Let the Séance Begin

So the episodes on this disc drag a little…that is, until the last one (#170). Dr. Guthrie has decided that a séance is the only way to discover the force that is keeping Elizabeth Stoddard in a trance. Victoria and Carolyn agree while Laura flat out refuses and Roger believes it all to be nonsense.

As the girls prepare the room by setting chairs and lighting candles, the housekeeper is sent to sit with the sleeping child David. Roger, after making fun of what they are about to do, is convinced to participate on one condition: if the séance doesn’t work, the doctor will leave the Collins home. That is enough to put Roger on board.

After outing all the lights, the group is bathed in candlelight around a small table. They place their hands on the table, fingers stretched and pinkies touching. Dr. Guthrie encourages the group to concentrate on one thing- contacting Josette Collins. Her ghost is thought to be the key to finding out what is happening at the Collins homestead.

While the doctor quietly repeats Josette’s name, Victoria slowly begins to sway and moan. As her apparent trance deepens and thunder rumbles and lightning flashes, the doors to the room suddenly fling open to reveal a person draped in darkness. The trance is broken when the lights come on and Laura Collins enters the room.

She is convinced to participate and another chair is brought to the table. The séance begins again, and almost immediately Victoria is pulled into another trance. She begins speaking in rapid French as the rest of the group watches in surprise. The episode ends with Victoria’s screaming and fainting.