Diaries of the Dark

Dark Shadows skipped over Episode 131, so as I went from 130 to 132.

I wasn't feeling this episode. I understand why it was necessary, but normally episodes designed around David do nothing for me personally. Roger and Elizabeth discuss the situation involving Laura and David. Should she be allowed to see him? Can a concerned Elizabeth even stop Laura from seeing her son? Will Laura gain custody over her son? Does Roger care? We actually see Vicky doing her job, trying to get David to do better at math, listening to his comments on Laura, his worries about her. David seems to know all about Laura, what she wore, and looks like, the night she made her first visit to Collinwood since leaving due to a breakdown. This is focused specifically on David; you like his character, then this episode is for you.

Laura returns to Collinwood after watching her son swing from behind a bush. Burke learns from Ms. Johnson that Laura has returned and plans to communicate with her. Laura makes her intentions clear to both Roger and Elizabeth...all she wants is her son. Roger obviously seems fine with the idea of letting go of a son he has little regard for, but Elizabeth adores the boy. What I like about this new storyline is how enigmatic Dark Shadows Creative has made the character of Laura. She seems "otherworldly", as if she's in control of some strange power yet revealed. The beginnings of what she is capable of come at the end of this episode, the show's 130th, when David seems under a spell and the Collinwood entrance doors swing open as if two giant hands jerked them. Laura engages Liz and Roger carefully; you can see that she chooses her words wisely, delicately laying out what she wants. She wants David, and I think we see right here that a fight for the custody of the boy...

Building upon Laura's mystique, this episode is all about her. Elizabeth and Roger contemplate how to keep her out of their lives, particularly David's. Sam is so drunk, he will not even remember an important painting that symbolizes what Laura had previously mentioned to Maggie (and Maggie previously mentioned to Sam). Laura had been sent away, partly due to heavy drinking because she knew who actually drove the automobile that struck the victim, a crime Burke went to prison for. Sam and Roger have further conversation about Laura, what her return to Collins Port might mean and how it will affect them. Sam questions to Roger if Laura even knows about his testifying falsely at the trial. Laura was "away in Phoenix", Roger and Liz moving on with their lives, fully capable of completely forgetting about her. David's welfare is Liz's concern while an anxiety-ridden Roger just wants to avoid Laura. Meanwhile, Maggie is given a lift home from the Blue Whale by Joe,...

Sliding back into the routine, we get to see Sam boozing up. I tell you, I damn near forgot Kathryn Leigh Scott was on the show, her Maggie has been given so little to do. She is to be Sam's private investigator, trying to pry information from Roger's wife (well, again, this hasn't been announced, and I'm sure Dark Shadows Creative will prolong the meeting of mother/wife with son/husband as long as humanly possible) about who she is and what her reasons for being in Collins Port are. Sam knows who she is, perhaps shaken in disbelief, maybe attempting to convince himself this mysterious woman isn't who he thinks she is. Maggie has a conversation with Joe about Matthew's "death by fright" (while allowing Maggie, Sam, Joe, and the mystery lady to have this episode, DSC still want to emphasize that what happens at Collinwood is the talk of the town). Joe laughs on the whole notion that Matthew died of such a thing, instead believing his heart just gave out...

This episode just deals with reactions from those surrounding Vicky's brush with death, Matthew's mysterious death, the obvious attraction between Burke and Vicky, Elizabeth's worries concerning Vicky's never-ceasing troubles since coming to Collinwood, and the usual tensions between Burke and the Collins family. Vicky tells of Josette's ghost while Elizabeth, Roger, and Burke contemplate her mental state, chalking it up to possible hysterics due to almost perishing at the hands of the mad caretaker. We saw Josette, heard the voices that drove Matthew insane and dead, and at the very end of this episode actually see the ghost in her bride dress roaming the grounds near the Old House (a cool visual that really leaves the chills). Nothing really exceptional here, but to see how important Vicky's well being is to those around her, especially Burke. This episode also confirms that Vicky is very fond of Mr. Devlin (see how she reacts when Miss Johnson tells her that ...

If ever there was an episode to grab a Dark Shadows viewer prior to the arrival of Barnabas I'm sure this is the one. Dark Shadows Creative pooled all their collective energies into this episode. It has been building for quite some time. We have went through Malloy's murder investigation, multiple suspects polarized as potential murderers, numerous death attempts on Vicky's life, her imprisonment by the killer, Matthew Morgan, Morgan's copious opportunities to put an end to Vicky yet always persuaded right before doing the deed, and his ultimate executioners, ghosts who frighten him to death. Morgan goes to the tool shed, finds an ax buried in a tree stump, warms the blade on a spool, all the while this episode has David trying to tell Burke (often stalling, a dramatic tactic by DSC to infuriate a nervous audience wanting him to spit it out before Matthew is finally able to kill Vicky), but uneasy because he fears he'll  go to jail. Even worse is that Roger is right...

Near the pivotal conclusion to the “Victoria Imprisonment” storyline is Episode 125 has the ghost of Bill Malloy reappearing, not only to a conflicted David who fears going to jail (he almost releases Vicky but his fear of going to jail deters from doing so) but also to the unstable Matthew, trying to decide whether to kill Vicky or take her with him on the lam. Once he sees Malloy, Matthew goes off the deep end, even forgetting about the time he has kept Vicky concealed in the staircase secret room, thinking it a dream. Vicky, finally free, almost leaves the Old House when Matthew gains his bearings and is determined to put an end to her once and for all. Tying her back up, Matthew believes the ghosts want Vicky dead (his mental faculties are skewed, to say the least). This is Thayer David’s moment; the last dozen episodes have been catered specifically to him. Calling good buddy Burke, this could be David’s escape route from being linked to Matthew, avoiding jail time (in his min...

The nature of Roger’s wife (I’m labeling her this because it is obvious) is starting to flower as her elusiveness regarding identity (Maggie, not afraid to probe and question, gets a few details out of her like how she’s from Phoenix, Arizona, gone from Collins Port ten years), while still for the most part intact, may be deteriorating, especially once a hung over Sam visits for a bit to talk with his daughter. When Maggie tells him of her questions about the Collins, being a local, and her past in Arizona, Sam becomes unnerved, perhaps understanding who she is, leaving in a hurry. Meanwhile, Matthew’s on the verge of possibly harming David, with definite designs on killing Vicky as he senses his end is near if he doesn’t act and act fast. David narrowly escapes but it appears Vicky’s life is in jeopardy. I have to hand to Dark Shadows Creative, they really leave you in this episode hanging as to Vicky’s fate. David rushes to get help…

Joe is worse for wear after helping search for Vicky, stopping by the diner for a cup of coffee and a chat with Maggie, admitting that his relationship with Carolyn was over, both of them recognizing a rather bewildered young woman, enigmatic with a haunted face, entering, sitting down at a table. When Joe leaves for sleep, Maggie and this woman talk—the conversation about the Collins and Collins Port. I think it is easy to venture a guess that this is Roger’s troubled wife, returning unannounced, not quite sure what to do or how to approach her estranged family. This is a set up for the future, as her presence will make a Burke Devlin type immediate impact, while the “Victoria Imprisonment” storyline is on its way to   a close with David finding an increasingly paranoid and fearsome Matthew chomping at the bit because of his being stuck in the Old House (the Widows and the lighted portrait of Josette are really what bother him). David has been eyeing the staircase ever since h...

 I have to give Dark Shadows Creative a great deal of credit for really mixing it up and getting not only more supernatural but giving David a more crucial role regarding his complex friendship with escaped fugitive, Matthew. David is a constant source of aggravation and worry for Matthew yet he is needed for food and information. Plus, how long can Matthew keep his secret of Vicky and the hidden room from others?

David attempts to talk with a grouchy Burke who hasn't slept much over the last few days as Patterson and his officers have given up searching Collinwood grounds. Meanwhile, Matthew is hearing the voices of the Widows’ ghosts, calling his name antagonistically, and this is starting to cause him to unravel, fracturing his confidence in escaping Collinwood in one piece. Vicky remains bound and gagged unless Matthew gets a little rough with her, especially after her calling out to David and his hearing those voices. Carolyn wants to talk to Burke but he isn’t interested at the moment, clearly concerned more for Vicky’s welfare. I think it is visible that Carolyn is growing restless and uncomfortable the longer she is away from the man she has a passion for, while perhaps there’s the knowledge, no matter if she wants to accept it or not, that the true object of Devlin’s desires is Vicky, not her, and that her family was right about him all the while.

I’m not sure the current “Vicky Imprisonment” storyline has legs. It could get awfully repetitive really fast if we get the same routine of Matthew keeping a watch for others who might pass by the Old House, keeping Vicky hid away, warding off David’s thoughts of where he hides and the scary idea of being an accessory after the fact in regards to helping harbor a known fugitive. Sheriff Patterson tells an inquisitive David this while the two are chatting about Matthew. Patterson is reluctantly honest with Elizabeth about the chances of finding Vicky. Matthew is spending a lot of time having to persuade David not to keep coming over to him, trying to keep his secrets under wraps, and this mission of escaping law enforcement dwindles the longer he puts his trust in a curious child.

Episode 120 is primarily confined to the Old House, with one conversation between Collinwood maid, Ms Johnson, and David talking about Vicky’s disappearance and Matthew’s possible involvement. David knows of Matthew’s whereabouts, even bringing him breakfast from the Collinwood kitchen, the two talking about where Vicky might be and who would want to harm her. Matthew is evasive when David mentions a secret the former caretaker has to share with the kid. Matthew needs David in order to survive for a while in his current hiding-place so he apologizes for yelling when the tyke persisted in knowing what the secret was. At the end, when Matthew is gone for the moment, David can hear Vicky, trying to call out to him while gagged, quite a teaser for the next episode for sure.

Emotions are running high in Episode 119 as the gloves come off. Carolyn insists on continuing seeing Burke despite the pleas of both Elizabeth and a returning Roger who try to convince her of Devlin’s supposed true motives in using her to destroy the Collins family. Carolyn’s defiance troubles her family greatly. Burke and Joe return from a fruitless search and Roger’s snide remarks cause quite a bit of animosity. Roger is flat PMSing here, his disregard for Vicky’s safety, snotty comments aimed directly at Burke, his chastisement of Elizabeth for offering Devlin coffee. Carolyn and Joe have quite an ugly back-and-forth about their dissolving relationship, and it is pretty much clear that their time has passed, ending unpleasantly. It is time for Joe to move on and he even apologizes to Burke for slugging him, while Devlin realizes (and lets Joe know this) he isn’t completely over Carolyn. But that final argument relates to us that any sort of loving relationship is highly unlikely....

While I can’t see much elasticity in the plot involving Matthew’s keeping Vicky prisoner in the secret hidden room behind the book shelf in the Old House, it does allow Dark Shadows Creative to return to the ghost of Josette and they go out of their way to establish her for a reason…and it just might come into play during the “Vicky’s Imprisonment” angle. That great old tease that has been used in soap operas time immemorial, the near rescue, is once again utilized excellently. Matthew has Vicky almost out the door when Burke and Joe appear, loaded shotguns in tow, the former caretaker/current killer-on-the-lam quickly forcing his prisoner back into the hidden room before getting caught. While Joe and Burke search the Old House, Matthew keeps his huge hand over Vicky’s mouth and his raw thuggish strength keeps her at bay. Vicky can’t call out for help even as Burke and Joe are only feet away. Burke even says, “There’s nothing we can do for Vicky here.” It is a formula that works; you...

Episode 117 deals with Vicky’s disappearance and the relationship between Carolyn and Burke. Joe and Burke come to blows following a heated argument about Carolyn’s leaving from Bangor for Collins Port. Burke and Carolyn *get cozy* in his Bangor home, their potential tryst interfered by Joe, at Elizabeth’s request to find her due to fears of something wrong with Vicky. Matthew’s on the lam, Vicky’s imprisoned by him, and Burke moves into action, adamant about helping Liz find her lost governess (it is reported by the man she was to meet, Frank Garner, to Liz that she never made it to Bangor, Vicky’s travel bag found by Joe still in the hall near the front door). In the dialogue between Burke and Carolyn, it is visually present that when she mentions Vicky’s potential romance with Frank, Devlin is a bit bothered by it. Burke’s change of mood when he is informed of Vicky’s vanishing offers a clear picture of just how he feels about her. Carolyn is conflicted because she’s passionate ab...

This episode just works as a tease. Will Vicky somehow free herself from Matthew? He has a secret room in the Old House only he knows about. It is behind a shelf, rather large room with plenty of space. The episode is all about Vicky's attempts to keep Matthew from killing her, while she also tries to talk him into fleeing from the premises. Matthew believes all of the chaos surrounding him was caused by Victoria's hatred of him; the ultimate betrayal was Elizabeth turning on him. Miss Johnson and Elizabeth talk about Vicky, why she hasn't made it to Bangor yet, and the cleverness of Dark Shadows Creative is spotting her suitcase resting where she last left it before being taken prisoner. There's a parlor trick used often by writers of soap operas when characters are imprisoned: able to get her captor to leave for a moment, quietly attempting to retreat, out the door of the place that has been your prison, only to be grabbed right before freedom, placed right back into ...

It’s the suddenness that frightens. The unexpected. The feeling you don’t know what’s gonna happen next. It was building to this as Matthew fled his cottage as a fugitive and Vicky tried to come to terms with nearly facing death that the two of them were fated to meet face-to-face once again. Dark Shadows Creative was not about to let this story end like that, and they sure knew how to milk a plot for all its worth. David becomes a major inadvertent catalyst as it is his being at the Old House where Matthew was hiding that would inevitably bring Victoria straight into the clutches of the killer. It starts with a rather uncomfortable meeting between David and Matthew; David was bringing him food raided from his family's cupboard. Matthew is not a trusting fellow and in little David he believes is someone he can rely on. David questions Elizabeth about loyalty, what it really means, pondering if his friendship with Matthew is on solid footing. I think DSC was planting a see...

I think this will be the episode most remembered as the first kiss shared between Burke Devlin and governess Victoria Winters. Let me tell you that this wasn't a one-sided affair--Vicky liked and desired that kiss just as much as Burke did. It is also the episode where Burke gets the call that Logan's Port Enterprises is now his to operate as he sees fit--now Elizabeth and Collin's Port Enterprises have competition, a major threat. Roger is snide, as always, nose and chin high, holding a smug veneer as Victoria humbly asks for forgiveness. Sure, Roger should be a bit sore, but who does he have to blame but himself? He hasn't exactly done himself in favors shying away from suspicion. When Burke calls wanting to see Vicky at his inn room, Roger answering the phone, the pressure mounts. Victoria must choose: the Collins family or Burke. She chooses Elizabeth because of the home and warmth provided to an orphan who has never had a family to call her own. Yet, Vicky is unset...

In this episode, Dark Shadows Creative makes sure to remind us that Burke Devlin and Miss Johnson are still part of the cast as Matthew has (and will continue to) hogged most of the storyline focus. Vicky has really deprived from Burke the orbit of the Dark Shadows Universe as his designs on destroying all things Collins have taken a back seat to "Who is trying to kill Vicky?" and "Malloy's killer revealed!" Johnson raises an interesting question to Burke on whether or not he really was responsible for the manslaughter, considering he was drunk and the events of that night were hazy. He does ponder for just a moment but completely believes he would not leave the scene if he was the one who caused the car wreck. This episode returns to characters reinforcing their desire to destroy Roger, with Johnson and Burke meeting at his inn room to discuss the current state of affairs at Collinwood regarding the real murderer of Malloy. It was rather fascinating seeing such...

The Episode I titled "The Search" is listed as Dark Shadows Episode 111 for some reason, with 109 & 110 skipped (not sure why), but getting into this episode, listed as 112, Matthew is caught by Elizabeth as he was about to break Vicky's neck. Elizabeth needs to get Vicky out of the cottage so she tries to convince Matthew that his admission to the accidental death of Malloy would be kept silent if he just cooperated in her release. It is only when Matthew almost strangles a courageous Elizabeth (counting on his obsessive loyalty to her as a means to set Vicky free) that he realizes how far he has fallen into the abyss that he flees. Patterson's boys out looking for him, no one believes Matthew is in fact still on the grounds, heading for the Old House where he plans to take refuge, the ending letting us know that Vicky's life is still not without danger. Roger makes an entrance late in the episode, his snobbish nose stuck high up, his contempt for Vicky quite...

Patterson and his boys are searching the grounds for Vicky while Elizabeth and Frank contemplate nervously what happened to her, where she could be, and who would want her silenced. Meanwhile, Vicky attempts to talk Matthew out of murdering her in cold blood. Matthew wavers for a bit but is wholly convinced that the only way to save his hide is to kill her. I imagine Thayer David must have loved saying "KILL YOU!", because Matthew really emphasizes it over and over to a frightened Vicky who does all she can to worry him about possibly facing a guilty conscience and murder conviction. Matthew believes he can do away with her and bury her in a cove where no one will  find her. This episode is built on delay and having the viewer on edge wondering when Matthew would finally close in on Vicky as she tries, and fails, to escape or seek help (the phone rings as Elizabeth tries to contact Matthew again for a search update). Frank, interesting enough, is the only who plants the seed ...

Finally, finally, finally. By episode One Hundred-Eight, the murderer of Bill Malloy is finally *outed*. Vicky was nearly killed by a falling "statue urn", and the person responsible was...Matthew, the caretaker. Matthew will not allow Victoria to leave when she attempts to use his cottage phone to call for Sheriff Patterson (the statue urn nearly falling on her), and through Freudian slips (he knows the time when Vicky was almost hit by the car, 8:00; he lies to Elizabeth about not knowing Vicky's whereabouts; he is restless about what she does and does not know about Malloy's death; then, most of all, he admits to being unable to hold "it in" any longer) unveils he is the murderer of Malloy and plans to kill her! The subplot has Elizabeth and Frank Garner concerned for Vicky's well being when she vanishes without a trace, calling Patterson to come to Collinwood, fearing for the governess' safety. Very important episode, but we Dark Shadows fans kno...

This time Sam Evans gets the third degree from Sheriff Patterson involving his conversation with Vicky about Malloy, a second line of questioning providing a possible motive for wanting to kill her: perhaps her reasons for seeing that a killer is brought to justice for Malloy's death could potentially defame him for the wrongful manslaughter charge, worse if he is the one who pushed Bill off of Lookout Point. Frank Garner comes down from Bangor when he got word Vicky was almost killed causing a conflict with his father, Richard, representing Roger Collins. Frank is who stirs up Patterson to bring Sam back in for questioning when he establishes a motive after talking with Vicky regarding that conversation at the Blue Whale about Malloy. It is indeed getting more and more convoluted as the show continues; everyone now just about is involved in the Malloy murder storyline. Someone tries to kill Vicky yet again when a flower pot nearly lands on her head, pushed off by someone at the to...

Sheriff Patterson questions Victoria, Carolyn, and arrested Roger about the fountain pen and the night Malloy was killed. Roger, no surprise, annoyingly, frustratingly, pleads innocence and no responsibility for either Malloy's death or the two events that frightened Victoria (someone trying to get into her bedroom and the attempt to run her down with a car late at night). Roger says he was elsewhere when Victoria was nearly hit by the car, miles away at a gas station. Carolyn is a wreck, completely in grief that Roger would be considered capable of any sort of violent or criminal act. Vicky simply tells the truth and/or answers Patterson's questions to the best of her knowledge, particularly adamant that the potential bedroom intruder was not some dream or a figment of her imagination. Roger lies about why he wanted to meet Malloy, but admits hiding the pen and knowledge of the death at Lookout Point because he was afraid Patterson would implicate him as a murderer. He is pass...