214
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| ← Dark Shadows (1966) episode 214 → | |
| Episode number | 211 |
| Timeline | 1967 |
| First aired | April 21, 1967 |
| Tape date | April 17, 1967 |
| Narrated by | Victoria Winters |
| Written by | Malcolm Marmorstein |
| Directed by | John Sedwick |
| Home video | DVD: DS C1D1 |
Victoria Winters visits Barnabas Collins in the ruins of the Old House and learns about the ancestral home’s history and construction.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
Teaser
- My name is Victoria Winters. There are two great houses at Collinwood; one alive with the present, and the other – slowly decaying, filled with the dead memories of the past.
Vicki goes to the Old House in the hopes of finding David. He's not there and, when she turns to leave, the wind slams the doors shut. Vicki can't get out and is startled when someone appears on the staircase. It is Barnabas, who opens the stuck doors with a simple flick of his wrist.
Act I
Vicki is amazed by Barnabas' intimate knowledge of the workings of the derelict mansion. He goes on to entertain her by giving a detailed history of the construction of the Old House. His emotional connection to the house gets the better of him and he begins losing his composure. He quickly straightens himself out and agrees to walk Vicki back to Collinwood.
Act II
Meanwhile, Roger has recently returned from Bangor. Carolyn gives him an update on recent events. She tells him that Jason is still lurking about Collinwood, but Willie has recently disappeared. Roger responds with a bevy of sarcastic, witty comments. As the evening grows, Vicki and Barnabas arrive at Collinwood. She introduces him to Roger and Carolyn.
Act III
As the two men retire to Roger's study, Vicki comments on Barnabas' romantic imagination to Carolyn. She says that Barnabas gave her the strange feeling that he had actually lived in the Old House at one time. Like everyone else, Roger is astonished by how much Barnabas resembles the man in the portrait in the foyer. He recognizes the ring Barnabas is wearing as being the same one in the portrait.
Act IV
Barnabas claims that the ring was "handed down" to him. Roger wonders why Barnabas came to Collinsport; Barnabas explains that he was lonely in England, and that, with his wealth, seldom had true friends. He yearned for family and for the place where they originated. Barnabas expresses an interest in investing some money in the local markets and perhaps even getting involved in the Collinsport fishing industry. In the foyer, Carolyn and Vicki both express their happiness over someone friendly arriving at Collinwood after Jason and Willie's unwelcome presence. Barnabas departs and everyone is sad to see him go so soon. Roger asks the girls if they noticed the ring Barnabas was wearing; he wishes the heirloom had been given to him. Vicki comments on the resemblance of the painting and the living Barnabas; Carolyn agrees, saying it was "almost as if it were exactly a portrait of him."
Outside, Barnabas stands in the foggy, nocturnal forest, smiling at Collinwood.
[edit] Memorable quotes
- Barnabas Collins: "In a way, you can compare the pyramids to this house. Both were built to support an ego and perpetuate a memory, but both merely survived as architectural feats."
- Barnabas Collins: "The design and construction of this house represented a marriage of the elegance of Europe and the vigor and enterprise of a new world. The foundations were made from rocks left behind by glaciers, thousands of years ago. The beams and supports were cut from ancient local forests. The plaster walls were made from crushed clamshells and horsehair. Bricks were imported from Holland. That dusty chandelier, brought over from France, gleamed with hypnotic brilliance. That faded wallpaper was specially designed by a Belgian artist. The parquet floors were installed by an Italian craftsman. Cornices and moldings were the effort of a Spanish craftsman. It was a house to be envied by a prince. But in spite of all this, the total effort was an agony to man. Men were driven to their limits. What should have been an act and a labor of love – became a hateful thing. There were the crippled and the dead. Like the pyramids, one could ask... was it worth it?"
- Barnabas Collins: "This room saw much hatred. It saw families divide and devour each other. On these stairs, a father and son hurled words at each other – words that would lead to the death of the son! [begins laughing] The death?"
- Victoria Winters: "But there is one difference between this house and the pyramids of Egypt. The pyramids were designed to be tombs."
- Barnabas Collins: "You're right. This house was not designed to be a tomb."
[edit] Dramatis personae
- ← Nancy Barrett as Carolyn Stoddard →
- ← Louis Edmonds as Roger Collins →
- ← Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins →
- ← and Alexandra Moltke as Victoria Winters →
[edit] Background information and notes
- Roger claims that his study was once used by Jeremiah Collins to conduct business in.
- Jeremiah owned a vineyard in Spain, and several bottles of wine continued to be delivered to Collinwood long after his death.
