1969

1969 - THE 1897 STORYLINE

Barnabas and Julia are separated for most of the 1897 storyline.  It is obvious that Julia has been guarding Barnabas’ body in 1969, and the minute he appears to be in danger, she risks her safety to travel back to help him.  She agrees to stay in the past to assist him in accomplishing his objectives despite the peril to them both, and the two of them form an uneasy alliance with Angelique.  Julia’s tenure in the 19^th century is short-lived, however, as her astral body is pulled back to her physical body in 1969.  She is forced to leave Barnabas behind and to anxiously await his return to the present.

After only a glimpse of Julia during the 1897 storyline, we finally get to see her as she stands watch over Barnabas’ body in 1969. We have not been told what she has been doing while Barnabas has been in the past, but it is fairly safe to assume that she has spent a good portion of her time with Barnabas in his trancelike state.  During this episode, Edward Collins scatters the I Ching wands in 1897 as Barnabas attempts a trip back to the present.  Stokes and a horrified Julia watch as Barnabas’ body wavers and then disappears.  Eliot declares that Barnabas is dead while Julia looks completely devastated.

The scene shifts to Barnabas who has been imprisoned in the basement of the Old House by Edward.  Barnabas decides to write a letter to “My Dear Julia.”  It is significant that he writes to Julia – not to Willie, Stokes or anyone else – nor does he even think to write to anyone else. 

Back in the present, Eliot acknowledges Julia’s feelings:  “Julia, I know how difficult this must be for you.”  Julia sits in the chair that was Barnabas’ and says, “I can’t help hoping. “  Stokes maintains that there is no hope, but a distraught Julia wants to leave the wands as they are and admits that she is hoping for a miracle.

Julia next discovers Barnabas’ letter to her from the past, and it gives her desperate hope that he is still alive.  She announces to Eliot that she is going to try to reach Quentin’s ghost and that she is going to try to go to the past to save Barnabas.  These are both very brave acts because Quentin has terrified everyone at Collinwood and because she has never traveled through time before.  She is determined to do both despite Stokes’ protests and insists that she must take the risk to save Barnabas.

Julia has recovered from her time travel and learning that they have been successful in changing history, wants to return to the present.   Barnabas is adamant  that they remain in the past to find a way to free Chris Jennings from the curse of the werewolf.   “Neither of us is going back, Julia,” he declares matter-of-factly.  “I can’t let you take this  chance any longer,” Julia pleads. But Barnabas refuses to leave the past.  “You are going to stay here with me,” he insists.  They are standing very close to each other at this point, and Julia looks thoughtfully up into his resolute face.  “I always lose with you, don’t I?” she asks with a small smile.  “All right, what do you want me to do?” she says, resigned to the fact that she will do what he wants.

Later in the episode, Barnabas returns to find Julia missing from the rectory and the room ransacked.  “Julia!” he cries in an anguished tone.

Barnabas realizes that Julia has been kidnapped by Petofi.   He waits for Beth in the woods and asks her to find out where Petofi is keeping Julia.  “This friend of mine is very important to me,” he tells Beth.  

Later on, Barnabas confronts Aristede about Julia’s whereabouts.  “Where is she?  Tell me where she is or I’ll kill you!” he growls.  Barnabas opens the door to where Julia is hidden, and the gun Aristede has rigged explodes into Julia’s chest.

When Barnabas realizes what has happened, he roars, “Aristede, you’re a dead man!  I will kill you for this!”  He goes to Julia and frantically checks for a heartbeat.  He is relieved but puzzled that Julia has not been harmed by the bullet that has lodged in the back of her chair.  Barnabas takes Julia to the rectory, gives her tea and tends to her.  “Are you strong enough?” he worries when she begins to prepare his injection.

Petofi is intrigued when he sees that Julia has been rescued.  “So, Barnabas Collins was willing to risk his own skin to save his lady friend.   She must be very important to him, very important indeed.”

This episode contains an interesting scene that marks the beginning of an uneasy alliance between two of the women who love Barnabas Collins.  Julia greets a startled Angelique at the rectory and asks her to help Barnabas.  Angelique is surprised at Julia’s presence in the past.  “I came because Barnabas needed me,” Julia explains.  “I see you haven’t changed,” Angelique responds.  “You’re still always ready to help Barnabas whenever he needs you.  Let me give you one word of advice, Dr. Hoffman.  The pursuit of Barnabas Collins can lead to nothing but  misery.  He is a cold, harsh, unresponsive man,” she says bitterly.  Julia sets her jaw and says through clenched teeth, “Who made him that way?” to which Angelique has no answer.  Julia continues to plead with Angelique to help Barnabas until the latter agrees.

Later in the episode, Barnabas worries that Petofi will move against Julia again.

When Barnabas excitedly tells Julia that he has met Josette again, Julia is shocked and then angry.  He tells her they must change their plans, but she petulantly turns away from him and then insists that they must not change their plans.

She follows up by visiting Quentin at Collinwood to ascertain whether Barnabas has been there and to find out what Barnabas has told Quentin about their houseguest (Lady Kitty).   “I’ve been through this with him before, you know.  He will never forget Josette.  He will always keep hunting for her,” Julia says through gritted teeth.  Julia seems hurt and frustrated in this scene and desperately attempts to convince Quentin to get Kitty to leave.  He responds by telling her she is being unreasonable.  She counters with, “I don’t want anything to happen to Barnabas Collins.  Do you?”  Before she leaves, she prevails upon Quentin not to tell Barnabas of her visit.

EPISODE 847:

Petofi comes to Julia to smugly announce that Barnabas is dead.  Although Julia knows the truth about Barnabas’ doppelganger, she must react as she would if Barnabas was really dead.  She responds to Petofi’s announcement with horror. “Last night, he was here with me,” she says, her voice trembling, her countenance close to tears.