Episodes 1-6--- Victoria's Arrival. Victoria Winters comes to Collinwood to serve as governess to David Collins. She is an orphan and hopes to find clues to her identity. She finds a reclusive matriarch, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard; a disturbed child, David Collins; and a town full of mysterious and frightening legends.
Episodes 1-201--- The Revenge of Burke Devlin Despising the Collins' power and influence, Burke Devlin returns to Collinsport after spending time in prison. He befriends Victoria, manipulates Carolyn Stoddard, Elizabeth's daughter, and interrogates others to discover the truth about the accident which led to his conviction.
Episodes 46-126--- Matthew Morgan Kills Bill Malloy Collins fishing fleet manager Bill Malloy is killed by Collinwood caretaker Matthew Morgan after Matthew learns Malloy wants Roger Collins to confess to the car accident which sent Burke to prison. Matthew kidnapps Victoria when she discovers he was responsible for Malloy's death. Victoria is saved by the ghost of Josette Collins which joins the ghost of Malloy in scaring Matthew to death.
Episodes 123-191--- Laura the Phoenix Laura Collins, Roger's wife and David's mother, schemes to reclaim her son. Laura is a creature of the supernatural, an immortal Phoenix who almost succeeds in taking David with her as she is consumed by flames.
Episodes 193-275---The Blackmailing of Elizabeth Jason McGuire, a friend of Liz's missing husband Paul Stoddard, returns to Collinswood. Victimized by his blackmail, Liz agrees to marry Jason, but at the last moment reveals the truth. Eighteen years before, Jason led her to believe she killed Paul and then allowed Jason to bury the body in the basement of Collinwood. An investigation uncovers no body; Paul did not die. Jason is killed after he enters the Old House to search for jewels.
Episodes 202-220---The Introduction of Barnabas Jason's drifter friend Willie Loomis joins Jason as an unwelcome guest at Collinwood. Fascinated by the portrait of Barnabas Collins and the legend he was buried with his jewels, Willie opens the coffin of Barnabas and accidentally releases the 200-year-old vampire. Barnabas introduces himself at Collinwood as a descendant of the Barnabas in the portrait. With Liz's permission, Barnabas moves into the Old House and begins its restoration.
Episodes 221-261---The Kiddnapping of Maggie Barnabas meets waitress Maggie Evans and is struck by her close resemblance to Josette, his love in the distant past. He abducts Maggie and attempts to recreate her as Josette so she may Join him as his eternal vampire bride. With the help of a mysterious child, Maggie escapes and is confined at Windcliff Sanitarium.
