The Investigation Continues...Episode 55

The “money shot” of episode 55 of Dark Shadows is definitely Sam’s reaction after it is confirmed in a phone conversation with Sherriff Patterson in the Collins Port diner that Malloy’s body was found, dead. The brunt of episode is Roger’s attempts to persuade Patterson that Malloy’s death could have resulted from other means, suicide, accidental drunken slip, but the 11:00 meeting is brought out in the open. That night is crucial to Patterson’s investigation and now he has the principles. Burke, Sam, and Roger were there, time of death was most probably between 10:30 when his housekeeper saw him last and the meeting he never attended but demanded at 11:00, and the reason behind it is now a topic the sheriff is certain to dwell on going forward.

 The diner conversation between Maggie (waitressing as always) and pop Sam is recycled dialogue from the past episodes. “What is in the letter? Why can’t I read the letter? Pop, I’m worried about you. Pop, does it have anything to do with Devlin? Roger? Malloy?” Sam wants the letter so he can destroy it but Maggie obviously believes its importance, its relevance, is perhaps best kept in a safe place just in case something bad happened to her father. The same old song and dance. Sam’s reaction to Patterson’s statement—now that was worth waiting for. Sam has made Freudian slips with words that possibly offer his implication in Malloy’s death, the way he uses had or was with others questioning why he would speak of the man in past tense.

 I always enjoy Roger’s methods of evacuation when it comes to his guilt in Burke’s wrongful manslaughter conviction; while he cannot escape the past, he finds ways to avoid the trap, the noose. Elizabeth’s reputation, something many of the characters care to keep away from further scrutiny, is always used as a crutch to lean on when others want to commit questionable decisions so Collinwood would be spared possible media and news attention. Again, Roger flat lies to Liz when she tries to dig into the reasons behind the 11:00 night meeting, saying he know not why Malloy was demanding the three meet him in the potential evidence that would shed light on Burke’s innocence. Patterson has become a thorn in the asses of all involved, except Burke who will undoubtedly use the investigation for his benefit in getting his name absolved from the crime that sent him to prison for 5 years.