1971 and Beyond

The last we, the viewers, see of Barnabas and Julia, they are leaving Collinwood’s drawing room on their way to Roger Collins’ speech at the historical center. We know that in a relatively short time span, the turmoil of 1840 has been resolved; Barnabas has rather inexplicably declared his love for the now dead Angelique; and he, Julia, and Eliot have returned to 1971 leaving Desmond to destroy Quentin’s staircase and bury Angelique. 

But where does all of that leave Barnabas and Julia? Did they continue their very close friendship or did they finally embark upon the love affair that always seemed to lie just under the surface of their relationship? Fortunately, Sam Hall, one of Dark Shadows’ head writers, penned an article for TV Guide in which he described a future storyline for the Dark Shadows characters including Barnabas and Julia. In “Here’s What Really Happened to Barnabas and Company,” Hall writes: 

“When Dark Shadows recently went off the air, the audience was left with all of the troubled characters - and many questions as to their fate. We had certain long-range plans for most of them - but what the characters would do with the rest of their lives can only be fantasy. However, after three years of living with them, I feel I know moments of their future.” 

He continues, “Barnabas was deeply affected by Chris's death. [Chris has committed suicide after killing Sabrina while under the influence of his werewolf curse.] He and Julia Hoffman had tried desperately to help Chris. Barnabas identified with him very much. He began to feel that it was only a matter of time until he too would become a victim of his curse. When he learned from Angelique that Roger had discovered his secret, his depression deepened. Again, Barnabas felt that he had brought new tragedy to those he loved at Collinwood. He knew that his vampirism would be discovered. 

“Julia and Willie Loomis decided they must get Barnabas to leave Collinsport. They were both willing to sacrifice their lives and travel with him. He finally agreed to go, but just before they were to start, Barnabas became very ill. Julia was astonished. She knew that Barnabas could not, because of his vampirism, have human ailments. Yet the mysterious fever so ravaged him that Julia feared for his very existence.

“She suddenly realized that there could be only one explanation for Barnabas's illness. Adam. She remembered the mysterious link which began to exist when Barnabas helped bring Adam to life. At the time Adam disappeared from Collinwood, they knew that if he died, Barnabas would, too. Julia knew she must find Adam, wherever he was. Adam must have the same fever. He had to be cured if Barnabas were to be saved.

“Enlisting the aid of T. Eliot Stokes, she did find Adam - in the Far East. She managed to cure him, but in the course of the treatment, she contracted the illness herself. She was near death when Barnabas - well now - came to her. He realized how he loved her, and promised her that if she lived, they would marry. 

“They were married in Singapore. Barnabas felt they must never return to Collinsport. Angelique must not find them - for she would never allow Julia to live. So they stayed on. Julia began working with an Asian doctor and experimented with a new treatment which she was positive would take away the curse of Barnabas's vampirism. They began the treatments. They were successful. Barnabas Collins at last could walk in the light of day - walk with the woman he loved, but walk with an ever present fear - a fear that Angelique would find them, and destroy the only happiness he had had in his life.”*  

So, according to one of Dark Shadows’ major writers, Barnabas, in a final defining moment, admits his love for Julia, and they are married. Furthermore, this article’s legitimacy is reinforced by its inclusion as an epilogue to the series at the end of the final MPI Home Video of Dark Shadows. The narration of the article is accompanied by stills of Barnabas and Julia that were cut from the theatrical movie, House of Dark Shadows.

Another clue as to what happened to Barnabas and Julia was given in Return to Collinwood, a radio play that was presented at the 2003 Dark Shadows Festival. This play was the first time the original cast had reunited to reprise their roles since the series’ cancellation, and although Barnabas and Julia were not represented in the production, it is reported that they are off together in Hong Kong on a spiritual retreat. Following its performance at the Festival, the cast recorded the play for future release on CD.

The defining moments of Barnabas and Julia’s relationship illustrate the tremendous evolution their feelings underwent during the course of Dark Shadows. They began as scientist and specimen, doctor and patient, and their relationship was rife with fear and mistrust on both sides. Julia soon falls in love with her unusual patient, but Barnabas only slowly and grudgingly admits that Julia has become a very important part of his life.  

By the time the series concluded, both have risked their lives for the other numerous times. Both have watched as the other came under evil influences, and yet both have stood firm in support of his/her friend. In 1840, each separately declares to Angelique, their greatest enemy, their devotion to the other. And over and over again, both of them have refused to leave the other, most notably when Barnabas tells Julia in 1995, in one of their ultimate defining moments, “Not without you. Never without you.”  

And in the end, thanks to Mr. Hall’s article and Return to Collinwood as well as a plethora of fan fiction, we know that Barnabas did not end up without Julia.  

Never without her.

*Hall, Sam. “Here’s What Really Happened to Barnabas & Co.” TV Guide 9 Oct. 1971: 40-42.