Dark Shadows - Bite Marks

Episode 235 of the ongoing “Barnabas pursues Maggie” Dark Shadows story arc has Maggie lying very ill from “the bite”, found once Burke arrives to break down her bedroom door at the Evans home after Victoria called him for help. Soon Doctor Woodard (Robert Gerringer) arrives to check on Maggie, calling an ambulance, with Sam also returning home, panic-stricken obviously. Eventually Maggie is relocated to Collinsport Hospital, worse for wear as Doc Woodard is unsure if she will make it through the night due to so much loss of blood. At least the show gets us out Maggie’s damn room! The nurse succumbs to Maggie’s begging to open up the hospital room window “a crack” so she “could breathe”. Not long after Maggie seems to quit breathing and the nurse checks for a heartbeat and pulse that is non-existent. Sam and Joe had visited Maggie out of concern for her, trying to fight back worry by encouraging her not to expect the worst although their fears of that can’t be hidden. When the nurse returns to the hospital room to find Maggie gone, Doc Woodard is left befuddled by Maggie’s absence, the window wide open…where is Maggie? This episode of Dark Shadows is mostly about Maggie’s worsening state and the presence of the blood-leaking bite marks on her neck, very Hammer Films in terms of presentation. Vicki and Burke are moved in and out of Maggie’s arc when needed so by episode’s end they are gone while Joe and Sam kvetch in the waiting room, all bent out of shape emotionally, of course. 3/5