The Creep Factor: Day Nine

Welcome to The Creep Factor, a new feature that will scientifically determine which episodes of Dark Shadows are the scariest. The results of this evaluation were arrived at through a process involving the I Ching, no fewer than three seances and several experimental blood transfusions. They are presented in no particular order. Also .... SPOILER ALERT!

Day Nine: Barnabas attacks Carolyn (Episode 351)

Dr. Julia Hoffman has been medically treating Barnabas Collins for his vampirism. His sights set on Maggie Evans, Barnabas coerces Julia into accelerating the treatments so that he can woo the waitress during the daylight hours. But things don’t go as he’d hoped. Instead of curing his condition his body begins to show the full affects of his 200-years of age.

Believing that blood will return him to his “normal” state he attacks his cousin, Carolyn. Even as he strikes he’s promising he’d never drink from “his own flesh and blood,” illustrating just how delusional he has become. During this story arc (his first on Dark Shadows) Barnabas didn't exactly a strangle hold on reality, spending most of his nights playing dress up games with a brainwashed hostage. While it was unclear if he really believed Maggie was the reincarnation of Josette, his attack on Carolyn shows he is in deep denial over his own character and actions.

Previous Installments:
Day Eight: That's Just Gross
Day Seven: Reach Out and Touch Someone
Day Six: Adam's Ghosts

Day Five:The Head of Judah Zachary
Day Four: The Death of Dr. Woodard
Day Three: Funhouse of Madness
Day Two: Apocalypse at Collinwood
Day One: Adam Attacks