Dark Shadows Episode 252 - 6/13/67

Carolyn walks in on her mother having a phone conversation regarding her divorce from Paul. She is trying to push it through immediately. Carolyn tells her mother that she's the picture of the impatient bride. Liz tells her to stop being facetious. She says she can't believe that she would marry Jason. Liz says that she is going to marry Jason McGuire, and there's nothing that she or anyone else can do about it. Carolyn says she just wants to help her. She says she doesn't have a problem with her getting married—she has a problem with her marrying Jason McGuire. Carolyn suggests that she's not doing so of her own free will.  Liz mentions that she also thought there were secrets in the basement, and she has proven that not to be true. Liz asks why Carolyn hates Jason. Carolyn says he lies and is deceitful. She asks her mother if she loves him. Under pressure, Liz tells Carolyn that yes, she loves Jason, and that maybe Carolyn should do something with her own life. Carolyn says she will, and storms out.

Roger and Vicki are reviewing David's schoolwork when Carolyn bursts in. She says she had a confusing chat with the bride to be. She says that her mother insists that she wants to get married to Jason. Vicki says that perhaps her mother is infatuated with Jason. Roger says that regardless of what they all think, his sister has the right to make her own bad decisions. Carolyn picks up the phone and calls 'Buzz'. She mentions having seen him on his motorcycle, and then asks him if the gas tank is full.

At The Blue Whale, Joe tells Vicki how he saw Carolyn on the back of a motorcycle with a bunch of losers. She tells him Carolyn is lashing out against her mother. Joe asks if what he's heard about Liz marrying Jason is true. Vicki explains that it is. A roar of motorcycles outside signal the arrival of Carolyn and Buzz. Carolyn is drunk, Vicki and Joe are dismayed by what they see. Carolyn sees them and drags Buzz over to meet them.

Carolyn talks about the great time they've been having. Carolyn asks Vicki to go for a ride on Buzz's motorcycle, but she declines. Buzz encourages her, and Joe interjects, saying she prefers the safety of the chair. Carolyn and Buzz start making out in front of them.

Back at Collinwood, Buzz pulls up and tells Carolyn to get off the bike.

She starts kissing him and he pushes her away, telling her the world isn't coming to an end. She invites him inside, and he says it's not for him. She convinces him to come in, and he's excited by the stairs. He talks about zooming his bike upstairs, and Carolyn gets excited by the concept. She tries to convince him to do it but he refuses.

"Cool it!" -Buzz

She then offers him a drink, and turns on the radio. He asks for a beer, but she hands him a cocktail instead. They start dancing around the drawing room.

Liz comes down and says it's three o'clock in the morning, and Carolyn is drunk.

Carolyn introduces her to Buzz, who calls her mommy.

Carolyn introduces her mother as Mrs. McGuire, and she goes upstairs without saying anything. Carolyn yells at her that if she's fallen in love, then so has she, and she grabs and kisses Buzz.

Our thoughts

John: How predictable for Carolyn to run out and find a bad boy, strictly for the purpose of showing up her mother. Suddenly Burke Devlin looks like a real catch.

Christine: Predictable, yet entertaining. She attacked Buzz more violently than we've seen Barnabas attack Maggie. Is this the first time she's worn pants on the show? Do you think Buzz is his real name or a nickname for his state of mind?

John: Whatever happened to the curfew in Collinsport?

Christine: Whatever happened to the drinking age? 

John: Every now and then we get an episode that reminds us that it's 1967. I don't know how long this Buzz/Carolyn romance will last, but if it's more than a few weeks, I hope Buzz will be developed beyond the leather jacket and motorcycle... though he's still arguably a nicer guy than Jason McGuire.

Christine: He's certainly more pleasant than Jason, despite the fact that he's tooling around with Carolyn on his bike while they're both loaded. Let's hope she doesn't hear anything about tuning in, turning on, and dropping out, or Miss Carolyn will be packing her bags for San Francisco with flowers in her hair. Part of the allure of Dark Shadows is that, for the most part, it does not incorporate contemporary culture into its storylines. We might otherwise wonder how Burke and Joe have avoided the draft, or why the Collins family does not own a TV. At any rate, the addition of Buzz means we're all in for "a gas."

Carolyn: "To more horsepower."
Buzz: "To louder exhaust."

Buzz is a fun loving guy.

Dark Shadows Episode 251 - 6/12/67

Maggie and Willie walk down to the basement of the old house, where two coffins are present. Willie tells her to wait, and she begs him not to leave her. He says no one else is to be there, and goes back upstairs. Maggie grabs a metal spike off of the floor, and as she hears a heartbeat, lifts open the coffin containing Barnabas. She raises the spike, poised to strike, when he opens his eyes and smiles, baring his fangs. She screams and drops the spike

Barnabas asks Maggie if she was trying to hurt, or destroy, him. He says Josette wouldn't do that, but Maggie Evans might do that. Maggie says that's not her name, and Barnabas says she lied, and she has to die.

As he grasps her throat, Willie runs downstairs to stop him. He gets between them and tries to convince Barnabas not to hurt her.

Barnabas threatens to kill him as well, but Willie makes a case that he doesn't want authorities searching for two people. Willie points out someone pounding on the front door. Barnabas tells him to stay with Maggie, and that if she attempts to move or cry out, he'll kill both of them.

Upstairs, Barnabas opens the door to find Vicki. She explains that Mrs. Stoddard sent her to send a message. The sheriff has instituted a curfew, and Liz wanted Barnabas to know. She says it has to do with the attacks, and Maggie Evans. Barnabas asks if there's been any word, and when Vicki says no, he suggests she must be dead. Vicki counters that she may be alive and in the clutches of a madman.

In the basement, Willie tells Maggie not to scream or Barnabas will kill them both. He asks her what she did, and she explains she tried to kill him. She said she doesn't want to be turned into something inhuman. Willie says if Barnabas could be killed, he would have already done it. Willie encourages her to cooperate, so she can stay alive and have a chance of escape.

Vicki says Liz wondered why Barnabas hasn't been to the house lately. He explains he's been remiss in visiting. She spots Josette's music box, and he offers to play it for her. He does, and she says the music reminds her of the past. She says she had better get back to the house before it gets dark. She leaves, and he resumes playing the music box.

As Barnabas comes downstairs, Willie tells Maggie to let him do the talking. Barnabas asks if Josette has waited for him patiently. He says she is no longer worthy of the name Josette, and that she will die with her common name of Maggie Evans. He says she will endure great pains before she dies. Willie says Barnabas still needs him to protect him during the day. Barnabas seems to think he can find a replacement. Willie then changes his strategy, suggesting Barnabas still wants Maggie as his bride. Barnabas says he can't look at her. Willie apparently convinces him, as he tells him to stay put while he takes her away.

Barnabas takes Maggie to a cell in the basement. He locks her in and says that's where she'll stay until he decides what to do with her.

At the main house, Barnabas stops by to see Liz. Vicki says she's upstairs resting, and he offers her a gift to give Liz. It's a handkerchief given to Josette by the queen of France. Vicki says that she's sure Liz will love it, as she personally thinks it's wonderful. She says she's very interested in family history, as she's an orphan. He's interested to find that out. As he leaves, Barnabas invites her to the house to discuss family history sometime.

Maggie lies on an old mattress in her cell when she hears someone coming downstairs. Barnabas enters, and tells her he has made his decision. He wants to kill her. But he also wants to marry her. He says she must come to him of her own free will.  Maggie says she'll never be Josette Collins. He tells her that her beauty is all that is saving her. He says she'll stay in the cell and leaves her.

Our thoughts

John: Weird. Other than when we see the previous episode's finale in the pre-credits sequence (like the opening to this episode,) we've never had a narrator re-cap of the episodes like we got today. And in doing so (since this is a kinescope) we lose the first 45 seconds of Act I. Fortunately, thanks to the Dark Shadows Wiki, we know what we missed:

        Barnabas: What are you holding, Josette?  

        Maggie: (unable to get words out) I... I...  

        Barnabas: Isn't that one of Willie's tools? Let me see it. (He snatches it away from her) What were you planning to do with this? What’s the matter? Can’t you speak?  

        Maggie: Please  

        Barnabas: Please what? What are you asking to do?  

        Maggie: Don't...  

        Barnabas: Don't? Don't... what? I'm afraid you're not making sense, Josette.  

        Maggie: (a fleeting moment of hope) Yes, I... I am Josette.  

        Barnabas: Of course. My bride.  

        Maggie: Yes... your bride.  

        Barnabas: And we're going to be happy together.  

        Maggie: Yes...  

        Barnabas: To the end of time.  

        Maggie: Yes...

Christine: It seems he retracted his fangs during that exchange, which must be why he decided to throttle her rather than give her a bite. We have yet to see him actually bite anyone yet. I wonder if Barnabas ever changes his suit or just gets out of the coffin already dressed and ready to go every evening.

John: Barnabas gets some great lines today, including: "You're assuming I'm not capable enough to cope with idiots. Unfortunately for you, I am."

Christine: Another reason to love Barnabas. I like how Vicki broke curfew to inform Barnabas that there was a curfew.

John: So now that the shine has worn off of Maggie, has Barnabas already found a replacement in Victoria Winters?

Christine: It seemed as though he were sizing her up to be his new Josette. I wonder how Burke will feel about him inviting Victoria up to the Old House to reminisce about the history of the Collins family.

Vicki would probably love to have that necklace.

Dark Shadows Episode 250 - 6/9/67

Maggie looks into the mirror and remembers her name. Then she remembers her father's name. She knocks over the music box, and as the music plays, she recalls her name is Josette. She struggles with it. She closes the music box and says, "I am Maggie Evans." Willie knocks on the door and calls to Josette. Maggie starts to correct her name, but stops. Willie says Barnabas would like to see her. She tells Willie that she'll be down after she brushes her hair.

Barnabas asked how she seemed, and if she answered to Josette. Willie says she referred to herself that way. Maggie comes downstairs and tells him that she's been enjoying the music box.

Barnabas sends Willie away and says he's delighted she loves the music box. He then presents her with a necklace, which she says she's unworthy of. Barnabas says that once Willie completes the arrangements, they'll be married for all eternity. He tells her to leave him, for the last time. After this, he tells her, they will never be apart. As she's walking away, he calls to Maggie. Maggie turns, and asks if he's referring to a servant. He says he won't mention her again and as she goes upstairs, he smiles.

Maggie holds up the necklace in the mirror and says it can't happen. She hears hammering downstairs, as Willie makes the arrangements for their wedding.

Maggie comes downstairs to see what Willie is doing. She hears them talking.

Barnabas is in the basement with Willie, telling him he's proud of his work. Barnabas says that after tonight he will have no power over her, but he won't need it. She won't remember who she was. Barnabas asks if Willie sees the work as beautiful. He says he cannot. Barnabas says Maggie will find it beautiful, as Maggie watches them standing over a freshly crafted coffin.

Willie finishes up work on the coffin when he finds Maggie. She tells him she was restless. Willie asks her who she is. He calls her Maggie, and she says he shouldn't call her such a crude, common name. He then asks her what she thinks of his work. She looks at the coffin and says it's beautiful. He says it's not supposed to be beautiful until AFTER Barnabas makes her his bride. He calls her Maggie, and says she wants to escape.

She shows Willie the necklace Barnabas gave her, and tells him it's very valuable. She offers it to him if he lets her go. Maggie says they can kill him, and they can both go. Willie says he can't do it, and Maggie says that she can. She tells him to take the necklace and go upstairs.

They hear Barnabas' heart beating. Maggie grabs a sharp spike and says that he'll finally be free. Willie says he has to protect him, and he can't help it. He grapples with Maggie and she drops the spike.

Back in her bedroom, Maggie repeats her name. Willie comes to get her and apologizes, saying there's nothing he can do. He suggests that she just give in, as it will be easier. She says that Maggie Evans would really be gone, and Willie tells her  that tomorrow she won't care. They leave to go downstairs.

Willie and Maggie arrive in the basement. He leaves her by Barnabas' coffin, and though she pleads for him to stay, he says he has to leave her. She grabs the spike she dropped earlier and places it on her coffin. She hears Barnabas' heart beating, and opens his coffin while he sleeps. She grabs the spike, and as she raises it to strike, he opens his eyes. She screams, dropping the spike again, and he smiles, baring his fangs.

Our thoughts

John: So was I alone in assuming Willie was making a double-wide his-and-hers coffin for Barnabas and Josette?

Christine: Did you have something like this in mind?

John: Maggie clearly sees Barnabas as a vampire by going for a stake to vanquish him. I guess his living in the coffin was a dead giveaway.

Christine: Will Willie get the cane for being foolish enough to leave sharp tools out around Barnabas' resting place? Incidentally, how is it he can build an entire coffin but can't bother to knock down the cobwebs in the basement?

John: I wonder if this episode was the originally scheduled demise of Barnabas Collins. It seems likely that his run may have been longer than 40 episodes, but the way they set it up for Maggie to take him out, it was actually anti-climactic when she just dropped the spike at the last minute.

Christine: Well you can't expect her to poke him in the chest when he's looking at her. He's got vampire strength while she suffers from anemia. It is interesting that we have two separate storylines with unwilling brides for us to compare. While both Jason and Barnabas are parasitic predators with a desire to possess, Barnabas is motivated by romantic intentions, while Jason is inspired by his love for money. They both have charm, but only Barnabas has jewels.

Sparkly jewels.

Willie can't resist touching the jewels.

Willie touching jewels in Episode 208.

Dark Shadows Episode 249 - 6/8/67

Carolyn tells Roger and Vicki that she's going to get into the room in the basement. Roger asks how. She says in the absence of getting the key from her mother, she'll have to break in. Roger offers to help. We see Jason outside the room, eavesdropping.

Jason tells Liz that Carolyn plans to get into the basement tonight. Liz says she cannot be permitted into that room. Jason says that if she does get in, and finds nothing, it will work better for her. Jason says there's nothing for her to see. He says that after he makes sure there's nothing to see, she can give Carolyn the key. Jason asks for the key, and Liz gives it to him.

Carolyn is headed upstairs when Jason stops her. He says he's working hard to be her friend. He tells her he'd trying to make her mother's life better. He says he's going to get her the key to the room in the basement, just so she can see that he's got nothing over her mother.

Jason makes his way to the basement. He unlocks the door and steps inside. There's not much to see in the room. He examines the stones in the floor, and then checks inside several chests and suitcases. Convinced it's all clear, he closes and locks the door behind him.

Liz is nervous as Jason comes to see her. He says everything is fine. He suggests that rather than giving Carolyn the key, she should escort them in to the room in the basement.

Carolyn tells Roger she doesn't know who to believe. Her mother says her father was a horrible man, and Jason says he loved her. Roger says that Jason is a pathological liar. Vicki says she may have told Carolyn those things to make her comfortable with the idea of a divorce. Roger says she needs to proceed with the divorce in case Paul ever comes back. Liz and Jason enter, and says she wants to clear the air. Carolyn brings up the room in the basement. Liz asks if the answer is going into the room. Carolyn says yes. Liz pulls out the key and offers to open the room downstairs. They all follow her down. Jason tells Carolyn that he is proving his friendship.

Roger turns on a light in the basement, and Liz makes her way to the door. Roger asks if she'd like him to open the door, and she says she'll do it. She unlocks it and they all enter. Liz turns on the light and says their wish has come true. Roger takes a suitcase off of a shelf, and Carolyn opens a chest. They find old clothes. The camera focuses on the floor tiles as they all walk back and forth across them. Carolyn apologizes to her mother. Roger apologizes as well. They go upstairs, leaving Liz and Jason behind. He says that he's demonstrated how he can help her, and suggests that now is the time for them to announce their plans to marry. Liz leaves, and Jason turns out the light.

Roger says that was one of the worst moments of his life. Carolyn says she caused her mother anguish just to see her father's clothes. Liz and Jason enter, and Jason says she has something to tell them. Liz stumbles through the words, but ultimately says that Jason and she are planning to be married. Roger and Vicki are shocked, and Carolyn looks distraught at the news.

Our thoughts

John: Well, so much for seeing the moldy bones of Paul Stoddard in the basement. But the way they lingered on the floor of that room sure makes it seem like we haven't seen the last of it.

Christine: Oh, it was the floor we were looking at? I thought we were checking out everyone's fashionable shoes as they each took a turn parading across the floor. Vicki wins for having the cutest pair of pumps.

John: Liz continues her tradition of not being a good liar. Jason sets everything up for her, but she still has trouble spinning his pre-fab web of lies. Unfortunately, no one can see through them.

Christine: They already used up their once-a-year allotment of being able to easily figure something out.

John: Since Liz clearly isn't going to call Jason's bluff, it's just a matter of time before something else intervenes and cuts their wedding plans short.