157
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| ← Dark Shadows (1966) episode 157 → | |
| Episode number | 154 |
| Timeline | 1967 |
| First aired | January 31, 1967 |
| Tape date | January 24, 1967 |
| Narrated by | Victoria Winters |
| Written by | Ron Sproat |
| Directed by | Lela Swift |
| Home video | BEG 5, Disc 2 #5 |
Vicki learns of another Laura Murdoch who died by fire, 100 years ago and 100 years after the death of Laura Murdoch Stockbridge.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
Teaser
- My name is Victoria Winters. Dawn has come to Collinwood, gray and cold; the night's storm is over, but there is no sun to be seen. The night's vigil is almost over, but the deeds of the night remain to haunt the day.
Vicki has fallen asleep in a chair in the Drawing room. She is having a nightmare about the fire-bird-stone Liz spoke of that awakens her with a start; she smells jasmine and senses Josette's presence around her. She thinks the clue she seeks is in the crypt, but she's afraid.
Act I
Having called Frank at 5AM to come get her, Vicki won't give him any answers when he shows up. Roger comes downstairs and is in a foul mood. Vicki claims she just wants to drive around with Frank, nowhere special. Vicki and Roger relay, after some cajoling by the young barrister, the strange occurrence that beset Elizabeth. Roger relays hearing Liz say, "I remember, now I know!" before finding her at the foot of her bed, babbling. Roger concurs with Vicki's desire to get fresh air. Before leaving, Frank demands answers. Vicki admits she wants to go back to the crypt.
Act II
After some knocking and shouting, the Caretaker appears behind Vicki and Frank. He's been out fixing gravestones after a storm. He invites Vicki and Frank in. There used to be a graveyard 7 miles to the north of the cemetery [here]. Vicki implores the Caretaker to try to remember the name of "L. Murdoch Stockbridge, died by fire!" They ask about other Murdochs or if there's a way to track who "L." was. The senile (actually, intellectually overburdened) Caretaker remembers another Laura Murdoch, but can't remember her married name. Vicki smells the scent of jasmine again and Josette causes a book to fall from a shelf. Frank picks it up and it opens to a page on Laura Murdoch Radcliffe.
Act III
Vicki points out that L. Murdoch lived from 1840-1867, 100 years after the death of Laura Murdoch Stockbridge and 100 years before today. Frank accuses Vicki of suspecting Laura in the mystery surrounding Liz's illness. As Frank recaps recent events, the Caretaker finds that Laura Murdoch was married to Robert Radcliffe (another fine family). Laura's parents aren't named, which would have excluded her from marrying most Radcliffes. Vicki and Frank are horrified to learn that Laura Murdoch Radcliffe died by fire.
Act IV
A peeved Roger has to endure Lt. Riley's presence. Riley confirms that Laura is Laura. Roger is angry when he learns (although he refuses to comply with) that he'll be needed for future questioning. Vicki and Frank return to Collinwood and learn that the dead woman in Phoenix is to be buried in an unmarked grave. Riley speculates that there are TWO Laura Collins [his wording]. Vicki ponders this and admits to Frank that she thinks there are four Laura's tied together.
[edit] Memorable quotes
- Victoria Winters: "The more we find out, the more we get involved in this mystery."
[edit] Dramatis personae
- Conard Fowkes as Frank Garner
- Louis Edmonds as Roger Collins
- Daniel Keyes as Caretaker
- Vince O'Brien as Lt. Dan Riley
- Alexandra Moltke as Victoria Winters
[edit] Background information and notes
- The year is given as 1967, the first time the series refers to the present date.
[edit] Continuity and mistakes
- Off-screen coughing can be heard as Vicki wakes up during the teaser.
- A stage-hand can be seen behind the bookcase in the crypt.
