Dark Shadows Episode 300 - 8/18/67

Julia finds Vicki watching the sunset from the drawing room. She mentions having had a nice chat with Burke the night before. Vicki asks Julia if she knows anything about dreams. She says that she dreamed that someone had been in her room. She wasn't afraid, and she thinks someone was in her room, because her music box was open and playing when she woke. Julia says it doesn't make any sense, unless it was David playing a joke. Vicki says she asked David and he said he didn't. Julia suggests that Vicki likely opened the music box herself.

Liz walks in and asks how Julia's research has been going. She explains it's been going well, and that she's going to meet with Barnabas. After she leaves, Liz tells Vicki that Burke made a firm offer on the Seaview property. She says that she thinks Burke will be the new owner in a matter of days.

In the old house, Barnabas looks for Willie. He calls for him and Willie runs downstairs. He asks for an update, and Willie says Burke didn't come to the house, and Vicki never left. Barnabas tells him to follow them on their date and report back. Willie asks if Barnabas is afraid of losing her to Burke. He threatens to kill Willie and sends him away.

Julia tells Barnabas that the structure of his blood is changing. She says that the experiment appears to be successful. She says his skepticism will fade in time. He says she must cure him. She says she'll do what she can, but he must cooperate with her. She calls him out for sneaking into Vicki's room last night. He doesn't deny it. She asks why he was there, and he explains he was just looking at her. She tells him that he can't risk that again. She demands that he stay away from Vicki. He tells her that he's not accustomed to taking orders. She says he must do what she says, or the others will find out everything. He agrees. They agree that they have no choice but to trust each other.

Burke and Vicki kiss in the garden. He tells her he put a bid in on the house. Vicki says it would be perfect for him. He asks if she knows why he wants it, and she says that he loves it as much as she does. He tells her he wants it to be their home, and asks her to marry him. She's shocked. He asks for her answer, but she hesitates. She says there are a million things to think about. There's David, and the rest of the Collins family. Burke tells her that she's going to have to leave them someday. She says she needs some time to think. He tells her he'll ask her every day until she breaks down and says yes.

Willie watches them from across the garden.

Barnabas stops in to see Liz. He asks if she decided to sell the beach property to Burke. He says he had taken a fancy to the house, and hates to see it end up outside the family. Liz says that Burke and Vicki have been going out, and Vicki really loves the house. Barnabas says Vicki wouldn't consider marriage, and asks Liz if she would be opposed to that. She says that she wouldn't encourage or discourage her. She just wants Vicki to be happy.

Willie enters the old house looking for Barnabas. Barnabas returns home, and asks what Willie heard. Willie says that Burke proposed, and that Vicki asked for some time. Barnabas says there will be no marriage. He says Burke Devlin must die.

Out thoughts

John: That's one hell of a music box that plays all night long. Most only last a few minutes when fully wound.

Christine: Wait a minute. Barnabas has a heartbeat? And Julia says it's normal. I'm confused. I thought he was dead.

John: Funny that we all knew Burke was going to propose to Vicki, and she was the only one surprised. Maybe things would have been different if Mitchell Ryan was still playing Burke...

Christine: Oh snap!

John: How many unfulfilled declarations of death has Barnabas made now? Maggie must die... Dr. Hoffman must die... Burke must die... Yeah, whatever, Barnabas.

Christine: Maybe Burke will be the exception. Does Julia want Barnabas to stay away from Vicki because she's worried about her or because she wants Barnabas for herself?

Dark Shadows Episode 299 - 8/17/67

Barnabas startles Vicki in the garden. He apologizes, and points out the silence, and how soothing it is. He then goes on about the moon, and only being out at night. He asks her if a lifetime of moonlight would appeal to her, and she says it might. He says he's discovered some rare family histories, and he invites her over to see them. She apologizes, saying that she has a date with Burke Devlin that night and the next night.

Julia joins them in the garden, and Vicki goes upstairs to change for her date. Before she goes, she thanks Barnabas for the invitation, and asks for a raincheck. After she's gone, Julia says he told her he was going to leave her alone. She explains that he can never be more than friends with Vicki. She tells him that Vicki is in love with Burke Devlin, and Barnabas dismisses the thought. She tells him she won't argue with him, and warns him to stay away from Vicki. 

In her room, Vicki considers dress options for her date. There's a knock at her door and Julia is there to see her. She asks if she can help Vicki prepare for her date. Vicki asks her to help choose a dress. Julia suggests a blue dress. She also offers advice to Vicki. She suggests that she not go to see Barnabas. She explains she's gotten to know him very well, and he's a very sensitive person. Vicki doesn't understand her. Julia explains that Barnabas is a bachelor, and Vicki is a young, attractive girl. Vicki assures her that she's wrong, and Julia tells her that she's sure she's right. Julia says if she doesn't want to hurt Barnabas, Vicki should stay away from him.

Vicki and Burke are in the garden. He points out that she's been quiet all evening. She apologizes, and he says he's fine spending time with her, even when she's quiet. He then points out some stars to her. He says his father taught him. He then mentions his father ran out on his family. He says he shouldn't complain to her, but she talks of happy times at the foundling home. Burke tells her that she must know how he feels about her. And he doesn't need her to say anything. They kiss, and Burke mentions that when he arrived a year ago, all he was focused on was the destruction of the Collins family. He didn't know that he'd find someone like her.

From across the garden, Barnabas watches Burke and Vicki kissing.

In the foyer, Burke and Vicki continue kissing. They make arrangements to meet the next night when Julia bursts in on them. Vicki says goodnight to Burke and goes upstairs, while he asks Julia into the drawing room to talk to her. He tells her that the legends of Collinwood have caused Vicki to imagine things that aren't there. He thinks that's bad for her. Julia tells him that she agrees with him. She says she'll do her best to discourage her. He thanks her for her cooperation.

 At 3am, Vicki is asleep in bed when Barnabas visits her room. He leans in, and then stands up without harming her. He moves to the end of her bed and watches her. He then goes to her night table and opens Josette's music box. He leaves the room as the music plays. 

Our thoughts

John: After Julia sends Barnabas away, the music builds to a crescendo leading us to believe something bad is about to happen to her... and then nothing. That can't have been on purpose, can it?

Christine: That is Cue 142: "Circular, Fear, Tremolo Curtain," and I think it implies something bad may happen to Vicki rather than Julia. The cue plays after Julia warns Barnabas to stay away from Vicki, and the next time we see him, he's back in Vicki's room working up the courage to bite her. Julia's threats obviously don't carry much weight, and he seems to be coming closer to doing the deed with each visit he makes to Vicki's room.

John: Burke and Vicki sure aren't kidding around. Seems like the writers are moving their relationship along in high gear all of a sudden. I wonder what Carolyn will have to say about that.

Christine: Anthony George seems to have a lot of enthusiasm for his role today. I don't think we've ever seen so much kissing on the show before. I think Carolyn is over Burke, though it may make her dwell on her lack of a romantic partner, especially now that Joe has Maggie back. Buzz is history, so what eligible bachelor is available for Carolyn? Willie? Sam?

John: Gotta give Barnabas credit. While he's still a creepy stalker, sneaking into the rooms of young girls in the dead of night, at least he's refraining from biting them. I don't know if that music box alone is going to be able to counter Burke Devlin AND Julia Hoffman.

Christine: Did he just walk in through the front door to get to Vicki's room? What happened to the usual way of entering through the window?

This is just creepy.

This is also creepy.

This is creepiest.

Dark Shadows Episode 298 - 8/16/67

Carolyn comes into the drawing room looking pensive. Liz walks in and asks where Vicki is. She says she's gone to visit Vicki. Carolyn says she's very happy for Joe that Maggie is alive. Carolyn points out that there hasn't been an attack in town in a while, so maybe the maniac went away. Liz asks Carolyn what's troubling her. Carolyn tells her that she believes something terrible is about to happen.

There's a knock at the door and Burke arrives. He tells Liz that he's interested in buying her Seaview property. She says she sees no reason not to sell it to him. Carolyn asks if he's seriously thinking about buying the house Vicki's been talking about. She says Vicki loves the house. He says he knows. She says that he's thinking about buying it, and he says yes. Liz comes back with the keys and deed, which she notes is marked 'not for sale.' Burke asks if they could take a look at it. She invites Carolyn to join them.

As they walk through it, Carolyn says the Seaview house is lovely. She says she can see why Vicki loves it. Burke points out that it doesn't need much work. While she goes to explore, Burke asks Liz what price she'd like to get for it. She says she'll have to think about it. She says she's surprised he wants to buy a house at all. He says he's considering settling down. She asks him to clarify, and he asks if he really needs to. She says no, and he asks if she approves. She says she does. Carolyn comes back in, and Liz says she doesn't share Burke's enthusiasm about the house. She tells him she'll come up with a price in a day or two.

Vicki asks Maggie if she remembers anything from the night she was attacked. She says it might be best that she doesn't. Vicki describes hearing something outside her room, leaving to get Burke, and then being locked out. Burke had to break down the door. Vicki tells her that she thinks she saw Maggie at Eagle Hill Cemetery. She was far away, but she thought it looked like her. Maggie asks if she was alone, and Vicki says there was a woman with her. She asks Vicki why anyone would take her to a cemetery. Vicki asks if it means anything to her, and she says she can't remember anything. She asks what Vicki and Burke were doing there. Vicki says she was putting flowers on Josette Collins' grave. Maggie repeats the name several times, and says she's beginning to remember something. Vicki says it might mean that she saw the name on the gravestone in the graveyard. Maggie says she remembers seeing a coffin when there's a knock on the door.

Vicki opens it and is surprised to see Julia Hoffman. She asks what she's doing there, and she says she's coming to see Sam. She asks to review Sam's paintings while awaiting his arrival. She listens in as Vicki and Maggie resume their conversation about coffins, graves, and Josette Collins. Vicki mentions the work Barnabas has done with Josette's room and belongings when Julia interrupts them. She asks if they have an interest in antiques, and shows off the medallion she had previously hypnotized Maggie with. Julia asks Vicki for a cup of tea, and when she steps out, she hypnotizes Maggie, reminding her to remember nothing. Vicki returns with tea for Julia and Maggie. Vicki asks Maggie about the graveyard, and what she was doing there. Maggie says she can't remember.

Our thoughts

John: Okay, after all the years of bad blood, and even despite the mending of fences, Burke and Liz are suddenly a little too chummy. Next thing you know, he'll be asking to host his and Vicki's wedding at Collinwood.

Christine: Yeah, she would have died before considering selling any Collins property to him not too long ago. She must be more than happy to have him marry Vicki, since it eliminates any possibility that he might hook up with Carolyn. Now that Jason's gone, Carolyn has to find something new to be upset about.

John: So this house down the road comes out of nowhere, and it just happens to belong to the Collins family? Neither Vicki or Barnabas seemed to know that, and Burke didn't mention it when they were checking it out, even though today he knew to approach Liz about purchasing it. Your writers are getting sloppy, Curtis!

Christine: It's obviously one of those sentient evil houses possessing Vicki and anyone else who comes near it, including the writers who are clearly making it up as they go.

John: Once again, Julia just happened to arrive in the nick of time to curb Maggie's memory from returning. If Barnabas finds out how quickly the hypnosis seems to wear off, Julia might find herself in a world of trouble...

Christine: I like how Julia does a quickie mind wipe with her hypnotic medallion while Vicki is making tea. Maggie's recurring memory is obviously going to be a persistent problem. I wonder if there will be a permanent fix, short of killing off Maggie.

Dark Shadows Episode 297 - 8/15/67

Sam serves Joe a cup of coffee after a long night watching over Maggie. He expresses concern that whoever abducted Maggie might try again. Sam wonders if it would be better to move away from Collinsport. Joe's not thrilled by the idea, but says it might be a good idea. Maggie comes out of her room and asks if they've been up all night. They say they've been talking. She mentions going to see if she could get her old job back. Sam tells her they were thinking it might be good to take a trip. Maggie says she's not afraid, and she plans to pick up her life where she left off.

Maggie examines the doll in her room. She picks up a book from her night table and sits down to read. Suddenly, Sarah appears in the doorway. Maggie invites her in. She asks if Maggie is feeling better, saying she was worried about her. She says she missed her. Maggie asks why. Sarah says she's her very best friend. Maggie asks if she's new to the neighborhood, and asks her name. Sarah says she lives in a big house, and asks if Maggie remembers her. She asks her to play, and Maggie agrees. They play catch, and Sarah sings London Bridge. Maggie joins in, and says she hasn't sung it in a long time. Sarah says they used to sing it together. Maggie asks if she knows what happened to her. Sarah is upset that Maggie doesn't remember her—just like everyone else. She says she wants her doll, since only her doll remembers her. Maggie gives her the doll on her bed, and Sarah runs out.

Maggie looks at her father's sketch of Sarah, and asks him who she is. He says he has no idea. He checked around, and no one knew her. Maggie says Sarah knows something about her. She asks her father to find her, and he tells her he'll try. She goes to her room and there's a knock at the door. It's Barnabas, checking in on Maggie. He's pleased to hear she's doing well. He asks Sam if Maggie has any idea what happened to her. Sam explains she can't remember anything after she disappeared. Barnabas asks if she remembers anyone involved, and Sam says regretfully not. Sam says they are concerned that whoever abducted her may come back. Barnabas asks to see her. Sam calls to her, and she comes out of her room. She greets him and invites him to sit down. Sam asks Barnabas if he can keep Maggie company while he delivers a painting. He promises to take very good care of her.

Barnabas asks Maggie about her memory. She says they've asked her everything, including why she went to Eagle Hill Cemetery. She has no idea what she'd be doing up there. Barnabas asks her if she thinks she'd recognize her kidnapper if she saw him. She says she hopes so. Maggie tells him about the strange girl who visited him today. She said she had spent time with her, playing games and singing London Bridge. Barnabas asks how old she was. Maggie says 8 or 9, and she wore an old style dress. Barnabas asks if she knows her name. When she says Sarah, he bolts up. Maggie says she thinks Sarah knows something about what happened to her. Barnabas says that the man responsible for abducting her may be apprehended.

That night, as Maggie sleeps, the wolves howl outside. A shadow appears outside her door, and Barnabas walks in on her. He looks around the room and picks up a pillow. He approaches Maggie, and before he can do anything, he hears Sarah singing London Bridge. He asks where she is, and what she wants. He slowly backs out of the room.

Our thoughts

John: The color in today's episode looked surprisingly good. Better than last Friday's episode. Maybe I'll get used to this after all. That's a fine quilt on Sam's couch!

Christine: Those were my thoughts exactly—right down to the quilt! I imagine the color quality will vary by episode, but it did look pretty good today. Sam's not such a bad painter, after all.

John: The Barnabas/Sarah connection has finally been made! And not a moment too soon for Maggie's sake.

Christine: I think it's odd that Maggie says she's not afraid, when she has no memory of the time she was abducted, and the perpetrator is still at large.

John: Where are Joe and Sam? Where are the guards? This is their idea of better protection than before? Maggie was nearly smothered to death. Fortunately Sarah was on ghost watch!

Christine: Barnabas really is a reluctant vampire. It seems he'd prefer to smother or strangle his victims rather than simply drain them of blood. I wonder how he's sustaining himself these days.

Dark Shadows Episode 296 - 8/14/67

Woodard presses Maggie on what she remembers. She doesn't remember anything in the weeks after her disappearance. Dr. Hoffman is surprised to find that Maggie doesn't remember her either. Sam rushes in to see Maggie. They tell him she doesn't remember anything since her disappearance.

Woodard asks Julia to step outside. He says Maggie remembered everything, and then she forgot. Hoffman suggests that she repressed it immediately. He asks Julia exactly what Maggie said, and she tells him that she was terribly frightened and she had to calm her down - nothing more.

Sam tells Maggie to try to remember. She says she can't, and he tells her to try again. He presses her to remember the events of the last night she remembers. She describes a dream in which there was someone with her in her room. He was in the darkness, and he stepped into the moonlight. He asks who it was and she says she can't remember. He yells at her to remember, but she cannot.

Julia and Woodard come back in, and Sam asks if he can take her home. Woodard says he should call the sheriff to station some men around the house. Hoffman says she'll make arrangements to take Maggie back in the morning. Woodard and Sam disagree. Woodard tells Julia that she can treat her in Collinsport. Hoffman reluctantly agrees, but tells Maggie that she cannot tell anyone that she is her doctor. After Sam takes Maggie, Julia tells Woodard that she may be safer now than ever before. He asks why, but she refuses to tell him that, too.

Maggie arrives at home with her father. She looks out the window and is frightened by a man. He tells her that's one of the men the sheriff stationed at the house. Joe arrives and asks Maggie if she recognizes him. They embrace and Maggie tells him how good it is to see him. They kiss and she says it's as if she's been away from him for so long. He says she'll be safe now.

Barnabas sits impatiently in the old house. There's a knock at the door, and he lets Dr. Hoffman in. She tells him that everything is under control. Maggie has forgotten everything he did to her. She said she hypnotized her just in time. He asks how long the hypnosis will last. She says perhaps indefinitely, but she'll see Maggie regularly, and ensure that she continues to not remember. She tells Barnabas that as long as she's around to see Maggie, his secret will be safe. She tells him that he has to trust her, and that no harm must come to Maggie Evans, or she will expose him. She says he has no choice but to cooperate with her. She bids him goodnight and leaves. He hears a rooster, and notes that it's dawn. He says that Maggie is safe tonight, but he can't take a chance on her silence. He says that tomorrow night she must die.

Maggie lies in bed asleep, and is woken by the sound of wolves. She picks up a doll on her bedside table, and doesn't recognize it. She says she'll have to ask her dad about that in the morning.

Our thoughts

John: We no sooner debut in color than revert to black and white? Not to worry - this is just another episode where the video master was lost and it only survives as a kinescope.

Christine: I was just starting to wonder where Joe Haskell was when he showed up at the door. I'm surprised he wasn't at the hospital with Sam to see her. Sam is already back to yelling at Maggie. It's no wonder she's in such a fragile mental state.

John: Would Hoffman really be surprised Maggie didn't recognize her after she hypnotized her? She probably should have been more specific about remembering her when she had her forget everything else...

Christine: I think she was feigning surprise so Woodard wouldn't suspect she had something to do with her newfound memory loss. After all, Maggie knew who Julia was before he left the room.

John: I can't believe Woodard let Hoffman off so easy. He did finally get his first (albeit minor) victory by convincing Julia that Maggie didn't need to return to Windcliff. But he just doesn't seem to get that Julia was responsible for Maggie forgetting the events that occurred after her abduction.

Christine: I thought for sure he was going to suggest Julia had something to do with it when he pulled her outside. Barnabas is probably right to be concerned about Maggie's memory returning. Julia should not feel overly confident that he'll take her threats seriously, and not attempt to take care of Maggie Evans himself.