385

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Timeline	1795
Narrator	Clarice Blackburn
Writer	Gordon Russell
Director	John Sedwick
Broadcast	December 15, 1967
Recorded	December 11, 1967
Video	DVD: DS C5D2
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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. Sadness and fear pervade the old Collins mansion on this day. There has been a duel between two men; one of them has been mortally wounded. There are those in the house who believe that witchcraft is at work here, and they have taken steps to see that the witch is found and destroyed.

Lieutenant Nathan Forbes informs Countess Natalie du Prés that Jeremiah Collins remains in a state of unconsciousness, hovering between life and death. Natalie is convinced that someone in the house wanted the duel to take place. Nathan dismisses the Countess' superstitions as "nonsense". There is a knock at the door; it is the Reverend Trask, having been summoned from Salem to Collinwood by Abigail Collins. Nathan is shocked to learn that the fanatical Trask intends to reveal Victoria as a witch and exorcise her.

Act I

Nathan rushes to Victoria's room in the servant's quarters, telling her of the witch-hunter's arrival. The Lieutenant plans to sneak Victoria out of the house and into Collinsport where she can stay at the Inn until the trouble has abated. But the governess refuses his help, having been offended by Nathan's persistent advances towards her. Again, Nathan tries to convince her to leave but Victoria has no doubt she can take care of herself. Nathan, not fancying her chances against Trask, leaves.

Meeting with Trask, Abigail and Natalie express their belief that Victoria is a witch. Trask, however, needs tangible evidence that witchcraft has taken place. As Abigail tells him of all the recent strange happenings, Barnabas Collins comes downstairs and hears his aunt accusing Victoria of being the culprit.

Act II

Barnabas interrupts, showing an immediate dislike for Trask. He angrily dismisses the accusation against Victoria, and demands to know what evidence there is against the governess. Abigail and Natalie list the unexplainable occurrences afflicting the family of late. When the Countess mentions the pitchfork brand that appeared on Josette's hand, Trask is more convinced than ever that witchcraft is to blame. Trask declares that an evil spirit has invaded the house and must be dealt with. Barnabas rails against Abigail, only to be shocked upon learning Joshua Collins has given her free reign to see this matter in any way she sees fit. Abigail and Natalie escort Trask to Victoria's room, leaving a stunned Barnabas behind.

Act III

Trask interrogates Victoria, accusing her of causing all of the tragedies that have befallen the Collins family. Victoria hotly denies being responsible, unable to believe Abigail and Natalie have gone so far as to bring a witch-hunter to question her. Trask cruelly grabs Victoria, but she shoves him away. He openly and hatefully accuses her of being in league with the Devil. Forcing Victoria to sit down, Trask demands to know where her 20th-century clothing came from. Victoria refuses to answer. Again, Trask manhandles her and Victoria smacks the Reverend in the face. Trask slaps her back, and he and Abigail gag and bound the protesting governess. He plans to take Victoria into the woods and exorcise her there.

Act IV

Later that night, Abigail and Natalie (who begins to doubt Trask's actions) await the Reverend's return. The Countess worries as to what action Trask will take to prove Victoria's guilt.

In the woods, Trask has tied Victoria to a tree where he plans to leave her all night. If the tree dies by morning, then that will be all the proof he needs that she is a witch. Victoria's pleas for release fall on deaf ears. Trask prays, placing his hand on Victoria's head and demanding the Devil to leave her body. Then, he leaves Victoria screaming for help alone.

Memorable quotes

• Victoria Winters: "He's no man of God, he's a fanatic! If anyone is possessed by the Devil he is."

Dramatis personae

• Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins
• Grayson Hall as Countess Natalie du Prés
• Joel Crothers as Lieutenant Nathan Forbes
• Jerry Lacy as Reverend Trask
• Clarice Blackburn as Abigail Collins
• and Alexandra Moltke as Victoria Winters

Background information and notes

• First appearance of the Reverend Trask.
• Victoria Winters arrived in 1795 "about two weeks ago," according to Abigail Collins.

Bloopers and continuity errors

• Clarice Blackburn has a terrible time tying the handkerchief used to silence Victoria.