Dark Shadows Episode 425 - 2/9/68

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Ben prepares matching coffins for Barnabas and Josette. Barnabas checks in on him, and asks what's taking him so long. He explains he needs two coffins that night when he leaves Collinwood. He explains that the other coffin is for Josette. Ben reminds Barnabas that he promised to leave Josette alone. Barnabas tells him they love one another. Ben asks if he's told her about the coffins, and Barnabas insists it's what she wants. He says he won't be a party to harming Josette. Barnabas reminds him that he is his servant. Ben says he can't make him, and while Barnabas agrees, he tells Ben he can kill him right now, and clutches his throat.

Ben reluctantly agrees to help. Barnabas tells him to have a closed coach ready to take them away that night. After Barnabas leaves, Ben decides that he'll tell the Countess, so she can take Josette away before it's too late. He tries to leave, but the door is locked. Angelique's floating head appears and tells him that he will not interfere in Barnabas' plans. She says she would not allow them to be together in life, and she will similarly not allow them to be together in death.

The Countess asks Josette how she's feeling. Josette tells her that she's relaxed. The Countess says there's little chance of the prophecy coming true. She says that in two hours it will be midnight, after which she should be safe. She asks Josette about last night. Josette assures her that there was no one with her. The Countess then asks why she went to the old house, and why she was calling for Barnabas when Joshua and Nathan found her. Josette realizes that her ring is missing, and the Countess remembers the significance of her losing the ring that Vicki had mentioned.

Josette gets up to go and search the old house for her ring. The Countess tells her she can go after midnight. Josette says she must have the ring when she sees Barnabas. They struggle and they knock over a lamp. The Countess says the sound of breaking glass was part of the prophecy. The door swings open. When they cannot close it, the Countess goes to find Riggs. The door then slams shut behind her. In her room, Josette hears her music box playing. She hears Barnabas' voice asking her if she's ready to leave.

She tells him she lost the ring and his disembodied voice tells her that he has it. His voice tells her to come to him on Widows' Hill. She leaves through the secret panel, and we hear Angelique's evil laugh.

Barnabas inspects the coffins Ben has prepared, and asks him to bring the coach around. He leaves, and Barnabas hears Josette's voice. She calls for him to come to her on Widows' Hill. He is sure he's hearing Angelique's voice. He calls out to Josette not to go to Widows' Hill, and not to let Angelique trick her.

Riggs helps the Countess break into Josette's empty room. He suggests that she must have left through the secret passage. The Countess realizes she's gone towards Widows' Hill.

Josette makes her way through the woods to Widows' Hill. She tells Barnabas she's there for him. She hears Angelique's voice say that he'll be there soon. Angelique tells her she's come to warn her. She explains that Barnabas is evil, and that she must not go with him. She says that he's planning to kill her, and then bring her back to life, but not as the beautiful creature she is now, but as a bloodthirsty monster. She tells Josette to look over  the cliff to see what she'll become. Josette looks out over the cliff and sees herself as an undead creature. She opens her mouth, baring fangs with blood trickling down her chin.

Barnabas arrives, and Josette tells him to stay away from her. She says she'll die before she becomes like him. He grabs her but she turns and throws herself off of the cliff. Angelique's cackling laugh fills the night.

Our thoughts

John: As excited as he was about Ben's craftsmanship, I don't think those coffins are big enough—at least not big enough for Barnabas.

Christine: Those were travel sized coffins. You can't expect them to be roomy and luxurious like the monolith housed in the secret room of the mausoleum.

John: Considering how they went to great lengths to add the detail about Josette losing the ring to the Collins family history, it sure seems like it turned out to be a Maguffin.

Christine: The ring will surely find its way back to Barnabas. The image of vampire Josette was one of the scariest I've seen on Dark Shadows thus far. I don't know why her shoulder is bleeding and her hair is blowing, but it doesn't matter because it's creeptastic.

John: So much for her professed love for Barnabas. She was still going on about that after he had snacked on her neck! And what changed her mind? A jealous competitor for his affections, of all things! Women!

Christine: You forget that Angelique cursed anyone who loved Barnabas to die. It didn't make sense that Josette would suddenly change her mind once she saw that she wouldn't make a cute vampire, but Angelique's powers are limitless, and I think it was her witchy influence that changed Josette's mind.

Dark Shadows Episode 423 - 2/7/68

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Joshua returns to the house, looking distraught. The Countess finds him in the drawing room and asks him to tell Josette she needs to leave Collinwood. Joshua tells the Countess that he went to where they laid Barnabas to rest. He doesn't know how the ring they buried him with is in Josette's possession. He tells her that he opened Barnabas' coffin, and it was empty. She says she doesn't understand. He says that someone must have robbed his grave. He says that only two servants knew where they buried him, as well as Ben Stokes. The Countess says that still doesn't explain how Josette ended up with the ring. Miss Forbes interrupts them, and asks if his niece was alright. She says that she heard Josette, who sounded distressed, calling several times for Baranabas.

Joshua has Riggs unlock the door to Josette's room. He and the Countess enter, and they find Josette is gone. Joshua tells Riggs to round up a search party. The Countess asks how she could have gotten out of the room, and he shows her the secret panel. Joshua says only two others knew about the passage, and they are both dead; Jeremiah and Barnabas.

There's a knock at the front door, and Suki Forbes answers it. It's Nathan. She invites him in. They go into the drawing room, and he once again asks her how much she wants. She tells him $5000 in gold. He tells her he doesn't have it, and she says she won't accept any less. She tells him if he refuses, she'll show Millicent her marriage license. He tells her that if she does, she'll get nothing from him. The Countess bursts in and asks for Nathan's help in searching for Josette. After she leaves, Nathan tells Suki to go to the old house, and says that he'll meet her there to discuss her terms for leaving. After she leaves, Joshua comes in and asks him to go into town and ask the constable to arrange a search party for Josette.

Suki goes to the old house and lets herself in. Inside, she is confronted by Barnabas. He asks who she is, and what she wants. She tells him her name, and explains she's Nathan's sister. She says that Nathan arranged to meet her at the old house. Barnabas says he knows she is wife, not his sister. He asks why she is at Collinwood pretending to be someone she is not. He tells her that if she wants to live, she must leave Collinwood immediately, and never tell anyone what she has seen. She tells him that she knows exactly who he is: Barnabas. Just like she saw in the portrait. She notices Josette's coat, and when she looks up, Barnabas is gone. She decides to leave, and outside she is approached by a giant bat. She goes back inside and closes the door behind her. The bat enters the house, and turns into Barnabas. He grabs her throat and she screams.

Outside, Nathan hears her screams.

Barnabas lets Suki's body fall to the ground. Nathan bursts in to find Suki on the ground. He asks who was responsible, and before collapsing, she says Barnabas.

Our thoughts

John: Thank you Joshua, for the explanation on the secret panels in Collinwood!

Christine: It's about time! He said they were built as a safeguard during the war, but I think Joshua was sneaking mistresses into Collinwood.

John: Surprisingly, Barnabas didn't put the bite on Suki. One must wonder if he was doing her a favor in that he knew she was Nathan's wife.

Christine: Maybe he just wasn't hungry. I'm not sure I understand how she was able to speak Barnabas' name after being strangled to death.

John:  Nice transition from the (bad) bat to Barnabas. Almost passing for an onscreen transformation. Almost.

Christine: It was a nice effect, though I couldn't figure out why he decided to transform into a bat and fly around willy-nilly in the first place. Why didn't he just take care of her when she confirmed who he was, instead of flapping around outside while she proceeded to narrate her own fearful predicament? Barnabas is developing showmanship.

Dark Shadows Episode 422 - 2/6/68

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The Countess tells Josette she's concerned because she has been acting so strangely. She then sees the ring on Josette's finger, and implores her to tell her where she got it. She says she knows Josette will lose the ring, and then she will die. She says that Vicki had predicted it. She asks where she got it and Josette says she's always had it. The Countess said they inventoried her jewelry while preparing to leave Collinwood and she didn't have it. The Countess says Josette seems destined not to save herself. She explains that Barnabas is dead, and will never return. Josette explains that she's not grieving, and nothing will make her leave. She will live the remainder of her life in Collinwood. Josette dismisses the Countess, who leaves her alone in her room.

The Countess comes downstairs and looks at the portrait of Barnabas. She wishes he could help her persuade Josette to leave Collinwood and save herself. She then notices the ring on Barnabas' finger in the portrait. She touches it, and Joshua appears, pointing out the portrait is several months old.

She asks about the ring and Joshua says Barnabas planned to give the ring to his wife. He starts to say something about it, but stops. She asks him if the ring was one of a kind. Josette comes downstairs and says she wants to get some night air. She faints, and as Joshua attends to Josette, he notices she's wearing Barnabas' ring. He can't believe it. The Countess says that it would make sense that he gave it to her, and Joshua explains that Barnabas was buried with it.

The Countess explains to Riggs that no one is to come or go from Josette's room.

Josette tries to leave her room but the door is locked.

Joshua prepares to leave, and the Countess says she thought he'd want to speak to Josette once she's feeling better. He explains that he'll do that, but now he must go out.

Josette is trapped in her room. She realizes she must go to Barnabas. She calls out for the others, saying she can't open her door. Riggs explains that he's under orders not to let her out. She remembers the secret panel, but doesn't know how to open it. She demands that Riggs open the door, but he does not. Barnabas appears through the secret passage. She asks if he's come to take her with him, and he says yes. She says she wants to go with him. He escorts her back through the secret panel.

Joshua enters the family crypt. He knows he placed the ring on Barnabas' finger himself. He wonders who would defile the dead. He opens the door to the secret room, where Barnabas' coffin sits. Joshua thinks he didn't give Barnabas love, but he gave him peace. And if someone has disturbed his body, he will get his revenge. He lifts the lid on the coffin, finding it empty.

Our thoughts

John: Look what showed up today—the portrait of Barnabas! I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. They needed to establish the ring's origin for the Countess.

Christine: Will we see Jeremiah's portrait over the mantle in the drawing room next? Joshua was unusually jocular in his conversation with the Countess. Favorite dialogue of the day:

Natalie: May I ask one question?
Joshua: I've never discovered the means to prevent you, dear Countess. 

John: I was wondering why Josette didn't just sneak out via the secret passage. You'd think Barnabas would have told her how to use it... Of course, Joshua should have blocked the passage to be safe. Oh well!

Christine: It was reasonable for him to expect her not to know about it. Again, what were the secret passages designed for? And where is Riggs with the medicinal booze when you need him? Second favorite dialogue of the day:

Joshua: Riggs, bring some brandy and quickly! Riggs! Confounded! Where is that brandy?!

John: Joshua is not at all surprised by the lit candles in the crypt? How many minutes into tomorrow's episode until he blames Ben for stealing Barnabas' corpse?

Christine: I am surprised Joshua admitted that he never gave Barnabas love. It gives us insight into Barnabas' obsession with the one person who chose to love him.

John: Additions to our 1795 scorecard:

Present Day/1795

• Barnabas' Portrait/Barnabas' Portrait

Christine: Is the scorecard referring to the present day portrait of Barnabas that Sam Evans painted, or are you comparing the same portrait that still hangs at Collinwood in the present day? If it is the latter, then I must insist you go back and add Elizabeth's earrings/Naomi's earrings, as well as Maggie's afghan/Governess' afghan to the 1795 scorecard in Episode 367 for the sake of consistency.

Dark Shadows Episode 383 - 12/13/67

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Jeremiah and Josette kiss. She points out the matching marks on their hands.

They discuss how they do not regret the two and a half days since the ceremony in which they were married. She asks if they can go back, and he says they can whenever they'd like. She says they'll stay in this room forever. He asks if she's afraid of leaving. She says she is. She says they can't be the same anywhere else. If they return to their ordinary lives, they'll miss their homes.

While Jeremiah sleeps, Josette stares into the fireplace. She hears her father's voice, disappointed in her for leaving them all. She then hears Barnabas saying that she told him she loved him.

Jeremiah wakes up and she tells him they must return to Collinwood. She realizes she's let her family down.He tells her  that they knew if they had told anyone, they would have talked them out of it. He reaches for her and she tells him not to touch her. He asks her what's wrong. She demands that he taker her back, now, in the middle of the night. She tells him to get a carriage. He suggests it's just a mood. She says she realized the unhappiness she caused. She says they have no right to be happy. She asks him if he really loves her. He says yes, and she says that he has to go down and get them a carriage. He goes to kiss her hand, and she notices the mark is missing from her hand.

Barnabas comes downstairs, looking forlorn. André enters, and Barnabas tells him that Josette will return just as his father did. André asks if Jeremiah will. He says what if they ran away together. Even Barnabas had such a vision. André ensures Barnabas that Josette loved him. He says something he doesn't understand has happened. Joshua walks in and says he is right. He says that Jeremiah and Josette are the victims of witchcraft. He says that his sister and André's sister have discovered concrete evidence in Miss Winters' room. He says Reverend Trask is on his way from Salem. Barnabas tells his father to stop the man from coming here, and he will protect Miss Winters if he has to. His father tells him that doing so will make him an enemy as well.

Riggs is cleaning the mantle when Jeremiah arrives. He asks where everyone is, and asks him to fetch his brother. He also asks about Barnabas, who Riggs says is at the shipyard. Riggs leaves and Jeremiah notices the mark missing from his hand. Josette enters, and he says he told her to wait in the carriage. He says no one is there, and he has sent for Joshua. She seems distraught, and he says that she wanted to come back and face them, so that's what they are going to do. He says she shouldn't be involved in what's going to happen. She says it wasn't worth it. She says they feel no love for one another. He seems to disagree with her sentiment, and says they should be kind to one another. Josette starts to leave when her father enters. Joshua follows, and points out the prodigal has returned. He asks Jeremiah what he has to say for himself.

He tells them that they are married. André says that Jeremiah promised he'd stay away from his daughter. Jeremiah says they have no explanation. They understand they are not welcome, and will be at the Inn in the village. Joshua says they are married, and he will stay in Collinwood. Barnabas enters and is pleased to see Josette. Joshua explains that they are married. He refuses to believe it, and asks Josette to tell him herself. She says she is married. He asks her why, and says he was wrong about her. He asks Jeremiah how he could steal her from him. He says he thought he loved her. Barnabas asks if he loves her now. Jeremiah explains they couldn't fight it. Barnabas tells Jeremiah that he will fight him, and slaps him across the face with his glove.

Josette cries out. Barnabas tells him to choose the weapon. Josette asks him not to do it, and he tells her that she lost that right. Joshua says there will be no duel. Barnabas says you cannot stop a duel by words—they will fight.

Our thoughts
                                                               
John: Maggie's bedspread has now followed Jeremiah and Josette to their marital bed. Forget the witches and vampires—that's the supernatural thing in this show that I fear the most...

Christine: I still maintain that the portrait of Isaac Collins is the most supernaturally charged object on the show, though the quilt is a close second. I do hope his portrait will appear at the Great House once it's finished. 

John: So do you think Ben had the day off, and that's why they needed a new servant in Collinwood? Too bad that Riggs missed out on all the excitement in the house.

Christine: Barnabas and Jeremiah will need seconds for their duel. Ben wouldn't be able to cover both, so I suspect Riggs has arrived to back up Jeremiah, when the time comes.

John: Nice bitch slap, Barnabas! Taking the glove right from Jeremiah's hand! How will poor Vicki live with having lost her flashback love interest—if not to Josette, to Barnabas!

Christine: Vicki has got a date with Reverend Trask, so she may have no time to mourn another loss. Incidentally, someone in costume design really needs to address the wardrobe malfunction of 1795 trousers.