← 204 → Timeline 1967 Narrator Victoria Winters Writer Ron Sproat Director John Sedwick Airdate April 6, 1967 Tapedate March 24, 1967 Home Video VHS: Dark Shadows Collector's Series DVD: TB C6D3 We have 1 images of Dark Shadows #204

The family attempts to get to the bottom of why Liz invited Willie and Jason to live at Collinwood.

Synopsis Edit

Teaser

My name is Victoria Winters. Another stranger has come to Collinwood, a savage, dangerous, unwelcome stranger, who seems to be part of a dark and unexplainable mystery. Certain members of the Collins family are still unaware of his presence in the Great House.

After a mutually fitful night, Carolyn asks Vicki about the strange man who came to Collinwood last night, and Vicki drops the triple bomb about Willie. Willie's stay is purportedly a favor to McGuire from Liz; Vicki warns Carolyn away from Willie due to her encounter with him. Carolyn is shocked this behavior didn't get Willie thrown off the property, and speculates that her mother's lack of will is related to the hold Jason McGuire has over her.

Act I

Vicki admits to being frightened of Willie and relates her first meeting with him, in which he nearly got into a fight at the Blue Whale. She believes Willie is capable of murder. In the Drawing room, Roger is thumbing through papers on the desk when Willie enters; Roger starts when he learns that Willie is staying at Collinwood on Liz's invitation. Roger explodes and bolts; Willie cackles alone in the Drawing Room.

Act II

In the Dining Room, Roger, Carolyn, and Vicki speak of his conversation with Liz in which she threatened to throw him out if he didn't abide by her decision to make Willie her guest. Roger admits surprise at Liz's actions. Nobody understands her actions and Roger comments that Liz is about to turn Collinwood into a 'haven for derelicts.' Willie enters and asks to join; Roger is rude because he believes in privacy. Willie clears the room and tries to order the girls to come back in. He also tries to order Carolyn to fix his breakfast; Vicki, terrified of Willie, implores Carolyn not to argue. Willie smarms, then gives Vicki his breakfast order after she brings his coffee. Carolyn tells Vicki she'll be okay while the governess goes to tell Mrs. Johnson Willie wants breakfast. Alone, Willie leers at her and Carolyn says she doesn't like to be looked at. Willie debases Carolyn.

Act III

Burke is shocked by Vicki's news concerning Willie, who shows up at the Blue Whale during their date. She admits he hasn't yet done anything but frighten her and Carolyn, and prevents Burke from confronting him. The two men spar verbally until Vicki has to break up a near-fight between them. She implores Willie to go away, then has to calm Burke, who's about ready to explode, down.

Act IV

Back at Collinwood, Willie returns to terrorize a nervous Carolyn. After some smarm and booze, he fondles her and she orders him to stay away from her after he tries to give her orders in her own house. Willie closes the Drawing Room doors and advances on Carolyn, who pulls a gun on him—Roger's loaded gun. Carolyn wins the confrontation.

Memorable quotes Edit

• Carolyn Stoddard (to Willie): "I'm warning you. If you don't leave me alone, I'll blow your head off."

Dramatis personae Edit

• Mitchell Ryan as Burke Devlin
• Nancy Barrett as Carolyn Stoddard
• Louis Edmonds as Roger Collins
• James Hall as Willie Loomis
• and Alexandra Moltke as Victoria Winters

Background information and notes Edit

• Burke refers to "Three nice ladies" at Collinwood. Whom is he excluding?
• The closing credits of this episode mark the first appearance of Barnabas' portrait in the foyer (until now a mirror hung in its place).

Bloopers and continuity errors Edit

• Willie stumbles over the line, "It's not time" while talking to Carolyn.