Chapter 11 -- "Before the Séance Begins, a Recap"
Perhaps before the Séance begins we should recap:
Having been killed off, the ghost of Edmund Grey returns to Pine Valley to find out why he was written out and also to find the time machine that brought him to Pine Valley in the first place. It turns out that, in spite of what all of us thought, Edmund Grey is not an actor. Instead, he is an alien from a planet called Galios IV. He came to Pine Valley in a time machine years ago, but has forgotten where he parked it. While he was living as Edmund Grey he had no memory of his true identity. But now he remembers everything except where (and what) the time machine is. He knows he needs to remember soon because unless the time machine is deactivated, it is going to blow up, vaporizing all material reality. Three Galioscians (Zartz, Zift and Zetz) are closely watching him as he tries to make contact with the still-alive so that they can thwart him in his quest. The Galiosicians don't want Edmund to deactivate the time machine. Edmund doesn't know this of course. He also doesn't know that they were the ones who arranged for him to be written out.
Not knowing that her late husband is back in town, a completely distraught and unglued Maria has prevailed upon Opal to conduct a séance so that Edmund can heal his wounded family. Edmund has found his way to Opal as well, thanks to Lily the only living being aside from Opal who can see and hear him. Thinking that perhaps Stuart would have noticed when a time machine entered Pine Valley (because Stuart notices the small things in life as well as the large), Edmund, Lily and Opal pay him and Marian a visit. Stuart has no idea where the time machine is but he convinces Edmund to consent to the séance so that Maria, Sam and Maddie can find some peace. Edmund agrees, but he also wants his one-time love Brooke English to be there as well. Edmund's will left Brooke in charge of all his earthly possessions. But that isn't what Brooke wants. Brooke wants nothing but the love that has left her life forever. Edmund is anguished, realizing what Brooke is going through. The next day she is to conduct Edmund's Estate Sale at Wildwind. But tonight she is going to a séance.
The Galioscians will be there as well, disguised as popcorn.