest home. Sabrina asks her to please come with her, and Carolyn agrees, under the condition that Sabrina does what she says later. The two leave together.

Julia assures Amanda they can make Quentin's memory return in seven days. She leaves, saying she's going to get the one thing that will make Quentin remember.

Sabrina and Carolyn arrive at Tate's house. Carolyn doesn't know where they are. Sabrina lets them in, and Carolyn asks who lives there, and why she brought her there. Sabrina says a man was murdered in this room tonight. Carolyn asks who. Sabrina says it was a painter named Monroe. Carolyn asks why they came there. She hears a wolf howling and is frightened. They hear a door open.

Julia Hoffman enters, and is surprised to see Carolyn. Sabrina says Julia is there because she knows. She says Julia is helping hide him. She demands that Julia tell Carolyn, and Julia slaps her. Carolyn helps her out of the room. Julia tells Carolyn to take her to Collinwood and call the rest home to come and collect her. She goes through the desk and finds several papers. She finds numerous letters Harrison Monroe sent to galleries looking for a specific large Tate canvas.

Carolyn reminds Sabrina that the last time she spoke, she warned her that Chris would kill her. She asks if Chris killed the man tonight. She says, "not Chris." Carolyn confirms that she doesn't love Chris, and Sabrina admits that she does.

Julia shows Amanda a receipt for the Tate canvas that she is sure has Quentin's portrait underneath. She says it was purchased by Sky Rumson, and that she's going to see him at his summer house in Maine.

Rumson is on the phone making arrangements for a plane and helicopter trip to Washington. Julia thanks him for letting her intrude. She says she's there to see him about his Tate painting. She asks if she can see it. He shows it to her. Julia realizes that it's the right size, but doesn't know how to determine if there's anything underneath it. Julia asks if she can borrow it. Rumson says she can ask his wife, who will be arriving shortly.

He brings Julia to a portrait of her. Julia is shocked to see the portrait of Rumson's wife, who he tells her is named Angelique.

Our thoughts

John: I'm a little bit disappointed in Death. It would be one thing if he let Amanda live in order to date her (he did drop a hint of interest, which she seemed to overlook), but he gave up seven more days without so much as her begging for them...

Christine: Apparently, Death is an easygoing, hopeless romantic. Except for when it comes to Josette and Barnabas. I can't help but wonder what Quentin's missing photos look like, and why Quentin was being photographed by himself on Christmas Eve and at the picnic. Where were Carl, Judith and Edward?

John: It's a bit strange for Sabrina just to show up at Collinwood. I wonder where she got her special gift of knowing about the werewolf's victims...

Christine: I couldn't help cheering when Julia slapped her in the face to stop her caterwauling. She is a bit of an annoying character. Maybe she had special knowledge about Tate because she has a brother who has an uncanny resemblance to the late artist.

John: What the hell? Angelique—going by Angelique—has been married to some rich publisher? And has control of Quentin's portrait? I guess we can assume she's been stalking Quentin and Amanda through the ages...

Christine: The fact that he's got her magic portrait hanging would indicate that the witch is back in town! Did he think she was posing for a Renaissance Fair portrait? Who celebrates their 6 month anniversary anyway? Perhaps that's a long time to be committed for playboy publisher, Skylar Rumson. Can't wait to get to know more about this jet setting couple!

How did this interesting sculpture get slipped into the set design at Old Man Tate's place? Risqué!

Dark Shadows Episode 922 1/6/70

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Old man Tate is trapped in his house with the werewolf. The werewolf scratches at the portrait Tate painted and knocks it down.

Grant arrives back at Tate's in time to hear him screaming. He enters and finds Tate lying lying on the floor, bloody. The werewolf appears and attacks him. Grant punches the wolf, and then grabs a silver candlestick, which scares the werewolf away. He checks on Tate, and asks him where Chris Jennings is.

Tate calls him Quentin, and suggests that he should know what's going on. Grant asks when the creature came, and Tate says it was a long time ago. Grant tells him to lie still while he goes to call a doctor. Tate tells him that he saved him, and asks Quentin to save him.

Olivia agrees that her handwriting looks like her grandmother's. Julia tells her that an expert is sure they're the same. Julia asks her for details where her grandmother is buried. The phone rings. It's Grant, asking to speak to Julia. She tells him she'll be right there. Olivia says she'll go with her, and Julia says that's a good idea. She says they're going to see a man named Harrison Monroe.

Tate tells Grant that he'll die soon. He says he can see death over his shoulder.

Julia arrives with Olivia. She tells Grant to stay with Olivia, and whispers in his ear. She goes in to check on Tate.

She asks him where the portrait of Quentin is. He tells her it's destroyed. She says it can't be, since Quentin didn't change to a werewolf. He says he'll tell her in exchange for life. She says she can't give him that, but she can offer something else he wants. Julia invites Olivia into the room. She asks her to call the man by his first name, Charles.

She approaches the bloody mess, and he calls her Amanda, saying she has come back. He says he knew she would someday. She asks Julia who he is, and she says it's Charles Delaware Tate. She tells Tate that she brought him Amanda, and asks him where the portrait of Quentin is. He keels over. She tells Grant to call the police. Olivia asks why she brought her there, and Julia tells her that she wanted her to see Tate. She points out that her crying over Tate's death confirms that she is Amanda Harris. She tells Julia that death frightens her. She leaves.

The werewolf stalks the woods as Amanda leaves Tate's house. He jumps down in front of her, but does not attack her.

Grant tells Julia that the creature attacked him, but fled when he luckily picked up the silver candlestick. Julia assures him that Quentin knew what to do to protect himself from a werewolf. Grant says that he and Chris are both lucky. Julia asks about Chris, and Grant says he escaped, too.

Olivia returns to her room, distraught. She speaks to Quentin and says she was frightened. She asks when the darkness will lift, not realizing that Julia snuck into the room. She says that she knew she was Amanda Harris. She asks Julia if she knows her, why doesn't Quentin? Amanda says that Quentin came to her and said they had to say goodbye. She says she begged him to give her another chance, hoping she could change his mind.

In a flashback, Quentin tells her there's no point in waiting for him. She asks him what's the matter. He says that if it took him 20 years, she would be older, but he would be the same. He gives her a locket to remember him by. She cries and tells him she'll always remember him. He leaves her, crying on a bridge.

A man approaches her and she tells him to stay back or she'll jump. The man tells her that she's beautiful, and other men will love her. He then says he can give her a chance, but she jumps off the bridge.

She tells Julia that when she came to, she was in a hotel lobby.

Her flashback continues. The man from the bridge appears and asks her if she remembers him. She asks where she is, and he says it's the, "stopping off place." She asks why she only sees him, while she hears others. He says the others have come and gone, leaving only memories behind. He says he offered her a chance, and is offering it again. He says she was meant to live a long, natural life. He says he's going to give her the rest of it. He explains that he's an incurable romantic, and her love for Quentin touched his heart. He offers her the rest of her life to find Quentin.

She thanks him, and says he'll have to give the chance to someone else. She says Quentin left him because he will never grow old. He tells her he's going to break the rules, and let her stay young for the rest of her life. He adds that if she finds Quentin and convinces him to be with her before her time is up, the will be together forever. He asks how he'll know when her time is up. He says he'll come to her when it's her time to die.

Olivia says the next thing she knows, she woke up on the bridge. As the years passed, she didn't grow old. And now that she's found Quentin, he doesn't know her. Julia says there must be a way. She says Grant behaved as Quentin would. If they can find more realities like that, they may be able to get Quentin back. She tells Olivia she mustn't give up, and leaves for Collinwood. Olivia tells herself she mustn't give up, when there's a knock at the door. She opens it, and it's the man from the bridge. He tells her that he waited for her guest to leave, and hopes that she's ready.

Our thoughts

John: Look who's here! Death takes a holiday in Collinsport! Sure, it's completely out of left field in the middle of the Leviathan storyline, but still pretty cool. But should he have shown up at Tate's place first? The guy's asleep at the wheel.

Christine: Maybe he decided to show up at Amanda's place since he was already in town for Tate. He must get a lot of business in Collinsport.

John: I do have to say, I like the bloody version of Tate's ridiculous old-age makeup. It goes well with the afghan. Yes, our good friend the afghan, with almost as many appearances as the other cast members. It's either the most popular style (or only style) sold in Collinsport. I wish we had created an afghan label when we started... That would be an interesting screening option—just the afghan episodes...

Christine: Well, we certainly can do better than a simple label here at Dark Shadows Before I Die. You can now find a page that lists all the episodes Maggie's afghan has appeared in housed under "Historical Collections" on the sidebar to the right. Be aware that it's a work in progress as I continue to scour posts and screenshots for all the times it has appeared, and will be updating the page with more photos.

John: Why would Amanda cry for Tate? Wasn't she happy to have gotten rid of that creepy stalker 100 years ago? And why didn't the werewolf attack her? Did her fur coat confuse him? Or was he afraid she'd swing at him and knock him down with the wind like Quentin—I mean Grant—did earlier?

Christine: Maybe she was hoping Tate could somehow help Quentin to regain his memory so they could resume their love affair before Death came a-knocking at her door, and she was disappointed he died before that could happen. It looked to me like the werewolf was put off by her coat, since he recoiled when she turned her furry back to him. Fur may be in fashion as a result this season in Collinsport, just as scarves were all the rage when Barnabas was the monster du jour.