Dark Shadows - Wedding Plans

 Episode 259 features Jason trying to keep Elizabeth in line as she watches her daughter defiantly dedicated to marrying Buzz. Jason confronts Caroline in her room about her bad behavior, trying to use his manipulation to convince her she's falling into her own father's personality flaws. Eventually all the sleazy smiling gives way to a loud demand to straighten up, but Caroline isn't about to just follow Jason's orders. In fact she doubles down by going back out with Buzz (after Buzz is invited in by Caroline, despite Elizabeth closing the door in his face) to the Blue Whale, getting her nose powdered when Jason arrives hoping to buy him off with a brand new motorcycle. That doesn't work as Buzz prefers the girl to the bike, with both laughing in Jason's aggravated face. Nothing is as fun (except maybe for Maggie to be let out of that damned cell) as seeing Jason put in his place. But that dastardly mind always seems to have another trick. Elizabeth caring more about her daughter's ongoing self-destruction is starting to bother Jason because he badly wants that money. A man like Jason, used to finding ways to get what he wants, doesn't typically stand aside and allow anyone, much less Caroline, who he considered a petulant child, best him. 

For me, this episode felt like a placeholder, a sort of meh extension of the Elizabeth blackmail storyline that goes on and on seemingly without end. At some point, even a Soap Opera, you have to get to the point. And the writers have dragged this out for a LONG TIME. 2/5