| "Reflections by Jill" - A Weekly Commentary on OLTL | |
|
REFLECTIONS BY JILL….
Many people have been writing me lately with their feelings and thoughts about upcoming storylines. Lots of people are very exasperated with what they’ve been watching and what they think is coming. I am asked my opinion all the time about what I predict is going to happen and I’m sorry to say, I don’t have a clue, nor am I ever right when I guess...even if I use logic. Maybe using logic is the reason I’m never right...hmmmmm.
I’ve been reading comments in several magazines by Gary Tomlin, where he claims to be very upset that the fans are always finding out what’s going to happen on the show, when he so strongly objects to leaking plot line information. He feels that someone on his loyal staff, whether it be in their desire for a power trip or for whatever reason, is spilling the beans about what’s going to happen and worse than that...LOL...they are spilling the beans on THE DREADFUL INTERNET!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine?
I figure GT is going to deliberately try to throw us off on some of the scoops and spoilers, just to have a little bit of fun with us (not funny), so lately I don’t really trust everything I read as far as spoilers and scoops go....but...I would like to address some of the things people are talking about and writing me about and share what everyone thinks...including myself.
OK...I think I’ll start with the most unpleasant.....and LOL...it’s not Asa and Gabby...it is....
Todd and Blair - Well, the Todd and Blair fans are still out in full force and definitely still want them together, but I have to tell you that although I was very anxious to see them finally get together, Todd’s horrible antics in this baby storyline have definitely changed my mind. Even though I have always gotten plenty of mail from Todd fans, I believe that even they are greatly dismayed at his latest antics and I haven’t heard much lately about anyone’s “love of Todd.” My feeling is that every time the writers let Todd show a little bit of vulnerability, they yank it back in and have him do something even more evil than he’s done before, if that’s possible. If I watch the show for the next 50 years (gee, will I be able to stand Todd in my 90’s?) I will never be able to reconcile what he’s done to Blair this time. Talk about hurting the one you love. I wish someone could teach this guy what love really is, but I think that’s hopeless since both Viki and Sam will probably die trying.
In spite of the fact that Todd has “seen the error of his ways” and is trying to get his son back, I still find that it was a total waste of air time and way too trying on everyone’s patience wondering if Todd would actually get a conscience and get the baby back, not because it’s his child, but because his love for Blair could not allow him to hurt her so badly. But sadly, that’s not what happened. He was perfectly content to let the baby fade into oblivion in anyone’s hands, as long as he didn’t have to deal with Max’s child. If TPTB wanted to spend a ton of sweeps time on Todd and Blair, don’t you think they could have found a better way to do it? I sure do.
And how about Starr’s involvement in the whole baby storyline. Since I came to the conclusion long ago that she is the ADULT in her family (and I use that noun loosely), I suppose it makes sense that she is in on all the gory details of the situation. I guess these are supposed to be real issues for a 7-year-old child to deal with, right? In any case, since her mother seems to be acting a bit more maturely than usual, maybe Starr can knock some sense into her father…hey, it’s worth a try.
Just a little side note about the baby storyline....don’t you think the Mexican airline industry should beef up security a little bit? I mean, there were two “less than savory” guys in the airport terminal suspiciously passing a baby back and forth (Todd and David)...the nuns yelled for the cops at least three times...and not a uniform in sight. Remind me to keep my travel plans north of the border...LOL. And what’s with Paloma? One day she doesn’t understand or speak a word of English and the next day she has full comprehension. Can we have a continuity check please? And where is Paloma…she could tell the truth about the baby and she could do it in two languages at the same time…that would surely help straighten out the situation…LOL.
Now here’s a rumor that was going around and I’m happy to say, we now know it’s true…
Keri is R.J.’s daughter - Lots of people write me all the time saying that they want RJ to have a life and have a woman to go with that life. When Keri came on the show, many people, including myself, thought that she might be a love interest for RJ. I didn’t really see her with RJ and I liked the chemistry between Keri and Antonio right off the bat. Now we know that Keri is RJ’s daughter and that’s the secret Hank has been keeping. Very interesting! Personally, I never thought RJ was old enough to have a daughter in her 20’s, but hey, if Sam can go from being Ben’s graying older brother to his blonde, younger brother...LOL...I suppose anything is possible.
I can see great material and great fireworks coming out of this storyline. It’s going to be great seeing Keri come to grips with her daddy being a criminal, especially since it’s her field of expertise....and it’s going to be especially interesting to watch Keri’s relationship with Antonio unfold, as she falls in love with the man who is her father’s nemesis. What will happen to this relationship between Antonio and Keri in the wake of Antonio’s desperate quest to put RJ behind bars? And will Keri want to have a relationship with her father and protect him, or go along with Antonio’s need to put him away...especially when she finds out that it was RJ’s who was responsible for the mess with Cris and Jenn? Antonio wants to put RJ away…he always has. So many questions...AND NO ANSWERS!
I’m very glad that Hank is getting some air time out of this story line. Nathan Purdee deserves to be seen on a regular basis. I really like Hank and believe it or not, there is one thing that GT and I agree on…the chemistry between Hank and Rae. If I can’t have John Sykes with Rae, I can see them pairing her with Hank and I can see it working. We’ll see!
Here’s another one I like....
Seth turning his back on Natalie - Oh yeah, this I am liking a whole lot. It’s not that I love Seth so much, although I like him a lot more than I did before. I see in him the heart and the conscience that Viki wants to find in Natalie. I think that Seth turning his back on Natalie is the first step in her really finding out whom her allies are and who is trying to hurt her. I hope she catches on to Allison’s nasty ways soon.
I like that Seth has a human side. I’m really beginning to see a human side to Natalie, but she has so many years of bitterness to learn to put behind her. One of these days she’s going to realize what a wonderful person Viki is and that she has room to love her as well as Jessica. We saw a glimmer of that this week when Natalie was shocked that Viki stood up for her against Roxanne. It’s still way too soon for Natalie to accept the love. She’s still got such a wall up, but my money is on Viki to knock it down. I can see them putting Seth and Jessica together down the line and lots of people have written me that he’s not good enough for her and they don’t like the idea of him being redeemed...but I have to tell you...for some reason, I can see it happening...not tomorrow, of course, but definitely down the line. I think the fact that he’s dumping Natalie just as she’s ready to come into her windfall says a lot for his character.
Oh, I must take a break here to die laughing…I am a New Yorker and I find it hysterical that all these young Llanviewites have just run into each other as if Manhattan were a town of 100 people. LOL…there are about a bazillion modeling agencies and at least a gazillion diners in this city. They make it look like there’s one place to get a burger and one place to have your picture taken. Come on writers…you’re working in the heart of New York City…couldn’t you have made this a bit more realistic? Even my friend in Hooterville would laugh at Keith zeroing in on Cristian so easily and at Cristian and Jenn winding up at the same modeling agency. I have to say that the only thing that probably was realistic was Peg the Cross Dresser fitting right in. He…or she….or they…are a wonderful, funny addition.
I do think that Seth better think twice about finding his way back into Jessie’s life. If he thinks all he has to do is prove himself to Jessie, he better step back and rethink his plan. He’s going to be one very lucky boy if Ben lets him inside the front door of Llanfair ever again, without first giving him two black eyes and a fat lip. Would Ben do such a thing? Ummmm....maybe he’d let Niki do it! I don’t see Ben trusting this kid for at least 25 years.
OK, that brings me to a storyline that I hope is finished…I’ve had just about enough of....
Viki’s alters - I know, I know...it’s hysterical watching Niki in action and her outfits are even more over the top than usual...if that’s possible....but come on already PTB....Viki has been through so much already in her life and she has survived. Viki doesn’t need the alters to get her through anything any more...especially a loose cannon like Niki. Even though I would really love to see Niki let loose on Allison...just once...I still have to vote for “retiring” the alters. I think it’s an insult to Viki’s character that she would be weakened to the point of even thinking about using the alters after all she’s been through without them. Besides, she doesn’t need her alters or anyone else...SHE’S GOT BEN!!!! Enough said.
Have you all had enough of the ever-lovin’ soap triangles yet? I have....so why do we need another one with....
Sam, Nora and Troy - Can’t we finally have one couple get together and just be together…or do we need Witchdoctor Troy and his little bottle of memory pills coming into play? I’m all for Nora remembering her past and socking it to Lindsay, but Sam should be in on it. Why couldn’t we just have Nora get a good knock on the head one day and knock all her memories back into existence? Now that would be believable soap stuff.
We don’t need Troy in this mix and although Ty Treadway has tons of fans that are happy to see him back on the show, I’m not so sure if they care whether or not he’s with Nora. I don’t really know what Troy’s game is yet, although I doubt it’s totally altruistic. We can always keep him around and hook him up with Lindsay….OMG…now that would be a scary team!
I say leave Nora and Sam alone…the triangle with Troy is just silly. I am still getting mail from lots of people who haven’t quite taken to Larry Lau’s Sam, but I feel stronger than ever that he’s already fitting very well into the role of Sam and getting better all the time. I think he has good chemistry with Hillary B. Smith...he’s very cute and sexy....OK...so that’s what I think....sue me! Sometimes I swear I look at him and still see young Greg Nelson from All My Children.
I think it’s unrealistic for Nora to even have any kind of attraction to Troy after her experiences with Colin. And if he’s going to have some sick obsession with her where she doesn’t return the feelings, who needs to see that? Been there and done that with his dear, sweet, brother Colin. OK Troy fans...I’m ready...get out your pens. Be kind....I really want to believe the guy is ok....SO FAR.
And what do you think is going to happen with....
Asa, Gabrielle and Max - First let me ask this question....does anyone care? OK…here’s my opinion and remember that I’m never right. Asa is definitely alive in my opinion and Bo, Nora and Hank are all in on a plot to snag the killer…or killers. For someone who I do not believe is dead, Asa had quite the funeral and the reading of his will was a riot. Were any of you able to contain yourselves when Alex dragged out that g-string from the little velvet bag? Ben and Viki’s reactions were classic. I actually laughed more when Alex, not believing Asa would do that to her, went back to the couch and took another look in the bag, as if she were going to find a little pouch of diamonds in there…LOL!
And Gabrielle….PULEEZE….if you chew up any more scenery they’re going to have to refurnish Asa’s mansion all over again…and you just did such a fine redecorating job!
I was also wondering just how Asa would (or does) feel about the whole Natalie situation. We know how strongly he feels about blood. After all, as much as he hated Ben, he found a soft spot in his heart almost immediately when he found out Ben was his real son. Of course, Ben wasn’t a mean, nasty little troublemaker like Natalie is. I wonder if Natalie is right...if Asa would be happy to acknowledge her existence and be impressed with her...shall we say... nerve. He might just want to crush her like a bug for what she’s done to his Jessica, but where Asa’s concerned...who knows?
So, I guess it remains to be seen whether or not these storylines will turn out the way we want them to...and since the opinions on what everyone wants to happen vary widely on these storylines, it will be interesting to see what we are faced with come Christmas time. Everyone take a vote...will GT give the loyal, loving, wonderful, concerned, highly intelligent Internet fans what they want? And in addition to all of the above plots that are just waiting to be thickened....I have one teeny, tiny, little request of GT...and since this is my column, I am going to indulge myself. Hey Mr. Tomlin (see how respectful I am)...can you please arrange for Ben and Viki to be in the same room alone together for five minutes any time soon....just enjoying some B&B time? Oh sorry, excuse me....some B&V time!!!!
See ya next week......
Jill
FAN FEEDBACK AND
QUESTIONS
_______________
Holly writes: “I so agree with everything that you said about the acting on OLTL. I am one of those that don't like Melanie and Bo together...guess I don't have to worry about that anymore. However, I must admit that their last couple of days together, I actually saw the chemistry that people who have liked them from the start have seen. I never did think DV was much of an actress, but she proved me wrong. Given good material...she delivers. And your statement about Erika Slezak being an actress who just simply moves you...well I definitely agree with that. She is Number 1 in my book. And MD...well no more needs to be said...he's the best!!!”
Dear
Holly: I think a lot of people changed their minds about Melanie and Bo after
those final scenes...too bad it happened too late. That’s something else I
think TPTB should think about the next time they write off a promising character
and opt to bring back old characters for silly storylines. They need to spend
more time working with what they’ve got. Oh, and you think Mark Derwin is the
best? Weeelllll....I guess you might be able to convince me of that! Come on
Holly...twist my arm a little.
_______________
Christopher writes: “I need to tell you how in sync you and I are, and talk about being on the same page, regarding Erika Slezak's Tour de Force performance as Victoria on OLTL. I can't tell you how many times that I have posted similar comments on the discussion board regarding Ms. Slezak's magnificent performance as Victoria Lord. Her unfathomable ability to transcend the "box", to transmit all of those wonderful lines she has into this particular viewer's heart (perhaps many others) is just beyond the scope of the natural laws of nature. For me, she gives Victoria a soul. I don't see her acting, I just see her "being." Watching her perform is like feasting at a table of all your favorite comfort foods.”
Dear Christopher: “Watching her perform is like feasting at a table of all
your favorite comfort foods.” I have to tell you....this is one of the greatest
metaphors I’ve ever heard. I couldn’t have said it better myself...and I wish I
had been the one to come up with it. How perfectly it describes Erika Slezak.
You know what? I can think of a lot worse things than curling up on the couch
with some ice cream...some chips...some cookies...and watching Erika act. Well,
those are the best comfort foods...are they not? Too bad I can’t get away with
enjoying them....but I still get to watch and enjoy Erika.
_______________
Debbie writes: “It's been wonderful to see OLTL mine its history in its current storyline with Viki and Natalie. As a long time viewer of OLTL I went oh oh when they started the Jessica/Natalie baby switch but so far the writers have remained true to its history. How wonderful most of the original actors are still on OLTL to make this story ring true ( Erika Slezak, Barbara Garrick and Michael Storm --wish Clint Ritchie was back). Speaking of Michael Storm it's been great to see Dr. Larry have some screen time. This is going to sound like a lot of other comments -- don't bring on new actors, please use the ones you have. I know storylines end and actors go but when you invest your time in a show and you become attached to your characters it becomes disheartening to see new characters become front and center. Dance with the one who brought you comes to mind.”
Dear Debbie: I, too, wish Clint could be back for this story line...it would be much more realistic for him to be a part of it...but that’s life. I couldn’t agree with you more about Dr. Larry. I love him and hope they give him a real story line. Maybe he could start by monitoring Dr. Troy’s experimental treatments...LOL. And since Melanie left town, someone has to pick up the slack at the hospital...why not Dr. Larry? I think you should send you last comment to GT, “Dance with the one who brought you.” I love that and it says a lot about loyalty, something we as fans so richly deserve.
