Count Petofi delights in his new body, while Quentin languishes in his.

Synopsis

Collinwood near the turn of the century. All who live in the great house have come to know the terror that can be inflicted by Count Petofi. But no one knows it better than Quentin Collins, who this night is menaced by the most terrible of Petofi's power.

Count Petofi and Quentin's minds switch bodies. Quentin (Petofi) tells Petofi (Quentin) that he will be using his body to travel to the future. Petofi reveals that Quentin's portrait has conferred immortality on his body.

Petofi (Quentin) tries to convince Magda that he is really Quentin, but she doesn't believe him; later Beth does not believe him either.

Memorable quotes

Quentin (in Petofi's body): I don’t believe this is happening. It’s a nightmare I’m having!

Petofi (in Quentin's body): Oh, but it is happening! Quentin. Your mind and spirit are now in the body of Count Petofi, and my mind and spirit are in the body of Quentin Collins.

Dramatis personae

• Thayer David as Andreas Petofi / Quentin Collins
• Terry Crawford as Beth Chavez
• Michael Stroka as Aristede
• David Selby as Quentin Collins / Andreas Petofi
• Grayson Hall as Magda Rakosi

Background information and notes

Production

• Final appearance of character Magda Rakosi; her voice will be heard for the final time in 887.

Story

• INTERNAL MONOLOGUE: Beth: (recalling Quentin,'s Magda's, and Aristede's words) (reprised from the previous episode) / Could it be too late?; Quentin: No one would believe me.
• TIMELINE: Quentin wants to meet Beth at 3am in the cottage.

Bloopers and continuity errors

• When Beth runs into Collinwood in the teaser, the Collinsport Fly (or perhaps a moth) can be seen flying by the left-side drawing room door.
• In Act I, when Quentin/Petofi says to Beth, "So we are both in his debt, no?", Terry Crawford says "No" at the same time rather than waiting for David Selby to finish his line.
• When Magda comes out of the bushes and trees as Petofi/Quentin approaches, her shawl catches on a branch, and she has to take it mostly off to proceed.
• Grayson Hall steps on David Selby's line. When Magda starts to say, "I was worried...", Quentin is still finishing his line, "Why do you ask?"
• After Count Petofi, his body now inhabited by the mind of Quentin, puts on the eyeglasses and grabs Aristede, a loud sneeze is heard coming from off camera. [It sounds like Grayson Hall .]
• When Quentin/Count Petofi is chasing Aristede for his glasses, the two collide into a "brick" wall, which shakes and bends under their weight.
• In Act III, Petofi/Quentin tells Aristede, “We must be on we way.”
• If Count Petofi has the power to switch bodies with someone since getting his hand back, why does he need to travel to the future to escape the gypsies? He's already in a different body so would be unrecognisable to them. [Perhaps he is trying to double his odds by switching bodies and time.]
• When Quentin (now in the body of Petofi) meets Magda, Thayer David steps on Grayson Hall's line. When Magda asks, "What?", Quentin/Petofi says, "Petofi did do something" at the same time Magda finishes her line "What are you saying?"
• It's not explained how Quentin in Petofi's body knew to go to the cottage to meet Beth. When the plans were made with Beth, Petofi was already inhabiting Quentin's body.

External Links 

Dark Shadows - Episode 856 on the IMDb

Dark Shadows Every Day - Episode 856 - The Switcheroo

The Dark Shadows Daybook - Episode 856

Dark Shadows Commentary- Episode 856: Like a new man

Dark Shadows Before I Die- Episode 856: 10/6/69