539

Carolyn hides Adam in the closed-off part of Collinwood.
== Synopsis ==
: Darkness begins to fall on the great house of Collinwood, a darkness that brings new mysteries and deeper secrets to those within it, for tonight the forces of evil will begin a deadly game, while its innocent victims cling to life. In the darkened and deserted wing of the mansion, a young girl leads a man whose existence is the key to a mystery of which she knows nothing.
Carolyn hides Adam in the west wing of Collinwood. The rumor of Barnabas' death briefly has Victoria and Carolyn disturbed, Cassandra reluctantly dispels the rumor. David hears Dr. Lang's message on his tape recorder. Nicholas warns Cassandra that he will destroy her at midnight unless she finds out how to return the curse to Barnabas. Cassandra wonders how her curse could have failed when David asks for her help with the tape recorder.
== Memorable quotes ==
: Nicholas (to Cassandra, at the fireplace): The flames...yellow and red...It's the most attractive thing in the world. It almost makes you feel at home.
== Dramatis personae ==
* Robert Rodan as Adam
* Lara Parker as Cassandra Collins
* Nancy Barrett as Carolyn Stoddard
* Humbert Allen Astredo as Nicholas Blair
* David Henesy as David Collins
* Alexandra Moltke as Victoria Winters
== Background information and notes ==
=== Production ===
* This episode was recorded out of broadcast sequence. The previous episode to be recorded was 537.
* David Henesy returns to the cast after an absence of 26 episodes.
* Adam’s room appears to be the set for Angelique’s room in 1795, with a small added sub-room replacing the large hearth seen in 1795.
=== Story ===
* In 90, Matthew Morgan changed the lock on the door to the west wing and gave the only key to Elizabeth; now Carolyn has it.
* INTERNAL MONOLOGUE: Cassandra: How could the curse have failed?
* TIMELINE: Nicholas gives Cassandra until midnight to discover why her dream curse failed and Barnabas is still alive.
== Bloopers and continuity errors ==
* Someone can be heard coughing from off-screen as Carolyn prepares Adam's room.
* When Victoria is telling Nicholas that Cassandra is an enemy of the Collins family, there is off-stage noise, including a loud, repetitive clacking.
* Some cross talk bleed-over (likely from something previously recorded on the videotape) can be heard while Cassandra ponders her failure to kill Barnabas.
* After Victoria tells Carolyn that Barnabas has died, Carolyn reacts in distress, to which Nicholas offers Carolyn a brandy. Humbert Allen Astredo calls Carolyn, "Mrs. Stoddard" instead of "Miss Stoddard".
* When Victoria and Carolyn go upstairs after finding out from Cassandra that Barnabas is alive, Carolyn is still wearing her coat (which she put on to go to the Old House).
==External Links ==
Dark Shadows - Episode 539 on the IMDb
Dark Shadows Everyday - Episode 539 - Grieve a Little Grieve
Dark Shadows Commentary- Episode 539: Child's play
Dark Shadows Before I Die- Episode 539: 7/18/68
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