Dark Shadows - Barnabas Sets Eyes on Maggie

Episode 221 features a big improvement for Maggie as she becomes an object of desire for Barnabas, while Willie questions his motives for leaving behind his cane at the diner when talking to her “over coffee”. Barnabas had only revealed himself to those at Collinwood, introducing himself to Maggie at the diner, surprising her (as he does again at The Old House later) as she was about to close. What his plans are (the big story arc where he sees her as his Josette because of her resemblance to her as Barnabas even planning to make her his bride) in this episode aren’t revealed but looking out a window in The Old House, after Maggie and boyfriend Joe Haskell (no longer trying and failing with Caroline) return his cane—and after ordering Willie to fetch him a victim after a failed first attempt, reported as a near-attack in the area—it is clear he’s very interested in her. The gaze is so strong, Maggie feels his eyes, that stare, at home while taking a drink with Joe. I wouldn’t say a great deal necessarily happens in the episode except set up the pursuit of Maggie by Barnabas, the left cane a first try at getting her alone with him. Willie, at first demanding to know what Barnabas plans to do, withering when his boss just looks at him with a sinister authority, shows us that he’s just not emboldened with enough resolve or courage to stand up to the vampire. Barnabas, again with that switch that can turn on the charm and politeness when need-be, only to reveal that malevolence and menace when he doesn’t have to disguise the dark vampire he truly is, remains the emerging star of the Gothic soap. He can just peer out the decrepit window of the deteriorating Old House, with a target of great attention, and Barnabas leaves behind quite a different impression than the hospitable cousin from England with just the right words and tone to remove any concern around those he wants to curry favor and friendship with. No way does Barnabas ever want to return to the coffin that kept him prisoner. The question always was at this time: will Willie ever gain enough courage to tell others that a real serious danger in the midst of all of Collinsport and Collinwood? Or will he always dither and teeter on the threshold of unveiling the secret that keeps him prisoner? 3/5