Dark Shadows Episode 871 - 10/27/69

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

(For the duration of the Petofi/Quentin mind-swap, Count Petofi occupying Quentin as played by David Selby will be referred to as Petofi-Q, and Quentin in Petofi's body as played by Thayer David will be referred to as Count Quentin).

Barnabas realizes that he can't go away, but he can't stay and watch Josette get married to someone else. He remembers what happened with Jeremiah. Kitty comes into his room and tells him that she has heard his call. She says she will always be his Josette, and kisses him. He says the circumstances that kept them apart are now past. Thunder and lightning lead Barnabas to believe that someone else is with them. She says Jeremiah warned her to leave Collinwood. Barnabas tells Jeremiah to leave them alone.

Kitty asks who he's talking to, and what she's doing in his room. She says he must be responsible for everything happening to her, and runs screaming from his room. Barnabas realizes that the one person who can come between he and Josette is Kitty Soames.

Angelique comes to see Count Quentin. He asks how she escaped from Petofi, and she says she just did. She brings in Barnabas. Count Quentin says they saw him dead in the coffin. Barnabas explains that he saw what they wanted everyone to see, thanks to Angelique. Barnabas explains that Julia could cure his vampirism, and then they had to ensure that everyone see the vampire was killed.

Angelique then adds that she created a doppelganger of Barnabas by making him stand before a mirror. Barnabas goes on to say that she trapped his reflection, and brought dirt from the graveyard to bring him out the mirror.

He adds that the doppelganger was the one who was destroyed. Meanwhile, he continued to receive treatments from Angelique, and when she didn't come he stumbled out and found Aristede outside the cave. Angelique says that now they can help Count Quentin. Count Quentin says he failed at stealing the Tate portrait, and Barnabas says he will do that.

In Petofi's lair, Tate pours himself a drink to steady his hand, while saying he needs to stop drinking. Count Quentin comes to see him and points out that he's drunk. Tate agrees, and says he can't paint. He tells him that he has suffered enough, and asks for his talent back. Count Quentin explains that Petofi took his body. He tells him that he's Quentin Collins. Tate says he didn't take his mind, or eyes, or ears... he asks again to have his talent back. Count Quentin says that he can't. Tate pulls a gun on him, and says that all he cares about is seeing him die.

Petofi-Q interrupts him and tells him that he warned him. He laughs as Tate tries but is unable to use the gun. Count Quentin restates that he is Quentin, and Petofi-Q is Petofi. Petofi-Q asks where Barnabas and Angelique are. He says Barnabas is dead, and Angelique went away with Aristede. Petofi-Q points out that Aristede is missing, too. Petofi-Q sends Count Quentin away, saying he has business with Tate.

Tate realizes that Petofi-Q is in fact Petofi. Petofi-Q says he might restore his talent if Tate does exactly what he is told to do. Petofi-Q pulls out the I Ching wands. Tate says he knows what he needs to do. Petofi-Q says he may save Tate if he goes through the wrong door. Tate casts the wands and gets the desired 49th hexagram. Petofi-Q puts his hands on Tate's temples, and asks him to describe everything he sees.

Tate says that he is in the drawing room at Collinwood. The people are different. He describes a little boy and girl, and a woman named Julia, who is holding a newspaper. Petofi-Q asks the date on the newspaper, and he says it's October 28, 1969. Petofi-Q scatters the wands. He says he has found the right hexagram, and he knows the way to the future, and nothing can stop him now.

Our thoughts

John: When Kitty tells Barnabas that she is his Josette, that makes it sound like she realizes that she's possessing Kitty. Of course Kitty isn't done with her body yet, and Edward is likely going to have something to say about it as well.

Christine: I just don't get why Jeremiah is sticking his ghostly bandaged nose into their affairs. He stole Barnabas' fiancé away while under a love spell, so you'd think he might finally let him have a brief moment of happiness with her, even if it is destined to end in tragedy.

John: I love when Count Quentin asks Angelique how she escaped, and she says that she just did. Good answer, writing team!

Christine: I would have preferred, "I am Angelique. I can do anything." I love how pleased Angelique was with herself for creating Barnabas' doppelgänger. She seemed to be having trouble getting the size of it just right, though.

John: So can Petofi just lay out the 49th hexagram, or does the I Ching require that he get the right hexagram through a natural toss? Not quite sure how this game works... but if it's as easy as dialing in the 49th hexagram, what the heck is he waiting for? Whatever the case, everybody put on your 1969 clothes! I think we're getting ready to say goodbye to 1897!

Christine: It would be pretty funny if he had to toss the wands repeatedly to try and get the right hexagram, so we may have a ways to go before we actually get back to 1969. I'd like to acknowledge another fine performance by Roger Davis in today's episode that has him appear to poke himself a little too hard in the eye while gesturing wildly. Both Petofi-Q and Count Quentin got to experience his grabby hands today.

Dark Shadows Episode 872 - 10/28/69

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

(For the duration of the Petofi/Quentin mind-swap, Count Petofi occupying Quentin as played by David Selby will be referred to as Petofi-Q, and Quentin in Petofi's body as played by Thayer David will be referred to as Count Quentin).

Tate tells Petofi-Q that he is in the drawing room at Collinwood. The people are different. He describes a little boy and girl, and a woman named Julia, who is holding a newspaper. Petofi-Q asks the date on the newspaper, and Tate says it's October 28, 1969. Petofi-Q scatters the wands. He says he has found the right hexagram, and he knows the way to the future, and nothing can stop him now.

Beth comes to see Petofi-Q. He explains that he's been busy. She sees that he's packing, and asks if he would have seen her before he left. He tells her that she's going to follow him. She says she's sure he says the same things to Anelique. She sees jewels, and accuses him of stealing them. Petofi-Q says they're Petofi's. He tells her he found the hexagram that will allow him to escape to the future. He says they'll be safe from Angelique and Petofi in 1969. She's surprised to hear that he plans to take her.

He says he'll go first, and after he disappears, she can join him. He sends her into town to cash a check. Petofi-Q rolls up the portrait, saying he needs to take it with him to ensure no one destroys it. She asks how he'll get it. He says he'll bury it now, and dig it up in the future.

Tate arrives at Collinwood, and looks around, realizing how different it looked in his vision. He walks into the drawing room and finds Charity. She tells him that she's Pansy. She asks what's wrong with him, and he tells her that he's seen the future. She tells him that she has second sight, but she doesn't let it phase her. He says that Quentin is going to go to the future, but he won't let him. He runs upstairs.

Barnabas sees this and asks Charity what's wrong with Tate. He then says he understands her concern with him, and explains that he too was a victim of the vampire. She points out that Tate said Quentin was going to the future. Barnabas is intrigued.

Petofi-Q rolls up Quentin's portrait when Tate pounds on his door. Tate tells Petofi-Q that he's not going to go. He says that he found his way to the future because of him, and he owes him his talent back. Petofi-Q refuses to help him. He tells Tate that he has choices. He could become successful in something else. Tate grabs the portrait, and Petofi-Q tells him to put it down. Petofi-Q threatens him with his hand.

Charity asks Barnabas why he's taking Quentin's going to the future seriously. Barnabas whispers a secret to her.

Petofi-Q has subdued Tate. He tells him that he would have restored his talent, but he doesn't do favors for enemies. He sends Tate on his way, and he leaves, obediently.

Charity walks in and asks what Petofi-Q did. She tells him that she knows his secret. He starts to threaten her, and she reminds him that it's his birthday, and she's here to remind him. She offers him a drink and he agrees, saying that he's in a hurry. They go downstairs.

Beth returns to Collinwood as Petofi-Q and Charity come downstairs. Charity goes into the drawing room, and Petofi-Q tells Beth to take the money she got and bury it in the suitcase where he designated on the map. He then tells her to return to the house and wait with his body until it disappears. Then she can use the 49th hexagram to join him.

Barnabas sneaks into Quentin's room. He sees the empty frame where the portrait once was. He pokes around until he hears steps outside the door. He hides in the shadows when Beth enters. She takes a suitcase and leaves. Barnabas follows her.

Charity pours two glasses of champagne. Petofi-Q toasts the future. He sees Beth leave the house with the suitcase, followed by Barnabas. Petofi-Q offers Barnabas a drink, but he declines and leaves the house.

Barnabas tries to find where Beth went with the suitcase.

Barnabas returns to the drawing room and asks Charity where Quentin is, and if Beth had come back. She says no one has come or gone. He realizes that Petofi-Q must be in the house somewhere.

Petofi-Q has laid out the 49th hexagram. He closes his eyes. He sees a door with the matching hexagram, and gets up and walks through it. He finds himself in the drawing room. He calls for Edward and Judith. He finds proof that he's in 1969, and revels in his success.

Our thoughts

John: What secret do you think Barnabas whispered to Charity? Do you think he was telling her about Quentin's Birthday?

Christine: I'm pretty sure he said, "I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob."

John: So it does look like they can just lay out the hexagram of choice, as opposed to having to toss the I Ching wands to get a natural '49.'

Christine: We don't necessarily know that. He could have been tossing wands the whole time Charity was draining the bottle of champagne and Barnabas was being unsuccessful at finding Beth digging a big hole on the grounds. I'd prefer to think that's what he was doing anyway: "48! What the devil! So close! I'll try again..."

John: How soon do you think Petofi-Q will regret putting Beth in charge of burying the suitcase with the things he wanted access to in the future? And didn't it seem like he gave her the only copy of the map so she'd know where to bury it?

Christine: I think he will regret his decision quite soon. He really should have known better, but he was so excited about going to the future that he didn't seem to be thinking clearly, though I think we can assume he made an extra copy of the map. I'm hoping she buried the suitcase somewhere else in case he didn't bring her along as promised. Incidentally, that canvas looks an awful lot like a poster to me. I loved the way Tate slapped Petofi-Q with it.

Dark Shadows Episode 1113 9/30/70

You can stream today's episode free on TubiTV! 

Gerard tells Julia that he has something that belongs to her, and she starts to say "My ... " and follows up with, "word." He says he found it in the playroom two nights ago, and found its mate on her dresser when he delivered her luggage. He points out that it can't be a coincidence. He asks who she is, and what she wants in Collinwood. She asks what gives him the right to question her. He says that Gabiel found it, and he could ask her. He asks if she was the woman Daniel claimed to see in the room, and she reiterates that she arrived today. He says when he saw the earring, he had a feeling it belonged to a woman who didn't dress as a woman normally would. She asks him if he was a psychic. He says not professionally. She explains that she found the other earring on the bureau in the room. He tells her that the mystery will be solved, and soon. Ben arrives, and she says she'd like to hear more stories about their father. Gerard excuses himself and goes upstairs.

Julia tells Ben that Gerard suspects something. Ben says he can't find Barnabas' coffin, and there were attacks in the village last night. Attacks like those they haven't seen in Collinwood since 1797. Ben says there's one place he'd be sure to go, and he'll see if he can find Barnabas there.

Barnabas goes into Josette's room in the old house. He speaks to her portrait, explaining to her that he must begin a new life, and telling her goodbye. He takes her portrait off the wall, and turns it to face the fireplace. He turns to see Ben in the room with him. Barnabas says he returned to the room for the last time. He will make an existence without Josette. Barnabas tells Ben he will not involve him this time. Ben pleads for him to talk with Julia from 1970. Barnabas says he does not share Ben's naivete. He says that she let Barnabas out of his coffin in 1967. He tells him he's not safe, and Barnabas says that word has no meaning for him. 

Gerard tells Leticia that Flora has written asking him to come see her at Rose Cottage. She calls him a heartbreaker, and he promises not to break hers. He tells her he made a new life for her bringing her to Collinwood. She says he gave her to Flora like she was a present. Gerard tells her that she's going to be famous — she'll be in a book. He tells her there's money to be made there, and they're not leaving until they get it. Julia enters, and Gerard introduces her to Leticia. Leticia says she needs to work on Flora's horoscope. 

Gerard leaves, and Julia asks her if she lives at Collinwood. She explains that she lives in Rose Cottage with Flora. Julia asks her about her ability to see the future. She says perhaps. Julia asks if she could see 1970, and Leticia says that she can only see a day or two into the future. Julia asks her to try. Leticia does, and says she smells smoke. She describes dust, and then stops. Julia wonders if that means Collinwood was destroyed. She can't understand what happened to Barnabas.

In 1970, Barnabas is sitting by the fire in the old house. Stokes comes to see him, and says he's sorry that Barnabas wasn't well enough to attend the funeral. Stokes says he shouldn't have gone to Europe, but he thought he had time to bring back the one man who could exorcise Gerard. He mourns the dead — Elizabeth, David, Daphne, Hallie... Barnabas says the creatures Gerard summoned from the grave prevented him from following Julia onto the stairs. He says he needs to find out where Julia went, and how to get there. Stokes says that if the stairs brought them from 1995, that must be where Julia is now. Barnabas says he's sure the stairs lead to the past, where this all began. He says the family journals mentioned Quentin building a time-traveling staircase in 1840. Stokes says he assumes Barnabas will try to use the I Ching again. 

Carolyn comes in, and mentions her mother is away with David and Hallie. She says she'll spend the weekend at the beach house. Barnabas says they can decide that later. She then asks him what happened to Collinwood, and who the men were who set fire to it. She then says that was just a dream — a nightmare. She says she's going to go upstairs to pack a bag. She goes upstairs and Stokes says she must get to Windcliff. Stokes asks about the 'other' problem, and asks where he is. Barnabas says he's upstairs.

In Josette's room, Quentin prepares to put his head in a noose. Carolyn comes in and screams for Barnabas. Quentin says he must join Daphne. Barnabas and Stokes run in and Quentin attacks Stokes, blaming him for Daphne's death. Barnabas sends Carolyn away. Quentin says the children were dead, and Daphne died in his arms. He said he could have saved them. Barnabas tries to calm him, and Quentin says he won't return to Collinwood. Barnabas tells Stokes to take Quentin to Windcliff.

Barnabas picks up his I Ching wands. Stokes tells him Quentin will be better off at Windcliff. Barnabas says he'll be as lost as he is now in 1995. Barnabas asks Stokes to take care of Carolyn. Stokes reminds him if the I Ching works, someone must stay in the old house to protect his body. Barnabas says Willie Loomis will. Stokes goes to get Carolyn to take her to the beach house. Barnabas goes into the secret room and tells Roxanne (through her coffin), that she'll be safe. He says he's going to go back in time to try and change her fate. 

Barnabas tosses the I Ching wands. Stokes says it's the 49th hexagram. Stokes tells him to visualize a door with that hexagram, and concentrate on it until the door opens. Barnabas does. He says it's opening. Stokes tells him to rise and go through the door. Barnabas sees a tombstone showing that Julia died on October 6, 1840. He says it can't be.

Our thoughts: 

John: While it was cool to pop back to 1970 (one last time?), I'm a little disappointed that they ignored some of the major questions, like: how did Barnabas escape the clutches of Gerard's zombies? Where's Gerard now, since we know come 1995 he'll still be hanging around the place? How did Elizabeth die, because as far as we know, she wasn't there the night of the destruction (and wasn't she with Roger, meaning that he too should be dead)? While it's obvious the writers could, through the 1840 sequences, alter the future to save all who died in 1970, it certainly seems more likely that they saw the writing on the wall and knew that the end was near for them to basically leave present day in what appears to be an irrecoverable mess.

Christine: Barnabas escaped because he is undead, and therefore cannot be killed by zombies. I imagine Gerard is still lurking about Collinwood with his zombie friends. I was also surprised to hear that Elizabeth died. I thought that was a very lazy and unacceptable piece of writing for such an instrumental character. I don't know if the writers knew the end was near, but they may have sensed Dan Curtis was exhausted and challenged to squeeze out new storylines. It could be that returning to the past was meant to be Barnabas and Julia's only way of altering history to prevent the destruction of Collinwood.

John: So despite all of their efforts, it looks like 1995 will play out just as it was when B&J dropped in; making their attempts to change the future a complete and utter failure. In retrospect, one has to wonder why Gerard chose to hold off on exacting his revenge on Collinwood (for reasons as yet to be determined) for 130 years... Why wait so long? Perhaps before we're through, we'll get a scene where Gerard declares that in 130 years, he'll get his revenge! And what are the chances we ever hear more about the mysterious European who could have exorcised Gerard... perhaps a descendant of Count Petofi?

Christine: After all Quentin has gone through in his lifetime, it's difficult to believe that these catastrophic events, while traumatic, would cause him to completely break from reality. 

John: Damn! Barnabas makes it clear that he isn't even going back in time to save Julia — he's going to save his new girlfriend, Roxanne! Of course, he's feeling guilty now that he sees Julia is on deck to die, but really, whether she lives or dies, as long as he can get his hands on Roxanne, he'll likely be happy in 1840!

Christine: That's not what I heard him say at all. He told Stokes he was determined to risk using the I Ching to find his way back to save Julia, as well as change history to prevent the destruction of Collinwood. Granted, he also wants to prevent Roxanne from becoming a vampire, though that may be hard to do if it turns out he is the one responsible for that happening. It was quite unexpected to hear 1840 Barnabas say goodbye to Josette and assert he must begin a new life without her, when all other Barnabas reincarnations professed undying love and obsession for her. Incidentally, it is always amazing to see that Barnabas tosses the desired 49th hexagram of change on the first try every time. 

 

49th hexagram again! What luck!

Dark Shadows Episode 701 - 3/3/69

Amazon Prime members can stream today's episode free!

Barnabas asks for details on how the I Ching works. He says it's his only chance to get Quentin to release David. Stokes hands Barnabas the wands, which he throws on the desk. Stokes says it's the 49th hexagram of change. He tells Barnabas to concentrate on a door with the hexagram on it. Barnabas concentrates on a door with the hexagram until it opens. He opens his eyes with a start. Julia asks if he'll see Quentin, and Stokes tells Julia that only Barnabas will know what happens.

Barnabas sees a chained coffin behind the door.

Barnabas appears to have woken up in the coffin.

Two gypsies are in the cobweb-ridden old house. The man, Sandor throws knives at a calendar on the wall. The woman, Magda, remembers the time when he would throw knives at her. She tells him when they leave Collinwood, they're taking rubies. She mentions a dying woman who was wearing them. She says when the woman dies, they must leave. She tells him that the jewels are in the drawing room. He refuses to do it. She demands that he do it tonight.

Quentin arrives at the main house. Beth answers the door, and he tells her that she's still beautiful. She tries to keep him outside but he forces his way in. He asks her why she didn't leave with her mistress, Jenny. He looks around the house, and says he's missed home. Beth says he shouldn't have come back. He tells her that he couldn't let his rich grandmother die alone. She asks if Edward knows that he's coming, and tells him that he'll throw him out. Quentin tells her that she missed him, and adds that her life was more exciting when he was around. He then tells her to take his bag to his room.

She goes to tell Judith that he's there, and he asks to see Jamison first. She points out that the boy is asleep. He then says he'll see his grandmother first. He goes upstairs, and as he does, asks Beth if she's well enough to make out a new will. He tells Beth that her life would be simpler if she admitted how interested she was in him. As they leave, Sandor sneaks in through the drawing room window.

A door opens in grandmother's room, and she is happy to see Edward, and says that now she can die. She realizes that it's Quentin, who she says can kiss her just once. She tells him that he has the nicest smile. She tells Quentin that he is the Tower of Destruction in the Tarot. He tells her that cards don't change, but he has.

He apologizes for what happened and she says he always had an excuse. Quentin tells her that her money should go to him. She says that she enjoys him, but she can out-think him. She says when Jameson brought her his letter, she realized that Quentin was using Jameson. She tells him that every one of them will get what they deserve, except Edward, the eldest, who she'll tell the secret. Quentin asks her to tell him the secret, and she says she hears someone coming.

Beth turns out the light in the drawing room, and after she leaves, Sandor comes out of the darkness.

Quentin presses his grandmother for the secret, but she is asleep. After he leaves, she sits up and smiles.

Quentin finds Sandor in the drawing room. He asks if he should call Carl and Judith, or if he'd prefer that he call the police.

Barnabas, chained in the coffin, realizes that he must will someone to find him. He doesn't even know what year it is.

Magda looks into a crystal ball when Sandor returns. She asks if he found them, and he describes all the jewels he saw. She asks where they are, and he tells her he gave the to Quentin. He then tells her there are no jewels in the house. She asks why Quentin is there, and he says to catch him. She says she'll find them. Sandor asks her why they would let Quentin come back, and assumes it means the old woman is dying. Magda tells him to look into her crystal ball. In it, they see the mausoleum, and the lever that opens the secret room. Magda says that must be where the jewels are hidden. She says they must go, but they run into Beth, who says Edith has to see her. She tells Sandor to go. Beth says Edith wants to be told that she'll live long enough to see Edward. Magda tells Beth to tell Edith that she's coming with some old gypsy cards.

Sandor opens the secret door in the mausoleum, and finds the chained coffin inside. He doesn't believe the jewels would be in the coffin, but realizes Magda would say that's where they are. He removes the chains and opens the lid. Barnabas' hand reaches out and clutches his throat.

Our thoughts

John: And just like that, we're catapulted back to 1897! I don't know if I was ready to begin the longest flashback storyline in the history of the show, but as has often been the case, this initial introduction has exceeded my expectations. Of course I'm not thrilled about leaving things hanging with the lives of David, Chris and Sabrina up in the air...

Christine: I'm always ready for time travel on Dark Shadows! That Quentin is a real nasty piece of work! We can already see from the get-go why he may have been walled up in the West Wing. He makes Nathan Forbes look like a saint! It's interesting to note that Edith associates Quentin with the Tower card, which is the card that Liz found in Roger's room after David tried to kill him at the behest of Quentin in Episode 647.

John: It almost seems like a missed opportunity for John Karlen to have portrayed Sandor, just so he could re-live the original coffin-opening and throat clutch. That said, Thayer David does a fine job as a gypsy, and he's not alone. I don't know if Grayson Hall has been better than she is as Magda.

Christine: She really shines in that role. Isabella Hoopes also does an amazing job as Edith Collins, and the interplay between Edith and Quentin is fun to watch. Everyone seems on point for our first day in 1897.

John: I wonder if Magda's crystal ball will pass through history to become David's crystal ball? And I guess the most important question, which is surely to be answered this week—is the 1897 Barnabas still a vampire?

Christine: I don't think he'd survive being chained in the coffin if he weren't a vampire, and his makeup suggests he is, though I've been fooled before. It will be interesting to see if his portrait still hangs in the foyer, and if he'll have to pretend to be another descendant of himself should he decide to make a reappearance at Collinwood. Portrait watchers may note that the portrait of Isaac Collins can be found hanging over the mantel where Jeremiah's portrait hangs in 1969.