1981-82: James’s true nature became apparent (to viewers, at least) when he dabbled in drug and jewelry smuggling, tried to kill rival John and dallied with other women in 1981. Barbara stood by her man, but in 1982 she began having psychic visions of herself, James and a mystery man in the 18th century. She was shocked to meet James’s “cousin,” adventurer Gunnar, who looked just like the man she had envisioned. Barbara realized that she was in love with Gunnar and then discovered another of James’s affairs, so she took Paul and moved out. But James wasn’t about to let her take custody of his son, so he began gaslighting her. Her drug-induced behavior freaked out Paul, who became afraid of his mother. Babs regained her sanity, but then accidentally shot James while he was trying to kill Gunnar. Stenbeck tattled to their son, who became even more terrified of his mom. In the middle of all this, James learned that he was the nanny’s son, and Gunnar was actually the true Stenbeck. When John came across this info, James tried to kill him again.
