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382 Gallery
382
Number

377

Timeline

1795

Narrator

Joan Bennett

Writer

Sam Hall

Director

John Sedwick

Broadcast

December 12, 1967
(Tuesday)

Recorded

December 6, 1967
(Wednesday)

Video

Complete: Disc 42
Collection 5: Disc 2

382 Gallery
We have 6 images of Dark Shadows 382

The cat turns back into Joshua in Victoria's room while Abigail is searching.

Synopsis[]

Teaser

A séance was held in the great house of Collinwood, a séance which sent Victoria Winters back on an uncertain and frightening journey to the past, back to the Collins family who lived in the year 1795, where the doomed love of two people cause wave after wave of misery and horror and death.

As a storm rages outside the old Collins mansion, Victoria returns from an errand and muses to herself how much she dreads tonight. Due to her future knowledge, she knows why Jeremiah Collins and Josette du Prés have run off together. She is startled by Countess Natalie du Prés, who continues to act suspicious toward the innocent governess. Natalie openly accuses Victoria of having foreknowledge of the events taking place. But Victoria denies this, and she hurries upstairs. Natalie, however, determines to seek the truth.

Act I

Naomi Collins receives an unwelcome visit from Abigail Collins, who startles at the sight of the cat (in truth, a transformed Joshua Collins). Abigail persists in her belief that the Devil is at work within the house, and then she mocks Naomi's constant drinking. She accuses Josette of having lured Jeremiah away, but Naomi refuses to believe this. Their verbal sparring is interrupted by the Countess, who agrees with Abigail over there being a witch amongst them. Abigail proclaims Victoria to be the witch, and Naomi berates Natalie for putting such ideas into her sister-in-law's head. The Collins matriarch refuses to believe Victoria is evil, but the other two women insist on the governess being questioned.

Act II

The cat rests on Victoria's bed while she pores over the Collins family history brought back with her through time. More tragedies are destined to occur, and Victoria feels helpless over the fact she can do nothing to change the course of history. Her thoughts are interrupted by a knock at the door. Victoria hides the book, then finds Abigail on the other side of the door. Abigail notes the cat's presence, and informs Victoria that Naomi wishes to see her. As Victoria starts to leave, Abigail lags behind and the governess objects to the other woman remaining in her room. Victoria wonders why Abigail hates her so much, and the puritanical spinster openly declares Victoria is her enemy. Once Victoria reluctantly leaves, Abigail starts to search the room. Before she can get too far, there is a flash and the cat transforms back into Joshua. Joshua has no memory of recent events, and a stunned Abigail faints in his arms.

Act III

With Natalie present, Naomi questions Victoria about her life before arriving at the house. Victoria explains how much she wishes she could tell them everything, but she can't. Natalie takes over the questioning, and her accusatory manner appalls Naomi. They are interrupted by the arrival of Joshua and Abigail, shocking them. The last thing Joshua remembers is arguing with Jeremiah, and he demands to see his brother. Abigail has not informed him of Jeremiah's disappearance. She points at Victoria, telling "the witch" to explain what has happened.

Act IV

Abigail accuses Jeremiah and Josette of eloping, enraging Joshua. When he asks to be alone to talk with Naomi, Abigail goes ballistic and manhandles Victoria; she is unwilling to set "the witch" loose again on the house. Naomi forces Abigail to release Victoria, and the other women leave Naomi alone with her husband. Joshua demands Naomi tell him everything that has happened since he went missing. Meanwhile, Natalie and Naomi search Victoria's room and discover the 1967 clothing the younger woman arrived in. They also find Victoria's charm bracelet which convinces them both, more than ever, that Victoria is a witch. Abigail decides to send for Reverend Trask, a man renowned for dealing with witches, from Salem to put an end to the governess.

Memorable quotes[]

Naomi: I think the cat dislikes you as much as you do him.
Abigail: How can you allow that cat in this room?
Naomi: I didn't know he was in here.
Abigail: Surely even you know that that cat is a sign that the devil is laughing at us.
Naomi: You've been talking with the countess. She told me that yesterday.
Abigail: I don't have to talk to anyone to know how the devil works.
Naomi: No. By this time, you must be quite an authority.

Naomi: If the devil has blinded me,Abigail, I consider it curious that he lets you in on all his plans.

Victoria: (to herself, thinking) How I dread this night. When I get back, if I ever get back to my own time, I shall never want to know anyone's secrets again. I must be very careful tonight. I must not look at the hurt in Barnabas' eyes, questions on the faces of the others. I must let no one realize that I know why Jeremiah and Josette have run away.

Abigail: I must send for the Reverend Trask. He is very good at dealing with witches.

Dramatis personae[]

Background information and notes[]

Production[]

Story[]

Bloopers and continuity errors[]

  • The cat portraying Joshua runs off-screen twice. Both times, the cat runs off when Abigail knocks on the door and announces herself.
  • During the end credits sequence, a shadow moves on Naomi's bed at the left edge of the screen.

External Links[]

Dark Shadows - Episode 382 on the IMDb

Dark Shadows Everyday - Episode 382 - A Witch in Time

Dark Shadows Commentary- Episode 382: The devil sent one of his minions

Dark Shadows Before I Die- Episode 382: 12/12/67

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