277

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Timeline	1967
Writer	Malcolm Marmorstein
Director	Lela Swift
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Synopsis

Teaser

The strange needs of a man who has crossed from another world will have a lasting effect on those who are innocent. He walks the Earth a lonely, desolate soul, searching for a relationship that can never be real.

At the Old House, Barnabas is gazing forlornly at the Portrait of Josette. He plays her music box but it only saddens him more. On the bed lies one of Josette's gowns. Willie enters and reports that everyone believes Jason McGuire left town due to Sheriff Patterson's orders. Free of suspicion, Barnabas is ready for his plans to proceed: very soon, Josette's room will be occupied.

Act I

Barnabas assures a nervous Willie that his next Josette will come to him of her own free will. To implement this, he decides to invite the Collins Family to a costume party in order to celebrate the restoration of the Old House. Everyone will come dressed as a family member from the 18th century, and Victoria will be Josette. Meantime, at Collinwood, Elizabeth is working on a ledger in the Drawing room when Roger enters. He suggests that instead of doing business at home she should do so at the office. After all, the reason for Elizabeth remaining at Collinwood no longer exists. He thinks it is high time his sister went to see all the improvements and additions to the Cannery. Elizabeth agrees. She also assures Roger that the position created for Jason will not be filled. Roger can't help but bring the subject around to McGuire's whereabouts.

Act II

Roger is concerned over whether Jason has really left Collinsport or not. McGuire's expensive wardrobe is still hanging up in his room, and Roger finds it hard to believe he would leave it behind. Elizabeth learns that Jason left all of his personal items as well. Sheriff Patterson has made inquiries and it seems as though McGuire did not depart town by bus or by train. However, Elizabeth feels certain Jason is gone. The last place McGuire was spotted was at the Blue Whale, and Roger cheers Victoria for having given the criminal a piece of her mind. Roger goes on to suggest fumigating the room Jason occupied. Elizabeth plans to give away everything McGuire left behind to charity. Some time later, Barnabas arrives at Collinwood and Victoria greets him at the door. He points out the view of the ocean, which Victoria has admired many times. Barnabas, who prefers the night, confesses to finding the daylight harsh and cruel. He cryptically states he has been redesigned to live without sunlight. Victoria questions this, and Barnabas claims he meant that he is more active and alive at nighttime. He flirts with her some more, hoping the two of them can share more discussions, particularly about life... and death.

Act III

Moving inside, Victoria admires Barnabas' interest in philosophy, which was a formal and practical education for him. She is grateful when he offers her the chance to peruse his library. He piques her interest when he talks of plans to recreate a moment in time. Victoria brings Barnabas into the drawing room, where Roger and Elizabeth are pleased to see him. Barnabas announces that he has completed restoration on most of the Old House, and he plans to have a party in order to celebrate the achievement. He is pleased by Victoria's excited reaction when he reveals it is to be a costume party. But he is crestfallen when Elizabeth turns down his invitation.

Act IV

Roger speaks to Elizabeth alone whilst Barnabas waits in the study. Roger has noted Barnabas' disappointment and personal rejection, and he tries to convince his sister to attend the party. He points out that Elizabeth is behaving like a recluse all over again. She doesn't like the "living in the past" aspect of the party, but after Roger's cajoling, she eventually agrees to go. Victoria and Barnabas return, and the latter is pleased Elizabeth has changed her mind. She apologizes for having turned down his earlier offer. Barnabas tells them of his plans: he will attend the party as his "namesake", Roger will be Joshua Collins, Elizabeth will be Naomi Collins, and Victoria will be Josette Collins.

Memorable quotes

Barnabas Collins: I find the daylight harsh and cruel. Whereas the night is kind and soft.

Dramatis personae

• Joan Bennett as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard
• Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins
• John Karlen as Willie Loomis
• Louis Edmonds as Roger Collins
• and Alexandra Moltke as Victoria Winters

Background information and notes

• Keeping with established continuity, Barnabas Collins mentions Jeremiah Collins having built Collinwood. Of course, this was to be changed in later storylines.

• Elizabeth Collins Stoddard notes that there is a resemblance between herself and Naomi Collins.

Continuity and mistakes

• Both Louis Edmonds and Joan Bennett experience a pregnant pause at the beginning of Act II.
• Josette's music box plays different music than what will be heard later.