The Destruction of Collinwood (July-September 1970)
Barnabas and Julia return from parallel time, shocked to find Collinwood abandoned and in ruins. They are even more surprised to find out it has been that way for twenty-five years. The parallel time room has thrown them forward in time to 1995. They find the grave of David Collins, dated 1970, and an elderly Mrs. Johnson who warns them to leave him alone. Barnabas and Julia try to get her to tell them what happened to the family, but she won't talk about it. Instead she directs them to a cottage at Findley's Cove where they find an insane Carolyn, who has even changed her name to avoid being linked with the Collins family, and she is unable or unwilling to talk either. Searching for clues to the tragedy that befell Collinwood, they find an old Prof. Stokes who doesn't know much more than they do, as he was in Europe during 1970. They do, however, find an evil force at work in the house, a ghost named Gerard. Two children also appear, one of David and one of a girl they have never seen. An unaged but insane Quentin also gives them the name of a benevolent spirit: Daphne. Carolyn remembers some of what happened, and tries to meet with Barnabas to tell him, but is frightened to death before she can. But she leaves some cyptic clues before she dies. Gerard is able to take control of Julia, even forcing her to betray Barnabas' secret. Though Gerard kills Mrs. Johnson and Stokes, Barnabas is able to save Julia as the ghost of Carrie appears, directing them to a strange staircase. When they exit into a hall, they come face to face with the same girl, only she is alive. They have returned to 1970.
Doing some research, Julia discovers that Gerard Stiles and Daphne Harridge lived at Collinwood in 1840. Liz, scared of Barnabas' tale of the future, consults astrologer Sebastian Shaw. But Barnabas is more interested in his assistant - Roxanne Drew.
David and Prof. Stokes' niece Hallie who has come to live at Collinwood find a playroom in the abandoned west wing. Mesmorized by the music from a toy carousel, they fall under the influence of the ghost of Gerard Stiles. He has the spirits of Tad Collins and Carrie Stokes possess the children and lead them to a house called Rose Cottage. There they perform a ceremony that brings the ghost of Daphne Harridge back to life. But scared for the children, Daphne refuses to do the same for Gerard.
Julia discovers that Maggie is being attacked by a vampire, but Barnabas swears it isn't him. Maggie continues to get weaker. Finally Julia and Willie find out that the vampire is Roxanne. Knowing Barnabas cares for her, Julia decides not to destroy her, but chains her safely in her coffin. Sebastian takes Maggie away to Wyncliffe to recover from Roxanne's influence.
Gerard, angered at Daphne's refusal to bring him back to life, tries to burn down Rose Cottage. Carolyn, possessed by psychic Leticia Faye, is able to stop him, but Gerard has bigger plans. Raising an army of pirate zombies, he takes over Collinwood killing David, Liz, Daphne and Hallie in the process. Julia has discovered that the stairway through time was created by the original Quentin Collins in 1840, and takes it back to 1840 in an attempt to save the children.
Meant more as a lead in to the 1840 flashback than a story in its own right, the Destruction of Collinwood sequence, including the 1995 flash-forward, was one of the highlights of the final year. The 1995 trip was fun for cast and viewers alike. Even the crew had a ball, destroying the sets for the two week run. Trying to recapture the magic of the Quentin and Beth story with a similar plot, the well thought-out and enjoyable story might have saved the series.
But other problems abounded. Kathryn Leigh Scott went off to Europe to get married, marking the loss of yet another well-loved original cast member. Other important stars, such as Frid and Hall, were beginning to tire of the show's hectic schedule. Production costs, always on a tight budget in daytime television, were getting ridiculous with all the special effects and period costumes needed. And the fact that less than five years into the series they had to repeat a storyline showed that the writers were running out of ideas. Something had to give. And within a few months, it would.
Credits and characters of Story 13
Portrait Gallery for Story 13
