September 2017 – Page 3 – Cryptic Canticles

Episode Synopsis: Lucy remembers the pain of the last several weeks as though a bad dream. She gratefully rejoices in her comfort falling asleep without the need of supervision, despite the sound of angry flapping against her window. Professor Van Helsing, having need to return to Amsterdam, sends a telegram to Dr. Seward instructing him to visit upon Lucy to keep vigil or at least check to see that she has sufficient garlic placed as necessary. However, he fails to address the telegram correctly, causing it to be delayed by twenty-two hours, and thus not received by Dr. Seward in time. Lucy writes a memorandum in the event that she is unable to give account of the horrible happenings befalling her. She is awakened by the same frightening sound of flapping that has haunted her of late. She calls for help and hears an eerie howl outside her window. The sound awakens her mother who arrives to check on Lucy and rest with her a while. To their horror, Lucy’s window is shattered by an enormous wolf. Traumatized, Lucy’s mother grasps at random, dislodging Lucy’s protective necklace of garlic before succumbing to her mounting heart condition and dying in Lucy’s arms. Lucy is momentarily dazed by her mother’s body and a sort of intoxicating force, but is brought back to herself by the sounds of her maids arriving. The maids are horrified to discover their mistress dead, and Lucy insists upon their calming their nerves with some sherry from the kitchen. When they do not return, however, Lucy discovers that all four of her maids have been drugged with laudanum. Helpless, and all alone, Lucy hides her written account of the incidents inside her bodice before succumbing to the hypnotising trance of particles that spins around her in her bedroom.

Episode Synopsis: Dr. Seward and Professor Van Helsing arrive at Lucy’s house in bright spirits to discover in horror that Lucy’s mother, with the best of intentions, had removed the protective garlic from Lucy’s bedroom. Sure enough, Lucy is weak and in need of another blood transfusion. This time, it is Professor Van Helsing who donates his blood to revive her. After instructing Mrs. Westenra not to remove anything else from Lucy’s bedroom, Van Helsing agrees to sit up with Lucy and keep watch over her throughout the night.

Episode Synopsis: Lucy expresses extreme gratitude for Professor Van Helsing and all those who have fixed their efforts towards her recovery. She takes comfort in the garlic, despite the oddness of the ritual, and no longer dreads sleep.

Episode Synopsis: Professor Van Helsing insists upon adorning Lucy’s bedroom with bundles of garlic flowers, which he also prescribes her to wear as a necklace while she sleeps. Lucy and Dr. Seward think this ritual comical, but oblige. Van Helsing feels confident that this condition will produce positive results.

Episode Synopsis: Van Helsing awakens Dr. Seward who had been sleeping in the room adjoining Lucy's. The both of them check on Lucy and discover that she had completely regressed. Without Arthur present, Dr. Seward agrees to donate his blood for the necessary transfusion. Once rested, Seward visits for a spell with Lucy who had awakened unaware of what had happened. Lucy's mother frets that Seward is overextending himself. Van Helsing tells Seward to go home and rest and leave Lucy's vigil to him. The maids offer to help share the vigil, but Seward explains that Van Helsing insists that it must be they who keep watch.