Ghosts are the earthbound spirits of people who have died. Much of the metaphysical conditions behind their existence are unrevealed, but it is believed that ghosts exist because of unresolved emotional or psychological links to the places important to them in life. It is known that not all ghosts share the same traits and characteristics. Sometimes appearing in the form in which they died, they can appear wholly human or in a mist-like energy form devoid of human features. Often invisible, intangible and ephemeral, they are non-corporeal; they have no need to eat or sleep beyond brief periods of inactivity. Some so-called spirits are merely apparitions ("place memories") or moments of time replaying in a loop unaware of the living.
Ghosts tend to adhere to the personalities and characteristics they had in life, often showing great beneficence and even some very malicious activity, behaving malevolent and very dangerous. The ghosts of Quentin Collins and Gerard Stiles, for instance, were quite deadly. Other ghosts are deeply, eternally sorrowful to the point they are unaware of human interaction. The eerie, sad wailing of the Widows could sometimes be heard on specific circumstances, such as windy nights, for example. Other ghosts are benevolent, sometimes helping the living during threatening times. The ghost of Sarah Collins, for example, was a benevolent spirit who befriended David Collins and helped protect people (especially Maggie Evans) from her brother Barnabas. Similarly, the ghost of Josette helped Victoria Winters when Matthew Morgan attempted to kill her.
Ghosts seem to possess an array of powers. These vary, depending on the nature, personality, and strength of the spirit. The following are just some of the abilities exhibited by ghosts in the original series.
It is known that most ghostly abilities are dependent on their access to ectoplasm, a paranormal substance that originates from all living things and which they can draw on to create such feats such as appearing and disappearing, gaining substance and causing light to violent poltergeist activity. By drawing on ectoplasm, they can shift back and forth from a visible to an invisible form, appearing to vanish or disappear at will. They can seem to gain mass if they have enough ectoplasm to draw on, but this is very taing on their abilities. Ghost are also capable of creating psychokinetic events ("poltergeist activity") and can move objects and open doors and windows. They can even attain a degree of physical existence in the material world. This physical incarnation can usually only be maintained for a short time; their "clothing" and "attire" appearing as an outward extension of how they appeared in life, usually related to their native time periods. Depending on how powerful the spirit is, they can inflict physical harm on the living.
Ghosts can sometimes take possession of a living host, eventually fully inhabiting the body of a person and essentially usurping that person's personality and taking control of them. This process usually forces the host body's consciousness into a sleep-like state where they are aware but unable to control their actions. A malevolent ghost can also have a manipulative and corrupting influence on its victim, causing the hapless person to commit evil acts on the spirit's behalf. It is said that children under the possession of a dominating spirit tend to be more restless during the three nights of the full moon (697). One who is under a spirit's influence can suffer terrifying mental, spiritual, and physical punishment. For instance, the ghost of Quentin Collins caused young David Collins to believe that his own arm was on fire. While no actual fire could not be seen, burns manifested on David's arm.
Some ghosts can induce what appear to be fatal heart attacks in their victims. This is a very deadly ability, usually resulting in the deceased victim's face being frozen in an expression of pure terror.
Certain ghosts are accompanied by a specific scent, often one they enjoyed in life. For example, the smell of lilacs was associated with the ghost of Daphne Harridge and the smell of jasmine accompanied the ghost of Josette.
Certain ghosts use music to make their presence known. Gerard Stiles' ghost employed the musical tune from a child's toy carousel, for example. Quentin's ghost was often accompanied by his favorite music in life, which emanated from his gramophone. Both tunes seemed to have an almost hypnotic, entrancing quality over those who had fallen under the influence of these spirits. Sarah Collins' spirit enjoyed the song "London Bridge", often playing it on her recorder or singing it as she bounced her ball.
The ghost of Reverend Trask was able to brick Barnabas up behind a wall, and also possessed the ability to successfully capture and banish Cassandra Collins to the underworld.
Weaknesses[]
Some spirits, such as Nathan Forbes and Minerva Trask, are summoned for a purpose, and may not be given a choice in what they do. Other spirits can be summoned against their will and commanded to perform a certain task by a witch or sorcerer.
Often, a summoned ghost simply wishes to return to its grave so that it can be at peace. Summoning a ghost can cause them some degree of distress until they are allowed to return.
Some ghosts are able to speak, while others are eerily mute. A mute spirit who has a living person under their influence seems to be able to communicate with their victim via some form of mental telepathy.
Ghosts who can speak, sometimes do so in a cryptic manner. Sarah tended to speak in an an evasive way when she relayed information. For example, she was "not supposed" to tell the secret of how to escape from the basement cell in the Old House, but told Maggie a riddle which allowed her to escape (260).
Spirits can be exorcised via the rite of exorcism, although the ritual may not work against particularly powerful ghosts.
Victoria gets trapped in the drawing room during a power outage. The doors open to reveal a silhouetted figure during a flash of lightning. (It's never made clear whether it was really Roger, who had just returned home, or in fact a ghost.)
Matthew tells Victoria that the sobbing she heard was Josette Collins and that other ghosts haunt Collinwood. (Later on in 122, 125 and 126, when he's confronted by Josette, Bill Malloy and the widows, he'll deny believing in ghosts.)
Victoria and Carolyn hear a noise and go to look in the drawing room for the source. It was a book that had dropped to the floor. They put the book on the desk, and after they leave, by itself, the book opens to a picture of Josette.
David claims to have drawn a picture of Josette by actually meeting her ghost. David takes Victoria to the Old House to show her the ghosts. After they leave Josette's ghost emerges from the portrait and dances on the grounds outside the house.
Josette's ghost descends from her portrait in Old House. Dr. Guthrie, Victoria, Carolyn, Roger and Laura attempt to contact Josette. Victoria goes into a trance. Josette speaks through Victoria in French. (This is the first of many seances held at Collinwood.)
Victoria, Sam and David hold a seance in an attempt to contact Josette. David goes into a trance, and the spirit of David Radcliffe speaks through him.
Victoria senses Josette's presence. (This is final time Josette's ghost contacts Victoria. She will, however, speak through Victoria again at a seance in 281.)
Barnabas, Roger, Elizabeth, Victoria, Burke, and Carolyn hold a séance. Victoria goes into a trance, (continued from the previous episode). Josette Collins speaks through Victoria in English. Sarah's ghost appears to Victoria at the top of the Old House staircase. Later, Sarah's ghost appears in Josette's room. (Victoria, talking to Barnabas, said that she doesn't know if she believes in ghosts or not. But when Matthew Morgan had her locked in the secret room in the Old House, Josette's ghost appeared to her. She also claimed that Josette's spirit was guiding her several times.)
Sarah's ghost appears to Willie. Later, Sarah's ghost appears to David. (Barnabas claims that Julia also saw Sarah outside the Old House parlor window. However, in the previous episode, Julia told him she only sensed Sarah's presence.)
Sarah's ghost appears to Julia (continued from the previous episode). Later, Julia hears sobbing and cackling. Then, Dave Woodard's ghost appears to Julia.
Sarah's ghost appears to David. Later, Sarah's ghost appears to Barnabas and Julia. (This is the first episode in which Sarah appears to more than one person at the same time.)
Sarah's ghost appears to Barnabas and Julia (continued from the previous episode). Later, Sarah's ghost appears to David. (Sarah tells Barnabas that she will never appear to him again until he learns to be good. She never appears to him again after this episode. Although it is not yet clear, the "someone" that Sarah warns David will be harmed by the dead is Victoria. Sarah will try to prevent this by sending Victoria back in time to the year 1795 in order to witness the events leading to Barnabas becoming a vampire.)
Barnabas, Julia, Elizabeth, Roger, Carolyn and Victoria attempt to contact Sarah. Carolyn pretends to go into a trance and be possessed by Sarah; Victoria then goes into a trance and Sarah speaks through her.
Jeremiah's ghost appears to Angelique and Ben. (Jeremiah's threat to torment Angelique until he is at rest is a plot thread that gets forgotten about, this episode is last time he is ever seen to pose any threat to her. Jeremiah's ghost will appear again in the series several times including in an episode set during the year 1897 suggesting his spirit didn't find rest, at least for a very long time.)
Professor Stokes, Julia, and Tony hold a séance to contact Reverend Trask, who speaks through Tony (continued from the previous episode). Later, Trask's ghost appears to Barnabas.
Danielle Roget's ghost is summoned by Nicholas. (The ritual performed here does summon a spirit to talk to the living, but unlike a séance, it involves protection from the spirit being contacted through the use of a magic circle.)
Barnabas, Professor Stokes, Julia hold a seance to contact Phillippe Cordier, who speaks through Barnabas. At the house by the sea, Eve senses a presence, which causes Adam to choke.
Professor Stokes mentions that he has never encountered a ghost who uses the telephone. (This is somewhat ironic considering that David and Amy will communicate with the ghost of Quentin Collins from 639 using a telephone.) Jeff thinks he is the ghost of Peter Bradford using the body of another named Jeff Clark.
Amy talks to the ghost of Quentin Collins on an old telephone, David hears the sound of breathing from the other end, then the sound of someone hanging up.
Elizabeth, Carolyn, Victoria, Professor Stokes and Chris hold a seance to contact Jeff Clark. The spirit of Magda Rakosi speaks through Carolyn. Chris claims not to believe in seances and ghosts before taking part.
Quentin's ghost appears in the west wing of Collinwood alone. Later, Barnabas, Professor Stokes, Maggie, and Mrs. Johnson hold a seance to contact Janet Findley, who speaks through Mrs. Johnson.
Quentin's ghost appears to David twice. (Quentin's and Beth's powers have expanded. Both regularly leave the storage room and the secret room behind it, and both can exert powers outside Collinwood.)
Quentin's ghost appears to David. (With Quentin's laughter in the last act, this is the very first episode where David Selby's voice is heard, although he won't be heard speaking until 701.)
A knock at the door to Judith's bedroom door but no one replies. A ghost resembling Minerva appears to Judith twice, Gregory also sees it the second time.
A ghost resembling Minerva appears to Judith and Gregory (reprised from the previous episode). It appears in Judith's room twice more, Magda also sees it on a second occasion. Later, it appears in the drawing room holding a knife.
Minerva appears in the drawing room with a knife to Quentin and Judith. Minerva appears in drawing room a second time and follows Judith and Gregory to the tower room.
Gregory thinks hears Tessie Kincaid's voice, the doors of the drawing room seemingly open and close by themselves. Later, Quentin is taunted by Tessie's ghost.
Kitty, Pansy and Edward hold a seance in an attempt to contact a spirit (reprised from the previous episode). Later, Jeremiah's ghost appears to Kitty.
Barnabas, Julia and Maggie hold a seance to contact Josette, who speaks through Maggie. Later, Josette's ghost appears to Barnabas who tells him to forget her.
Jeb is frightened off by something, then the door to the tower room unlocks, seemingly by itself, allowing Maggie and Willie to escape. Jeb attacks Julia; however, the mysterious presence once again scares Jeb away. (The mysterious presence that scares Jeb, along with the strange phenomena experienced in 958 and 959, will be revealed to be the spirit of Peter Bradford in 967.)
A silhouette of a caped figure appears to Julia. Later, As David reads the Leviathan book it falls off table and bursts into flames. He then sees a figure hanging from the rafters outside his bedroom door.
David sees a figure hanging from the rafters outside his bedroom door (reprised from the previous episode). Shortly after, something tries to choke Bruno, a noose appears around his neck.
Peter Bradford's ghost appears to Jeb. It is revealed that Peter was responsible for the recent apparitions that occurred from 957 to 959. Later, Peter's ghost appears to Philip.
Alexis and Quentin witness the piano in Angelique's room play by itself (reprised from the previous episode). Later, in the drawing room something grabs Hannah by the throat, and a draw opens seemingly by itself twice.
Dameon appears to Amy (reprised from the previous episode). Later, Dameon apparently rings the telephone at the cottage, Mr. Trask answers. Dameon rings again, Bruno answers. Later still, the piano at the cottage plays by itself. Dameon then appears to Bruno.
Quentin, Angelique, and Hoffman attempt to contact Barnabas Collins, which causes the ghost of Joshua Collins to appear (reprised from the previous episode).
Barnabas and Julia see Gerard's ghost (reprised from the previous episode). Later, Mrs. Johnson sees Gerard. He then watches Barnabas and Julia. Gerard finds Mrs. Johnson and causes her to die.
Professor Stokes says that when he first returned from Europe he attempted an exorcism at Collinwood to try and undo the disaster, but almost died when he saw Gerard's ghost and felt an overwhelming sense of evil. Quentin, Julia and Barnabas see David's ghost in the playroom.
Quentin, Julia and Barnabas see David's ghost in the playroom (reprised from the previous episode). Gerard watches Barnabas and Julia leave Collinwood. Later, Barnabas and Julia see David and Hallie's ghosts. Later, Julia is beckoned by Hallie's ghost. Later, Julia sees Gerard's ghost. (Quentin claims he saw Tad Collins when in fact it was that of David Collins. Quentin's mental state is highly questionable so what he said cannot be taken at face value. The opening narration for the next episode confirms the young boy ghost is that of David.)
Julia sees Gerard's ghost (reprised from the previous episode), and then twice more. Later, Julia sees Daphne's ghost. Later, Daphne appears to Barnabas.
Daphne appears to Barnabas (reprised from the previous episode). Later, Gerard and Daphne appear at Collinwood twice. Later, Gerard appears to Julia twice.
Hallie's ghost appears to the Sheriff. Later, Gerard's ghost appears to Julia twice, he then watches Barnabas and Julia leave the Old House. Later, Barnabas, Julia, and Professor Stokes attempt to contact Carolyn, who speaks through Julia. Later, Professor Stokes and Barnabas see Gerard. Later, Hallie appears to Barnabas and Julia.
Daphne's ghost appears in the playroom. Later, Hallie (and only her) hears the music coming from the playroom, where she finds Daphne. Later, Quentin finds a bouquet of lilacs in drawing room.
Quentin finds a bouquet of lilacs in the drawing room (reprised from the previous episode). Daphne's ghost appears to Quentin, and then later to David. She leaves a toy boat for David. Then, Daphne leads Quentin to her room which has an unfinished letter that is incoherent. Later, David sense a presence. Later, Gerard watches Carolyn and David looking at the photograph. (The name of the toy boat left by Daphne's ghost, Java Queen, is revealed in 1080.)
Julia senses the presence of Gerard's spirit. Daphne appears in her room and then appears to Quentin three times. She appears to David and leaves 19th-century clothing for him. Gerard can be seen in the picture David took of the picnic.
David and Hallie hold a seance in which Tad's spirit calls out to them: "Let us live" (reprised from the previous episode). The toy boat appears in the drawing room. Tad's voice is heard by David in the playroom. Later, Hallie sees Tad's ghost.
Hallie sees Tad's ghost (reprised from the previous episode). Later, David and Hallie hear Tad and Carrie laughing. Later, David hears music, Tad speaks to him. Later, a dresser drawer opens, seemingly by itself, revealing 19th-century clothing.
David and Hallie see Tad and Carrie's ghosts (reprised from the previous episode), and then again. Later, Daphne's ghost appears to David and Hallie. Then, Daphne appears to Quentin. Later, Tad and Carrie call to David and Hallie.
Gerard's ghost appears to David. Later, Daphne's ghost appears to Quentin. Then, Gerard watches Quentin with Daphne. Later, Gerard again watches Quentin. Later, Gerard creeps up on Quentin.
Gerard's ghost appears to David and then Hallie. Later, Daphne's ghost appears to Hallie, and then to Quentin, and then to David. Later, Tad and Carrie's ghosts appear to David and Hallie, and then permanently possess them (until 1109, when David and Hallie are temporarily released).
Lamar hears the sound of rattling chains and howling coming from the Old House cellar. Later, Quentin and Daphne hold a seance in an attempt to contact Joanna Mills, which causes a silhouetted figure to appear.
Quentin and Daphne hold a seance in an attempt to contact Joanna Mills, which causes a silhouetted figure to appear (reprised from the previous episode).
Gerard and Charles stage a seance for Daniel who believes they are contacting Randall Drew. Charles pretends to go into a trance and be possessed by Randall.
James senses Brutus' spirit. Later, Quentin, Julia, Morgan, Carrie, Catherine and Ben hold a seance in an attempt to contact James Forsythe, who speaks through Morgan. (This is the final instance of a séance in the series.)
