TIM BURTON'S PROLIFIC WORK IN 'DARK SHADOWS'.

Johnny Depp plays a character who makes a big mistake. He's a good man, but clearly a terrible judge in character, both the character and actor. Their fatal flaw is that he falls for the wrong woman, a scorned ex who abuses, gaslights, and defames her victim. In the case of Johnny Depp's life, this woman is the mentally ill and mediocre actress, Amber Heard. In the case of Barnabas Collins, it is a psychopathic, murderous witch, Angelique Bouchard.

Granted, this is the real world. There are no vampires, ghosts, werewolves, or witchcraft. What we have in this world are humans, and humans are far more terrifying than any fictional monster. Abusive women like Amber Heard are one type of humanity's monster.

Because not only are they vicious and violent, but they are also masters at hiding their abuse behind the stereotypical vulnerability stamped onto the female gender. It's quite the convenient strategy for them, isn't. Amber Heard is no exception. This high-profile trial that's sucking up media attention proves without a doubt who is the abuser and who is the victim.

I wait every day for the outcome of this trial, hoping and praying that she will pay through the nose for her crimes. Defamation is absolutely one of them. She is also guilty of physical and emotional abuse. She nearly drove the man to suicide, and she doesn't even care. Regardless of the legal outcome here, she is thoroughly exposed. The court of public opinion has ruled against her. Her behavior is branded on the internet forever, and she will never live it down. Meanwhile, crowds of devoted Depp fans rally outside the courthouse in support of him.

It's a shame Amber Heard couldn't stop to consider these consequences before her writing that op-ed (poorly written, might I add) in the Washington Post. This act of defamation was an act of war, a smear campaign, against Johnny Depp after she realizes she lost control of him. Her article was her final, desperate attempt to destroy him after the end of their relationship. Sadly, it worked. Depp's career is in ruins. Until now. The truth is out, and Heard's career is ruined as well. It's difficult to say whether Depp will win the case or restore his career. I hope he does win. The certain outcome is Heard reputation and credibility are forever in question via the same public opinion she used against him.

Karma's a bitch, isn't it, Amber? Karma's a bitch, isn't it, Amber? You are exposed, ruined, and disgraced. All because you couldn't keep your lying mouth shut. Ask yourself, was it worth the risk? Is it ever worth it?

Worse for her is an eleven-year-old prophecy in the form of Tim Burton creation, " Dark Shadows". Tim Burton, one of Johnny Depp's greatest allies throughout his acting career, directed the story of this dark comedy (also written by Dan Curtis), a story about a man who scorns the wrong woman. In retaliation, she ruins his life in a series of ways. Just like Amber Heard.

The relationship between Collins and his witchy maid begins on rocky ground. His relationship with her is rushed and physical, but it's not based on true love. More likely, she wants the money and power that his stature would bring. Her greed drives her dangerous obsession with him.

She becomes so obsessed that he would never be allowed to fall in love with another woman. Not in life or death. After Angelique drives her off a cliff, she casts a spell turning Barnabas into an immortal vampire. She dooms him to eternal separation from his dearest love so that she could worm her way into his life and heart.

More importantly, she wants him to be a monster like her. She succeeds in making him a monster, but she fails to strip him of his humanity. He devotes his love and devotion to his family instead of to her.

The jealousy drives her to commit this terrible betrayal.

Gaslighting statement: "We're both monsters."

When the witch's first plan to control the vampire fails, she smears his name to the entire town, a old fashioned place filled with superstitious witch hunters. Yet, they miss the witch entirely. Instead, they lash out at her scapegoat.

"Lock in a box for 200 years!"

Not only does Angelique entrap him, she ruins the Collins family name. By the time he finds his family again, they are destitute and isolated. 200 years is a long time for a smear campaign to survive. Barnabas never forgives her betrayal, and he rejects her again. So, she betrays him again. The smear becomes as fresh as ever, and the town turns against his family again.

That's not the only way she betrays the Collins name.

Gaslighting statement: "While you were taking your little nap..." (As if 200 years compares to a little nap.)

In the 200 years that he is hidden from the world, she uses that time to steal his business out from under him. The Collins builds a fishing business in the beginning, but she copies that idea and takes it for herself. Her competing business nearly bankrupts the family. She becomes wealthy off his hard-earned legacy by stealing all their resources until all that remains is the manor. Even the beautiful antique home falls into ruins.

Her ultimate goal is to make him completely dependent on her. Not only does she seek to control him, but I think some part of her is threatened by him as well. He can stand on his own feet. He can also adapt very well to his new modern environment. The 70s are fascinating to him, an era he is eager to understand. Then, he uses his knowledge to benefit his family and aid in his recovery. This level of acceptance and intelligence is absolutely a reason to feel threatened. These traits serve as a brutal reminder that she will never truly control him, regardless of her magic.

There is no way she could ruin him.

Threatening statement: "I'll put you back in the box."

Does she show remorse for this monstrous behavior? No.

His feelings mean nothing to her. In her delusional mind, she believes she is proving her love (via obsession).

There is no doubt that Angelique is a control freak. The murder of her romantic competition is only the beginning. She uses her magic, influence, and threats to control Barnabas in a number of ways. Fortunately, his rage at his condition shields him from her manipulation. Her loss of control over him makes her crack, psychologically and physically. In her rage, she admits to every crime she commits against the Collins family, including the murder of many members and infecting another. The truth comes out, and it validates Barnabas' resistance to her advances more than ever. Who would give his life to a murderess abuser? She is evil down to the core.

Toxic people love control. When they lose that control over a victim, they becomefurious. That's when they show their true colors, and it's ugly. The symbolism is strong in the case of Angelique's meltdown. Her young, beautiful, and agreeable exterior shatters in front of the crowd that she gathers against the Collins Family. After 200 years of deception, the townspeople see through her for the first time. Beneath that porcelain shell is nothing. She is empty, hollow, and void. Incapable of love.

"You cannot love, Angelique. That is your curse."

That's exactly right. Even her heart appears real until she exposes it to the light of day, and it immediately shatters. That is no heart, just another empty shell.

All these traits can be applied to Johnny's psycho ex-wife. The control, gaslighting, and abuse. It's all there. The only assets she does not share with Angelique Bouchard are her upstanding reputation and magical talents. (As far as we know, she's never committed murder.) Instead, she's a mediocre actress with a pattern of disgusting behavior. It doesn't matter how much she dresses up like a fancy mermaid princess. The fact remains she is no princess. She can't even afford a decent lawyer. (Seriously, they're sooo bad at their jobs.)

Meanwhile, Johnny Depp is a strong, confident man. He survived two years of her non-stop abuse. I am personally very relieved that he never followed through with his desire for self-harm. More importantly, he cut her out of his life. God bless you, Johnny Depp. You are an inspiration for abuse victims everywhere. He will survive the fallout of her smear campaign. He will endure. His humanity remains intact. Just like his character of Barnabas Collins.

Perhaps, Tim Burton knew what he was doing in his decision to retell this story and cast Depp in this powerful role. Did this old job teach the actor to stand up for himself against this modern Angelique Bouchard? Only Johnny can say. If so, Tim Burton and Dan Curtis may have saved his life with this incredible story about survival, strength, and humanity.