Roger admits to Elizabeth that David tried to kill him. When Sheriff Jonas Carter questions her, she lies to protect David.

Synopsis

My name is Victoria Winters. Here in Collinwood, there is a moment of quiet. Even the wind has subsided, and the threat of a storm is a thing of the past. But there are other storms, the unending chill of fear that sweeps through the silent corridors, always reminding a man of how close he has come to death.

Elizabeth returns home, greeted by her angry brother. She says she sent Matthew into town to look for David, but Roger blows her off, saying not to bother. Roger tells his sister that her nephew David tried to kill him and recounts at length several facts. He shows Elizabeth the previously missing bleeder valve. She asks about David's whereabouts; apparently Roger has locked the boy in his room.

Bill Malloy tells Sheriff Carter that Burke Devlin is guilty. They tell each other about the private detective. Jonas asks Bill about David's relationship with Roger.

Roger and Elizabeth discuss David and the boy's mother, "[Roger's] wife Laura." They had married after Burke Devlin's trial; prior to that, Laura had been Burke's lover. David Collins was born almost eight months after the wedding. Elizabeth is shocked when Roger makes negative implications about David's paternity, referring to the boy as a "monster." Roger believes his time with David is over.

Bill Malloy tells Sheriff Carter that David hoped Roger would die. Jonas uses forensic evidence to clear Burke, whom he now claims he never really suspected. Bill also tells Jonas that David is unpredictable, a little wild maybe, but he can't bring himself to say what the sheriff is hinting that David tried to do. Malloy is skeptical but comes around; Carter isn't sure what to do about his evidence.

Roger and Elizabeth argue; he wants David sent away and she wants to protect him. Elizabeth says David’s been forced to live with Roger's guilt, which he claims not to have. Elizabeth scolds Roger on his behavior towards David and tells him she wants to stand by David as she did for Roger; Roger outright states David may not be his son. Elizabeth insists David is the last of the Collins family. She plans to cover the whole thing up.

The police arrive. Roger thinks Burke's arrest at this time would be ironic. Roger clears Burke Devlin, which annoys Elizabeth. She tries to stop Roger and Sheriff Carter from implicating David by lying about the car's bleeder valve being terminally loose (per Matthew). With a glint in his eye, Jonas insinuates that David is guilty. Roger tells Elizabeth that a day will come when she regrets protecting David.

Memorable quotes

Elizabeth (re: David): Where is he now?

Roger: Where all criminals belong. Under lock and key.

---

Elizabeth: He's still your son.

Roger: He's a monster, Liz. He's been nothing but trouble to me since the day he was born. David and his mother. My loving wife and my adoring son. Laura and David. Love and respect. Liz, it was hell.

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Bill: Jonas, you're out of your mind.

Bill: Look, David's unpredictable, sure, a little wild maybe, but he wouldn't try to... Jonas, I can't even say it.

---

Elizabeth: Our family stands together. We always have and we always will.

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Roger: Well-put, Sheriff. My sister is interested in all that concerns me...all that concerns our sacred family.

Dramatis personae

• ← Joan Bennett as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard →
• ← Louis Edmonds as Roger Collins →
• ← Frank Schofield as Bill Malloy →
• ← Michael Currie as Jonas Carter

Background information and notes

Production

• Laura Collins, Roger's wife, is mentioned by name for the first time. She does not appear until 123.
• Final appearance of actor Michael Currie and the character Jonas Carter. He will be succeeded by Dana Elcar in role of Sheriff George Patterson.

Story

• After Elizabeth tells Roger the family stands together, she points to portraits of Jeremiah Collins, Isaac Collins and Benjamin Collins, claiming they stood together as family.
• David was born nearly eight months after Laura and Roger married.
• Roger and David have been living at Collinwood for two months. When the boy's aunt tries to defend him, Roger reminds Elizabeth that she's only known David for two months, whereas he's known him for nine years.

Bloopers and continuity errors

• Roger states that he and David have been at Collinwood for two months. A day earlier, in 13, Matthew said it was only one month.
• Joan Bennett takes a long time for her entrance at the very beginning of the episode, causing Louis Edmonds to have to wait in the foyer for her. When she does enter, someone can be heard saying something off-stage (it sounds like perhaps he's saying "turn around" to Louis Edmonds since Edmonds did turn around and head for the drawing room after the first door noises when Joan Bennett did not enter; the door noises are then repeated).
• Several actors flub their lines. Louis Edmonds calls Elizabeth "David," Joan Bennett calls Roger "father," and Michael Currie says "flishing fleet."
• When Roger and Liz are arguing in the drawing room, a switch to the shot of both of them is out of focus at first.
• As Sheriff Carter leaves Collinwood, he can be seen walking past the end of the set, as the wall was not extended far enough.

End credits announcements

• What can one American jeep patrol do against Rommel's mighty Africa Corps? Watch 'The Rat Patrol' Monday nights in color starting in September here on ABC.
• Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis production.

External Links 

Dark Shadows - Episode 32 on the IMDb

The Collinsport Historical Society - Dark Shadows Diary - Episode 32

Dark Shadows Commentary- Episode 32: Where All Criminals Belong

Dark Shadows Before I Die- Episode 32: 8/9/66