Episode 155: Around her little finger

We open in the hotel suite occupied by dashing action hero Burke Devlin. Burke is getting a briefing from a paid agent of his whom he placed in the home of his enemies, the ancient and esteemed Collins family. This agent is wildly indiscreet housekeeper Mrs Johnson.

Mrs Johnson has come to report on a conversation between high-born ne’er-do-well Roger Collins and Roger’s estranged wife, the mysterious and long-absent Laura. Mrs Johnson overheard Laura telling Roger that she is keeping Burke pacified by pretending that she will testify on his behalf in a retrial of a long-ago criminal case. When Mrs Johnson relays this to Burke, he flies into a rage. He demands to know who is paying her to defame Laura. Mrs Johnson stands up to his abuse, and he apologizes.

Mitch Ryan and Clarice Blackburn were outstanding actors, and it’s always fun to see them play a scene together. But this doesn’t really make much sense. Whatever Laura’s plans, it is hardly likely that she would advance them by telling Roger that she is going to side with Burke. Since this is a conversation Burke is having with a secret agent in his employ, the audience would expect him to understand deception.

Meanwhile, Laura is in the cottage where she is staying on the grounds of the great estate of Collinwood. She has a visitor- her son, strange and troubled boy David. The head of the Collins family, reclusive matriarch Liz, has forbidden Laura to see David and ordered her to leave the estate. Laura repeatedly urges David to keep his visit to her a secret. She gives him a music box, reminding him to hide it from everyone in the great house.

Moments after David gets home, Liz catches him with the music box. She recognizes it as Laura’s and scolds him for visiting her. She tries to explain why he can’t see his mother. David takes this badly, shouting at her that he doesn’t love her. When she objects that this is a terrible thing to say, he tells her he hates her.

Liz sets out for Laura’s cottage. Laura is there, but she is not alone. Burke has come to ask about the conversation Mrs Johnson overheard. Several days ago, Burke had asked her about her relations with Roger, naming well-meaning governess Vicki as his source. Today, Laura asks if Vicki has been talking again. Thoughtlessly, Burke won’t answer, further convincing Laura that Vicki is her enemy.

Laura starts crying. Burke’s anger evaporates. He embraces her and kisses her. At that moment, Liz enters.

Burke, whom we first saw today in his role as spymaster, tells Liz he’s glad that happened because he likes to have everything out in the open. Liz, who has sealed up most of her house and hasn’t left the estate in eighteen years because she is trying to cover up some hideous secret, says that she also likes that. Burke leaves.

Liz demands Laura leave the estate no later than tomorrow morning, and vows that she will never have custody of David. Laura says that no power on earth can keep her from her son, and tells Liz she will learn to her cost what she is capable of.

Back in the house, Laura’s face is superimposed over the screen as Liz grows faint. Liz starts climbing the stairs. She calls for help, naming Roger and well-meaning governess Vicki. We see her start to fall. Then we see her sprawled at the bottom of the stairs.

The process shot makes it clear that Laura is using witchcraft to control Liz. Burke’s behavior is also uncharacteristic, but it is an open question whether it is the result of Laura casting a magic spell on him, of his own emotions leading him to make a fool of himself, or of sloppy work on the part of the writers.