Episode 122 - 12/13/66

Vicki remains trapped in the secret room of the old house while Matthew tells David that he won't go to jail for helping him. David asks when Mathew plans to leave. He says he'll leave that night if the sheriff's men are gone. David leaves, and Matthew returns to the secret room. He threatens to break Vicki's neck for trying to get David's attention. Vicki tells Matthew that he had better leave before David tells what he knows, now that he's afraid of going to jail.

Carolyn calls Burke. He asks if she has news about Vicki. She says she didn't call to talk about Vicki - she called to talk about what's going on in Collinwood. Her family says she can't see him anymore. Burke asks if they can talk another time, and Carolyn hangs up, depressed. David walks in and asks about his aunt and father. She says they're resting. David asks Carolyn if she thinks Matthew would hurt Vicki. Carolyn tells him if Matthew got a hold of Vicki, they probably won't ever see her alive.

Burke tries to reach Blair unsuccessfully. There's a knock at his door; it's David. David asks Burke if he thinks his father killed the man 10 years ago. He says if his father killed once, he could have killed again - Bill Malloy. And he could also have tried to kill Vicki. He asks if Matthew might be innocent. David asks Burke to tell him that his father killed Bill Malloy. He's interrupted when Blair calls. He tells Blair to hire someone to come and search for Vicki. When he hangs up, he sees that David has left.

Matthew is falling asleep. He ties a gag around Vicki's mouth so he can lie down and go to sleep. A voice calls out to Matthew. He lurches up. He asks Vicki where the voices are coming from, and she says she didn't hear anything.

The portrait of Josette Collins begins to glow again.

Vicki tells Matthew he must have been dreaming. He leaves the secret room to look around. He hears the voice calling to him. The voice identifies herself as Josette Collins. Matthew sees the painting glow and runs back into the secret room and shuts the door. He unties Vicki and brings her out of the room to see Josette's portrait. He says the picture lit up, but Vicki doesn't see it. Matthew thinks he's going crazy. Vicki tells him he was half asleep, and he must have dreamed it all.

Our thoughts

John: Carolyn wasn't thrilled that the first thing Burke asked about was Vicki.

Christine: Or that he cut their phone call short and didn't give her much time or attention.

John: Matthew is looking particularly creepy in this episode. I think in part that they wanted him to look run down and tired; but the resulting make-up almost makes him look ghoulish.

Christine: Vicki is not much of a fighter. Matthew is exhausted and disoriented from hearing ghosts talk to him. He had his back to her when he brought her into the main room to see the ghost lights. It was the perfect opportunity to knock him over and run for her life, and she missed it. Let's hope Josette takes pity on her and gives her a chance to finally get free.

John: Josette speaks! Or does she? It must be the ghost, and not Matthew's imagination, as the portrait lights up, as we've seen before, and they play Robert Cobert's creepy music cue which has predicted the two times she's stepped out of her portrait.

Episode 121 - 12/12/66

Vicki is tied to a chair and gagged. David arrives at the old house and calls out to Matthew, saying he's brought him cigarettes. Vicki tries to speak through her gag, and David hears but does not understand her. He approaches the bookcase which she's behind.

Outside the old house, Matthew approaches.

David calls out to the voice behind the wall when Matthew enters. David turns to see him as he's asking who's there.

David told Matthew that he forgot to give him cigarettes. Matthew asks what he was doing near the wall, and David says he heard something. Matthew says he must have imagined it. He drags David to the wall and asks if he still hears it. David says he does not. David asks if it has something to do with the secret of the house. David tells him that he heard a ghost, and Matthew laughs at him. Matthew tells him he's right. The house is full of ghosts and ghosts to be.

Mrs. Johnson tells Liz that she got chills hearing the men in the night calling out for Vicki. She says Matthew was crazy, and she's sure they won't see Vicki alive. Liz says she feels sorry for him. There's a knock at the door and it's the sheriff to see Mrs. Stoddard. Mrs. Johnson berates the sheriff for not having found Vicki, and he asks to see Liz.

The sheriff tells Liz he doesn't have any leads as to Vicki's whereabouts. They're reasonably sure that Matthew isn't near. The sheriff asks for a photo of Vicki for the missing person's report. She asks him if he has much hope for Vicki, and he says no.

David returns to the new house, and Mrs. Johnson says she's been looking for him. He sees the sheriff's hat, and asks if they found Vicki. She says no, and asks him about her missing cigarettes. He asks if she's supposed to smoke when she's working. She says she thinks he knows where they are, and he suggests they walked off by themselves. She checks his hands to see if he was smoking, He said if he wanted cigarettes he'd buy them.

David walks into the drawing room to see the sheriff. He asks if they have any clues about Matthew or Vicki. The sheriff says they have a few leads, but it's possible someone is trying to hide him. He also says it's against the law to harbor a criminal, making him an accessory after the fact. David asks if that would mean the person who helps him would go to jail, and the sheriff confirms that. Liz brings him a picture, and the sheriff departs.

David tells his aunt that the sheriff said anyone who helps Matthew could go to jail. He asks if she thinks Matthew has Vicki, and if so, if he would hurt her. She doesn't want to discuss it. He then asks about secrets at the old house. David starts to leave, and Mrs. Johnson confronts him again about her cigarettes before he runs outside.

David returns to the old house. Matthew exits the secret room, leaving the wall panel open, and looks outside through a broken window. He returns to close the secret door, and then opens the front door to let David in. David tells him that he was talking to the sheriff, and Matthew grabs him. David explains that the sheriff is going to look elsewhere, and only leave a few men behind. David also says that the sheriff told him that anyone helping Matthew would also go to jail. 

Our thoughts

John: Vicki blew her chance of being rescued by David. I think it's going to be up to the ghosts to save her.

Christine: I thought it interesting that she is not credited in this episode. I wonder if someone forgot to add her name to the credits because she wasn't actually present and they reused footage of her from the previous episode.

John: Mrs. Johnson is pretty direct in her accusations of David. He's going to have to be a little bit sneakier with her around the house. She also gets in some good digs on the sheriff, and goes right to doom and gloom when it comes to predicting Vicki's fate. A fine addition to Collinwood, this good woman.

Christine: Mrs. Johnson is a lot of fun to have around. When David asks if the Sheriff has a clue about Vicki's whereabouts, she tells him "When the cannery whistle blows at noon, he knows it's time for lunch. That, to him, is a clue, and it accounts for the size of him."

John: It seems like it's a matter of time until the law closes in on Matthew. It's only a question of will anyone else get hurt along the way.

Christine: Sheriff Patterson says to Liz about Matthew, "Well, he could be anywhere and everywhere." When Liz asks if Matthew might harm Vicki he says,  "Yes, he might, but on the other hand, he might not." Sheriff Patterson has got all the bases covered, so he is sure to find Matthew, but on the other hand, he might not.

Another Take #2 Episode. They are back to taping a week before air date.

Episode 120 - 12/9/66

Matthew tells Vicki he's going to trust her, and take off the gag, but if she makes a sound he'll close her mouth forever. Vicki tells Matthew she can help him. He blames her for everything that has happened in Collinwood. She asks him about food and water, and he says he's got that all taken care of.

Mrs. Johnson prepares David's breakfast. She tells David that Vicki is missing, and folks were looking for her all night. She says they may have seen the last of Vicki. David says Matthew wouldn't hurt her. While she steps out, David collects food for Matthew, along with Mrs. Johnson's cigarettes. She suggests that her disappearance may be David's fault, as she lost her wallet looking for him. Mrs. Johnson returns and is surprised to see her cigarettes are missing. Surprisingly, she doesn't press David on their absence.

David brings the food to Matthew at the old house. Matthew is glad to see him. Within the locked room, Vicki can hear David talking to Matthew. David tells him that Vicki is missing - and asks if Matthew knows where she is, because everyone in the house think he's got her. Matthew points out that they're blaming him for everything. David asks Matthew to tell him the secret of the old house, and Matthew snaps at him. He calms down, and suggests David get back.

Matthew brings food to Vicki. She says she's thirsty, and he tells her he's going to the well to get water.

On his way back to the new house, David realizes he didn't give Matthew the cigarettes, so he turns back. In the old house, he calls out to Matthew. He hears someone mumbling. David isn't sure where the mumbling is coming from.

Outside, Matthew is coming back to the old house.

Our thoughts

John:  Matthew is getting pretty cavalier for a fugitive, and I suspect that will be his downfall.

Christine: How about that Mrs. Johnson telling David that they've probably seen the last of Miss Winters and if it wasn't for him she might not be missing.

John: I'm surprised that as soon as he heard sounds in the old house, David didn't either determine it was his friendly ghosts or Vicki.

Christine: It could be he didn't want to believe that Matthew has Vicki locked up in the Old House. He considers Matthew a friend and he doesn't have many of those around Collinwood.

John: So the burning question remains... will it be David or the ghosts of Collinwood that ultimately save Vicki from Matthew? And how much longer will she be tied up in that secret room!

Christine: Will David also need saving when Matthew comes back and catches him listening to the muffled sound of Vicki saying, "David, please help me!" from the secret room. I was expecting a rescue today. Her captivity may continue for another week!

Episode 119 - 12/8/66

Joe and Burke wander around the grounds in search for Vicki.

Carolyn comes downstairs and sees Vicki's suitcase in the foyer. She looks for her mother in the drawing room, but Liz is standing outside. She comes back in, and Carolyn asks if they've found Vicki. Liz tells Carolyn that Vicki is in danger if Matthew is around. Carolyn says that Burke will find her. Liz tells Carolyn that Burke is ultimately going to hurt her. Liz also says that Burke is too old for Carolyn. Carolyn tells her mother that Burke Devlin will bestow the title of woman on her.

Liz paces in the drawing room.

Roger pulls up to the house. He comes in, and Liz asks if he's seen Vicki. He says he has not, and he has no interest where she is. Liz says she's missing. Roger says he won't go out looking for her. Carolyn tells her uncle she spent a wonderful evening with Burke Devlin. Roger questions her judgement, which she says makes her a Collins. Roger tries to convince her what a bad person Burke Devlin is. Liz asks Carolyn if Burke told her he took over the Logansport Enterprises. Carolyn had not, but says her mother wasn't too upset to see him tonight to help in the search for Vicki. Roger is aghast to hear that Burke was in the house.

Before they get back to the house, Joe tells Burke he has something to say. He says he was an idiot for punching him. He apologizes, and says Carolyn wants something other than him. Burke says he admires him for saying that.

Roger takes a drink while Carolyn plays chopsticks on the piano. Joe and Burke indicate they haven't found Vicki. Roger asks what he's holding, and takes the gun from Burke. He also gets Joe's gun and unloads both. Roger calls them foolish for wasting their time searching for Vicki. Burke faces off with him, and Roger reloads one of the guns. Carolyn goes upstairs to bed, saying goodnight to Burke, and saying nothing to Joe.

In the foyer, Joe asks to speak to Carolyn. She continues to treat him rudely, and he gives up. She goes upstairs and he returns to the drawing room.

Liz asks if Burke can think of anywhere else Vicki might be. He and Joe make plans to pick up the search after he changes clothes. Roger is surprised by Burke's concern for Vicki. And he tells Roger he's not impressed by Roger's lack of concern. They have a brief altercation, and after Burke leaves, Roger grabs his gun; only to be stopped by Liz.

Our thoughts

John: While I understand Roger is not pleased to see Burke in Collinwood, it's amazing how he speaks of Vicki. He's not endearing himself to anyone else in the house, and Burke almost laid him out before the episode was over.

Christine: He must be holding a grudge against her for accusing him of trying to murder her.

John: Once again, Joe tries to be the bigger man, only to be mistreated by Carolyn yet again. Maybe things will start looking up for young Haskell.

Christine: Joe told Carolyn she doesn't need to worry about handling him anymore. Do you think he means it this time?

John: Roger immediately reloaded one of the guns after unloading them. He better hope the sheriff doesn't find him brandishing a gun around Burke. Of course, Liz shut things down pretty quickly when he made a move for the door with gun in hand.

Episode 118 - 12/7/66

Burke suggests that Matthew might have returned to get Vicki. He tells Liz to call the sheriff. She does, and Burke asks if they have any guns. Liz says that Roger does, and she and Joe go to get them.

In the old house, Matthew tells Vicki that she wasn't smarter than he was. Vicki tells him that he had better run while he can. He takes a rope and tells her to get up. He ties her to a chair and ties her scarf around her mouth to gag her.

Burke and Joe load Roger's shotguns, and head out to look for Vicki. Liz then remembers that Vicki lost her wallet. She suggests that they take the shortcut to the old house, as that may be where Vicki got lost.

Matthew looks around outside the old house.

Burke and Joe call out to Vicki. They find a piece of cloth that might be part of Vicki's dress. They continue towards the old house.

Matthew makes his way back to the secret room. He unties the gag on Vicki's mouth. She asks if he heard anyone. and he says he did not. It might be a good time to run. He tells her that he'll bring her with him, so they won't try to shoot him.

Joe and Burke get closer to the old house.

Vicki asks if he can leave her when they get to his car. He says he might leave her after they get a few hours away. He unties her and drags her out.

Joe and Burke arrive at the old house.

Matthew gets to the front door as they hear someone call for Vicki. Matthew covers her mouth and drags her back to the secret room as Burke and Joe enter the old house. Burke sends Joe upstairs, as he looks around downstairs. Burke turns his flashlight on the portrait of Josette Collins.

In the secret room, Matthew holds Vicki with her mouth covered.

The portrait of Josette becomes illuminated, and then dims as Joe comes downstairs. They go to leave, and then Burke stops them, asking Joe if he knows about the old house. He wonders if there are closed off areas. He tells Joe to ask Liz if she knows more about the house, and he'll continue  to explore the old house.

Joe finds Liz and asks if there are rooms in the old house that are closed off that they should check. She says she can help.

Josette's portrait glowed again, but Burke did not see it. Joe returns and says there is a place they haven't searched—the storm cellar. Burke says he already checked there. Burke and Joe leave.

Matthew lets go of Vicki, and she screams for Burke. Matthew tells her that was really dumb.

Our thoughts

John: Did anyone else think giving Joe and Burke guns and sending them out on their own might have resulted in only one of them coming back alive?

Christine: Fortunately their concern for Vicki outweighed their disdain for each other. 

John: So Josette was playing hard to get this episode. We're teased with her musical cue twice, and the portrait begins to glow... but she never steps out of the portrait. Maybe before the week is over, she'll be the one to help Vicki out.

Christine: Josette must be shy. Just when she was glowing to get out, someone would enter the room and she'd blink out. 

John: Come on, Vicki. Why not at least try to make a sound when you knew Burke and Joe were right outside the door!

Christine: Well, Matthew is pretty scary. He might be able to choke the life out of her before those two lunkheads could find the secret room.