← 171 → Timeline 1967 Narrator Victoria Winters Writer Ron Sproat Director John Sedwick Airdate February 20, 1967 Tapedate February 13, 1967 Home Video BEG 5, Disc 4 #1 We have 1 images of Dark Shadows #171

As the family recovers from the séance, Laura menaces Vicki.

Synopsis Edit

Teaser

My name is Victoria Winters. This night at Collinwood is the most terrifying night of my life. A séance is being held and I am about to be contacted by the dead.

As the séance continues and those assembled concentrate on Josette, Guthrie calls to Josette; Laura eyes Vicki as she begins to act strangely once more. Vicki begins moaning again and Carolyn smells jasmine. Vicki speaks in French, which Carolyn says Vicki doesn't know. Guthrie deduces that Josette is speaking through her. Laura exerts her power over Vicki as, in French, the governess begins to name the person, the stranger, dead but not dead... Vicki screams and faints.

Act I

Laura is secretly pleased that she managed to prevent Josette from speaking her name through Vicki. Roger puts on the lights as Guthrie and Carolyn tend to Vicki, who comes to suddenly asking what happened. Roger offers her some brandy as Vicki learns that Josette spoke through her; Laura (who speaks French) dodges the chance to translate what Josette told them at Roger's behest. Guthrie states that the disjointed speech told of someone who sleeps without sleeping and dreams without dreaming. She also spoke of a young boy in grave danger; Roger scoffs. Guthrie continues, speaking of a fire through the centuries and a fire to come, as well as a presence in the house which is evil but which acted hostilely to stop her from naming it. Laura and Roger don't understand or like this situation, not one iota. Vicki is a blank slate after the séance began. Vicki recaps her experience, stating that she was in a place that was covered in fire and which set her aflame. Vicki becomes hysterical but Carolyn bitchily refuses Laura's help in escorting Vicki to her room. Roger takes Laura back to the Cottage and plans to tongue-lash Guthrie when he returns. Guthrie, alone, replays the tape recording of the séance.

Act II

Roger and Laura are in complete agreement about Guthrie's leaving Collinwood, which Roger plans to order tonight. He also plans to handle Vicki and Carolyn's intended opposition. Roger wonders if there's anything in all of this; Laura poo-poos the idea of the supernatural (or perhaps, just the possibility that Roger might believe in the supernatural). Laura can explain everything except Vicki's fluent French. Roger plans to erase his memory of the whole incident promptly. Vicki and Carolyn agree that David is the boy Josette is protecting; they can't figure out where the fire will be or when. Carolyn's belief that Laura is the cause of everything is strengthened although Vicki is reluctant to agree.

Act III

Carolyn reiterates her belief that Laura is the cause of Liz's illness, and she is sure her aunt is going to do something terrible to David. She doesn't believe Laura loves David in the slightest. Guthrie visits the girls to apologize; Guthrie is reluctant to name the evil force as Laura. Guthrie thinks the only way they'll be sure is if they hold another séance. Vicki is reluctant to agree; Guthrie thinks that a new séance, sans the evil force (aka Laura), if held in the Old House with Vicki present, would be more successful. Vicki wants to help but is afraid. Guthrie says he won't make Vicki--who is Josette's instrument of communication--go through with the séance except as a last resort. He suggests Vicki gets some rest, and both he and Carolyn tell her goodnight. Back down in the Drawing room, Roger scowls. He tells Guthrie good-bye after wryly thanking him for an unforgettable experience. Guthrie points out that the séance was not a failure, and hence he is not leaving. Carolyn defends Guthrie and tells Roger that he can't stop Guthrie's visits.

Act IV

Carolyn calls Roger out, saying he's more afraid than she is but he's covering with a layer of skepticism. Guthrie is her only hope in helping Liz; Roger admits defeat. Vicki awakens with a start and finds Laura in her room, where Laura menacingly suggests that Vicki might be happier and safer away from Collinwood. Laura vanishes.

Memorable quotes Edit

• Laura Collins (to Vicki): "I have a feeling about you... a feeling that it's not good for you to be in this house."

Dramatis personae Edit

• ← Nancy Barrett as Carolyn Stoddard →
• ← Louis Edmonds as Roger Collins →
• ← John Lasell as Peter Guthrie →
• ← Diana Millay as Laura Collins →
• and ← Alexandra Moltke as Victoria Winters →

Background information and notes Edit

• This episode features a lovely directorial touch as Vicki closes her bedroom window upstairs, Roger opens the Drawing Room window downstairs.

Bloopers and continuity errors Edit

The ornate chair that is normally in the corner of the drawing next to the armoire and close to the telephone is shown near the window and next to the table with the tape recorder at the start of the Seance in 170 is shown at the start of this episode, just as the Seance is finishing back in its normal place.