"Dark Shadows" Episode #1.425 (TV Episode 1968) Poster

(TV Series)

(1968)

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7/10
High drama - literally
Leofwine_draca18 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Episode 425 is an important one given that it marks an end of Josette's tragic character arc. I found Barnabas' make-up particularly effective here and the whole episode is steeped in tragedy and gothic dread. One of the strongest we've had in a while, but where will we go from here?
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10/10
Fallen Love
hellraiser79 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Warning do not read unless seen episode.

This is my favorite episode of the show and one of my favorite episodes in general, it's also one of the saddest episodes ever. In a way it predates the film "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith" because just like in that film it was a tragedy about the loss of love and the soul.

It's not a big surprise nor secret as we already knew this was going to take place sooner or latter but it's suspenseful because of the anticipation. But also, it's tragic because it's one of those things you wish to God didn't happen and you wish you could have been there to prevent it somehow, but you couldn't as no one can stop what's already came to pass.

It's just heartbreaking as you really got to know Josette well as she is just a beautiful soul inside and out that didn't deserve all the rotten sorrow given to her and doesn't deserve what happens next.

Angelique as usual from beyond the grave we see now is about to take the final turn of the screw as she then weaves her Sith mind tricks on Josette. I remember watching this on the edge of my seat and thinking, "No, no Josette don't go to Widow's Hill, don't listen to that damn voice, it's Angelique she's going to kill you!" I was also just clinching my fists more and more as I just know my warnings were useless, fate has already taken a bad turn.

Once Josette gets close to Widows Hill she does snap out of it slightly as she recognizes the voice as Angelic. But unfortunately, it's too late as Angelic tempts her by showing Jo her possible future.

It's true Angelique showed Josette a vision of herself as a Vampire; but that was all it was a false vision just to drive Josette into an irrational action and all to further hurt Barnabas. Though I can't say the vision was false as it was more just a possibility shown, but that's all it is it doesn't mean it was going to happen.

In fact, it wasn't going to happen because we see in one scene just as Ben Stokes left and Barnabas was alone with both the empty coffins, we see Barnabas look at those coffins with sadness as he realizes what kind of a life, he may be condemning her two and doesn't want that for her and he knows even Jo doesn't want to be that.

Barnabas, he comes to Widows Hill and sees Josette and tries to save her. Josette is unfortunately emotionally and psychologically broken at this point by the vison Angelic delivered but also the fact that Barnabas kept the secret of his vampirism from her, both are just a double whammy of hurt.

We then hear a final monologue that Josette delivers toward Barnabas, it's sad as Barnabas can't deny that he really did think of changing her into a Vampire. However, as I said before he changed his mind or was about to, despite this it was all too late, in fact too late for a lot of things. The final moments he tries to pull Josette away from the edge of the cliff, but she resists and jumps off.

That moment just put a tear or two in my eyes, from hearing Josette go down and hearing Barnabas give out his cries toward Josette and one final cry which was complete sadness you know Barnabas heart is completely broken and so is ours.

Seeing that I knew it wasn't just Josette that died on that hill, but a part of Barnabas died also. It also signified the tragedy is now complete and there is no return for Barnabas and everyone in Collinwood.

Paradise is forever lost.

Rating: 4 stars.
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