Plot Summaries - Episodes 1-300

(Note: These summaries are meant as a quick guide to the many plots that made up the larger narrative of Dark Shadows.)

Dark Shadows began with the arrival of Victoria Winters to the Collinwood estate, hired as the new governess for the Collins family. Having been raised as an orphan, she is convinced that a key to her past lies with this family in Collinsport, Maine. She soon finds that the Collins family is far from normal. Her ward, David, is a constant trouble and has a developing interest in the occult. For the first couple of months the plot centers around attacks on Victoria's life and the grudge between the Collins family and businessman Burke Devlin. Things remain pretty much like any other soap. Nothing happens out of the ordinary until episode 70. With failing ratings Dan Curtis decides to go out with a bang. While playing in the Old House David discovers Josette's portrait, and subsequently her ghost. In addition, after being locked (by David) in the closed off section of Collinwood Vicki encounters the ghost of Malloy, a recently murdered character.

The plot proceeds with the hunt for Malloy's killer and Vicki's past. The murderer, Matthew, takes Vicki captive and hides her in the Old House. David is convinced by Josette's ghost to help her. Josette's ghost appears and protects Vicki when Matthew tries to kill her. He soon dies from fright after being visited by the ghosts of the Widows Hill widows.

Now that the murder has been solved the plot shifts. Laura Collins, Roger's wife and David's mother, has returned to Collinwood to get a divorce and custody of David. This is bewildering to all, as Laura supposedly died in a fire in Phoenix, Arizona. Even more so when it is discovered that her body was positively identified in the remains. It is then revealed that Laura is a phoenix, but the family doesn't know this yet. The Collins family gradually gather clues. After tracing Laura's maiden names through women who appear to die every hundred years a psychic investigator, Guthrie, is called in. Guthrie discovers that Laura has some sort of powers but is unsure what she is. He decides to conduct a seance to contact Josette and expose Laura. Guthrie is killed by Laura. The seance goes ahead as planned. Laura makes her move to destroy David and herself in flames. However, Vicki has been warned by Josette's ghost and she saves David.

Having survived more trials, Dark Shadows is again plagued by ratings problems. The supernatural was called on again to save the show, this time with a vampire. Willie Loomis, a drifter, had been introduced briefly already in the series. Willie was fascinated with the portrait of Barnabas Collins and the legend about a secret family treasure. While searching for the treasure in the family crypt he discovers a chained coffin, the perfect place to hide jewels. Unfortunately when he opens the lid a hand emerges, grasping Willie firmly about the neck. Thus is introduced Barnabas Collins.

Barnabas assumes the identity of a cousin from England and "arrives" at Collinwood. A weakened Willie is found at the Blue Whale, with puncture wounds on his wrists. He is diagnosed as suffering from blood loss. Barnabas gains permission to move into the Old House, with Willie as his servant. Barnabas sees a resemblance in Maggie to his lost love Josette. He devises a plan intended to recreate Josette. After several night meetings with Barnabas Maggie becomes weaker and is hospitalized. Everyone thinks she dies, until her body disappears. She is in fact being held captive by Barnabas. To protect himself, Barnabas switches the blood samples Dr. Woodard took from Willie. Maggie eventually escapes through the aid of Sarah, the ghost of Barnabas's nine-year-old sister. Maggie suffers from a memory loss and has reverted to her childhood. She is found by Sam and secretly sent to the Windcliff Sanitarium. Her doctor there is Julia Hoffman. Barnabas has now switched his intentions to Vicki, hosting a costume ball to get Vicki in Josette's dress. At the party a seance is held and Vicki goes into a trance. Josette speaks though her.

Meanwhile, Julia Hoffman has been probing into Maggie's mind. She finds, under hypnosis, that Maggie is deathly afraid of the name Barnabas. Julia decides to go the Collinwood to find the answers, posing as a visiting historian. While at the Old House she notices that Barnabas casts no reflection. She returns to find Barnabas in his coffin and offers to help him find a cure. Dr. Woodard and Burke start to become curious about Barnabas. At the same time Sarah helps Maggie escape. She stumbles into the Blue Whale and collapses. Julia is then forced to hypnotize Maggie to cover her memory of Barnabas. However, Barnabas has come to the conclusion Maggie must be killed. When he attempts to do this he is stopped by Sarah's ghost. Barnabas's plans are in doubt when Vicki decides to marry Burke. Therefore, Barnabas decides that Burke must be destroyed.

Copyright 2007 Todd Frye