← 220 → Timeline 1967 Narrator Victoria Winters Writer Malcolm Marmorstein Director John Sedwick Airdate May 1, 1967 Tapedate April 25, 1967 Home Video DVD: DS C1D2 We have 3 images of Dark Shadows #220

Jason McGuire and Willie Loomis sever their partnership, and Willie finds a new place to stay – the Old House!

Synopsis

Teaser

My name is Victoria Winters. There is a strange illness at Collinwood; an illness that has caused a collapse and loss of strength; an illness that appears with the daylight, and disappears as the sun sets, and the darkness grows.

Willie wakes up in his room at Collinwood in the early evening. He begins getting dressed, just as Jason comes in to check on him. Willie's health is showing a remarkable improvement, and Jason doesn't understand how Willie could have recovered so miraculously.

Act I

Jason's convinced now that Willie has been faking his illness in order to work on his own scam, independent of McGuire. Jason feels betrayed by this, and severs his partnership with Willie. He tells Willie that it is time for him to leave Collinwood. Jason leves to get the money he promised him from his room and arranges to meet Willie downstairs.

Act II

Vicki comes up to Willie’s room to bring him some food prepared by Mrs. Johnson, who feels that underneath Willie's hard exterior he's basically a good person. Willie apologizes for all of the bad things he has done lately, and Vicki is amazed at Willie's apparent honesty. He claims that his illness has made him feel remorseful for his past actions. Downstairs in the drawing room, Jason informs Liz that Willie is leaving. Liz, who was certain Loomis would be staying for awhile, wryly comments on Willie's recovery. At that moment, Willie comes and tries to speak to Elizabeth.

Act III

Liz just wants Willie to leave and has no interest in hearing what he has to say. Willie has something important that he needs to tell her, but she refuses to listen. Jason, who thinks Willie is going to "blow the whistle" on him, drags Willie out of the drawing room and forces Willie out the front door. He gives Wille the $500 and tells him to check into the Collinsport Inn where he will look in on him later. Later that evening, Barnabas arrives at Collinwood to speak with Liz about moving into the Old House. Liz gives him permission to move in before going in search of the keys to the property, and Vicki, who has come downstairs, is surprised to learn where Barnabas intends to live.

Act IV

Barnabas announces his intention to completely restore the mansion to its original condition, and Vicki is excited by the prospect. Liz returns with the keys to the house and Barnabas returns to his new home. Liz and Vicki both comment on Barnabas' attachment to the Old House, and the mysterious change in Willie. Later, Barnabas arrives at the Old House and he ushers in his new house-servant – Willie Loomis. Defeated, without spirit, Willie trembles as Barnabas reminds him he has duties to perform - ones he clearly dreads.

Memorable quotes

• Victoria Winters (to Willie): "Most people are sorry when it's too late."

• Willie: (to Jason) "What's gonna hapen to me?"
• Jason: "Well I don't know, Willy, that's sort of up to you, isn't it?"
• Willie: "No. No, it's not up to me."

• Jason McGuire: "Well, Liz, are you pleased?"
• Elizabeth Collins Stoddard: "Pleased is hardly the word."

• Victoria Winters (about Barnabas): "It's almost as if the house belongs to him -- or maybe he belongs to the house."

• Barnabas Collins (to Willie): You no longer have anything to say about what you do. Go. Now!

Dramatis personae

• Joan Bennett as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard
• Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins
• John Karlen as Willie Loomis
• Dennis Patrick as Jason McGuire
• and Alexandra Moltke as Victoria Winters

Background information and notes

• Last appearance of Willie’s room.
• John Karlen does a poigniant and convincing job of portraying a lost and troubled soul, in this episode.

Bloopers and continuity errors

• This is one of the rare instances when Dennis Patrick struggles to deliver his lines during an argument with Willie Loomis.
• The sound effect (?) of sqeaking metal is heard after Barnabas opens the doors to the Old House end begins to walk in.
• This is the first time that Barnabas and Willie share screen time, face to face. Until now, Willie has only interacted with the portrait.