← 246 → Timeline 1967 Narrator Victoria Winters Writer Ron Sproat Director Lela Swift Airdate June 5, 1967 Tapedate May 26, 1967 Home Video DVD: DS C1D4 We have 5 images of Dark Shadows #246

Synopsis Edit

Teaser

My name is Victoria Winters. Collinwood in the morning sunlight appears to be serene and peaceful. But inside the great house there are those who cannot know serenity. Who must be denied peace, because they harbor dangerous and frightening secrets. One woman in particular must endure a life of torment because she harbors a secret that could destroy her.

Liz has called her lawyer Richard Garner and meets with him in the drawing room. Carolyn tells Vicki that Garner has been called due to some unknown emergency. Carolyn could hear Liz pacing in her bedroom all night long; she fears something terrible is about to happen.

Act I

Liz nervously inquires about her martial status; Garner informs her she is still married to Paul Stoddard but a divorce would be quick and easy. Liz claims she simply wants to break all ties to Paul when Garner questions her motives. Garner wonders if Liz is planning to marry again. At that moment, Jason enters the room. Garner takes an instant dislike to McGuire who is all too pleased to hear that Liz has taken steps to "start the ball rolling." After Garner departs, Jason continues to smugly insist he and Liz will be married despite the fact she loathes and despises him.

Act II

Roger returns from the cannery and reports the shocking state of the office; all of the secretaries are refusing to come into work out of fear from the recent attacks and Maggie Evans' disappearance. He pours Liz a brandy and complains about McGuire's lack of help down at the office. She changes the subject, informing a delighted Roger she's going through with the divorce from Paul. He notes how neither one of them ever had much luck with marriage. Liz amazes Roger with the revelation she might marry again. Jason comes into the room and Roger pelts him with wry comments. McGuire very nearly forces Liz to reveal their marriage plans, but she sidesteps the subject and leaves the room.

Act III

In the study, Vicki selects a book she promised to read to David and turns down Carolyn's offer to ride into town. However, not wanting Carolyn to go alone in lieu of recent events, she decides to go with her. Both girls are losing hope that Maggie will ever be found alive. Roger comes in and announces Liz's plans to divorce Paul, and of her hinting she might marry again. Jason McGuire is the only possible candidate, and neither Vicki nor Carolyn can imagine Liz marrying him. They all agree that Jason has some hold over Liz; Roger points out that McGuire's been let into Collinwood, the family business and all that's left is one step further. Carolyn determines to put a stop to McGuire's schemes. She feels strongly that the source of Jason's hold over her mother lies in the locked basement room, and Roger reveals that Liz has the only key (on a chain around her neck).

Act IV

Liz explodes at Jason; a few years in prison is preferable to a lifetime of marriage with him. McGuire once again plays the Carolyn card, using guilt to gain Liz's cooperation. Carolyn comes into the drawing room and demands the key to the locked room in the basement. Liz adamantly refuses. Carolyn threatens to break in and tells her mother she'll do anything to put an end to McGuire's hold over her. Liz storms from the room in tears. Slick-as-a-snake, Jason offers to help Carolyn get into the room.

Memorable quotes Edit

• Carolyn Stoddard: "I feel like we're all sitting on a keg of dynamite, and any minute now it's going to explode."

Dramatis personae Edit

• Joan Bennett as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard
• Nancy Barrett as Carolyn Stoddard
• Hugh Franklin as Richard Garner
• Dennis Patrick as Jason McGuire
• Louis Edmonds as Roger Collins
• and Alexandra Moltke as Victoria Winters

Background information and notes Edit

• Last appearance of Hugh Franklin and the character Richard Garner.
• Elizabeth Collins Stoddard always maintained that her marriage to Paul Stoddard was one of the worst mistakes of her life.

Bloopers and continuity errors Edit